THE RETURN OF THE HARDY BOYS

THE RETURN OF THE HARDY BOYS Over the years, since the boys youths, life had changed, in so many ways. Two things, however, turned out just the way the family thought that they would. For one, when Fenton Hardy had passed away, not only did his satisfied clients want to throw the man an "ultimate blow-out", but so did the N.Y.P.D. The very department, which Mr. Hardy had retired from, many years before. Trouble was that Fenton Hardy often found himself BACK, in New York, and working with the police, to solve difficult cases. One case the N.Y.P.D. was happy for Fentons help, was the case of the vanishing yachts. While Harbor Patrol had been certain that they had solid echoes, on radar, as well as their own eyes, on the boats, what no one could figure out was HOW the thieves could make the boats vanish, right in front of the police. It would be Fenton Hardy's undercover work, which cracked the case. The gang had been clever enough to use mirrors, and a micro-transmitter, to fool the police. Once Fenton Hardy had infiltrated the gang, he learned that boats had been stolen DAYS before being sighted. Owners had not reported the boats missing, since owners were away on vacation, during thefts. Once a boat was stolen, special pictures, for a projector, were made, of the stolen yachts. The camera was rigged to show a false picture, when the thieves wanted it to. As for the radar target, this had been as simple as turning on a small box, on land, near the image. When the yachts "appearred", the micro-transmitter put out a pulse, large enough to be an ocean liner. Once the police boats were close enough, the picture, and the pulse, were turned off. Mr. Hardy had even struck "pay-dirt", with a gang member, looking for a way out of a bar debt. Mr. Hardy paid off the debt, then the gang member swapped this, for the real location, of the stolen boats. Fenton let the police take the credit, for the recovery, while he took the finders fee. In time, however, even exercise, and proper diet, could not help the aging detective. While, by the time their father had retired, period, Frank and Joe had, finally, made Mrs. Hardy a happy woman, by giving her grand-children, the problem was the brothers wives. Sure, Frank and Joe had made a success, of the detective business, yet their wives had said "I need a husband, who is at home, in the evening. I cannot raise our children, alone." In time, the family even bid farewell to the grumpy spinster/task-master sister, of Fenton Hardy. It seems that Gertrude Hardy had passed away, in her sleep, with her favorite magazine in her hands. As for the extended Hardy gang, Tony Prito followed his father into the trades and, in time, replaced his father, as the head of the business. As for Chet Morton. What is there to say. After who knows how many "ventures" the boy engaged in, he met a woman who asked "Chet, just how much money have you sunk, into your many hobbies?" Chet had tried to "play it down", until the woman produced his bills. (WHY had he let her stay the night?) Sure, Chet had spent a small fortune, however, he had never been in debt, for his projects. While Chet had hated giving up his many hobbies, when the woman asked "Which is more important?" Chet sighed "You win." Chet even gave up the Queen. His souped-up hot rod, which he had been working on, since anyone could remember. When the woman stood beside the car, saying, softly "Which do you love, more?" Chet sold the Queen. The woman Chet had fallen for, encouraged Chet to follow his true heart. His love for cooking. When Chet was not eating, he was cooking. His girl-friend helped him land a job, at a restaurant, then worked with him until they had gotten married, and Chet had become Souh-Chef, at a restaurant. While Chet never reached his fitness goal, he could carry himself as fast, and well, as Biff Hooper, Tony Prito, or any other man. The REAL problem began years LATER. While Frank and Joe had done what they promised, and ended their detection "gig", their children never tired of hearing their fathers relate saga, of cases. When wives had said "Dont encourage the children." Frank and Joe tried to play down the excitement, and emphasize being shot at, kidnapped, buried alive, and so on, yet the children were un-deterred. Even before finishing grade school, a new generation, of Hardys, had begun solving simple mysteries. On atleast three occassions, the young had "talked friends down", after bullies had pushed the students to the point where the victims WANTED to take up fire-arms. Using every bit of the family's skill, the young had positioned school administrators just right when bullies made next threats. Caught, in the act, the bullies would be sent to other schools, while the Hardys friends studied, towards graduation. Then came some bad news. Once in high school, and fully aware that the Hardy Boys van had been in storage, for many years (for sentimental reasons), before anyone could stop the young, the young Hardy's had the old van OUT of storage and, with atleast three, of the Hardys majoring in auto shop, in high school, the young would begin upgrading the van. By the time Frank and Joe, were alerted to their childrens actions, Frank stood, in utter amazement at the vans upgrades. The gas-drinking V-8 engine had been upgraded to the most powerful, 4-cylinder enigne, on the planet. While the out-of-date, Citizens Band (C.B.) radio had been left in the dash, more for nostalgia, than for use, the van, now had a "multi-use area", in the rear. USB-ports had been added. When Frank asked the young people "Even computers must have connections", his daughter would say "Father, the van IS wired. The frame is the WiFi antenna." When Joe looked in the back, asking "Where did the ramps, for the motor bikes go?" His son would say "Dad, step aside, and I will show you." Flipping a rear switch, the rear floor would rise, at an angle, then the ramps would come up, out of the floor. When Joe would say "Thats fine, but where did you put..." and his son would show Joe the new storage area. When Frank would say "Great work, kids, but WHAT do you plan to do with it, now?" Niether of the brothers was happy with the look on the young peoples faces. This is why, even as Frank was saying "Detective work is DANGEROUS! You can get killed, even before graduation." Joe would say "Forget it." When Frank would ask "WHY?" Joe would ask "How often did WE listen, when mom, dad, and even Aunt Gertrude warned us, of danger. They will have to learn, just as we did." When the Hardy's brought out the old van, for the Forth of July, a new generation, of flashy cars, found themselves sidelined, as the most recognized motor vehicle, in Bayport Massachussettes made its first, public appearance, in many years. Just by driving into the municipal lot, and parking, the van received the same attention as a president would. As holiday revellers shared stories, of the Hardy family adventures, and what a part this van had played, so often, what no one noticed was the eyes, behind a set of binoculars. With the hood up, and the inside console slid from position, the young Hardy's explained how they had converted an abandoned, four-cylinder, engine, into a full power unit. A unit just as capable as ever, yet with better fuel economy. When all of the attention shifted to the van, Frank asked Joe "DID we ever get this much attention, when we were younger?" Joe would say "I dont remember that far back." As a tourist attraction, the van seemed like a visit, to the town, by a Founding Father. The REAL attraction, however, came after dark. When both the batteries, in the display control, and the back up units, were found to be discharged, and people began asking "How will we set off the fire-works?" the young Hardy's said "Fear not, the Hardy's to the rescue, again." Attaching the control board to a newly installed, extrenal, power outlet, the board came to life, and the event started. This, even as Joe asked Frank "Why didn't we, ever, think of that?" Frank would remind his younger brother "In OUR youth, cell-phones, usb-ports, dvd's, cd's, and so much more, did not even exist, remember?" Sure enough, the vans power supply was more than enough to power the fire-works display. After the display, a "herd", of Hardy's, would descend on "grandma" Hardys home, for some post-event refreshments, and relaxation. While Frank and Joe had become more settled, in adulthood, when story time came around, both men felt like they were teens, themselves, again. They reminisced about the case, in which what they THOUGHT was a flying saucer, had scared both enough to drive the van into a ditch, to avoid damage. And WHO can forget the case, where the van was stolen (and worse, used in a robbery). The reason why recovery had taken so long was because the thieves had switched the plates, and some lazy watchman had not bothered to look at the registation. The van would have gone, for auction, until a friend, of the Hardy's, had seen the van, in the pre-auction viewing area, called the Hardy home, and asked Mrs. Hardy "Ma'am, WHY are your boys selling their van?" Fenton, himself, had driven his sons to the auction, where the three not only identified the van, but Fenton had made a few calls, asking WHY neither the registration, nor the plates, inside the doors, had been checked. When Fenton Hardy, and the local sheriff, had asked the processor "How could you NOT recognize the Hardy van? The boys have visited, so much that I know the van, by sight." While as many as five reports had come in, stating that the orange van had been seen, at crime scenes, Fenton would not let the matter rest until the Hardys own mechanic checked the van. Just as Fenton Hardy had suspected, HIS mechanic found the fake piece of plastic, which covered the fact that the ignition had been hot-wired. The van was a victim of "wrong place, wrong time." Still, even with the brothers helping the mechanic, the brothers ended up riding their motor bikes, around Bayport, more than they would have preferred to. Now, the van seemed "back in the news". By 1 a.m., while challenging one another, to find out who could stay awake, longest, the young were resting, all over Mrs. Hardys living room. When Joe would ask "How do we move them? If we wake even one, the chaos." Mrs. Hardy would say "They are fine, where they are. You can take them home, tomorrow. Besides, its not a school night." Funny thing about the Hardy family. While people had offered to BUY them both drinks, and even bottles, of alcohol, the only booze, in Laura Hardy's house, was medicinal. Laura and Gertrude, Hardy had a strict rule. NO drunks in this house. This is why, although tired, the brothers, and spouses, set off for a peacefull evening, at home. Still, when the two looked at that orange van, Joe would say "Brings back memories." When Frank would admit "Sure does!" Their wives would say "Come along home. The evening is over." After seeing Franks wife, safely, home, Frank would join Joe, and his wife, at Joe's home. The brothers would munch, on microwave burgers, fries, and drink who knows how much soda. All while remembering the past. In fact, come morning, Joes wife would find her husband, and his older brother, slumped, passed out, on the sofa's. When the woman would say "Look at this mess. Even the kids are not this dirty." Frank would try to apologize, saying "I am sorry. We did clean up, twice. It just kept piling up." This is when Joes wife would pull an "Aunt Gertrude", handing out mops, brooms, and buckets, then telling the men "This is your current case. The case of scrubbing down the kitchen, before the children come home. Lets GET to IT!" The brothers were about 75% finished, when Joe's children came home, saw the mess, and agreed to help. Their main question, however, was "What will become of the van?" When Frank and Joe would say "Probably back into storage. After all, OUR days, of dodging bullets, are behind us." Still, the van was a piece of 1970's culture. A part of the Hardy family. No one, really, wanted to part with it. When Frank and Joe could not compromise, on where to keep the van, Mrs. Hardy had the all-purpose answer. "Why not keep it where you used to keep it." When Frank would ask "What if people see the van, in your driveway. Isn't that how we caught many cases. People, looking for the van, at the Hardy house?" Laura Hardy would say "Balderdash! Your father is in Heaven, no doubt heading up the security section". The van will be safe. Everyone, for 500 miles, knows this van." This is what concerned the brothers. Not only were their talents known, but that van was just as well-known. (Sometimes, the brothers wondered if it was THEM, or the van, people wanted to be seen with.) Since the day, after the house-cleaning, was a sunday, the whole family went to church. To Frank and Joe, however, the service was not quite so comforting. This, as the minister would say "Those, who pursue evil-doers may find themselves in a trap, which no detective can solve. I call upon the congregation to remember that no motor vehicle can outrun a bullet." After the service, the minister would greet the Hardys, asking "I trust that you are not going back into the detective business. It was such a strain, on your dear mother." When Frank would say "Sorry, pastor. I dont understand." Followed by Joe asking "Who told you that we were going back into the detective business?" When the minister would say "IN that case, WHY have you removed that van, from storage?" Frank would say "You mis-understand." then pointing between himself, and his brother, would say "WE did not remove the van from storage. Our children did. They wanted to show what they could do." When the minister gave a certain look, then departed, Joe asked Frank "You dont think that he really thinks we would put mother through that, again, does he?" Frank would say "I would understand, if I were him. After all, our mother is not as young as