Fellowship & Fairydust

As soon as Slim and Pete saw that Frank and Joe had gotten into the house, Jack took the copter for a couple more spins around the place before heading out to sea. 

“I hope that gave Frank and Joe enough time to find Mr. Hardy and a place to hide,” Slim shouted into the headset. 

“I hope so too,” shouted Jack back, “but we won’t know for sure until we’ve received word from Laura.” By then, they were passing over the Coast Guard station. They saw Biff, Tony, Phil, and the Coast Guard leave the station and get into a couple of boats. Chief Robinson flashed their searchlight at them, and their friends waved. Slim and Pete waved back, but wasn’t sure if their friends saw them as the boats took off towards the cliffs. Jack landed the copter soon afterwards. He turned in his chair. “Alright, text Chet.” 

Slim pulled out his phone. “On it.” 

…

 

Chet’s phone chimed. He pulled it out and looked at the text. “Slim says Frank and Joe got in and that they’re ready to take back off if we need them.” Collig and Laura nodded at him. The three were sitting in Collig’s police car, Laura in the front with Collig while Chet was in the back. His phone pinged again. “That’s Tony, they’ve left the Coast Guard station and are on their way towards the cliffs.” 

Laura let out a soft huff as she turned back around in her seat and faced the house, or what little they could see of it. “And now we wait.” 

Chet let out a breath. “I hope they find Mr. Hardy and a hiding place quickly.” 

Collig picked up the radio and pushed the button. “Crouching Tiger to Eagle Eyes, report.” 

Stephan’s voice came over the radio. “The bad guys are rushing around, getting things ready to go, I suppose. Mr. Wayne’s flying really scared them.” He chuckled.

“Can you see Frank and Joe?” 

“Not since they went into the house. None of the bad guys have gone in, that I can see, so they have some time to find Mr. Hardy.” 

“That’s some good news. Thanks Stephan.” 

“Eagle Eyes, over and out.” 

“Over and out,” said Collig before placing the radio down. He glanced at Laura and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You and Fenton have raised those boys well, and they’ll have Fenton with them. I’m sure they’ll figure out something.” 

Laura smiled with appreciation at Collig. “Thanks Ezra.” 

“They’d better,” said Chet, leaning forward with anxiety, “it looks like those guys are heading in.” 

“Text Slim and tell Jack to be ready to go at a moment’s notice,” said Laura as her hands curled into fists. 

“Yes ma’am.” Chet quickly typed out the text and sent it. Slim quickly sent back a text saying that they were ready. 

Laura nodded after Chet read the text. “Good, thank you.” 

“Um, Mrs. Hardy?” 

“Yes Chet?” 

“Um, I don’t want to keep thinking about bad things, but, what if, what if they take all three as hostages?” 

Collig glanced at Laura as she bit her lip. “I, I don’t know,” she whispered.

“I think,” said Collig slowly, “I think we would be at a disadvantage there.” 

“Yeah,” said Chet softly. “Sorry to upset you, Mrs. Hardy.” 

Laura smiled softly at him. “It’s alright, Chet. A mark of being a great detective is being able to look at something from all angles. And if you can’t, having someone who can give you a different perspective can be the greatest ally a detective can have.” 

Chet smiled. “That, or, just a mark of hanging out with the Hardys long enough.” Laura and Collig chuckled. 

“There is that too,” said Collig between chuckles. “Anyone can learn some tips about being good detectives by hanging out with the Hardys.”

“Well, what can you say, Fenton likes his job, and it’s rubbed off on the boys. It’s only natural that it rubs off them too.” 

The radio buzzed to life. “Eagle Eyes to Crouching Tiger, Eagle Eyes to Crouching Tiger, come in!” 

Collig quickly picked up the radio. “This is Crouching Tiger. What’s going on, Stephan?” 

“The bad guys went into the house, and a few have come back out. They seem to be looking for someone!” 

The three glanced at each other and Laura quickly pulled out her phone. She hadn’t received any texts. “Please just be lying low,” she whispered. Chet began massaging her shoulders. 

“I hope that means Frank and Joe have found Mr. Hardy and a fairly good hiding place for now. Report back when you see any differences, like if they found someone. And it’s getting close to time for your sister to start texting Biff about what you guys see.” 

“Roger that. Eagle Eyes over and out.” 

“But if they are safe, why haven’t they texted you yet?” Chet asked. 

