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The Divine Right of Kings	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 5915 -:- 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 19

The bottle of aspirin stared out from the kitchen cabinet. Was this what she had used? Joe shook his head, he didn’t even know if it was possible to poison somebody with aspirin. After talking to Alex the teen had spent a lot of time thinking about that day, particularly his mother’s insistence on her innocence. She had seemed sincere but maybe she was just afraid of what would happen if she admitted her guilt.

Waking tonight from yet another nightmare Joe had come downstairs with the intention of getting something to drink. Opening the cabinet he had seen the aspirin and all thoughts of a drink were wiped away. Dr. Carpenter’s words returned to him then along with the things he and Alex had discussed.

If his mother had used the aspirin how many would it have taken? Joe would have to check but he was guessing it would take a lot. She wouldn’t have been able to crush them, not with Red in the room. That meant the pills would have needed to be dropped in the soda whole. He supposed they could have dissolved in the carbonated drink.

What about the taste? The bitterness of aspirin was pretty noticeable. Would the soda be able to hide that? Again Joe didn’t have the answer but if it would have required the amount he suspected then he didn’t think the flavor could have been hidden. Okay, so aspirin hadn’t been ruled out but it was doubtful. He’d know for certain after he did a little research online.

So what else could have been used? Closing the cabinet door Joe began to search the kitchen, looking for anything that could have been used to make the home invaders sick. The need for quiet made for a longer search time but it was no less thorough, perhaps the added time made the search more thorough in fact. In any event the only other possible poison he could find was the ipecac syrup in the first aid kit.

Joe would never forget the one and only time he had been given ipecac. He had only been four at the time and very curious. He had found what he thought was candy in his mother’s purse. It hadn’t been. The small bottle held medicine intended for his mother’s migraines. Joe hadn’t known that of course and after working the lid open he had quickly swallowed several pills.

Fortunately his mother had caught him before he could swallow more. Joe clearly remembered his mother reaching for the first aid kit and removing the small bottle of ipecac, though he hadn’t known the name at the time. He chuckled as he remembered his mother telling him the name later when he asked and his misunderstanding it as ippy hack. It had been a joke in the family for years, though Joe still maintained his name for it was more accurate. He also remembered how quickly the syrup had made him vomit up the pills he’d swallowed. No, if his mother had put ipecac in the drinks Alex would have been sick immediately, not an hour later.

Had she been telling the truth all along? It was beginning to look that way. But if his mother hadn’t spiked Alex’s drink, did that mean Red had? What could he have used? He would have had access only to the things in the kitchen, or would he? Joe didn’t, after all know what Red might have had on him. He could have carried something with him. Maybe he had even planned it ahead of time. From what Alex had told him it was possible. First though he needed to find out if his mother could have used the aspirin to poison anybody.

“Joe are you alright?”

At the sound of his mother’s voice Joe spun towards the door, nearly dropping the ipecac he still held.

Laura’s eyes widened when she saw what Joe held. She rushed forward, taking the bottle from his hand. “Joe, honey, please tell me you didn’t take something?” On some level she knew she was jumping to conclusions but with everything that had happened Laura thought her fears were justified.

“What?” Joe looked between the bottle and his mother in confusion. His own blue eyes widening he rushed to assure her he hadn’t taken anything.

“Then why did you have the ipecac?”

“Oh, I was actually looking for some aspirin,” Joe lied. He wasn’t ready to admit where his thoughts had taken him. “When I saw the ipecac I started thinking about that time you had to give it to me.”

Relief surprised a laugh from Laura. “I’m sorry I thought…you said you needed some aspirin. Do you have a headache?”

“A little one.” After the start his mother had given him it was even true Joe thought.

“Why didn’t you get some from your medicine cabinet?” Laura asked as she retrieved the aspirin and a glass of water.

“It didn’t start until I was downstairs,” Joe truthfully replied.

“Did you have a bad dream?” Laura asked, handing him the pills and water. And just like that the easy conversation ended.

Joe tensed, “I don’t want to talk about it,” he mumbled. Throwing the aspirin back he followed with a long drink of water, washing them down. Setting the glass on the counter he turned away from his mother and left the room.

Laura rubbed her forehead. She blinked rapidly, she wouldn’t cry, not again. Yes Joe had turned away from her in the end but the conversation before that had been easier than any they’d had since that day. It wasn’t much, that was true, but it was a start and Laura decided she would take what she could get.