she, once, was." It was true that Laura Hardy was no-longer the "spring chicken", who had raised the boys. Frank smiled as he reminded Joe "Remember all the time she spent checking on us, when we were young?" Joe would say "How can I forget?" Frank would say "I think that the tables have been turned." Joe would say "Mothers fine, we check in, regularly." Frank would say "Just like she used to do." In the time, since the "loss" of Aunt Gertrude, the brothers had ben giving more thought to their mothers life. With Fenton gone, as well as Gertrude, and the boys, having their own homes, with spouses, Laura Hardy, now, had that whole, big, house, to herself. That afternoon, even as the brothers were considering the offer, of some local girls, to look after Laura (The girls had gone from high school cheerleading, volleyball practice, and other womens sports), to going into nursing school, while waiting to find out what they, really, wanted to do, in life. By the time Laura Hardy began to age, the girls were certified nurses aides, and they knew Mrs. Hardy as well as her sons did. Of course, Mrs Hardy knew the girls, as well. Still, the brothers just could not grasp the fact that their mother was growing old. In fact, the brothers might have gotten headaches, trying to think of how to, politely, inform their mother, of the situation. That is until Mrs. Morton, and Mrs. Prito, came before the brothers, asking "Alright, WHAT trouble have you gotten our husbands into, now?" When the brothers looked stunned, then asked "Why would you think that?" The women would say "Dont play coy with us, Hardy Boys. We knew how much trouble you got our men into, in the past. Now, OUT with it. Where are our men?" While Frank just shrugged his shoulders, Joe would ask "How should we know. They are adults. They do what they want." This is when the fiesty Mrs. Prito would say "Correction, MR. Hardy. We KNOW that our men did plenty of work, with you, in the past. DONT try to deny it." Joe would ask "Who is denying anything." Then added "Sure, while in school, the guys did help us, and our father, on many cases..." Frank would jump in, saying "Ladies, if there was a case, dont you think that we would know about it?" Mrs. Morton would say "All I know is this." Then she would hand a sheet of paper, to Frank Hardy. On the paper was this note: If you tell the Hardy Boys, or that van, of theirs, about our caper, your children will, never, see their father, again. When Joe would ask Frank "What caper? What is the crook talking about?" Frank would say "I dont know, but something tells me that our van is going BACK into service." Joe would ask "You dont mean?" Frank would say "I mean, someone thinks that the van, coming out of storage, is a threat. They think that we are "on the case". Joe would correct his one year older brother, saying "I think you mean "IN the case."" Frank would say "You are right. They took Chet, and Tony, as leverage, but against WHAT?" Joe would remind his brother "We haven't worked a case, in years. Even our sources are beyond their "Sell by" date." Frank knew that this was the truth. Even one of the family's best friends, on the Bayport Police Force, was out of action. While the man had never, openly, broken, any laws, Police Chief Ezra Collig had been a "model of cooperation", no-doubt since the Hardy's had broken so much crime. The family had been broken-hearted when they heard the news. During a Search-and-Seizure hunt, Chief Collig had been shot, in the back, by a drug-crazed psycho, who had kept calling the chief "Scatter-Nuts". The police thought that the criminal was aiming for Collig's heart, liver, and kidneys. Instead, by shooting the chief, in the back, Chief Colligs spine had protected his vitals, even though shattering the spinal column left the chief paralyzed, and disabled out of the service, just three months before full retirement. All of Bayport cheered when the judge gave the shooter a maximum sentence. By the time the psycho would be released, Chief Collig would be dead. The new police chief would be appointed, from far out of state. As hard-nosed as they came, and as anti-private-detective, as anyone can get. No, the police were out of the game (for now). When the brothers considered their old, high school friends, not many had been interested, in high school, and even less were interested, once out of school. The brothers would have considered "Bowling Ball" Masterson, since the young man was known, on the field, to "bowl over" the opposition. The last time the brothers saw "Bowling Ball", the man had gone from sports star, to couch potato. Nowadays, "Bowling Ball" was as round, and fatter, than a bowling ball. Neither brother knew why but, when they heard a commotion, to the side, they watched as their own young were building something, new. The group had assigned each person, based upon skills. It was when Joe remarked "They really are Hardy's." Frank looked at his brother, saying "NO. Dont even THINK it." Joe would say "I am not talking about "line of fire", or anything, dangerous. Why not let them TRY to gather evidence. Let them find out, first hand, how hard it is, to be a detective. Trust me. Once they get a few doors slammed in faces, they will lose the desire, for the "family business". Frank would say "Fine. Let them do research, on one condition." When Joe said "Name it." Frank would say "All clues, and leads, are turned over to the police." Frank would say "I know that I will regret this, but, as long as we are clear." Calling the teens away from their latest project, Frank and Joe would "stretch the truth", just a bit. "Alright, guys, we have a project for you. A research project. The case is to find our friends, Chet Morton, and Tony Prito." One, of Joe's girl would say "Mr. Morton is in the bag. The man never steps out of a kitchen." When Joe would tell the girl "This is serious! Chet has been kidnapped, by someone, and being held, until a crime is finished." When one of the kids asked "What does this have to do with us?" Frank would say "For one thing, Mr. Morton, and Mr. Prito, saved the lives, of my brother, and myself, more times than I can remember." Joe would add "For another, the criminals have, specifically informed Mrs. Morton, and Mrs. Prito that, IF we, Hardy's, get involved, the men will be killed." Frank would emphasize "Remember, this is research. All leads are to be turned over to the police. Is this understood." When the kids asked "What if WE have the chance to free the men?" Frank and Joe would bark "Leave the rescue to the police. They are TRAINED in rescue. Are we clear?" When the kids would say "Right, dad." then move off, Joe would ask "Do you, REALLY expect them to follow our directions?" Frank would counter with "Did we?" Joe would say "I was afraid that you would say that." While Joe liked the idea that the van, finally had reception equipment, to hear conversations, what he was NOT impressed by was the new dashboard. Franks kids had, carefully, removed the old unit, then replaced it with a dash board, with a switch, beside it. The switch had five buttons on it. When Joe tried the buttons, each one replaced the regular dashboard, with an L.E.D. display. Each display had a different series of functions. What made Frank smile was when, as the orange van began driving around each crime scenes, and the teens began dis-mounting, Joe was doing an impersonation, of their own father. When Joe looked at Frank, asking "Whats so funny? If anything happens, I have to face their mother." Frank would say "Its just so funny. We thought that dad was a worry-wart, when he said things, like this. Now, here we are, impersonating him." Joe would say "Thats not even funny." Since the brothers knew, as their father had, that WAITING, at a rendezvous point was the best way to "blow" an assignment, the brothers placed the orange van in some very dark shadows, then sat at an open air cafe. The brothers had a bet going, as to just how long it would take their own teens, to lose interest in the case. About three hours, and an hour beyond the wagers end, one of Franks daughters would come to the men, asking "What would you say if I told you that one of Joes sons has gone into a strip club?" The brothers would say "Good Grief!", and set out, to pull the teen out of the club. (What would their wives think, letting a young man go into a strip club.) Now, sure, the Hardy brothers were, no-longer track stars, however, they could, still, out-distance many men. Still, the men were surprised when the young man walked out of the business, writing notes, as he walked. When his father, Joe, asked "Alright, whats the deal?" His son would say "Collecting information." Then add "I heard two of the performers talking about men, who match the missing. I hope you dont mind but it cost me twenty bucks." When Joe would ask "Do I want to know "For WHAT?"" His son would say "Dad, the women agreed to give me information, on the men, but only for $10 per woman." When Joe went to pounce, Frank restrained his brother, asking the young man "Just WHAT did you learn?" When Joes son reviewed his notes, Frank would ask "Has anyone else verified this?" The young man would say "I was just on my way to see two men, who can do that." Frank would say "No, let your father take you home. Your mother will be worried. Your father and I will handle the interviews." When the boy walked away, dis-appointed, Frank asked Joe "DID I just SAY that?" Joe would smile as he said "Just like dad." After Joe drove the teens home (and made sure the young people went to bed (experience)), Joe returned to help Frank with the after-hours sluething. (This, Joe did, after promising his wife "It is just research. I should be home before morning.") By 3 a.m., Frank and Joe, had met with the men, yet stayed at a distance. The men may not have been "clean", but the smell of alcohol, could choke an elephant. While the two men were just sober enough, to answer questions, the Hardy's kept the four bottles, of booze, just in sight. This, while telling the men "You answer our questions and this is all yours." The men, readily, verified the young Hardy's story, adding "Yeah, they was real chatty with that dancer, Sparkling Jenny. We wasn't even drunk, yet, and she passed us over, for him." By 4 a.m., the brothers were yawning, in fatigue. They had not only interviewed the two drunks, but some kids, who caught the make, and model, of the mens car. While Joe let our a tired sigh, Frank would tease his brother, asking "Getting old, are we?" Joe would have said "Just wait until you get here." The problem was that Frank was, already, there. Driving to Joe's house, Frank noticed that Joe's wife sniffed the man, before letting him into the house. Frank would promise "Joe is not drunk. Its just been a long night." Joe's wife would mentioned "Any later, and it would be morning." Frank would place Joe on the couch, then his wife would cover him. Frank then all-but ran from the house. He did not need an upset wife giving him one of Aunt Gertrudes fanous "Out until all hours lecture". When Frank got home, his wife would only ask "Did Joe make it, home?" Frank would promise "Joe is sleeping, comfortably, on that large couch, of his." This is when Franks own wife would ask "Should I make you some breakfast, now, or wait until you wake up?" Frank would say "Right now, bed sounds better" Both men slept right through their teens next school day. The plan, was to notify the Bayport Police, when the brothers were not half-asleep. Now, when many teens return home, from high school, and their fathers are just waking up, mothers tell the children to be as quiet, as possible, until fathers hang-over was gone. The Hardy teens had no such luck. Their fathers were freshly showered, and teens, and parent, dug into dinner, as if having not eaten for days. After dinner, each man would review the findings, of the previous night. (This, ofcourse, without mentioning the TIME, of the interviews, or the bribes.) When the teens slapped hands, saying "score", Frank and Joe would remind them "Just learning this information will help the police, however, this is just the beginning. We need to find out WHERE the car came from, WHERE it was seen. If possible, even the location of the place, where Chet, and Tony, are being held. Also, there is the WHY." When Franks daughter would mention "I thought you said that there was going to be some big robbery. Mr. Morton, and Mr. Prito, are histages, until after the crime." Frank would ask "Does anyone know WHAT the crime will be?" When his question met with confused stares, Frank would ask "What is important enough, to the thieves, that they want "insurance"? Bank Vault? Residential Burglary? Car theft?" His daughter would say "Right, dad. We have no idea what they are planning." This is when Joes own son would ask "Which should we prioritize? Finding the men, or the crime?" Joe would say "Our friends should be our highest priority. Once they are safe, then the police can go after the thieves." When Joe woke up, that afternoon, and informed his wife of how bad the food was, from the previous night, it seems that, while her family was out, playing "detective", Mrs. Hardy was preparing a surprise, of her own. A surprise which Franks wife contributed to. While the teens grumbled, and groaned, about bed-time, with the men, still, missing, Frank and Joe would promise their teens "Come tomorrow afternoon, we will have more information, and will continue the hunt." The brothers would be surprised when their wives met them, at the van, and Joe's wife would step aside to reveal hot, and cold, carriers. When Joe would say "Tell me that is home-made food." His wife would say "Of course. Even detectives need quality food." Frank would whisper "Busted." Joe's wife would add "See you when you get home." What was beginning to impress Joe, even more, was the fact that, on most cases, the van drank enough gas to star for a gas station commercial. What