Fellowship & Fairydust

Frank mumbled as he rolled over. He rubbed his eyes, they felt so heavy. He could hear Joe’s heavy breathing from the other bed. So then why were his ears ringing? His eyes widened, wait, that wasn’t ringing in his ears, that was the phone ringing! He threw off the covers and nearly tumbled out of bed in his mad dash to get to the phone. By the time he got out to the hallway, his father had already picked it up. 

“Fenton Hardy speaking. Yes, hi Chief, what do you have?” Fenton had his back to Frank for a moment before he turned. Frank gulped when he saw the look of disappointment etched on his father’s face. “Both are still at large?” Frank’s eyes widened. They hadn’t caught Klein yet? And who else got away? “I see. No, no, I don’t blame you, or your men, or Robinson and his men, or the State Police. Two men can easily give a whole army the slip.” A slight smirk formed on his lips. “Trust me, I know how that works.” There was a pause as Fenton listened to Collig. “No, I think you should relax on the search for Connors and Singh. Without Snattman to tell them what to do, they’ll slip up, no doubt about it.” 

Frank’s eyes widened  and his mouth dropped as he stepped closer to Fenton. Fenton saw him and raised an eyebrow. “Ali Singh got away?” Frank mouthed. Fenton nodded. He turned his attention back to listening to Collig. 

“That’s right, Ezra, go lax on your search for Connors and Singh. Don’t stop looking for them, but don’t send out every man you have to comb the countryside for them.” 

Frank gasped. “The Tower Mansion treasure! Red told Klein where it is, and he said Ali knew too! We find that treasure, we’ll find them!” he whispered excitedly. 

Fenton grinned with pride at his eldest before turning back his attention to the phone with a blink. “Say what? Oh, sorry Ezra, Frank’s here, and he just came to the same conclusion I did. We need to find the Tower Mansion treasure, we’ll find our men for sure.” His face fell. “Really? He did?” He chuckled ruefully. “I almost expected him to take the secret to his grave, didn’t think he actually would.” 

“Wait, what!” blurted Frank. 

“Sh!” said Fenton. “Keep it down!” 

“Sorry.” 

“Hang on Ezra.” Fenton placed his hand over the mouthpiece. “Red Jackley died without telling where he hid the treasure. No mention of an old tower either. Thank goodness Reilly, Franklin, and your friends overheard that piece of information, or we wouldn’t have anything to go off of.” 

Frank moaned. “Go figure. Klein and Ali Singh might have already found it and made off with it.” 

Fenton shook his head. “Doubtful. We have State Police and several of Collig’s own men watching the roads out of Bayport.” 

“To New York City?” 

Fenton nodded. “Naturally.” 

Something was gnawing at the back of Frank’s mind, something he saw, but he couldn’t quite remember. Something red? What was it? “What about the neighboring towns?” he muttered slowly. He thinks he’s hit on it, or at least, close to it, whatever it was.  

Fenton thought a moment before removing his hand and talking into the mouthpiece. “Ezra? Frank just asked about the neighboring towns.” He listened before giving a slight nod. “Ah, I gotcha. Good plan.” He put his hand over the mouthpiece again. “Robinson has several ships out patrolling the surrounding areas. Really, they could only head to New York or out to sea to escape. They have it all covered.” 

Frank pursed his lips. “But you’re asking them to slack off?” 

Fenton shook his head. “Just the search parties, not the patrol.” 

Frank nodded. That made sense, let the criminals come to them instead of constantly looking for them and waste valuable time that could be put to use fighting other crimes in the city. The State Police blockade on the way to New York and the Coast Guard was plenty enough to catch two men. He hoped, anyway. 

“What’s going on? Who’s on the phone?” Fenton and Frank turned. Joe was standing in the doorway of the boys’ room, and let out a big yawn. 

“Chief Collig’s on the phone,” said Frank, walking towards his brother. Joe’s sleepiness seemed to melt away as his eyes widened. 

“Really? What did he say?” 

Frank glanced at Fenton, who went back to talking to Collig. He turned back to Joe and nodded at the room. The two went into the room and Frank let out a huff. “Red died without telling where exactly the treasure was hidden.” 

 Joe’s mouth dropped before he let out an angry huff. “Of all the nerve!” 

Frank snickered, Joe was starting to sound like Aunt Trudy, but he wasn’t going to tell him that. “Right? But he was a criminal, probably thought it best that he didn’t tell so Klein and Ali could get it and bail.” 

“But do they really know where it is?” 

Frank raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” 

“Didn’t Red just tell Klein the old tower? He didn’t specify it to Klein either.” 

Frank shrugged. “Klein probably knows Red well enough that he knows where Red hid it based on those words.” 

“But if we knew Red well enough, we would too.” 

