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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 22

Fenton rubbed tired eyes; he’d been staring at the files so long the words were beginning to merge. He simply couldn’t focus on the case. His mind continually returned to the situation with Tomlinson. He would have liked to speak to the other families, try to convince them to testify, but that wasn’t possible. He wasn’t one of the investigators and with his family as victims he wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the cases. Objectively he could understand it but as a father he wanted, no needed, to find a way to insure Alex Tomlinson didn’t walk free.

Shoving the files away he reached for the phone. He’d have to call Sam, turn their few cases over to the other detective. He was too focused on his family and their needs to give his full attention to their clients. Luckily they only had a few open cases, none of them very difficult. Before he could dial the phone a knock sounded on his door. “Come in,” he called as he returned the receiver to its cradle.

Joe stuck his head around the door. “Do you have time to talk?”

Fenton smiled. “Of course, come on in son.”

Joe moved into the room, closing the door behind him. Taking a seat he shifted nervously. “Did Mom tell you about our talk?” he finally asked.

“She did,” Fenton replied. “I’m glad you found the evidence you needed. You did good son.”

Joe shrugged, he didn’t feel like he deserved the praise. “I should have known without it.” No matter what his brother had said Joe wasn’t convinced of his abilities.

“A good detective wouldn’t have.”

“You weren’t fooled,” Joe countered.

“I also wasn’t thinking like a detective,” Fenton pointed out. “If I had looked at the evidence objectively I would have doubted your mother’s innocence too,” he admitted. “Is that why you came in here? Do you want me to tell you that you messed up?”

Joe shook his head. “I wanted to let you know that I’ll testify figured you’d be wondering.”

“I’m glad to hear it son, though I wish you didn’t have to.” Fenton paused for a moment, considering the wisdom of asking. In the end curiosity won out, “Can I ask why you made that decision?”

Joe shrugged, “It’s the right thing to do I guess.” He couldn’t very well tell his father that Alex had practically ordered him to testify. He could just imagine his dad’s reaction if he learned the two of them were in touch with each other.

“You’re right it is. I’m proud of you son, you’re becoming a good man,” Fenton praised the boy.

Joe felt a swell of pride at his father’s words. The pride quickly slipped away as he realized his father wouldn’t say that if he knew how the decision had been made. If it had been up to Joe he would have refused to testify though he knew intellectually that Alex deserved punishment. But how could he help them punish the man who had saved him from a horrible fate?

“Dad do I have to keep going to Dr. Carpenter?” Joe hesitantly asked a moment later.

“Joe I know you don’t like talking to a psychiatrist but I really think it’s doing you good.”

“I hate it,” Joe argued. “And it’s not really helping.”

“How can you say that Joe? Since you started seeing Dr. Carpenter you’ve made up with your mother and you haven’t had another panic attack,” Fenton calmly pointed out.

“He didn’t have anything to do with Mom. I figured that out on my own.”

“Okay but what about the panic attacks?”

“It might never happen again anyway. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life going to therapy just because I might have another attack.”

Fenton sighed. He wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t have any problem with therapy himself but neither did he believe it would help somebody who was fighting against it. “I’ll tell you what I’ll discuss it with your mother and Dr. Carpenter.”

“That’s not fair, you know the doctor is going to say I need more therapy,” Joe protested.

“Not necessarily son. Dr. Carpenter has a good reputation.”

“So?”

“So a good psychiatrist isn’t going to keep therapy going if it isn’t necessary.”

Joe wasn’t sure about that but he knew he wouldn’t win the argument. “If you say so,” he mumbled. Standing up he left the room without another word.

Fenton let him go. Should he let Joe stop therapy? What if he allowed the boy to stop only for him to endure another panic attack? Well he had said he would discuss it with Laura and the doctor so that was what he would do.

In a small exclusive restaurant Alex waited for his guest. He smiled sardonically as he imagined the detective seated across the street watching. Alex could have objected to the tail the police had put on him but frankly it amused him to lead them around by the nose.

His meeting today was a perfect example. Well aware that he was being followed Alex had arranged to meet his contact in this restaurant simply due to its exclusivity. There was no way a lowly police detective would have the means necessary to eat in his chosen establishment. The man couldn’t even afford a slice of toast here, if they had served toast that is.

He supposed the detective could have simply contacted the management claiming police business to gain a table. Alex had gambled the detective wouldn’t do such a thing given that following him as they were qualified as a clear case of harassment. To further insure the detective wouldn’t gain any useful information he had requested a table well away from the front windows.

“Mr. Tomlinson?”

Alex looked up at the man he’d been expecting. “Ah Mr. Withers, please have a seat.”

Carl Withers slid into the seat.

“What would you like to drink sir?” the waiter asked.

“Anything you like Mr. Withers,” Alex offered. It would look most odd if they consumed nothing and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t afford to treat the man to lunch.

Carl nodded and gave the waiter his drink order. “I understand you have need of my services.” Though not often in a place like this Carl could behave in a more refined manner when needed. However, if he’d had a choice he would have preferred meeting in a bar or some hamburger joint. Oh well Tomlinson was the client, the meeting place was his choice.

“Yes,” Alex confirmed. He paused as the waiter returned with Carl’s drink. “I have been told you can acquire anything a person in my situation might need.”

“I haven’t failed yet,” Carl smugly confirmed the information.

“And you are of course discreet?”

“Nobody will ever know we spoke or what we spoke about.”

“Very well. There are certain papers I am in need of,” Alex began to explain. Once more he was forced to pause as the waiter appeared. Alex asked for a few more minutes. “I suppose we’d better make our selections if we wish to avoid constant interruptions.”

Carl nodded and picked up the menu. A few minutes later both men had made their choices. Conveniently this was accomplished just as the waiter returned. After placing their orders they returned to the conversation. “Could you be more specific?” Carl asked.

“Not at this time,” Alex replied. “You see I won’t know until after the trial exactly which papers I will be in need of. I can, however, provide you with a list detailing the type of information I will require with specifics to follow at a later date. Will that be acceptable?”

Carl shrugged. “You’re the client.”

Alex smiled coldly, “Yes I am.”

Carl didn’t allow the smile to affect him. You didn’t work successfully in his business if you were going to let a little thing like that throw you off balance. “I suppose you know the outcome of the trial?” Carl asked, supposing the man would be buying the jury.

“I have a strong inkling,” Alex smiled.

Carl nodded. “Just in case it doesn’t go the way you expect how do I get the papers to you?” Carl being a practical man liked to cover all of his bases.

“Full instructions are in the envelope,” Alex said, indicating the papers he’d given the man earlier. “Exact procedures are in place for every contingency.”

Carl smiled. “You plan ahead, I like that. Makes my job a lot easier.”

“Oh good; it’s my goal in life to make your job easier,” Alex smirked.

Carl chuckled appreciatively. “Anything else I need to know?”

“I don’t believe so. However if you have any further questions you can contact me at the number you’ll find in the envelope.” Alex had taken the precaution of purchasing a pre-paid cell phone. He didn’t want the police or anybody else able to track his contact with men such as Carl Withers.

“Good enough.”

The two men remained in the restaurant for some time, enjoying a leisurely lunch. When the meal ended Carl left first, Alex would leave twenty minutes later. Once away from the restaurant Carl removed the non-descript brown wig and mustache he’d worn for the occasion.

TBC...

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The Divine Right of Kings