Upstairs, Joe lay in his bed, unable to sleep. He considered turning his computer on but he didn’t want his mother to hear him. The conversation had been surprisingly normal and for a few minutes he had been able to forget his mother’s part in what had happened. Joe hadn’t realized until that moment how much he had missed the easy relationship he shared with his mother. With his mother he had always been able to relax. There was no feeling of being judged nor did he fear she would find him lacking.

His father though, seemed to be watching him, judging his abilities and comparing them to his own and Frank’s. The man had never said or done anything to make Joe feel this way. Maybe it was just because he was his father and like most sons Joe thought of his father as larger than life. It was a difficult image to live up to, maybe impossible.

“Everything alright love?” Fenton asked as Laura climbed back into bed.

“I’m sorry darling, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Fenton pulled her close, enjoying the way she snuggled against his side. “You didn’t,” he assured her. For several minutes they lay in silence. “Are you going to answer my question?”

Laura smiled. “Joe was downstairs, we talked a bit.”

Fenton could hear her smile. “What did he say?”

“Not much,” Laura admitted. “It was just…it was a normal conversation Fenton. I had almost given up hope but now, maybe there’s still hope. It’s a good sign, don’t you think?”

Fenton hugged her tightly. “Yes, I think so,” he readily agreed. Knowing how stubborn his youngest could be he only hoped it wouldn’t be a case of one step forward and two steps back.

First thing the next morning Joe had got on the computer. He had surprised himself the night before by falling back asleep. Luckily there had been no further nightmares. Getting online Joe began his research into the effects of aspirin. It didn’t take him long to find the answer he was looking for. Though he couldn’t find an exact figure what he found led him to believe the number of pills needed would have made it impossible for the soda to disguise the taste of the aspirin. In the background he vaguely registered the sound of the doorbell ringing as he turned to his messenger program.

Alex are you there?

Of course pet, what’s wrong?

I had a nightmare last night and went downstairs to get a drink.

I’m sorry Joey. I wish I could take your nightmares away.

That doesn’t matter. When I was downstairs I started thinking about that day and wondering if my mom did spike your drink.

Alex sighed. This could easily blow up in his face if he wasn’t careful. The fact that Joe had contacted him was a good sign though.

What conclusions did you come to pet?

I don’t think she did it. The only things in the kitchen she could have used were ipecac and aspirin. Ipecac would have made you sick right away and the amount of aspirin needed would have made your soda taste funny. Do you think Red could have done it?

Alex grinned. He had been afraid the boy would realize the poisoning had been faked.

He must have. If your mother didn’t he’s the only one who could have. You know pet, now that I think about it this isn’t the first time something like this happened.

What do you mean?

The other families. It wasn’t always illness but in every case something always happened so Red could be alone with the child he was focused on.

Downstairs Fenton greeted Agent Strand. “What can I do for you Agent?” he asked as they stepped into his office.

Strand cleared his throat. “I just wanted to know if your family is going ahead with the case against Alex Tomlinson?”

Fenton narrowed his eyes. “We’re not going to drop the case just so you can put him on trial sooner,” he coldly stated.

“No, no, that isn’t what I meant. Perhaps I should explain.”

“Go ahead.”

Joshua took a deep breath, bracing himself. “We want you to go ahead. The truth is, Mr. Hardy, your family may be the only hope of sending Tomlinson to prison where he belongs.”

Fenton’s eyes widened in shock. “What? How can that be?”

“None of the other families will testify.”

Fenton could only stare at the younger man. “None of them?” he couldn’t keep the incredulousness from his voice.

“No sir,” Strand confirmed. “The children are convinced Tomlinson protected them and won’t testify. Nobody else in the victim families is willing to go against the targeted children.”

Fenton sighed. He could hardly believe what he was hearing. “So you’re here to make sure my family testifies?”

“Yes sir.”

“I see, well you can rest assured they have every intention of testifying.”

“Even your youngest?” The agent was clearly doubtful.

“Would you like to ask him yourself?” Fenton didn’t wait for an answer. Standing up he left the room, returning a few minutes later with Joe. He hadn’t told him why he needed to talk to him, only that he needed him to come downstairs.

“Oh, hello,” Joe greeted the stranger in his father’s office. This must be who had rang the bell earlier.

“You must be Joe,” Joshua smiled at the teen. “I’m Agent Strand with the FBI.”

Joe looked to his father for an answer to his silent question.

“Agent Strand came to see me about some concerns the FBI has,” Fenton explained.

“Concerns?” Joe asked.

“Yes Joe,” Strand answered. “You see we at the FBI are concerned that the man who terrorized you and your family might go free.”

Joe frowned. “Why would you worry about that?”