Frank rubbed his chin. “That is true. Maybe another look at his criminal record might give us a clue.” 

Joe nodded. “Right. Where did you put the record?” 

“Frank, Joe, worry about that later. It’s time to get ready for school,” said their father, poking his head into the room. 

“But . . .” 

Fenton narrowed his eyes. “Now, Joe. Connors and Singh are going to lie low for now. They won’t do anything until they’ve seen that the police are pulling back on their search.” 

Joe sighed. “Yes sir.” The boys quickly got ready. Laura and Trudy were up by this time, and Fenton filled them in on everything over breakfast. He finished by stating that since the Tower Mansion treasure was technically Frank and Joe’s case, that they were now in charge. Joe gave a little whoop, but then he paused. 

“But if we’re in charge, how come we still have to go to school? Can’t we just have today off? We did have a rather exciting day yesterday.” 

Fenton shot him a look. Joe grinned back while Frank rolled his eyes. “Last two days of school, Joe, just two more days.” 

Joe huffed and crossed his arms. “Three, we’re going to the graduation.” 

Fenton chuckled. “The graduation never counted, and we’re going this year because Samantha and Biff’s older brother are graduating.” 

Joe sighed. “I know, I know. But graduation takes as long as a regular school day!” 

“We might still find the treasure before then, Joe,” said Frank matter-of-factly. 

“And Klein and Ali might still get away with it!” 

“Then you’ll have to work fast,” said Fenton. “I did ask Ezra that you two would be the ones to look through all the old water towers. He was going to get a list together for you.” Fenton raised his finger. “After you get back from school.” 

Joe groaned. “Oh fine, let’s get this over with.” 

“Thank you.” They rose from the table and placed their dishes in the dishwasher. Fenton kissed Laura on the way out. “I’m heading over to the police station after I drop off the boys and have a talk with Snattman, as well as get started on the paperwork. I’ll pick them up on the way back home.” 

“You’d better, I don’t need to chase you down twice in one week.” 

Fenton chuckled before kissing her again. “Yes ma’am.” The boys followed him out to the car.

School seemed to drag on for centuries for Frank and Joe. They couldn’t stop thinking about the case, and that nearly got them in trouble. But they managed to get through the day without any other incidents. Fenton picked them up as he said he would and told them about his conversation with Snattman. 

“He confessed to everything,” said Fenton cheerfully. “Plus gave us a few addresses to hideouts the gang were going to use in a few other states and few members of the gang are stationed there. Red and Klein were apparently supposed to be stationed here once the heat died down.” 

“So Klein might know the area as well as Red,” said Frank slowly, “and probably knows all the best places to hide from the police.” 

Fenton nodded. “It’s a possibility. Red probably showed him around to help him get a feel for the place.” Fenton’s eyes sparkled with delight. “And, I got a pleasant surprise.” 

“What?” chorused the boys. 

“Snattman seems to be turning over a new leaf. He seemed genuinely sorry for what he’s done and since the Pollitt place is technically his inheritance from his uncle, he’s decided to give it to the city as a place for the homeless, especially teens.” 

“Oh wow, that’s swell!” said Joe with a huge grin. 

“Repenting criminals are always the best kind,” said Frank. 

Fenton nodded, grinning widely. “I agree. It always warms my heart when someone realizes that what they did was wrong and repent for it as well as try to do better. Unfortunately it is few and far between, so to have one, especially on your first official mystery, is wonderful.” 

“Well, technically Red was our culprit,” said Frank, “and he definitely wasn’t repentant.” 

Fenton nodded. “True that, but our cases were connected, so it’s technically yours as well as mine.” 

“Sweet!” said Joe, pumping his fist. 

Fenton chuckled. “Glad you agree. Now, do either of you have homework?” 

They shook their heads. “The final testing is tomorrow,” said Frank, “so it should be a mostly quiet day.” 

“And then the graduation the next day, and then summer vacation has finally started!” said Joe with a whoop. “We can focus all of our attention on mysteries instead of having to juggle mysteries with school!” 

 “But you’ll no doubt have mysteries during the school months as well,” said Fenton. “Best to get some practice in before school starts back up again.” 

“Right,” chorused the boys. 

Fenton pulled into their driveway. He turned off the engine and pocketed the keys before turning around in his seat to look at the boys. He pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Frank. “Alright then, how about you two start searching in the nearest water towers for the Applegate treasure?” 

Frank snatched the paper. “Yes!” the two chorused. 

“Well then, get to work. Be home for dinner.” 

“Yes sir!” they chorused with a salute. 

“Just leave your backpacks in the living room,” said Fenton as they began to get out of the car. They dashed into the living room and practically threw their backpacks on the floor before turning around and dashing back to their bikes. They put their helmets on, revved up their engines, and were off. 