ever the modifications the teens had done, to the engine, Joe was amazed that, after a full night, of sleuthing, the tank was at 75%, when he went to top it off. While the brothers found, and followed, the suspect car, it turned into a bum lead. The current "possessor" had "boosted" the car, for their own use. In simplest terms, a stolen car had been stolen, a second time. The thief gave the address of an old flop-house. One both the Hardy's, and the police, knew, well. In fact, Fenton Hardy had spent many a night, on assignment, in the place. The car, and thief, Frank and Joe turned over, to the Bayport Police. After that, the Hardy's visited the old place. They needed a clue, which would point at Chet and Tony. After paying for a room, for the night, the Hardy's would pass first a nude woman. She was higher than a kite. After that, they would pass a shuffling drunk male. He was so drunk that the Hardy's decided to the other stairwell, when they departed. This, after watching the man relieve his bladder, in the hall. While no one noticed the bags the men carried, Frank and Joe opened one, each, placing the enclosed plastic over anything they sat, or lay, on. At eleven o'clock, the Hardy's heard an argument, in the hall. One man was asking "Why do we have to wait until midnight? Why not do it, now?" The other man said "We do it at midnight, since that is when the boss wants it done." The first man asked "Eleven, or midnight. Its still after dark." When Joe would ask "What is so important about midnight?" Frank would say "All I can think of is The Witching Hour, and low tide, in Barmet Bay." Frank read his brothers face. "You're right. Lets get out of here." Since the stairway opposite the drunk, had blocked, two floors down, the brothers used the fire escape, then walked into the lobby, checked out, and mentioned that blocked stairways are a violation, of health and safety laws. After that, the Hardy's returned to their van. What surprised both brothers was how the home-made lunch revived them. They were awake, and alert, when the car exited the lot, and set out to follow it. Frank just had to get used to the fact that their own teens had installed night vision, in the dash-board. The men would have no idea that the orange van was following. While the car did not turn off, into the area, of the bay, it did turn off, at a side road. A road which lead to a beach area. Veterans, of too many surveillance details, the brothers knew how far to hang back. Approaching, over ancient boulders, when Frank groaned, at climbing over a boulder, Joe smiled as he whispered "Old man." The two Hardy's would listen, within ear-shot, as they learned the reason for the midnight hour. Peering over the rocks, Frank Hardy noticed that an approaching boat was using radar, and sonar, to navigate the coast line. Now, the midnight hour made sense. But for what? The answer came when a man stepped on shore, and met the other two. When the third man asked "Well, how did it go?" The first man would say "Not good at all. That note. The one we thought would scare the Hardys away." When the third man asked "Well? Im waiting." The second man would say "It did the opposite. Not only are the Hardys on the case, but they have their teenage kids with them." The third man would say "Most un-fortunate. It would seen that a more direct approach is called for." When the man reached into the boat, and pulled out a bundle, saying "Use the first part, to blow up the van. If that does not convince the Hardys to give up, then use the second and third parts, on their homes." When the second man would ask "You mean, when nobody at home, right?" The third man produced a revolver, and shot the second man. The third man would tell the first "Dispose of the body, and meet your new partner, tomorrow at the restaurant." The Hardys noticed that the second man asked no questions. He just nodded, in agreement, picked up the other man, and hauled him away. The third man re-entered the boat, and sailed away, as if nothing had happened. When Joe suggested "He's all alone. Lets rush him." Frank would say "Hold on. I want to see what he does, with the body." After the criminal dropped the body, on one of the lowest points, of the beach, he returned to his car, and drove away. The Hardy men would heft the body to their van, load it into the rear, then drive to police headquarters. The Hardy's had learned, the hard way, never to leave bodies behind. In the two cases, where they HAD left bodies, and gone for the police, the bodies had been gone, before the police arrived. This is why the brothers delivered the body to the police. The I.D., of the body, had taken as long as the vehicle information had taken, to verify that the car was stolen. The only clues, which the body yielded, were fibers, which matched Chet, and Tony. Aside from this, all the clothes told the police was that the victim had been close to, if not inside, parts warehouses. The victim was a low-price criminal. Anything a person wanted, as long as the payer had money. By the time the brothers left police headquarters, the sun was in full bloom, and Joe said "You drive. Wake me when you reach my place." Well, despite Franks best efforts, Joes wife would end up aiding Frank, in carrying Joe back to the couch. When Frank arrived home, he kissed his wife, took a shower, then fell asleep, in bed. When Frank, and Joe's, wives called Mrs. Hardy, to ask, Mrs. Hardy would say "Why not stop by. I will put on some tea." Thirty minutes later, Laura Hardy was explaining the life of a wife, of a private detective. "Make the most of the times you have, together. Dont worry if the phone rings. Just get used to spending nights, weekends, and even weeks, alone. You ladies have married detectives, just as I did." When Franks wife suggested "We had them PROMISE to retire, when we got married." Laura would add "And I had them promise to keep their room clean, when at home." When Joes wife would ask "How do we get them to stop?" Laura would say "If you are that determined, then divorce is the only option. My boys are detectives, just like their father. We can either love them, or leave them." Later that day, when Joe awakened, his wife would ask "Would it do any good to ask you to stop this party?" Joe would ask "If you can tell me that Chet, and Tony, have been found, then I can stop, today." His wife would walk away, from the bedroom. After another, family, dinner, as their husbands, and teens, went on with the investigation, both wives would have an argument. One in which Franks wife would ask "Why do you have to be so possessive?" Joes wife would say "I want a husband, and I want my family to be safe. Not out, hunting criminals." Franks wife would say "You know. We KNEW that the Hardy's were detectives, before we married them. They helped many, in Bayport. We KNEW this, before they proposed." Joes wife would say "I was HOPING that a family, would slow him down. Make him more stable. Now, look at him. He is out, with OUR children, chasing criminals." Franks wife would say "One correction, please. They are TEENS. Not children." Joes wife would say "I dont care, I gave birth to them." Franks wife would smile as she said "God help your young, when they decide to leave home." Frank and Joe had allowed the teens extra time, "on the job", that evening, after the teens found some people who thought that ALL teens are drug addicts, and boozers. With an impressive amount, of play-acting, the teens would learn of an abandoned house, outside of town. Vacant of owners, yet local teens were considering that either someone was squatting, or, maybe, it was a ghost. Team Hardy sat, in the van, until the Witching Hour. Then, as if by alarm clock, the old house came, earily, to life. Frank whispered "Positions.", then the family filed out of the van, and approached the house. Had their "penetration" had ben just ten minutes, earlier, Chet and Tony would have been free. Instead, all the Hardy's could do was use night vision to verify that the men were still alive. Bound, gagged, and being lead, at gun-point, but alive. When Joe heard the teens say "We can catch them. Its just a short run." Joe called out "NO!". When his teens looked at him, it was Frank who would say "Your father is right. We know of several people. Enthusiastic, to reach the beach, only to die, in the decent. The best we can do is get that boats name, and I.D. number. Joe would put his night vision aside, saying "No such luck. It looks as if the name was torn off, or chisselled, off. The same with the marine number." The teens knew what this meant. It was off to home, and bed. School, in the morning. Only their fathers would be on-duty, from now on. To the teens surprise, even their fathers were in bed, that night. The idea was to visit the ships registry, in the daylight. When Joe would try to snuggle to his wife, she would push him away, saying "Not until you give up this game." Hoping for a fight, what she got was her husband, falling fast asleep, instead. The next day, the woman got the worst surprise, of her life. While serving breakfast, she informed Joe "I am keeping the children home, from school, today.. We are packing." When Joe asked, his wife would say "I am leaving you. You have broken your promise, and the family is hurting." This is when forks stopped, around the table. When Joe asked "What promise have I broken?" His wife would say "No more private investigating. You are placing our children in danger." Joe would correct his wife, saying "I am not back in the business. I am trying to help my friends." When the woman would say "Doesn't matter. You promised, and you renigged. We are leaving. Come children. We are packing." She was not prepared to hear her young say "NO. We are not going anywhere. We are going to help our father find his friends." When his wife said "How DARE you. I have taken care of you, since you were born. You WILL obey me." She was not prepared to hear "Or, WHAT?" from her own teens. When his wife turned to Joe, saying "Do something." Joe would say "Alright, I will. Time for a family vote. You are old enough to know your own minds. No sarking, either way. A show of hands. Who wants to stay, and finish the assignment?" To her horror, all of Joes teens voted to remain with their father. This is when the woman would walk out, saying "Fine, lets see how LONG it is before you get hungry." When Joe informed Frank, Frank agreed to stand by Joes side, when Joe told Mrs. Hardy. Their mother seemed to "come to life" as she asked "Is there anything that I can do?" Joe said "We can use all the help we can get." That day would be business as usual, for the young Hardy's. School, then dinner, then out, on the look-out. Laura Hardy would spend her day shopping, then preparing an over-night basket, for her sons. When three, of the Hardys were caught, skipping school, Joe came to the school, yet it would be the principal who was most shocked by what they heard. Joes teens would say "We heard a rumor that someone was trying to move LIVE cargo." Another teen would say "We thought that might mean Chet, and Tony." The first teen would say "We heard about three addresses. The first was abandoned. The second had animals inside." When Joe asked "The third house?" "That we saw. Two men. Pistols. Either 9mm, or 45 auto. We heard other sounds, but we did not find the source. We did find a basement hatch. Dad, tell us, WHY would a basement hatch need three deadbolts?" When Joe asked "Address." His daughter pulled her notepad, and read off the address. When she asked "Can we come with you?" The prinicpal would say "Not until AFTER school. There will be no detention, since you are working, to find a friend. However, school hours remain in effect." Joe would promise "Fill you in, at dinner." While Joe found Frank, and the local beat cops, receptive, to the information, it was the chief who insisted upon evidence. By the time some uniforms changed into street clothes, and the van drove to the address, even the police admitted "This place was just vacated. I mean like just before we arrived." Another officer would find evidence, of Chets favorite snack. The officers would agree. This was too well organized. Every time people got close enough, the criminals would "close up shop". The officers would agree that the police station MUST be under surveillance. That was the only answer (Or, WAS it?) When the third man, in the gang, realized that the other man was not willing to burn people out of their homes, the man, from the boat sent in his own crew. They MIGHT have made it, except for one thing. Fenton Hardy had schooled his family in defending their home. This is why, when the criminals cut the power lines, to the homes, and the back-up generators kicked in, what the criminals had no way of knowing was that, any power CUT, on the land, not listed as utility work, would set off an alarm, at police headquarters. Within moments of the power cut, half of the cities police force was in motion, racing for the Hardy's homes. By the time smoke grenades were thrown through the windows, and the criminals were lighting gas cans aflame, the criminals had to drop their weapons, and flee, as the neighborhood filled with police cruisers. At both Franks, and Fentons, homes, security had gone even farther. As soon as the power was cut, zip lines raced from the homes and, by the time the criminals were tossing the bombs, nets fell over them, pinning the criminals to the ground. It would be Laura Hardy who was the first to ask "Why go to all of this effort? What is so important?" All that the Hardy teens had learned, that day, was that something, really MAJOR, was going to happen, the following night. Even when the police asked City Hall, the answer was the same. Nothing special going on. WHAT were the criminals planning, and why did they keep moving Chet, and Tony? With only 24 hours left, and with the cooperation, of the police, Frank and Joe had their