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The Divine Right of Kings	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 5917 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

Chapter List
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Chapter 18

Mary Collins took a deep breath as she knocked on the door of her daughter’s apartment. Agent Strand had contacted her again. She could understand his desire to see Alex Tomlinson punished for his crimes. If there had been no one else to consider she would have willingly testified against the man, with a smile on her face. But she had to consider Wendy. Five years ago her daughter had been an angry young girl. She had been nearly consumed by rage. Rage towards her parents for not protecting her better, rage towards the red-haired man who had sexually assaulted her, rage towards her sisters because they had been left alone.

The only one she hadn’t directed her rage towards had been Alex Tomlinson. For some reason the young girl hadn’t blamed him, not even for the pain he had caused her with his so-called punishments. Wendy insisted Alex had never lied to her, to any of them, and had done his best to protect her from Red. Mary shook her head, she knew now that his name was Gary Wyndham, but she had thought of him as Red for five years it was difficult to think of him as Gary or even Wyndham.

Wendy’s insistence regarding Alex had angered her father, Mary’s husband, as much as it had saddened Mary herself. A year after the attack Dan had moved out. He claimed Mary had become so focused on helping Wendy that she had forgotten the existence of the other children. At the time Mary had denied the accusation. Later after she finally began her own therapy sessions she realized he was right. She hadn’t stopped helping Wendy of course, but she learned to balance Wendy’s needs against those of the rest of her family. This had proven to be the best thing she could have done as it led to the whole family eventually healing, as far as they could. She and Dan hadn’t been able to save their marriage but they had managed to salvage a friendship from the wreckage. Today they were growing closer, Mary even found herself harboring a hope that they might remarry at some point.

“Hi mom,” Wendy greeted her mother with an uncomfortable smile.

“Hello dear,” Mary hugged her daughter. She didn’t miss the way the girl stiffened in her arms. Quickly releasing her hold she stepped back, waiting for her daughter to invite her into the apartment proper.

“Come on in,” Wendy reluctantly invited, moving to one side allowing her mother to pass her. Closing the door she turned around, facing the older woman. “What’s going on?” she asked. She didn’t mean to be rude, but the meeting the other day with Agent Strand had brought up some bad memories. Her sleep since then had been plagued by nightmares, leaving her tense and on edge.

Mary sighed. “Agent Strand contacted me again.”

Wendy scowled. “I’m not testifying against Alex.” She placed her hand on the door knob. “So if that’s all you came for…”

“It isn’t, not exactly anyway.” Mary moved to the table in the small dining nook and sat down, putting her purse on the floor beside her. “Please sit down Wendy.”

Clearly reluctant Wendy sat opposite her mother at the small table. “What do you mean?”

“Agent Strand is a very persuasive man.”

Wendy shrugged; he hadn’t persuaded her of anything.

“Enough so that I promised I would discuss the possibility of testifying one more time with you. Don’t worry dear I won’t push you but I did promise to talk to you…”

Wendy looked down at the table, wiping away an imaginary piece of dust. After a moment she looked up, her voice was firm when she spoke. “Mom we could talk until we’re both old and grey, I’m not going to change my mind.”

“I know dear, so I as I said I won’t push you. I would like to know one thing though.”

“What?” Wendy asked in a resigned tone.

“I know you believe Alex did his best to protect you, but I’ve never understood why you believe that. Could you explain it to me?” Mary hated the way her voice sounded, so pleading and small, it reminded her of that dark day.

Wendy sighed. “If I tell you Mom, you have to promise to never tell another soul.”

Mary didn’t like the sound of that but knew that without her promise Wendy would never answer the question. Hesitantly she agreed to her daughter’s terms.

Wendy wasn’t worried about her mother going back on her promise. It had taken a long time for them to regain a semblance of the relationship they’d once shared. Her mother wouldn’t risk doing anything that would disrupt that relationship. “Those three days when I was with Red and Alex were the worst in my life. I wanted to die Mom; maybe I would have, except Alex wouldn’t let me be consumed by the pain and shame I felt.”

“What do you mean Alex wouldn’t let you?” Mary knew Wendy hadn’t returned home miraculously past the torment she’d suffered for those days. What could Alex have said to her during the three days she’d been gone that had such a profound effect? She said as much to the young woman.

“It wasn’t what he said during that time, though he did try to keep Red away from me. Unfortunately he had to sleep and I think Red may have helped him a bit with that,” Wendy bitterly informed her.

Mary gasped, realizing what her daughter must mean. “You’ve talked to him since then?”