“Maybe they’re in a position that Frank doesn’t feel it’s safe to pull out his phone and risk them getting caught,” said Collig. Laura merely nodded, but glanced at the phone, still wishing for that text to come through. Chet, who had paused in massaging Laura’s shoulders, went back to massaging them. 

Laura sighed as the massage helped keep the tension from building up. “Thank you so much Chet. I envision you’re going to make some girl really happy.” 

Chet grinned. “I plan on it.” But though he grinned and was doing his best to help his best friends’ mother stay calm, he couldn’t help the string of worrying scenarios and questions from running through his head. Had Frank and Joe really found their father? Was the gang just looking for the two boys since they hadn’t shown up, supposedly, to the rendezvous? Had they figured out that it was Frank and Joe who Klein and Red talked to and not the Masons? How did they figure it out? Speaking of, why hadn’t Snattman sent any men to the Hardy’s house and kidnapped the boys from there? Just what kind of a criminal was this Snattman? What was he thinking? Most criminals would have used whatever means necessary to make sure the police didn’t catch them. So, why hadn’t Snattman or his gang? Chet was starting to feel a little dizzy with how rapid-fire fast the thoughts came, and he couldn’t stop them. Had they taken pretty good care of Mr. Hardy? What kind of condition did Frank and Joe find him in? Could his condition have any effect on how quickly they were able to hide? Did the boys have to support him and that’s why Frank couldn’t text? The house wasn’t that big, so why hadn’t they been found yet? Or they were found, and Snattman was putting on a show for the police so he would have time to convince Mr. Hardy to give up the case? There were so many things that could have happened! What was going on in there? If only that telescope could see inside the house as well! 

Ding! Chet yelped and fell back on the seat, while Collig and Laura jumped. She let out a yelp in relief as she opened the text. 

“It’s Frank! Oh, they’re alright! They had to lay low while the house was searched. They’re hiding in the attic, Fenton didn’t want Snattman’s gang to find them in the secret staircase so it can remain their back door if they are found.” 

Chet whooped. “They’re alright!” 

“For now,” said Collig firmly. But he was grinning with relief. 

“Chet, let Biff and Slim know Frank contacted us and that they’re alright,” said Laura. 

“On it!” Chet quickly typed out the text and sent it to both of them. He glanced between the adults. “Now what?” 

Collig picked up the radio. “Now, it’s time to cut off their escape route.” 

…

 

Chief Robinson returned the radio to its stand. He turned to Biff, Phil, and Tony. “Alright, time to show us exactly where that opening is.” 

The three nodded. “Yes sir!” 

He turned to the helmsman. “Follow their directions, Jones.” 

Jones saluted him. “Yes sir!” Phil pulled out the map so Biff and Tony could give exact directions. As soon as the boat was close enough, they pointed out the opening. Jones pulled past it and turned the boat around. He turned off the engine and they watched and waited. 

“Ingenious,” said Robinson. “We would have never noticed that.” He grinned at the boys. “Those Hardys are amazing.” 

The boys grinned at the praise for their friends. “You better believe it,” said Tony. 

“After everything they’ve already done for my brother? I already do.” 

“Chief, it looks like two men are coming out of the cave,” reported Jones. The boys dashed to the front and peered out the window as Robinson did so. 

Phil gasped. “I think they’re trying to get out with some of the loot!” 

Robinson nodded. “That would make sense, try to get out as much as possible before getting the men out. They might know the police are watching the roads but not their secret opening.” He looked at each of them. “Be ready for anything.” They nodded. The two men had not noticed the Coast Guard boat sitting just past their secret opening. They got into their boat and took off for the ocean. Robinson picked up his radio. “Alice to Henley, we have two men in a boat and what looks like some loot heading your way. Be prepared to head them off.” 

“Roger that, we’ll be ready.” Robinson returned the radio and nodded at Jones. Jones nodded back and turned on the Henley. The smugglers’ boat was a few feet ahead of them now, but with a powerful engine like the Alice’s, they would catch up to them in no time. 

“I wonder where they’re going,” said Biff. “I don’t think they would be able to make it to the Marco Polo without being seen.” 

“Well, we are forcing their hand, they might be trying to work as quickly as possible to get the loot to Ali Singh before the police get their hands on it.” 

“Oh, speaking of Ali Singh, have you arrested him yet?’ asked Phil. 