teens spread the word, that the case would be cracked, by sun-rise. While the Hardys were prepared to capture informants, or criminals. Maybe even a dirty cop. The one thing the Hardys never expected was what they got. By adding some "looping" equipment, to the vans electrical system, Joe, and Frank were able to re-route an outgoing call back into the police station. It was the stations captain who would try to send the message "The Hardy's are hot on the trail. Get rid of the evidence, and dump the bodies." Before the captain could complete his phone call, uniforms would enter his office, saying "Chief, you are under arrest". When the man would say "You will, never, pin anything on me." An officer would say "Calling for an act of murder? I would say that is something." While the Hardy family MIGHT have thought that a major piece, of the puzzle, was solved, the problem was that the current "chief" was just a go-between. The man had no more clue, to Chet, and Tony's, whereabouts, than the Hardy's had. Just twelve hours after the chiefs arrest, one, of Joe's daughters was "checking" on "suspicious activity", at a home, when the young Hardy's were sent running for their family home. It would take Frank and Joe, three times, hearing the story, before the brothers understood. When one, of Joes daughters had approached the house, a door swung open, and, before anyone could react, the girl was snatched, inside the house, even as the automatic weapons fire drove the rest, of the young, away from the house. While Frank and Joe were, mentally, more than ready, to face the gun-fire, Frank would be first to admit "Joe, no matter what we may think, we are not in fighting condition. Not anymore." When Joe would ask "Whats wrong, grandpa? Getting old?" Frank would say "Be serious. these are trained professionals, and we are "has-beens". When Joe would ask "Okay, WHAT DO we do?" Frank was about to say "We negotiate for the girl." when the phone rang. With the young signalled to silence, Frank would put the call on speaker and ask "What do you want?" When the caller said "It should be simple, even for you, to figure out. Thanks to the girl, our plans have been complicated. However, if you want to see her, again, you will put that orange display back into storage, and tell your BRATS to stay out of other peoples business." The brothers knew what "orange display" meant. The Hardy's van was being watched, just as the Hardy's were watching. Frank knew that Joe would keep his cool, when the caller said "Back way OFF! If you dont, I might just arrange for your daughter to make you a grandpa." Frank knew that Joe needed no more prodding. The HUNT was on. This is why he instructed the teens "You will continue to school, like everything is normal. However, once you get into gym class, do as many lifting, carrying, and bending, exercises as you can." When Franks son would ask "What are you, and Uncle Joe going to do?" Frank would say "WE will be spending our day in the family gym. I will need to tell your mother, and your grand-mother, just how LARGE of a dinner that we will need." During the school day, the Hardy's teens were about as "focused", on their classes, as a drunken bum is focused on passing a drivers test. Their teachers noticed that the only thing the teens seemed focused on was P.E. What the teachers did not know was what was happening, at Laura Hardy's home. It was by NO coincidence, that Fenton Hardy remained in shape, no matter how many cases he worked on. Laura had watched as her husband had turned a part, of the basement, into his personal work-out center. A work-out center, which Frank and Joe put back into use. What surprised Frank was that neither brother, while not totally physically fit, was in much better shape than school friends were. (The price of being a private detective.) In fact, while Laura, and Franks wife, were setting out a complete buffet, of food, Frank was explaining the break-out plan (while Joe was reminding the teens "NO heroics". I dont want to have to tell your mother that she has lost her children, to gun-fire.) Once the plan was "driiled" into everyone, including Joe, the family sat down, to a large meal. When one of Joes sons asked "Wont a big meal slow us down?" Joe would say "Only until the shooting starts. After that, you be glad that you ate plenty of food." Just as Frank had planned, when the van pulled close enough to the house, a call, to his cell-phone, warned "I guess that you dont want the girl back, alive." Before the brothers could answer, the line went dead. Still, the plan was working. While the theives were watching Frank, and Joe, in the front seats, their teens would slip out the side door, and take up positions, around the house. Frank reminded the teens, on the way "Remember: You have just ten minutes, to surround the house, before I bait the trap." While, at the ten minute mark, Frank sounded the vans horn, three times, it seems that the brothers tales, of adventure, were not lost, on their young. Even as the teens rushed the house, they heard what sounded like a fight, inside the house. It actually sounded like one of the fights, which the teens had staged, on their own, in case of emergency. By the time the teens opened the homes windows, the girl was saying "Its about time." When her siblings looked about the house, the teen said "I only had to take out three, of them. The other two thought that they had me in a cross-fire. They shot one another." While the girl was returned to her family, and Frank asked "Report", and Joe grunted "Frank, let her rest." Joes daughter would say "I'm fine, dad. Uncle Frank, I DID hear them talking. Thankfully, NOT about me." When Frank asked "About WHAT, then?" The girl would say "They were talking about stealing a shipment of gold. They said that, at todays values, the gold would be worth $100 million." When Joe would ask "Frank, you dont suppose?" Frank would ask "Why not, others have tried." When the teens would ask "WHAT gold?" Joe would say "Its just a legend." When the teens looked at one another, expecting an answer, Frank would supply it. "I think that the legend began, long before my brother and I were born." Joe would say "You can say that, again." When Frank would mention "The legend says that a pirate, similar to Blackbeard, used part of what would, later, become Barmet Bay, as his private anchorage." Joe would add "Legend even says that the pirate set under-water traps, for any one who approached the bay." Frank would say "The legend says that the pirate brought in enough gold, to live several lifetimes on." When the teens would ask about searching, Frank would say "I forget how many people have dove, looking for the treasure." Frank would mention "Dont forget those who fell off the rocks, hoping to find a secret passage." Joe would say "Any way, eventually, a university hired your grand-father do to a more thorough search, of the bay, and area." When the teens asked "Did grandpa find anything?" Joe would say "Your grand-father turned the area "upside down", and spent three months, on commission, looking for what is concluded does not exist." When the teens asked "If grandpa did not find it, and he was an even better detective than you were, then WHY do people keep looking?" Frank would say "It is a condition known as "Gold Fever". It does not matter how much evidence that you give people, they, still, hope to be the ones to find REAL gold." Back, at the family home, of Laura Hardy, the family received a phone call. "So, you retrieved the BRAT, did you. Well, to be honest, she was too young, for my tastes. I like my women fully equiped." Whe the young woman heard this, Joe had to signal her to be silent. This is when Frank would ask the caller "IS it the gold, of Barmet Bay, that you are looking for?" When the caller would say "So the BRAT told you. Well, you WONT beat me to it. In 24 hours, I will have it, and be gone." After the caller dis-connected, Joes daughter would say "I am just as well equipped, as the next woman!" When her brothers would say "For a girl." The girl would say "I AM a WOMAN!" This is when Joe would say "Shut up, all of you." Then, to his daughter, Joe would say "I am just happy that you are safe." When the girl would embrace her father, and say "I am NOT a child, anymore." Joe had no idea what to say. Still, the call gave the police, and coast guard, a lead. The following night, the third man, from the boat, with no less than five hench-men, coasted to the beach, rammed a piece of iron into the sand, "docked" the boat, with this, then set out on foot. It was hard to see the men, in the dark of the moon, since all of them were wearing black. The men marched into the cave and, only once inside, did two of them talk about what they would have done, to the girl, IF they had the time. When the leader barked "Shut up! What we dont need is the violation, of a minor, to deal with, as well. Besides, she is scared enough. She wont say a word, for days." (If they only knew the truth) Later, when the frustrated thieves walked out of the cave, arguing about "Where is the treasure? You promised we would be paid from the treasure. Our mates got nabbed, trying to set fire to those homes, and three of us got beat, by some unknown, man. I thought you said the treasure would be in there." The leader would say "I dont understand. The legend said..." And this is when Frank Hardy would speak up, from atop a nearby boulder, saying "That legend is older than either I, or my brother. Dozens of people have died, looking for it." When the thiefs leader would say "Liar! I happen to KNOW that Fenton Hardy, himself, went looking for the gold." Joe would pop up, saying "Dad was on commission, to find out if the rumor was true. Three months, and he found nothing." When the lead theif would stated "Fenton Hardy never chased wild rumors. If he was after the gold..." Frank would ask "Arent you listening? Our father was hired, to find out if the legends were true." When one of the other thieves asked "Then, WHAT DID he do, with the gold?" Joe would ask "Werent you listening. We just told you. Our father was hired to find out if the LEGEND was true. After three months, he reported that the gold was just a legend." When the lead theif would say "Impossible, I have documents, which state that the gold is here." Frank would say "Clever forgeries. Shops sell them to make extra money." This is when another voiced came from the dark, saying "I have heard enough. Hands in the air. ALL of you." When the leader, of the thieves, would say "Someone else will get the gold." The Bayport Police would produce both pistols, and hand-cuffs, saying: You are under arrest, on three counts, of Attempted Arson, as well as kidnapping. As the police detail shoved the thieves toward waiting patrol cars, the temporary chief, of police, would look about the area, saying "In some ways, I wish the gold were real. Just think of all the city could have done, with that money." Then he would suggest "Then, again, if it were real..." Even the Hardy's knew of people who were willing to kill, for it. While the mystery, of the gold, would rermain, Joe still had a very REAL task, waiting at home. While his daughter WAS showing signs, of developing womanhood, Joe was faced with having to tell her that she remained a minor. Frank was no help, in asking "What are you going to do when she begins wearing bra's, and panties?" Joe would groan "I dont even want to THINK about that." Frank would say "You sound like your wife. Dont want the kids to grow up." Both men knew the consequences, of having daughters. The men had been young, what seemed like a million years ago. They remembered what it was like, to have raging hormones. Back at Franks place, their own mother would remind the boys of their own youth. How many times had the senior Mrs. Hardy stayed up, late, hoping that her boys would NOT be out, making any "mistakes". Now, Mrs. Hardy would remind her boys "Now, you know how I felt, when YOU were in high school." When Frank would ask their mother "How would you explain, to the girls, that there is more to life, than that?" Mrs. Hardy would say "Boys, the same way I explained it, to you. The same way your father did." When Joe would say "I dont remember any "talks"' Laura would say "Precisely. You, never, listened, so why should they?" Suddenly, Joe felt thirty years older. While the local police did not get any information, about the Hardys friends, from the theives, it seems that the federal authorities had more "influence". Realizing that, with his record, the senior thief tried to "cut a deal". The location, of Chet Morton, and Tony Prito, in exchange for immunity. When the police said "NO deal", the senior thief would say "Just as long as I do not have to serve time, in either Connecticutt, New Jersey, or Nevada." The feds KNEW the reason. It involved the "violation", of dozens of women. Not teens, but grown women. 48 hours after Chet, and Tony were freed, Chet was back in the kitchen, saying "Im hungry. Lets eat." The "gang" was back together. The Hardy Boys did not cheer the resolution, of the case. No, Frank and Joe knew that the best way to sabotage their peaceful lives, was to celebrate closing a case. After another, buffet-style, meal, the Hardy's were ready to take their teens home, when Joe opened the front door, of Fenton, and Laura's, home, only to find another woman standing there. When Joe asked "May we help you?" The woman would say "I saw the van, in the drive. If you are the Hardy Boys, I would like for you to find my husband. He has gone missing, but, strangest of all, someone mailed his phone, wallet, and other items, to me." Frank would say "Not strange, at all. Nowadays, all of these items have G.P.S. locating circuits. Someone wants you to know that they have your husband." This is when Mrs. Laura Hardy would step forward, asking "Wont you have a seat?" Without wanting, or meaning, to, the Hardy's were back in action.

