After ending her call with Chet, Callie knew that she couldn’t stay at home waiting to hear more news about Frank and Joe. Throwing the tote bag holding her beach gear on the couch, Callie started to head out the door when her cell phone rang. A small smile crossed her face when she saw who was calling.

“Hi, Vanessa – I guess you’ve heard?”

“Yes, Biff told me. Cal, I need a big favor! Mom’s car is at the garage and she’s using the other one – can you…?”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes!”

“Thanks, Callie,” Vanessa sighed with relief. “I just couldn’t stay here – I had to…”

“I know, Vanessa,” murmured Callie softly. “I know.”

*****

Joe had awakened with a pounding headache. It took a minute for him to recall what had happened. He moved his hand to touch the back of his head, wincing in pain when he felt the large lump that had formed there. As he took in his surroundings his thoughts went towards his brother. Frank – where was he – had he been hurt and who took them?

Standing up, Joe noted that the room he was in was half the size of his bedroom. At the corner of the room up near the ceiling, there was what appeared to be an opening about the size of a window. Joe looked up at what he realized was his only escape route but it was out of his reach. ‘If Frank were here,’ Joe thought: ‘I could have given him a leg up to open that window.’

Unfortunately Frank wasn’t there. Joe sighed resignedly. Turning away, he began to pace the room. A few seconds later the young teen noticed that the floor was wet. Joe frowned when he heard the soft sounds of running water. He looked down to see water slowly rising around his ankles.

Frank watched as Joe walked around the small room he was in. He also saw the “window” located in the ceiling at the corner of the room. Frank could tell that it was too high for Joe to reach without help.

“Joe is safe – for now. You can help him get out of there before it’s too late. All you have to do is find him! You have two hours – starting NOW!”

“What? – wait!! How do I find him?!” Frank shouted frantically but he got no reply.

Frank glanced down at the monitor. His eyes swept the table and he saw a timer ticking down the time. He picked it up and headed towards the hallway he had passed. He had to find Joe – the knot in his stomach told him that he had to find his brother fast!

Frank jogged down the hallway, opening every door that he came to. He found out the hard way that whoever his captor was played dirty. The tips of his fingers were bleeding – every time he placed his hand on a doorknob he pricked his fingers. But Frank didn’t let this deter him – he had to find Joe.

Coming to another door, Frank saw that it was an exit stairway. Should he go up or should he go down the stairs? He closed his eyes picturing the room that Joe was in. He could ‘see’ the window above Joe’s head – sunlight had been shining through. Frank opened his eyes – Up – he had to go up. After walking up a few steps he let out a painful cry. Glass – there was glass everywhere!

Determined to save his brother, Frank gritted his teeth and walked on – leaving bloody footprints along the way.

*****

Fenton, Chet and Biff continued to watch the video feedback playing on the laptop. Fenton had opened another window trying to find where the feedback was coming from.

“Mr. Hardy, I bet Phil could find the location,” Biff said softly.

Phil Cohen was a slim teen with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was Frank’s best friend and was considered a computer genius. Fenton knew that Phil often helped Frank and Joe on cases they worked on.

“Call Phil,” said Fenton as he turned to look at Biff. He then returned his attention to the laptop.

*****

Frank had reached the fifth floor when the stairs seemed to end. He figured there must be another way to reach the rooftop – where he thought Joe was. Frank reached out to open the door, ready to feel more pain. He was surprised when he didn’t feel anything – Frank wasn’t sure if this was good or bad. He stepped into the hallway and found that his captor had left him a message.

Eenie, Meenie Miney Moe

Which way should Frank go?

Frank stared at the wall in front of him wondering who this crazy person was. Left or right, Frank thought. He decided to go right but before he took a step, Frank checked to see if there was any glass on the floor. He knelt down and ran his hand across the carpeted floor but he didn’t feel anything. Limping down the hallway, he went in search of Joe.

Frank took out the small timer from his pocket and frowned. It had taken him almost thirty minutes to climb up five flights of stairs, something that would normally have taken him less than ten. But the broken glass had deterred him. The older Hardy boy wasn’t too sure how well he could trust the person who kidnapped him and Joe. With a grim, determined expression on his face, Frank sped up – ignoring the pain that shot up his legs. As he limped along, he had a nagging feeling that he should know who the voice was.

Joe felt cold – the water had risen more and was now almost to his knees. He had called out for help but he wasn’t sure if anyone heard him. Not liking the fact that there seemed to be no door, Joe patiently tapped the walls, hoping to find some kind of secret doorway. All the while the water continued to rise.

Joe was staring up at his only escape route – wondering if he could jump high enough to grab onto the bars – when a shadow appeared above.

“Hello Joe – it’s good to see you again.”

Joe gasped – he knew that voice but from where?! He tried to see who was watching him but the man kept himself just far enough into the shadows so that Joe couldn’t see him.

“I – I know you, don’t I?” said Joe in a low tone.

“Yes, you do – you and your brother know me. So far Frank hasn’t figured it out although he is making good time in finding you. I may have to …hurry things along,” chuckled the man.

‘Oh that doesn’t sound good! Come on, Frank! Get us out of here!’

Frank slammed his fist against the wall and uttered a few choice words. He had come to a ‘dead end’. He was now going to have to go back the way he had come. “I’m sorry Joe,” he sighed dejectedly.

*****

Thirty minutes after Phil had been called, the young teen arrived with Callie and Vanessa. Fenton checked his watch; Laura and Gertrude would be coming home soon. He wasn’t sure how he was going to tell Laura about Frank and Joe.

Phil sat in front of the laptop, his fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard. A frown creased his forehead. “I’m afraid this is going to take awhile, Mr. Hardy. It looks like he’s piggybacked onto another user’s account.”

“Do the best you can, Phil. I know you can do it.” Fenton gave the young teen’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“Yeah Phil, if anyone can find them you can!” Biff encouraged him.

Chet, Callie and Vanessa also praised their good friend.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys!” Phil smiled shyly as he resumed his search with determination.

At that moment the front door opened.

“Fenton, we’re back,” Gertrude announced as she walked ahead of Laura.

“I didn’t see the boys’ van - are they still here?” asked Laura.

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Disclaimer

The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The Hardy Boys Fan Fiction authors of the Hardy Detective Agency have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.