65Biff and Joe stood in the rest room together. Joe looking at his own reflection in the glass, a stranger looked back at him. He splashed some cold water onto his face and Biff handed him a paper towel.
"You feeling better?" asked Biff
"Not really."
"Sorry…stupid question."
After a long pause, he asked. "Joe, what shall we do?"
Joe shrugged his shoulders resignedly, "What can we do? The bad-guys got away and Frank is out of action - maybe permanently."
"Don't write him off" snapped Biff. "He's a fighter - made of sterner stuff than that".
Joe looked at him miserably. "You haven't seen him."
Biff opened his mouth to add something, but changed his mind.
"I'm going back to Frank, he shouldn't be alone," Joe decided.
Biff nodded and accompanied him into the corridor. He clapped Joe on the shoulder and they parted company.
Joe felt more prepared the second time he entered Frank's room. Pulling up a chair next to the bed, he sat down and placed his hand on Frank's arm and stared silently at his Brother's inert face.
Biff loitered for a couple of minutes in the corridor to make sure his friend was okay. Finally, satisfied Joe wasn't going to come out of Frank's room again, he went back to join the others to tell them what had transpired. Vanessa wanted to go to Joe and comfort him.
"No, don't worry, he's calm now and back in the room with Frank." He looked from face-to-face. "I think it's time we discussed the next plan of action."
"What do you mean?" asked Chet.
"How we're going to catch the guys' responsible," answered Biff.
"That's Hardy-territory."
They looked at each other helplessly.
Callie suggested. "Maybe we should ask ourselves what Frank and Joe would be doing if they were here?"
"That's easier said then done," said Chet. He stood and began to pace the room thoughtfully. They all watched until he finally flung up his arms in frustration. "I think we can agree on one thing" everyone looked at him expectantly. "We definitely need Joe's assistance".
"That's not going to be easy," said Biff. "Unless we can find a way of re-igniting his torch."
They sat in silence for a little while considering the options available to them. Chet slumped back into the chair and chomped down on a fingernail and Biff leaned back and looked out the window thoughtfully.
Suddenly, Vanessa sat up straight and looked excitedly at Callie, "I think I know how we could get Joe back on track!"
"How?"
They huddled together eagerly as she outlined her plan to them.
Joe heard a noise and look round, the Italian looking nurse had quietly entered the room to check Frank's IVs. She smiled at him reassuringly. "He's doing just fine," she said straightened the blankets. "I'll be back again later, stay as long as you like, the red button at the side of the bed is the emergency alarm, don't hesitate to use it if necessary".
"Thanks" said Joe.
She hesitated at the doorway and turned back. "Would you like a coffee, you look like you could use one?"
"That would be great, thanks", said Joe.
"And an cold-compress for your eye?"
"That would be even better."
He was still sitting with his brother when he heard the sound of his parents' voices drifting down the corridor. He squeezed Frank's hand and walked out into the hallway with the ice bag held against his face.
"Joe?" exclaimed Fenton Hardy shocked at his son's physical appearance, "What on earth have you got yourselves embroiled in now?" he demanded in a raised voice.
He stopped and looked guiltily at his father. "I'm sorry Dad."
Laura Hardy gave her husband a hard look and came forward to hug her son. "I'm sorry Mom," Joe repeated miserably.
"You've got nothing to be sorry about," said his mother firmly, holding him at arms length. "We're extremely proud of you and Frank for what you did today." She removed the ice compress and inspected his eye. "The doctor explained everything to us, so I don't want to ever hear you apologising for what happened, okay?" She glared at her husband again.
Joe nodded.
Shamed, Fenton addressed his youngest again. "Sorry Son, I didn't mean to raise my voice, I was just alarmed how you look – nice black eye."
"Injuries in the line of duty," replied Joe.
"Frank is through here Mr and Mrs Hardy," said Doctor Green leading the way, he looked back. "Perhaps Joe would like to go and wait with his friends whilst I explain some things to you regarding Frank's condition?"
"I think that's a good idea," said Fenton firmly as Joe started to protest. He addressed his son. "We'll come and speak to you after the doctor has spoken to us."
Joe entered the waiting room and walked into an amazing site.
Vanessa and Callie were both on the floor playing with a young boy. It was Luke and he was giggling. There was a dark haired lady sitting with them. They looked up upon hearing Joe enter.
"Hi Joe," said Vanessa. "Mrs Cummins, this is Joe Hardy, the boy we were telling you about, Joe, this is Luke's Mom."
Mrs Cummins arose and stepped forward. "I'm very privileged to be able to meet you Joe," she said and took his hand. "I owe you a great debt of gratitude, without your intervention, my son would not be here with me today." She turned to Luke and crouched down to speak to him. "Luke, this is the nice man who helped you today in the park."
Luke lowered his eyes and considered what she'd said to him. Then he looked up at Joe and beckoned to him.
Joe dipped down to Luke's level and Luke cupped his hands to his ear. "Thank you very much, Mr Joe," he whispered. He put his podgy arms around Joe's neck and hugged him tightly. Joe looked embarrassed, but pleased at the same time and turned beet red.
Mrs Cummins looked over Joe's head and winked at Vanessa, and she and Callie grinned at one another.
Luke took the ice bag out of Joe's hand and began to play with it.
"Vanessa and Callie have been telling me that you and your brother are Detectives?" said Mrs Cummins.
"Yes, we've dabbled in a few cases," said Joe modestly.
"Then it's lucky that it was you and your brother who were in the park today."
"Why's that?" asked Joe.
"Because you have the ability to get involved in the investigation and help all those other poor parents whose children have been stolen from them. My child was only gone for five minutes, and I went to hell and back, imagine what those other parents are going through."
"I agree, but I don't know what I can do about it alone. Frank and I work as a team, without him I'm only half a partnership, he's the one with the brain - I'm afraid I'm the brawn".
"I think you're underestimating your own abilities," said Julie. "And I'm sure Frank would not want you to allow these people to walk away Scott-free from this – free to steal another child, or injure or even kill, another innocent person".
Joe could see she was correct and nodded. "You're right Julie, and tomorrow I'll begin to solve this case, with, or without my brother."
"We're all going to help you," said Callie. "You won't be working alone."
With that, Luke tipped the ice all over the floor.