A QUESTION OF RELIGION AND SCRIPTURE

THE QUESTION OF RELIGION That is how the whole thing began. A visiting Mormon was trying to get a group of us, to "convert" to his religion. The man went on, and on, about the Mormon version of the scriptures, and had just reached the part about "Be fruitful, and multiply", when we got down to the core of the issue. Since the fact is that most, Christian, religion says "Forsaking all others, keep thee only unto..." One would think that Crystal would have been the first, to question this. In fact, it was Jamal. It would be Jamal who would ask "Why is Mormonism the only religion, which allows mutliple wives?" I would follow this with "Yeah, why is that?" The religious man had said "That is just the way the religion is." This is when Crystal would enter the conversation, asking "If your men can have more than one woman, then your women can have more than one man, RIGHT?" When the man said "Scripture does not work that way. It, clearly, spells out that MEN can have multiple women." While Jamal ignored Crystal, asking the man "Why have such a bad rule?" The mormon would, only, ask "How would it make sense for a woman to have multiple men? When she got pregnant, HOW would they know who the father was?" When Crystal whispered "Sexist", I suggested, to the man, "Is there any law, or scripture, which, specifically, states that a woman can only have one man?" The man would think, for a moment, then say "Come to think of it, only the wedding prayer restricts partners. That is, ofcourse, except for off-shoot religions." While I comforted Crystal, I asked the man "What is the definition of an off-shoot religion?" The Mormon would say "I know, or I have heard, of some religions, where adults can take children as partners." Even Jamal had asked "How can children get married?" The Mormon would, only, say "Its complicated, but it has happened." When I asked the Morman "Why dont we get back on track, and you explain how only men can take more than one partner." The Mormon would, only, say "That is the way the Mormons are." This is when I would change tacts, asking the man "What about dating? What do churches say about dating?" All the Mormon would say was "As far as I know, dating is supposed to be between men and women." Jamal had walked away, while I sat, with Crystal, asking the Mormon "Can you think of any religion which, openly, BANS a woman, from dating multiple men?" The man would say "I can think of no such." This is when I would look at Crystal, and whisper "See, there is nothing anti-Christian about dating more than one person, at a time." At just that moment, feeling my touch, on her skin, Crystal would think "You just wait until all of my children turn out as white as you are." Instead, she just snuggled up to me, and enjoyed my carress. After I thanked the Mormon, for the information, I took Crystal home. In her living room, Crystal stopped me, then we embraced, and, as she said "This is as far as we go, until I speak to Jamal." Ebony and Ivory shared an embrace, and an UN-expected kiss. While Crystal did not see her ebony boyfriend, for two days, she ended up having the same conversation, with him, which she would, later, have with me. Crystal tried to spell out the "danger", of dating two men. Her main argument, about an ebony woman giving birth to ivory children, just did not sink in, with Jamal. All he would say was "Who CARES? Let the state take care of them." The next day, Crystal and I sat, and spoke, of the "problem", of what to do when Crystal gave birth to white children. I knew she was "thinking ahead", but I thought she was thinking too far ahead. She wanted to address problems, which would only occur after we began dating. She did not want just plans A,B, and C. She wanted plans L,M, and O. I promised her that, if she liked my dating style, that we could work out a whole "book", of plans. Upon hearing this, Crystal would say "You know, if would be nice to get laid, more than once, each saturday night. I just hope..." The next day, at her mothers home, all mother would say was "Take a chance. Life wont last, forever. You have a man, who WANTS you. Roll the dice." That saturday night, Crystal found Jamal in disgusting condition. He wanted beer sex. In short, beer sex is when a man pours beer over his shaft, then has the woman suck it. Crystal hated this, since she could not tell if Jamal was "getting off", or if he was pissing. The time when Crystal could not wait for Jamal to finish was when, after a beer blow, he would pour a bottle onto her body, then she would endure his "squish,squish", as he pumped her. The only way she knew when he "got off" was when he would dis-mount her, push her out of bed, then fall asleep. Leaving his place, feeling as filthy as can be felt, Crystal went back to her place, where she douched out, atleast four times, then took a LONG, hot, shower. Only when ready for bed did she see the "image", of a man, and woman, in her bed, enjoying deep, loving, passion. She could only think "I wish." The next day, when she took more, clean, clothes, to her mothers place, to take another shower, her mother would say "Crystal, that feeling you have, of being dirty. It is not real dirt. Its your body's way of telling you that you did not like last night." When Crystal would ask "How do I get rid of it?" Her mother would ask "What about your new man. Give him a try, and see how you feel." What "spooked" Crystal, later that day, was how, instead of just tossing her clothes, she felt the urge to give me a show. When she saw my shaft, she just hoped that I was not as good, in bed, as she feared I would be. What she loved, about my shaft was how "pretty" it was, as well as the fact that it did not taste of booze. What she hated was the fact that she liked the taste, so much, that she blew me, twice, before taking a break. Later, in her bed, Crystal hated the fact that she was enjoying my passion, so much. Why did I have to be so good? After I humped her, a few times, she got on top, and gave me the "ride, of my life". While she humped me, Crystal panted "I am going to have to teach you how I want to be had." All that I know is that she brought me up, and over, so well, that I passed out, afterwards. When I awakened, later, in her embrace, not thinking that an "I love you" would be enough, I took her deeply into my arms, and gave her a DEEP kiss. After that, and an intimate shower, Crystal asked what I wanted to eat. When she saw me looking at her breasts, she whispered "Not until we know one another, better." "Better" came sooner, rather than later. This, when her ebony man offered to trade a group, of boys, the chance at sucking a womans tits, for their bicycles, and three months allowances. Funny thing was, while the boys said "Its a deal!", Crystal noticed their hesitation, when her man said something like "Fine, start sucking". Crystal did not walk away, because the boys had hesitated. She walked away because she knew that the boys were young, and that her ebony man had done nothing short of STEALING from them. This is why, as the boys stood there, each daring the other to be first, when one boy walked, quietly, away, she brought the boy into her arms, and, in "private", she gave him what she knew was his first kiss. After he walked away, smiling, and proud, Crystal slipped away, followed her "man", as he took the boys bikes to a garage, then told his "men" "Strip these shits down, FAST. Atleast one of those whimps bikes has a tracker on it. We have to DUMP the tracker, before we do anything else." Crystal had heard stories, about how the man made his pocket-money. Knowing that the police placed NO priority on stolen, personal, property, Crystal knew that the gang stole items which the police would not waste time pursuing. Bicycles remained big business, in our area. Crystal also knew that some locals, outraged by police lack of response, as well as a city proposal that would apply electronic tracking ONLY for CITY-OWNED bicycles, had bought their own tracking gear, and hid this on bicycles. While the mayors office had "howled" over the cost of using police to run down the trackers, saying "The citizens, of this city, are paying almost $15,000 per item, just to have the police recover toys (bicycles). Items worth only about $150.00." To date, one shop was closed, when police traced twelve bicycles to their door, electronically. In another case, a theif had stolen a bicycle, for a friends child. The gift had just been given, fifteen minutes before three patrol cars cut off the bike. When the childs father had told police "I just paid $15.00, for that toy." The police had said "In that case, you are under arrest, for the possession of stolen goods." Five arrests had been made, that day, with one person going to prison for life, under "Three Strikes and you're OUT!" Now, Crystal watched as the thieves RACED to find any trackers, on the bicycles. (She had HOPED the thieves would be caught, in the act) That is, until a thief found the tracker, mounted inside a seat. Here is a laugh. The theif took the bike seat to a stolen car, then drove from the area. Rumor would hold that the thief planned to dump the seat, in a local river. That is, until they saw a road block. This is why, supposedly, the theif had to send the car racing into the river, along with the seat. (The theif broke their arm, jumping from the racing car.) While the public excuse was "I fell off a roof, and broke it", the truth was there. After kissing the boy, then following the criminals, Crystal went to her mothers house, to ask what she should do. Mother was no classic mother. None of that junk about "MY babies!" No, mother was a modern woman. When her children asked questions, she gave the best answers that she could. When Crystal told her mother what had happened, then asked "What should I do. Those boys gave up their property, for nothing." Mother would ask "Do you know where the bikes are, now?" Crystal would say "BY now, they are spread across the county. The theives built new bikes out of the parts." Mother would say "In that case, even the police will do nothing." When Crystal asked "What about the boys. They were conned." When mother asked "Did YOU offer yourself to the boys?" Crystal would remind her mother, about her "boyfriend". Mother would say "IN that case, its on HIM, not you." The next time that Crystal saw me, we went to her place, where Crystal found out just how good I was, at nursing. In fact, by the time I passed out, exhausted, from the sex, Crystal was making her own plans. While some people think that the evidence was planted, Crystal could think of two men, on the theft crew, who were dumb enough NOT to wipe finger prints off, unless reminded to. The boys were retarded enough to think that their boss told the truth, about being a bicycle repair store.'' Crystal had watched, a few times, when other men had to remind boys, about basic things. This is why, when four bicycles were found, on an anonymous tip, the shop was closed, after police ran down the fingerprints, then raided the shop. The night the shop was raided, Crystal had called her number one man, saying she needed him. When he said "Too busy", she called on me. At the time of the raid, Crystal knew she was in sexual Heaven, as she pumped the daylights out of my shaft, while moaning in happiness. I was moaning, as well, as I lay back, on her mattress. I was, still, learning how passionately Crystal wanted to be loved. She was willing to teach me since I was so good, at kissing, necking, and nursing. She knew I could do it. I just needed time, and practice. After a magnificent power-climax, Crystal lowered her upper body to mine, and we shared a DEEP kiss, then rested, until the phone rang. After she hung up, I asked, and she said "It was just him. He escaped police custody and wanted me to call his back-up." When I asked "MY love, why you?" Crystal would say "Baby, that way it cannot be traced back to him." When I asked, Crystal said "What I want you to do at this moment, is to mount me, and give it to me, good, hard, and deep." When I did, she said "Better. So much better. Baby, I would say that, within the next few months, you are going to be my main man." Crystal was right, too. Over the next month, any time her man said he wanted beer sex, Crystal invited me into HER bed. Each time, she let me love her, the first time, the way I wanted to. The rest would be the way she wanted to. Crystal soon learned that sex, combined with nursing, finally gave her the kinds, of power-climaxes, that she LOVED. She was, also, happy when he began calling on her, less and less. Her concern, however, was over the fact that, the more time she spent with me, the less she even THOUGHT about him. Ofcourse, even Crystal knew that he was not the same, one-woman-man, that I was. Thankfully, Crystal agreed with me, that cashiers, nurses, stockers, etc., did not count, when it came to fidelity. After all, in public, all we were looking for was advice, or product information. Then, there were the contests. Times, during parties, when Crystal was asked to show the party-goers just how FAST she could blow me. While an average of five, to seven, women, actually, took part, in the contest, which paid a $50.00 prize, Crystal just stood beside me. She did not mind sucking my shaft. She just wanted to take her time, and enjoy it. Crystal and I, also, knew the reason why party hosts stopped inviting her man to events. The man had such an aggressive erection that, even after he won any contest, he would walk around the room, asking women "Who wants to suck my fucking shit?" The last time he was invited, when no woman volunteered, the man pushed the womens man away, pushed her down, ripped off her panties, then moaned as he said "Good". Just dont ask me where the "artillery" was hidden, but, when the man forced another woman to let him shove it in, the man, soon, had five pistols aimed at his head. When he said "But, I NEED pussy." Even I heard the hammers click back. This is when he took it out of the woman. Crystal watched as her man was lead, at gun-point, off the property. After that, the party, and the contests, resumed, that I escorted Crystal home. For reasons I wont try to understand, it was a week later, and Crystal was mounting me, big time, when the call come. Somehow, she kept me going while listening to the call. It was only after I brought her over a climax that she told the caller "Sorry, my man just brought me off. Now, where did you say he is being held?" Since Crystal was in no mood to let me go, just yet, we humped one another twice more, before she asked "Want to escort me to see him?" When I asked "Where?" She said "Psych ward". What even Crystal had not been told was that the man was being held in secure lock up. According to both police, and doctor, reports, the man had been arrested when he invaded a playground, looking for a Negro girl, to have sex with. While the man was chasing the children about, parents, and bystanders, called police. BY the time the police arrived, they ran video of the man, telling an ivory girl "I am gonna get me some pussy, from you." The video was clear enough that even a judge could tell that the girl did not know what the man was talking about. The final bit of evidence, was when the man snatched off the childs panties. He never had the chance to shove his into the girl. Seconds after tearing the girls panties off, the man, again, had pistols pointed at his head. As for the reason why he was in lock down, when police tried to cuff him, he not only fought to free himself, but, seeing two, female, support, officers, he was arrogant enough say "I want some PUSSY!" When Crystal and I entered the viewing room, we saw that he was hand-cuffed to the chair, yet still straining at the cuffs. When Crystal asked the doctor "Can he break free of the cuff's?" The doctor said "Dont worry. Only two people have broken free, and one of them did not get through that cell door." When Crystal asked "What about the one who got out?" The doctor would say "Dont worry. This is the secure section. Even if he got loose, the moment, when he would rip the door open, security panels, too heavy for any man to lift, would close off the section. No one has escaped the ward, that I know of." Back in the doctors office, when I asked "Whats the next step?" The doctor would say "If he had attacked an adult, then his non-prosecution order would mean "Back to therapy" When Crystal would ask "What about a child?" The doctor would say "Where children are concerned, non-prosecution is waived. He is going to jail, for child molestation. I dont give him any survival chances." The doctor was right. Even in our state, once a person was convicted, of molesting a child, the last moment, when the person would be safe was in the processing area, for entering prison. So far, only seven, child molestors had survived, in prison, until the next morning. Each had been found, dead, with the words CHILD MOLESTOR scrawled across their clothes. As I lead Crystal away from the detention center, she suggested she needed to find another, ebony "lover". This way, she would continue to appreciate me. I refrained from teasing her, about us having children. What I did do was to take her home, and remind her that not all men are molestors. Within 24 hours, however, Crystal was informed that her "boyfriend" had been transferred from going to prison, to entering a long-term care facility. He would be housed in the secure wing. While parents groups made LOUD protests, about a molestor not being sent to prison, Crytals primary thought was about giving me some terrific sex. By the time Crystal and I found out what became of her former man, it seems that the man had slashed his wrists, after being sterilized. He was buried in an un-marked grave. Now, Crystal had to decide. I made a suggestion. Since Crystal knew that I was working, with a political party, on national issues, I suggested that she join the activities. She smiled as she said that I was all the "party" that she needed. The way I aided her, in finding another man, was by promising men that Crystal was no racist. She and I were together because we WANTED to be. I even gave men the best approach, possible. When we did, eventually, drift apart, it was so gradual that I must say that I did not even realize it until it was over. Still, I was happy, for Crystal. After all, her new man wanted what she wanted. As for me, who could say where my aspirations would take me?