Robinson shook his head. “Not yet, the captain of the Marco Polo didn’t want a scene.” He rolled his eyes. “So, I have two men waiting to arrest him as soon as he exits the ship. The captain did promise to send Ali on an errand to the docks so we can arrest him.” 

“They’ve spotted us!” announced Phil. The two men had revved up their boat. 

“Jones, full speed!” 

“Yes sir!” Jones put the Alice into full speed, but the boat chase was over almost as soon as it had begun. The Henley lay between the smugglers and their path to the docks. The Alice turned and pulled up alongside them, putting them into a sandwich. 

Robinson raised a megaphone as two men came to the side of the Alice and raised their guns. “Don’t even think about it, gentlemen, you’re surrounded.” 

The men raised their hands. One had a bag in his left hand. Biff quickly realized what he was planning to do as the hand slowly inched towards the edge of the boat. “Chief, he’s going to . . .” Before Biff could finish the sentence, the bag was tossed into the water.

“Hey!” shouted Tony. But Biff was already in motion. He took everything out of his pockets, then quickly slipped off his socks and shoes, and just about tore off his shirt in his rush to dive into the water. 

“Biff!” cried out Tony and Phil. 

“Bertram, arrest these two!” ordered Robinson. 

“You’ve got nothing on us!” shouted one of the men as two men from the Henley entered the boat. 

Robinson narrowed his eyes. “Well, tossing evidence into the sea in front of several witnesses doesn’t exactly help your case either.” They scowled at Robinson, but gave no further problems as they were escorted onto the Henley. The next second, Biff’s head cleared the water, gasping for breath. He held up the bag in triumph. 

“Good going, Biff!” cheered his friends as they helped him back on board the Alice. 

“I don’t know how they did it,” he said through chattering teeth, “but this is the medicine my father was supposed to receive tomorrow.” He growled as his eyes flashed. “How could they steal this? There are people in town who desperately need this medicine!” 

“Some people will do anything for a pretty penny,” said Robinson with a scowl. But then he brightened. “But thanks to you, your father will still get this, and I’m sure he would have no problem if his son is the one who delivers it.” 

Biff grinned. “Oh definitely not.” 

Robinson patted him on the back. “Good.” He turned to the Henley and used his megaphone. “Bertram, I’m going to need you to send a few men with us. No doubt they’re going to need our help.” 

Bertram nodded as he picked up his megaphone. “Roger that.” 

Robinson turned to Jones. “Take us back to the cave.” 

“Aye aye, sir.” 

By then, one of the officers had taken the medicine from Biff and locked it in the ship’s safe  while he quickly got dressed. He took a glance at his phone and gasped. “I think they do. Chet sent a text saying that something’s going on at the house! Jack, Jerry, and Officers Reilly and Franklin are supposed to be checking it out.” 

Robinson glanced through the window at the cliffs. “Ask Chet if we should proceed to enter the caves.” 

Biff quickly sent the text and got a rapid reply. “He says yes.” 

“Alright, let them know we’re going in.” 

Meanwhile, after getting the request from Collig via Chet’s text to get a closer look at what was going on, Jack, Jerry, and the two officers found themselves hiding behind the same bushes Frank and Joe had been hiding behind only the other day. The boys’ hearts were pounding as they watched the men scurrying to and fro. Some had large flashlights, others were carrying boxes, and a few were watching the road. Two men paused in front of their hiding place. Jack and Jerry pressed themselves into the ground as much as possible to avoid detection. 

“Klein, listen, if things don’t go well . . .” 

“But Snattman’s plan will work!” The boys slowly raised their heads to get a better look at the two men. It was Red Jackley and Klein Connors! This must be their usual post! 

“I don’t know, there’s something about those Hardys,” said Red, “I’m always thinking they have some other trick up their sleeves. No wonder why Snattman is scared of them. But listen, if, and only if, things don’t go according to Snattman’s plan, that tower treasure is in the old tower, got it?” 

“Old tower, got it.” 

“Good, but Ali Singh knows it’s there too, and one can’t be too sure what that guy will do once Snattman isn’t in charge.” 

“I know, I’m surprised Snattman even trusts the guy to be our salesman overseas.” 

They were interrupted by radio static. Reilly instinctively reached for his, but Red pulled out his own. “Red here, what’s up?” 

“Snattman found the Hardys!” 

 

<Previous | Next>