“I’d suggest honesty Agent Strand,” Fenton advised.

Joshua nodded. “Some of the other children don’t wish to testify against Tomlinson. We wanted to make sure you intend to testify.”

Joe’s mouth fell open. He hadn’t thought about it, hadn’t really realized he would have a choice. “You mean I could refuse?”

“Well technically yes,” Strand nervously confirmed. “But if you did the prosecutor could issue a subpoena forcing you to testify.” It wasn’t likely he would but Joshua didn’t mention that; they needed this child to testify. There was no way he was going back to the office and informing his boss he had blown their last chance to see Tomlinson in prison.

“I hadn’t thought about it really, but I guess I’ll testify,” Joe responded after a moment of tense silence. But maybe he would refuse later. Alex would certainly be relieved that the option was available, he was sure. “May I be excused?” he asked his father.

In less than a minute he was back at his computer.

Alex! There’s an FBI agent downstairs and you’ll never guess what he told me?

Alex could have laughed at the child’s excitement, it nearly flew off the screen.

What pet?

Apparently I could refuse to testify against you. He said they could issue a supena but I don’t see how they could really make me testify. It’s not like they’d beat me or anything. So I’m thinking maybe I just won’t testify.

Oh Joey, you don’t know how much I appreciate the offer but I don’t want you to do that.

Joe stared at the computer, stunned by the message Alex had sent.

You want to go to prison?

LOL! No pet, of course not. But you’ve already been hurt so much by all of this, I don’t want you hurt any more.

I don’t understand. How could it hurt me?

How do you think your family would react?

Joe sighed.

Not well.

No, not well at all. There’s a tension in your family Joey, caused by what Red and I did.

But you tried to protect me.

I did. That doesn’t change the fact that I did wrong too. Please pet, promise me you’ll testify just as you should. There’s an old proverb that the truth will set you free. I don’t know if it will be true for me but I hope it will be true for you. Promise Joey.

He didn’t know how he could be expected to send Alex to prison. Even now he was trying to protect him. With shaking hands Joe typed his response. I promise.

It’s the right thing pet, you’ll see. My lawyer is here now. I’ll talk to you later Joey.

“You have news Mr. Lovell?” Alex asked as he admitted the attorney to his apartment.

Broderick nodded as he stepped into the main room of the luxurious apartment. “I think you’ll be pleased.”

“Go on,” Alex asked as he poured himself a brandy. “Oh, would you care for a drink?”

“No thank you,” Broderick politely refused. Frankly he wouldn’t be comfortable accepting anything from his client’s hand. “The federal charges have been dropped.”

“I see,” Alex smiled.

Broderick shot an assessing look towards the other man. “Why do I have the feeling you’re not surprised?”

“I’m sorry Mr. Lovell but are you asking me to read your mind?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Broderick snapped. He swallowed hard as Alex quickly closed the distance between them. Staring into cold blue eyes he felt real fear for the first time in his life.

“Never insult me again Mr. Lovell,” Alex warned, his voice low and menacing.

“Sorry,” Broderick managed to squeak.

Backing away Alex returned to the bar, retrieving his brandy. “Why are they dropping the charges?”

“None of the families are willing to testify. It’s my understanding that primarily the children won’t testify and so neither will their families.”

“Interesting.” Alex swirled his drink a thoughtful look on his face.

“I don’t know if you had any influence on the children but if you did perhaps you should attempt to exert that influence on the Hardy child,” Broderick suggested. He wasn’t fond of the idea but he was being paid a large amount of money to see his client free, using any means necessary, short of murder or assault.

Alex shook his head. “It wouldn’t matter. Even if the child refused to testify I don’t believe his family would refuse, not even if Joey were to beg them.”

“You should at least consider it.”

“No, it wouldn’t work and therefore is a useless strategy,” Alex decisively stated.

“On to another topic then,” Broderick said, wisely deciding to change the subject. “Your father wants you to visit him.”

“Playing messenger boy now? Really Mr. Lovell what would your colleagues think?” Alex sniped. “However, since you’re willing, you can tell my father I haven’t time to see him just now.”

“He thought you might say that and wanted me to remind you that he is paying for my services.”

Alex snarled, the sound coming from deep in his throat. “Then you can begin sending the bills to me. I assure you I have more than enough money to handle this situation, money that neither my father nor the government is aware of. Good day Mr. Lovell.”

Stuttering an apology Broderick Lovell beat a hasty retreat feeling very much as if he’d just escaped the lion’s den.

TBC...

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The Divine Right of Kings