CASTLE THE WASHINGTON D C THREAT

CASTLE: THE WASHINGTON D.C. THREAT Things had not been going well, for Senator Castle, since she had been removed from the oversight board. Atleast five, of her proposals, for helping inner cities, had NOT passed the review process. Kate KNEW the reasons why her bills were being blocked. It ALL "centered" on her dis-approval, of funding the invasions, of the Middle East. Kate had found this not to be hallucination, but FACT, especially after five, state, dinners, that she, and Castle, had been invited to. At various times, during each dinner, Kate, and Rick, alternately, were called aside, for private discussions. While Kate was suggested "Senator, without New Yorks support, many jobs will be in serious jeopardy." When Kate asked "Care to elaborate?" all that the people would say was "I am sure you will make the right decision." As for Rick, it was only at these dinners that the author would learn of why so many buildings, in New York, had been left abandoned, and un-developed. Three, seperate, sources informed the author that the derelicts were just "window-dressing". It was deep under the surface, both of the ground, and even under the Hudson, and New York Harbor, that hundreds of people were working, round-the-clock, to develop new weapons. Weapons which were rummored to be used to protect the nation, in the event of an attack. The problem, as it was explained, to Rick, was "Due to your wifes attitude, toward funding the war on terror, we cannot effect enough change to make the invasions worthwhile." When Rick asked "Worthwhile, for WHOM?" his conversers would say "We need this war, to wipe out the enemies, of Christianity. GOD must rule over all." When Rick would suggest "Isn't Allah the same as God?" His sources would remind him "The world needs Christian Democracy, to be safe. Everyone on the same page." Shortly after Rick would whisper "Good luck with that." He would find himself standing, alone. Oddly enough, after each dinner, when Kate would call her father, hoping for advice, it was just as she was about to ask what she should do, when the line went dead. Time and again. When Kate would ask Rick "Why are these people so determined to continue funding a FAILED program? America was promised democracy, in the Middle East, by 2005. Four years of fighting, projected, then it would, all, be over. Yet, here we are. Decades later, and no closer, to a solution." This is when Rick would suggest "Kate, think of it this way. How many PEOPLE are employed, during the invasions?" Kate would say "I really dont know. Maybe ten thousand." Rick would suggest "What do you think will happen, when the invasions are over?" Kate would ask "What do you mean?" Three weeks, and another promise, this time to make a fan a supporting character, in his next book, Rick and Kate would be snatched off of the streets, hooded, and taken to what Kate was certain was an underground facility. Kate knew it was down, based upon how the walk was. Before the hoods came off, a voice, which Rick remembered, from his research days, of Derek Storm, whispered, to each person "What you are about to see does NOT exist. Breath one word, about this, and it will be your last breath." When Kate would ask "Why would you execute us, if we spoke of seeing something?" The voice would ask "Lady, WHO said WE would shoot you?" This is when Kate would say "Ready." When Rick hesitated, Kate would whisper "CASTLE!" and Rick would say "Right, me too." A moment later, Rick, and Kate, saw where taxpayer money was going. When Kate saw the size of the thing, she asked "Why under New York? Why not closer to D.C.?" The man would ask "Mrs. Castle, have you SEEN the security around D.C.? I mean, a mouse cant even fart, without those bozo's, at Homeland, knowing about it." What puzzled Kate was what she did NOT see, near the object. This is when she would ask "IF this is a bomb, where is the explosive?" Their guide would ask "Who said anything about an explosive?" Kate would give one of her famous looks, then ask "If its not a bomb, then what?" This is when one of the gun-men would come forth, with a packet, of information. After he handed it to the speaker, the speaker would hold it long enough to say "Understand..." Kate would say "I never saw it. I know the drill." When Kate looked at the contents, of the folder, along with Rick, she would say "Impossible." While Rick would say "Ingenious." The folder contained the summary of a plan to activate this "machine", yet, unlike the previous attacks, on New York. The ones which left debris behind, this device was designed not to explode, but to "teleport/transport" New York city to another dimension. The summary even described how the Taliban, and Al-Qaida, would be blamed, for doing the un-thinkable. When Kate would ask "How do you hide a city? I mean, where would the city go?" The speaker would say "Who knows? Who even CARES?" Rick would suggest "Either another dimension, or another universe." Kate would say "Castle! Real world." The speaker would say "Now that you know where the money is REALLY going, you can rest, easy. Right?" Kate would take one last look around, amazed at the scope of the project. This before saying "Remarkable." This time, the speaker would hold out the blind-folds, asking "Ladies first?" Kate noticed that, this time, there was no shoving. In fact, it was more like a blind car ride. When the hoods were removed, and Kate saw their location, she asked the escort "Why here? Why not where you collected us?" The escort would say "Un-fortunately, your previous location is an "abduction" scene. It seems that "someone" made a call, saying that the author, and the senator, had been abducted." The escort would add "Walk two blocks, that way. Look for a black taxi, and ask for Vinnie. He will take you home." When Kate would ask "What about our cars?" The escort would say "Regretfully, ma'am, you car will be found, gutted, in the morning." When Kate would say "You guys are sure thorough." The escort would say "We try to be. Now, have a good evening." With that, the man was gone. This is when Kate would mention "You know, for a group, of blood-thirsty murderers, they sure are polite." Rick would say "The "families" have many branches. Most of them are just everyday people. They are taught good manners, from grade school. The "hoods" you deal with are a different branch." When Kate began making inquiries, the next day, it was not long before she was invited, to another luncheon. This, at the request of the wife of the finance committee chairman. Over pre-lunch drinks, the chairmans wife would whisper "Dont be too concerned." When Kate would ask "Why? That device can..." And the chairmans wife would say "Dont be silly. If my husband promises "NO Collatteral Damage", then there wont be." When Kate would ask "Just where will New York City go?" The woman would say "I dont know all the details. My husband just wanted me to promise you that there will be no, annoying, blasts, or explosions. Just a twinkling, of light, then the city will be off." When Kate would ask "WHERE will the city go?" The woman would say "Lets order, shall we?" Halfway through their salads, when Kate would ask "Does your husband know who will be blamed, this time?" The woman would say "OH, just those, nasty, Talibani's, I think." When Kate would ask "Why not Al-Qaida?" The woman would say "They aren't fun to play with, any longer. No one cares about them. We could wipe them out, and the world would not even notice." Kate would say "So, the Taliban gets blamed. Then what?" Over the main course, the woman would explain how information would be "found", detailing how the Taliban had struck. The woman would, even, say "We even have two of those nasty boys in holding. Very im-polite they are." Kate would mention "Not surpising, considering the "enhanced interrogation" being used, on them." By desert, the woman would come to the point. "Okay, senator, I will be frank. The war has LOST support, even here in the states. We need something, dramatic, to fire the public up, again. This time, however, there will be no bodies. No clean up. We just need to re-light the flames, of rage." When Kate would ask "For how LONG? It has been 20 years, already." The woman would say "Just until we clear out those, nasty slums. With no more poor, demanding services, we can sell the area's for real estate development." When Kate would ask "What do you suggest that I do?" The woman would say "Simple. Forget what you think you saw, and bring New York back into the war. Do this, and you will be back in good standing. If you agree, then I will introduce you to people, whose power you would not believe." Before the two ladies parted, Kate would pull a Castle-classic, saying "I will give it very serious thought." Back at Chez Castle, Kate would place a question on the Castle fan site. How hard would it be, either as fiction, or real life, to make a large city "exit" one dimension, and WHERE would the city be sent?" While awaiting a rational answer, Kate would receive an un-signed note. The threat could not be more direct. "Senator Castle, If you breath one word, about the project, then your daughter, Alexis, WILL be in the center, of New York, if the plan is placed into effect." Shortly after Kate brought the note to the attention of the committee, saying "If anyone harms my daughter, there will be consequences" Shortly after this, Kate was baffled when Alexis would ask "Mom, WHY has my name been placed on a no-fly list?" Kate would say "probably just a clerical error." Shortly after Kate began checking into the matter, uniforms, from another precinct, would arrive, with a warrant, for Alexis arrest. Reason: Suspected of drug dealing. After this, Kate would receive another, hand-written, note. This one saying "Alexis case will not even come up, for review, for months. By then, the project will be completed, and Alexis will follow New York, on its journey." When Kate would inform the 12th, suggesting "Maybe I should just resign the senate. I wont risk Alexis life." This is when Ryan, Esposito, and even Laney, would interfere, saying "NO way, sister. You are going to STAY in the Senate. WE are going to do the ground work." When Kate would ask "What about Castle? Alexis is as much his daughter..." Laney would say "Do NOT go there, girl. You married INTO that FAMILY. They are as important as your father." When Kate would ask "So, what is the first step?" Esposito would say "First, we get Alexis cleared of the drug charge." Ryan would say "That will take like five minutes. She is even cleaner than her father is." This is what the 12th thought, atleast until they called up Alexis file. Esposito would call out "I want a trace on this line, right NOW!" even as the detectives watched as Alexis spotless record was changed, before their very eyes. The record was changed from college major, to "homeless", while her college credits were wiped out. Ryan called out "Where is that trace?" even as Alexis face changed, before their eyes, with photo's being uploaded, showing that Alexis had drug use "tracks", on her arms. By the time Esposito called out "WHERE is that trace?", and was told "Federal firewall. They WANT us to know WHAT they are doing, AND that we can do nothing about it." Within minutes, a federal order came on the record, saying that Alexis was being transferred to a prison, for the criminally insane. Ryan slipped up, saying "God knows what they..." until Esposito slapped his back. The Ryan added "Sorry." When Laney would ask "What can we do?", Esposito would ask Ryan "Remember that stock broker. The one we, first, found in a tree" Ryan would say "Who can forget that case. Drug dealers stole the body, from us, sliced it open, took out the drugs, then dumped it, for a second pick up." Suddenly, all three co-workers looked at Kate, as she said "Tell me you are not suggesting..." Laney would say "This IS Alexis we are talking about." Espo would say "As long as Castle does not find out." Due to Kates position, as a U.S. Senator, she could file the permission slips, without the new captain even knowing. Using the best hackers, that the N.Y.P.D. had, the "team" would weapon up, and prepare to battle their own. With full schematics, of everything from clothes, to route map, three detectives, and Laney (for medical purposes), would sign out both an armoured, assault, vehicle, and a chase car. For the first time, in more than a century, the police would be on the defensive. When the prisoner transport would not pull over, voluntarily, Espo would begin crashing into the unit, even as, back at the 12th, the computer hacker was jamming its transmissions. Laney would shout, at Espo "Alexis is in there. Be careful!" Espo would say "What do you think I am trying to do?" About the only blessing, of the entire event, was that Alexis had been strapped to a gurney, and shot full of sedatives. This is why, when the transport flipped, Miss Castle sustained only minor abrasions. With speed, born of necessity, the team took Alexis, gurney and all, to the chase car. Here, the girl was transferred to the rear seat, along with Laney. As soon as Alexis was secure, Kate burned rubber, like never before. This would be risky, at best, and deadly, at worst. Using one of the D.E.A.'s OWN cars, Kate made a run for the only place where the plan would work. Just ten minutes after rescuing Alexis, all access, to New York City was closed down. Still, Kate kept the accelerator to the floor, even as she came to the barrier. While the bridge was closed, with the span raised, at 160 miles per hour, Kate was determined to succeed. Even with pursuit units now in chase mode. The chase cars might have shot out the tires, on a regular, squad, car, but they knew that bullets were useless against the