They consulted the paper Collig got for them, a list of all the old water towers in Bayport. They went around checking every single one of them, but turned up empty. Well, there was no Applegate treasure, that’s for sure, most of the towers still had water in them. They checked the surrounding areas for any recent holes, but found nothing. They made it back home in time for dinner, feeling rather disappointed. They told of their failure over dinner. 

“It wasn’t a failure,” said Fenton, “you just now know that it couldn’t be in any of the towers in Bayport. Time to move on to other towers. You’ll find it, I’m sure.” 

“But what if Red really did mean the old tower at Tower Mansion?” asked Joe. 

Fenton rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “I highly doubt it, though it would be a good place. No one would think of looking there, but I have a hunch that isn’t where Red would hide it.” 

“Well, we can at least cross it off our list as a possible hiding place by checking out to be sure,” said Frank. “We can check it real quick after dinner. If Red didn’t hide the treasure there, it won’t take long.”

Fenton looked between his sons. Joe shot him a pleading smile. “Oh, alright. Just call the Applegates first and let them know what’s going on. Just, don’t get their hopes up. Simply tell them that you have a clue to the whereabouts of the treasure but you aren’t quite sure which old tower and just want to mark this one off the list.” 

The boys nodded. “Will do,” said Frank. Frank made the call after the boys put their dishes in the dishwasher. Hurd answered and completely understood the boys’ dilemma. He told them to come right on over and that he would be waiting for them. The boys relayed the news to their parents after getting off the phone, then took off again. They made it in record time to the Tower Mansion. They parked their bikes and began walking towards the old tower where Hurd was going to meet them. But they paused in their tracks. A light was shining out of one of the windows in the old tower! 

“Uh Frank?” 

“I don’t know what’s going on, Joe, but I have a bad feeling about this. Let’s duck behind this tree, fast!” The boys hid behind the tree right as the light swept the yard and passed over the very tree they were hiding behind. They held their breath as the light seemed to linger on the tree before moving on. The light did another sweep before it seemed to return to the inside of the tower. 

The boys crept closer together. “Someone’s looking for something and doesn’t want to be found,” muttered Joe.

“I figured as much, Joe. Mr. Applegate would have had all the lights on. Speaking of, where is Mr. Applegate?” A soft moan seemed to reply. 

“Frank over there!” Joe pointed, there was a man lying down between them and the door to the tower. 

“I think that’s Mr. Applegate! Joe, call 911! He might be seriously injured!” Frank dashed forward to check on the elderly man while Joe quickly dialed the number. After telling the 911 operator what they found, he got off the phone and immediately sent a text to his father, followed by a call to Chief Collig. By then, Hurd was sitting up with Frank’s help. He still seemed a bit doozy, but he was conscious enough to answer Frank’s questions. 

“What happened?” 

“I-I don’t know,” mumbled Hurd. “I came out here to open up the old tower when someone hit me from behind and knocked me out.” He winced as he rubbed the back of his head. Frank pursed his lips as he glanced at the light prowling around in the tower. It had to have been either Ali or Klein, but which one? Who didn’t understand Red’s reference to an old tower? 

“An ambulance is on its way,” said Joe as he joined them. “I also contacted Dad and Chief Collig, they’re on their way too.” 

Frank nodded. “Good. Joe, I think we need to corner this guy, make sure he doesn’t escape until they get here.” 

“Are you sure about that?” asked Hurd. “He might have a gun!” 

“If he did, he could have just used it on you,” said Joe matter-of-factly. 

“But why don’t you wait for the police to show up?” 

“And let him escape?” Joe shook his head. “Not a chance.” 

Frank nodded. “He’s right. Come on Joe, let’s get Mr. Applegate inside. Miss Applegate can look after him while we go catch this guy.” 

“Right.” They helped Hurd to his feet and into the house. Adelia was beside herself with worry when the boys explained what had happened, but she was grateful they had already contacted the authorities and that they were on their way. Frank and Joe quickly dashed back to the old tower and quietly snuck in. The light was flashing around a few stories above them, but it gave off enough of a glow that they weren’t in complete darkness. They stealthily climbed the spiral staircase. When they got to the level where the flashlight was, they could only see the back of a man. They knew Klein would have had a gun, maybe, but weren’t sure if Ali would have. But they noticed the guy was brandishing a pipe and surmised that he wouldn’t need it if he had a gun. Frank nodded at Joe, and they snuck up on the guy. Frank lunged for the guy’s right arm, and Joe lunged for the left. 

The guy yelped. “Hey!” The boys struggled with the guy to pin his arms behind him, but the guy proved stronger than he seemed. Plus, he thought of using his legs too. One kick caught Joe in the stomach and sent him sprawling, right over the bannister. 

Frank’s eyes widened. “No! Joe!” 

 

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