Wendy nodded. “Many times. It wasn’t therapy that helped me Mom, it was Alex. I even entertained the idea, for a short time, that I could save Alex from Red. If only I could become what he needed.” Wendy sighed; looking out the window for a moment before bringing her attention back to her mother’s shocked face. “Alex kind of talked me past that notion. He appreciated the sentiment he said but he couldn’t abandon Red or the children his friend would hurt even worse if he weren’t around. I haven’t heard from him in years,” she added, lying to her mom. She consoled herself with the thought that it would only worry her mother if she knew the correspondence with Alex had resumed to a limited extent.

“But he helped you?” Mary asked once past the initial shock.

“He did,” Wendy confirmed. “It was Alex that made me see I couldn’t blame myself for what Red did. He said his friend’s actions were a result of the man’s own warped mind. There wasn’t anything I had done to earn his attention, other than being what I was, an innocent child. Mom,” Wendy continued as tears streaked her cheeks, “it was Alex that made me realize that if I let what happened destroy me and my family then Red would get what he wanted. It was that realization that caused the turn around in my attitude.”

“That was why you started to truly recover and with you the family? I just thought the therapy was finally working,” Mary admitted.

“That’s what you were supposed to think,” Wendy said, a small, sad smile appearing on her face. “I didn’t think you or daddy would like knowing I was talking to Alex, even it was only in letters.”

“No I guess we wouldn’t have,” Mary couldn’t deny it. “So that’s why you won’t consider testifying against Alex?”

“I can’t Mom. Yes he did some horrible things too and in a way his actions allowed Red to cause me and others a lot of pain. Still if it hadn’t been for Alex I don’t think I would have ever recovered. I know I wouldn’t have been able to handle getting an apartment of my own, even if it is only a few blocks from home, without Alex’s help. You understand don’t you Mom?”

Mary nodded. She knew Alex had probably had an ulterior motive in helping her daughter, the man was manipulative if nothing else, but she couldn’t argue with the results. Nor could she blame Wendy for a reluctance to allow the man to be punished after he had, in her daughter’s eyes, saved her. “I wonder if he ever wrote to any of the other children?”

“I don’t know,” Wendy lied. “It wouldn’t surprise me though; he would want to help them too.”

“No, I wouldn’t be surprised either,” Mary agreed. “Are you coming over for dinner on Sunday?” she asked as she stood up.

“I wouldn’t miss your Sunday roast for anything Mom,” Wendy smiled.

Hardy Home: Bayport

I just got back from therapy. Dr. Carpenter told me I shouldn’t assume I know what others are thinking. He said maybe I should look at everything like a detective. What do you think?

Joe hit send. As soon as he had arrived home he had hurried to his room. Logging into his messenger account he had started a conversation with Alex. They had sent a few emails back and forth and then Joe had suggested that instant messaging would be even faster.

That might be a good idea Joey.

I guess, but I don’t see how it will change anything. It’s pretty clear that Mom spiked your drink.

She might have but we both know she had good reason.

Alex smirked at the screen. The Hardys would have kittens if they knew he was the one convincing Joe of his mother’s innocence. He had to be careful though, let the boy come to the conclusion in his own time rather than risk him realizing that Alex had known all along his mother was innocent. Allowing Red the chance to be alone with the chosen children at their homes had been the only way he could keep the man from raping them in front of their families. That would be a trauma none of them would ever recover from.

Don’t defend her!!!!

Calm down pet. I’m not defending her, only pointing out the facts. Did you know my mother was a psychiatrist?

Is that why you think I should listen to Dr. Carpenter?

I suppose but I also know, because of my mother that being a psychiatrist doesn’t mean a person can be trusted completely.

What do you mean?

Joe chewed his lip. He wondered if Alex’s mother had hurt him. He hoped not.

*sigh* My mother had issues pet, she suffered from severe depression. The hospital knew that but they still let her work, no matter how much damage she might inadvertently cause her patients.

Did she hurt them? Did she hurt you?

Alex smiled. He had to admit he enjoyed having somebody show concern for him.

Not that I know of and not in the way you mean. She had a breakdown which eventually led to her suicide. I was the one who found her. I was fourteen. So yes she hurt me but I don’t think she meant to. Just remember when you’re talking to Dr. Carpenter that while he is trying to help he may have his own unseen problems. Don’t assume that because he’s a psychiatrist he can’t be wrong.

*nods* I won’t forget Alex. Somebody’s coming, talk to you later?

Anytime you need pet, I’ll always be here.

Thanks Alex, bye for now.

Alex leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face.

TBC...

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The Divine Right of Kings