governments rampant paranoia. A paranoia, which resulted in cars with 600 hourse-power engines, bullet-proof glass, and self-sealing tires. At the bridge, all Laney would do was embrace Alexis, while whispering, to Kate, "I hope you know what you are doing." In a feat, worthy of Evil Kneivel, Kate launched the car over the gap, with such speed, that it was like the car had wings. The pursuit cars would have to stop, before falling into the river. To Laney, and Kate, soaring over the gap, seemed to take years. Years with nothing, below them, except ice cold water. With the speedometer sitting off the scale, at its highest limit, the engine roared, like an animal, charging in the hunt. Kates every sense locked on the approaching mass, of the Jersey side, of the bridge. Laney did all she could, to shield Alexis, when she knew that contact was imminent. The only question was "Are the 600 horses enough power, to close the gap? OR, was the car destined to fall into the water?" The answer came when wheels hit the road-bed, nearly ten feet beyond the gap. Coasting to a stop, Laney would check on Alexis, before turning her attention to Kate. Laney just smiled when Kate no-sooner said "Im okay", when she turned from Laney, and got sick, right there, at road side. When an attendant came, rushing, up, Laney would say "I am Doctor Parish, and I am taking care of these women." When the worker asked "What do you need, of me?" Laney would say "That bridge has just taken a severe shock. Do NOT reopen it, until safety inspectors arrive." When Kate re-gained her own, and said "I am okay." Laney would say "Uh, uh. You ride with Alexis. I am driving." Funny thing about all of this new electronic stuff. It may think FASTER than humans can, but they will NEVER beat human ingenuity. Proof: By the time the New York warrant was out, for Alexis, Kate had the girl safely at her fathers property (and beyond state lines) Now, only a federal warrant would bring the girl in. Kate was certain that those, who threatened Alexis, would NOT be willing to draw that kind of attention. Not with how they were going so far as to build an "inter-dimensional" device, under New York City, then try to blame the Taliban, when the city vanished. With her fathers computer, and an up-link, to the N.Y.P.D., Kate, and Laney, would watch as Alexis "hijacked" file returned to normal. This, while Alexis rested, and was given another drug, to clear her system. Just days later (and AFTER verifying that Alexis had made a full recovery), Kate marched into the Senate chamber, announcing "Going after my daughter is the worst move you could have made. If you want to kill me, I am right here. Leave my family OUT of it, from now on. Understand?" When the chairman would say "Senator Castle, control yourself." Kate would say "Like HELL! You just tried to get my daughter locked away, on drug charges. Try that again, and I will take down the White House, if I have too." Sensing the fiery passion, behind Kates words, the discussion was tabled. When the panel adjourned, the chairman asked Kate into his office. Once Kate was inside the office, the chairman would lift the phone, and say "Put the call through, on speaker, if you would." When Kate heard her fathers voice, her first thought was "Remember the family code". The one the family had memorized, DECADES ago, in case a member was in danger. A code no one else knew anything about. When Kate asked "Hey, pops, hows old age treatin ya?" and Mr. Beckett would say "I may be old, but I AINT dead, yet!" This is when Kate would say "Good to hear from you." Mr. Beckett would say "Your friends were kind enough to explain what has been going on. I have to say that I knew the government had secrets. I just hope you are staying safe." Kate would say "I am trying, dad." When Mr. Beckett would add "Dont try jumping any more bridges, okay? I dont think my heart could take that." Kate would say "Not if I can help it." After signing off, Kate would ask the chairman "Let me guess. That was to let me know that you KNOW where my father lives." The chairman would say "Not true, at all. When our sources informed us that he was concerned for your welfare, we made it a point to make sure father and daughter knew each were well. By the way, that bridge stunt was either foolish, or crazy." When Kate would say "MY daughter was in danger..." The chairman would say "An un-fortunate mistake. It has been corrected. And, yes, you are correct. Here in Washington D.C., we may go after one another, but WE never go after family." When he saw Kates smile, the chairman would say "I do not, ofcourse, speak for the media. Only for Congress." When Kate would ask "So, what IS the next move?" The chairman would say "With just a couple of more years, at FULL funding, the project will be secreted from New York, to a test target. If it works, then another city will be drawn, at random." When Kate would ask "Will the people be evacuated, first?" The chairman would say "They will receive free passage." (Kate did not like the sound of that. In fact, all she did like was the idea that, when finished, the device would be evacuated, from New York.) To try to set her mind at rest, Kate would, at home, ask Castle "How do you make contact with that alleged time traveller?" When Castle would say "Mind games." Kate would ask "Real world, Castle. How do you contact him?" Castle would say "As I said, its a mind game. If I focus, hard enough, he drops by." When Kate would ask "How long will this take? I need to know that not only Alexis, but Laney, Ryan, and Esposito, are safe." While Kate knew that she had missed lunch, with all that was going on, it was not until her stomach began to growl that Kate realized that she had not eaten, since breakfast. That, and the fact that Castle was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. It was right during the argument, over contact, and dinner prep, that the time traveller would appear, asking "What is up with you two? I cant leave you alone, for more than a week, and you are back at the arguments." When Kate would say "Sorry, I just got some bad news. I am concerned about if something goes wrong." The man would say "Thank god, you understood the message." When Kate would ask "What message?" The man would say "That device. The one, under the city." Kate would ask "What about it?" The time traveller would ask "Do you know what they plan to do with it?" Kate would say "They plan to build it under New York, then ship it some place, for testing." The time traveller would say "Correction. They will TRY to move it." When Kate would ask "What do you mean "try"?" The time traveller would say "Let me say it this way. You are "children" who have found daddy's loaded gun." When Kate would ask "Just WHAT does THAT mean?" The time traveller would say "IN MY time, there is a story. A story, about a machine. It is built, to make cities vanish." When Kate would ask "What DOES happen to the city?" The time traveller would say "Best case scenario? City does vanish, taking the people with it." When Kate would, more forcably, ask "WHERE does the city go?" The time traveller would say "The universe which is opposite of this. You cannot imagine the agony, of positive particles being replaced with negative ones." When Kate would ask "What happens, in THIS dimension?" The time traveller would say "An explosion, which takes out 30% of the Earths surface." When Castle would ask "How do we prevent this?" The time traveller would joke "Easier to solve your marriage problems." When Kate would ask "Seriously?" The time traveller would say "There is only one way, to prevent the catastrophy." When Kate would ask "And that is?" The time traveller would say "Without its fuel core, the device is useless. All you have to do is prevent delivery, of the fuel core, for three days, and the world is safe." When Castle would ask "HOW do we prevent the delivery?" The time traveller would say "Figure it out." Before vanishing, the time traveller would add "Let me remind BOTH of you. I am NOT your referee. You need to handle your problems, without calling me. If I am caught, aiding you, my research grants will be cancelled, and I will be reduced to reading about you, in history books. Understood?" With that, the man was gone. Now, Kate had a new question. What type of fuel core was she looking for? Where was it coming from? Who would be delivering it? When the senator would check with every D.C. source, that she could think of, none had any idea of what she was talking about. When she spoke to the wives, all the women would say was "Big, nasty, thing. Only saw it once. Gave me nightmares, for a week." When Kate would ask "How big is it? Would you draw it for me?" It looked like nothing the detective-turned-senator had seen, in her life. What the ladies DID know was that their husbands were providing UNDERGROUND transportation, for the device. "They are even laying special tracks. It is so heavy." When Kate contacted the 12th, asking for idea's, the resident, computer, experts asked "About how big, and how heavy?" The only comparison that Kate could come up with was "Think of the Schwaller-Gustav gun. The one the Nazi's used against the Soviet city of Sevastopol." When Ryan would ask "You ARE kidding, aren't you? I mean, a gun, that big, cant be hidden anywhere. It was bigger than a locomotive." Kate would say "If the Nazi's could FORCE German laborers to move it, under threat of death, then what is to stop modern engineers." While Kate was working her leads, Castle was busy, enlisting the aid of his fellow authors. When Castle tried to expalin how LARGE the device was, the authors would ask "Rick, that is pure imagination." and "There hasn't been a gun, that big, since the fall of the Third Reich." When Castle would ask "What if I told you that the gun is being finished, maybe 500 feet beneath the city of New York?" This is when the other authors would throw down their cards, saying "I vote that Rick not be allowed into the next hand. All in favor?" When McConnell would ask "Just HOW such a weapon, IF it existed, be moved about?" Castle would say "My wife thinks that it will be moved via the subways." To this, the other authors laughed, while saying "Rick, the New York subway system just isn't LARGE enough to move something that large. Not unless new subway tunnels are being built." This would be when guest Patricia Cromwell would suggest "Not unless the city modernized the old tunnels." McConnell would add "Please, do you really think that New York would go to such expense, of digging new tunnels?" This is when Patricia would suggest "Wouldn't it be cheaper, and easier, just to widen one tunnel, by digging out the ground, between two, obsolete, tunnels?" This got Rick thinking. "Yes, all they would have to do was add more steel reinforcement, then run the line, OFF to the side of the main tracks." The other, attending, author, would mention "Rick, this is borderring on the ridiculous. Building World War Two style weapons, under a major, U.S. city? Clearing out, expanding, and shoring up, forgotten, subway, lines? A machine, which can make cities vanish? I dont know about anyone else, here, but this is beginning to sound like a cross between "The Time Machine", "The taking of Phelam One, Two, Three", and "The Fantastic Four" movies. None of which, by the way, are based in reality." When Rick would ask "But what if?" Patricia would say "Rick, what you are talking about would cost more than this nation can afford. It is pure fantasy. Now are we going to play cards?" By the time the card game was finished, Martha, and Alexis, would have refreshments laid out, for the players to relax with. Still, Rick could "see the gears turning", in his fellow authors heads. All were wondering if Ricks story might be true. The break, in the case, came when one of Castles mob-sources would arrange an informal meeting. The same, polite, mobsters, who had taken Castle, and Beckett, by surprise, the last time, used a different tactic this time. Instead of bags over heads, the lead man would ask "Mr. Castle. Mr. Bartlett says that you want some information. The question is: Are you willing to PAY for the information?" When Castle would ask "Only if the price is right." The mobster would promise "In that case, sir, and ma'am, if you will proceed to the next corner, a blue van will pull up. We will enter the van, together." When Kate would ask "If we refuse?" The mobster would put a revolver to her head, saying "That would be most un-fortunate." Kate would say "Got it. Lead the way, gentlemen." Kate was not-at-all surprised when the van had no windows. The mobster would say "With our apologies, ma'am, but you are a former cop. The boss does not want any "interruptions"." At the Bartlett house, Kate was surprised when the mobster would bid the couple entry, while asking Kate "Would you prefer that I refer to you as Nikki Heat, Kate Castle, or Senator Castle" Kate would say "Sir, Kate is fine." Once a servant had provided drinks, Castle would ask "Sir, what is on your mind?" The mobster would say "Rumor has it that you are looking into "modifications", being made, UNDER New York City. Is this true?" When Kate would say "Sir, I believe you know the answer, to that question." The mobster would say "Rick, my boy, you caught the image, of the lady, to perfection. I was HOPING that I would be dealing with Nikki Heat. This is why I have invited you into my home." When Kate would ask "Yes, sir, that was my question as well." The mobster would say "I have certain information, which will aid your investigation." Kate would suggest "You dont want the information to be linked back to you." The mobster would ask Rick "I thought you were smarter than this." When Rick would ask "What IS on your mind?" The mobster would say "Some of my boys have been "enlisted" for a project. Very hush-hush. Not even allowed to speak to family." When Kate would ask "Then, how do you know...?" and the mobster would say "It is my JOB to know what goes on, in New York. This is why I invited you to my house, for drinks, and dinner." It would be over drinks, then a dinner, of prime rib, steaks, potatoes, with melted butter, etc. that the mobster would tell of the plans, which some shadow group was trying to have passed. It would seem that some, of the subway tunnels, were just too small. Either for the device, or its power core. When Kate would ask "Just how BIG is this power source?" The mobster would look about the room, saying "Maybe four times as large as this room." When Kate almost choked on her food, while asking "How big?" The mobster would say "Let your food rest, for a moment." After Kate collected herself, she asked "What does this shadow group have to do with the device?" The mobster would say "In order to make the subways big enough, to move the parts through, the group has to remove the basements, from several skyscrapers." When Kate would say "There is no way that New York will agree to that." The mobster would say "This is where the "heart", of the problem comes into the room." When Castle would suggest "Sir, dont tell me what I think you are about to tell me." The mobster would set his wine glass down, then say "The family has been moving our people off of Manhattan for the past two days. I will be joining them, after you depart, for home." Then the mobster would look right at Rick, saying "If you love your family, like I do, do NOT be in New York, by (this date)." When Kate would ask "Sir, if you dont mind my asking, if the subways are not large enough, for transport, then HOW would the device be ignited?" The mobster would only say "Mrs. Castle, I would prefer NOT to be near New York, just in case the connection MIGHT be made." It was during a visit to a ladies room that Kate noticed the clipboards, that staff were carrying about. Each board had a list, of names, and workers were double-checking one another. By the time dinner was over, Kate shook the mobsters hand, saying "Thank you, so much. Both for the lovely dinner, and the information." Kate would be surprised when the man bowed, as a true gentleman would. On the ride home, Kate would reflect on the manners of their host, and his staff. Nothing seemed to be forced. All seemed genuine. When Castle saw her look, he reminded her "In the families, manners are taught, just as they have been, for centuries." Kate would say "I guess that I am just so accustomed to delaing with filth, that I just assumed they were, all, alike." Castle would mention "Dont judge a book by its cover." What would both concern, and surprise, Kate was when, on her next contact, with Ryan and Espo, the detectives told her "Thats right. Orders came down from the top. A practice exercise. We are to be set up, and, fully, operational, near the west side, of Jersey, by a specified time, and date." When Kate checked with other departments, in the city, she found the same. Calm, orderly, evacuation drills. (Presumably to judge how efficiently the city could be evacuated, IF necessary.) This is why, when Kate returned to the Castle residence, she found Martha, and Alexis, packing, for the Hamptons. When Kate checked in, with the Senate, her staff verified that there was nothing more unusual than the normal threats. Americans, angry, that domestic problems were being denied funding, while the government was approving trillions of dollars, to fund the invasions, of the Middle East. International law-makers, who remained annoyed at how the real estate developer had "torched" agreements, each of which had taken YEARS of approval. Agreements, which the real estate developer had "burned to ash", with the stroke of a pen. Sure, the day, when the real estate developer LOST re-election, to an experienced, career, politician, had been seen as a "triumph", for democracy, however, the real estate developer had done enough damage that it would take years, if not decades, to repair the damage. It would be during this "gap", that the shadows intended to attack. If the device worked, on New York City, then the next target would be Washington D.C. The shadows THOUGHT that wiping out the capital city would so enrage the public that Americans would DEMAND the immediate extermination, of the Taliban. "Guilt" would not even be considered, once the "evidence" was found. The world would return to WAR, with "blood in their eyes", and the Taliban would not have a chance. Public opinion would convict the group, and stealth bombers would take out any village which had even a remote connection, to the group. The shadows would win, all the way around. Other than these, her staff had nothing, new, to report. When Mr. Beckett, at Ricks urging, visited the family loft, to encourage his daughter to LEAVE New York, just until the crisis was past, when Kate said "NO, dad, I am NOT leaving you, alone, in the city." This is when Rick would look at Mr. Beckett, saying "Sir, there is room, on the plane, if you want to accompany your daughter." Mr. Beckett would turn to Kate, saying "I will leave the city ONLY if my daughter comes with me." When Kate would say "Fine, just let me pack a bag." Martha would say "Already done. Our baggage is at the airport. We should leave before it is closed." It was one hour later, after the jet had departed New York, and was approaching the Hamptons, when the pilot would announce "Due to un-forseen circumstances, New York is, now, closed to all traffic. We will arrive, in the Hamptons, in five minutes." It was not until five hours, after landing, in the Hamptons, and getting settled in, that Rick, and Kate, would check their e-mail. Sure enough, each had dozens of messages, all with the same content. Everyone had been evacuated, and accounted for. Only the un-informed New Yorkers would be left to face whatever happened. What concerned Kate, most, however, was when the Senate began a "special session". While, in the past, such sessions required all members to be present, in Washington D.C., even if the military had to collect them, in this case, some, special override had been enacted, and the Senate members were on live, video chat. The very next day, people, from Jersey, saw a sight, which none had seen, before. A beam, of bright, blue, light, shot up, from below the subways. It turned a two foot manhole, into an eight foot gap, in the road, as the beam shot up, into the air, high enough to be seen, from miles, beyond the city. At its highest point, the beam split into a "mesh", which covered all of New York city. Viewers were left spell-bound, as the light spread out, until all of New York was "covered". Dis-believeing eyes began to think back on the limited run, televison series: Stargate: Atlantis. People wondered if New York was about to fly away. While the American people had come to ignore the "age-old" air raid sirens, originally designed to warn of approaching, Soviet, nuclear attack, yet, now used to warn of approaching, threatening weather, as the dazzling display un-folded, before their eyes, and the sirens sounded, the public was left dis-concerted over the reason for the sound. All of the action seemed confined, to New York. These viewers, were miles away. When Kate, and the senate, checked in with Congressional volunteers, who were assigned posts, inside New York city, all that the reports said was "Air is growing foul. It is like New York has been placed in a tupperware bowl, and sealed shut. Getting hard to breath. Strange feel, to the air. Almost like air filled with electricity." Moments later, the volunteers would say "Must switch to oxygen tank. Hard to breath." When two outposts went "dark", and the Senate asked "Bad comms?" Washington D.C. would report "No, senator. We just never thought that the event would cause pace-maker failure." Then added "Had we known, we would have chosen other volunteers." After about four hours, of the light show, the shaft, of light, dissolved. After this, there was the sound of an explosion. So loud that anyone, not wearing ear coverings, was left deafened, for several minutes. This, as news helicopters filmed the dissolving event, as the web, dispersed, from around New York. As New York returned to regular operations, Kate, and Rick, would be invited to another dinner, at the mobsters home. This time, the mobster was relaxed was he praised God, multiple times, for the failure of the project. During drinks, and dinner, the mobster would say "Good news is: when those bastards could not fit the power core close enough, for a real connection, they tried to use wire, rated for only half a million volts, as an "extension cord". I mean, can you believe it? An "extension cord", for something that powerful?" When Kate would ask "Sir what DID happen?" The mobster would say "Lets just say that half a million volts was not enough to make the device work. Five miles, worth of cable, fried, inside a few minutes. How dumb were those jerks. Even I could have told them that the cable was not rated, for the 100 million volts, which they tried to use, for the machine." When Rick would ask "What happens, now?" The mobster would say "The crews are taking the machine apart. Maybe they assemble it elsewhere. Maybe not. I wont lay odd's either way. What I DO know is that, in six hours, national news will carry a story, saying that the Taliban smuggled the device into the city, to finish what they started on September 11th." When Kate would add "Sir, you mean "What they were accused of starting." The mobster would say "You got it, sis, excuse me, I mean senator." This is when Castle would add "Of course, BLAME the Taliban, and make Americans THINK that the Taliban can strike, anywhere, in the United States, at any time." The mobster would say "Great press coverage for wars people no-longer care about. Scare the public back into fear, that the Taliban can strike anywhere." Castle would say "Of course, make a few cities vanish, and approval, for endless funding, for the invasions, becomes "automatic". No one will DARE question the federal government, once more lives are lost." The mobster would say "You see, I told the family that the two of you are smart. You just proved me right." The mobster would add "The only problem is that, with New York still in place..." Kate would say "All that the shadows can say is that the Taliban is capable." By the time Kate checked in, with the U.S. Senate, she was told "We have had to remove a threat from the boards. Since New York City did not vanish, the internet is rife with suspicions that Washington D.C. planned the event." When Kate asked "How do you plan to handle this?" Her source would say "All we can do is contain the damage. Put out information, saying that the Taliban TRIED to act, but failed. Leave it to the conspiracy mongers to figure out what the "truth" is." When the senate asked Kate "Senator, can we count on your support, for increasing military spending?" Kate would pull the same "trade off", which Rick had used, so many times. Kate would say "I am willing to make a trade. Attach my funding measures, to the appropriations bill, and I will give you my vote." When another senator would ask "Senator Castle, HOW is the re-modelling, of parks, and infrastructure updates, going to make this nation safer?" Kate would ask "Senator, would you explain, to me, how bombing the Middle East off of the map, and torturing our fellow humans, at Gitmo, is making America safer?" When the senator called out "Three THOUSAND MURDERED, on September 11th, 2001! Those Muslim radicals deserve every bomb we drop on them." Kate would say "Fine, we lost 3,000, on September 11th, 2001. My question is: How many lives have we TAKEN, since then? 30,000? Three million? Senator, how MANY of their lives, is each, of our lives, worth?" When the senator said nothing, Kate would say "Senator, I am waiting for an answer." This is when the chairman would enter the conversation, saying "Senator Castle, you make valid points. This committee, however, is just not certain that the American people will accept your proposals." Kate would sit back, in her chair, and say "Fine, submit the bill, for a vote, in the coming election. If New York does NOT support the bills, then I will remove them, and vote for your version, of endless wars." When the opposition would stand up, saying "We need that funding, NOW!" Kate would ask a simple "Why?" In the upcoming election, the spending bill, WITH the senators additions, went before voters. To the fury, of the appropriations committee, the bill passed, by 4-to-1. New York would receive its funding, even as the committee would be informed that public support, for the invasions, was at its lowest point, yet. If Washington D.C. did not do something, "dramatic", such as another 9/11, and SOON, the public would be either demanding to END the invasions, or worse. Replacing career politicians with new faces. Faces, whose "mandate" would be to END the invasions. The question was: With the failure of the project, HOW could Washington D.C. terrify the American public enough, to restore the need for the invasions? All that Kate Castle knew was that her husbands ability, to negotiate deals, had worked, for her, as well. Maybe Rick DID know what he was doing. What Kate knew was that New York City was safe, again. The damage, to a New York city street, was being repaired, and life was returning to normal. What more could Kate Castle ask for? (Post-script: With the failure, to make New York City vanish, the threat, to make Washington D.C. vanish, dissolved as well. If the shadows could not make an American city vanish then HOW could they make the nations capital vanish?)