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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 36
Fenton jerked his car to a stop as close to the door of the high school as he could manage. Climbing from the vehicle he didn’t notice the awkward angle it had landed at, his only concern for his son. He still didn’t know the details only that something had happened in class causing Joe to leave the room and now nobody could find him.
Grabbing the door handle at the entrance Fenton threw it open, heedless of the barrier slamming against the wall. Storming into the building he collided with another body. Instinctively he reached for the other person, preventing a fall. "Frank? Have you found Joe yet?" Fenton shook his head. "Never mind, stupid question." If his eldest had found his brother the blond would be with him.
"We’ve looked everywhere Dad, he isn’t here," Frank’s frustration was nearly tangible.
"We?"
"Chet, Biff, Tony, some of the teachers too I think," Frank ran his fingers through his hair. He had tried to put himself in his brother’s shoes but his mind recoiled from the task. To put himself in Joe’s head would mean imagining the horror his brother had lived through and what it meant for him. As much as he wanted to help Joe he just couldn’t imagine what his brother felt, though whether it was inability or fear that held him back he couldn’t say.
"Do you know what happened?"
"Yeah," Frank growled as he remembered the conversation with Chet the other boy’s quiet voice sounding loud in his ear as he related the events of Joe’s History class. Quickly he filled his father in on what had happened.
"You’re sure he isn’t in the school?"
Frank shrugged, "As sure as I can be. I can’t think of anyplace else to look inside the building. We even looked in places students aren’t allowed but there isn’t any sign of him."
"Have you checked outside?"
Frank chuckled mirthlessly, "That’s actually where I was headed."
Fenton nodded, he should have guessed. "Alright you start with that while I check in with the principal. Call my cell if you find him."
"I will," Frank promised. At the door he stopped, "Dad, you don’t think Joe would do anything…" Frank trailed off, afraid to finish the sentence as if saying it would make it happen.
Fenton quickly closed the short distance between them, grabbing Frank firmly by the shoulders. "There is no way your brother would deliberately hurt himself," he very nearly growled.
"Yes sir," came the timid reply.
Fenton sighed, "I’m sorry son, I shouldn’t take my stress out on you. "
"It’s okay Dad," if anybody understood it was Frank. "You are sure?"
A sad smile crossing his face, Fenton nodded. "I’m sure Frank. Joe is upset, rightly so but he won’t hurt himself, not purposely. But we still need to find him before…"
"Before he has an accident," Frank completed the thought. "See you outside." Turning away he hurried out the door to begin searching the grounds. It seemed too big a job, even with help from his friends and some of the staff. There was such a large area to cover, if Joe was even still on the grounds. How could they hope to find him?
"Alright Hardy, if you were Joe where would you go?" Frank chewed on his bottom lip as his eyes scanned the surrounding area, searching for something that would tell him where to start. He’s upset, Frank knew that and probably scared, he’d want somewhere safe. So why hadn’t he gone to the office set aside for him? Because…it wasn’t safe enough? No, it was next to the nurse’s office and only two doors down from the main office, the only place inside the school that would be safer would be Principal Wemette’s office itself. It wasn’t safety Joe was after, Frank was sure he was right.
Poor Joe, he thought, he’s dealing with so much right now. A new school and new teachers was stressful enough but his little brother had the added trauma of that day in June to deal with. Any freshman could expect teasing; but Joe was being subjected to a variety of teasing that was outside the realm of anything he had ever dealt with before. So many things for Joe to deal with…that was it, Frank snapped his fingers. Joe was looking for familiarity, it was the only thing that could make him feel safe today; the little office simply wasn’t enough. But would Joe have tried to make it home on his own? Frank shook his head. There wasn’t any way his brother was ready to make it all the way home by himself, he could barely handle being outside with company, the long walk home alone was out of the question.
So if he wouldn’t go home but he was seeking familiarity, where would he go? Think Hardy, you know Joe better than anybody. "But I don’t know this new Joe," he whispered. No, he couldn’t think like that, not right now. He had to focus on finding his little brother. Absently he noted his father’s car parked haphazardly and like the proverbial light bulb clicking on he realized where Joe was. As quickly as he could Frank ran towards his car, fishing the keys from his pocket as he ran. If little brother was feeling threatened he had probably locked the doors.
Sliding to a stop he glanced through the window a relieved sigh escaping soundlessly from his lips. There, curled up on the back seat of Frank’s car lay his younger brother, eyes closed in sleep. Trying the door he was unsurprised to find it locked. It was the work of seconds to unlock and open the door. Kneeling on the seat, he faced the back, watching Joe as he slept; the tear tracks on his face telling their own story. "Aw Joe, I wish I could make this all go away for you," he whispered. His phone vibrating in his pocket drew his attention.
Glancing at the caller id a moment of guilt washed over him. "Hey Dad…yeah I found him, we’re in my car." Frank listened, "Actually he’s asleep right now. "
Fenton frowned. "Why don’t you boys go on home, I’ll let the school know what’s happening and get your assignments?"
"Are you sure Dad?"
"It’s Friday and if Joe’s asleep at this early, I’m guessing today took a lot out of him."
Frank nodded, though his father couldn’t see it. "If the tears on his face are anything to go by then yeah," he quietly agreed. Frank winced; he probably shouldn’t have said that.
Fenton drew a shaky hand through his hair. He wasn’t surprised but no parent liked to hear of their child suffering needlessly. If Principal Wemette hadn’t punished the brat who had upset Joe the man wouldn’t like what Fenton had to say about it. "Take your brother home son, I’ll be there in a little while."
"See you at home. Oh and Dad?"
"Yes Frank?"
"You can’t actually kill Bradley Cooper, the law frowns on that."
Fenton chuckled dryly, "I’ll remember that son." Closing his phone he slipped it in his pocket and headed back into the school. On the way he called Chet Morton, informing him that Joe had been found and was safe. He asked the boy to pass the word to the other searchers. Reaching the office Fenton didn’t bother to knock. As he stepped into the room he automatically scanned the small space, noting the boy seated before Mr. Wemette’s desk, a smug look on his face.
"Mr. Wemette, I’m Fenton Hardy," he introduced himself, holding out his hand.
"Mr. Hardy," Principal Wemette greeted the well-known detective. "I’m sorry…."
Fenton interrupted the man before he could continue. "Joe has been found, he’s safe."
Mark Wemette let out a relieved sigh. "Thank God."
"Can I go now?" Bradley interrupted. "I’ve got math."
"No Mr. Cooper you may not go," Mark Wemette coldly replied. "We’re still waiting on your father to arrive."
"Don’t know why you bothered the old man; he’s not going to be happy."
"No he’s not," a deep voice confirmed, bringing the attention of the room to the doorway.
"Hey Dad," Bradley smiled. "I told them they shouldn’t call you."
Cooper senior raised an eyebrow, "Oh and why is that?" He had been told, at length, of his son’s behavior towards the Hardy boy. Eric Cooper had himself been the victim of bullies in school the irony of having raised a bully didn’t escape him.
"Well I didn’t do anything wrong," Bradley responded as if the answer were obvious. "Mrs. Angeline said to bring an article from the paper, not my fault that Hardy got his panties in a bunch."
Eric closed his eyes, counting to ten, twenty, by the time he reached a hundred he felt calm enough to deal with his son. "I never thought I would see the day that I would be ashamed to call you my son."
Bradley’s mouth fell open in shock. "Dad?" his voice seemed small, hurt; the sound of it echoing in the suddenly silent room.
"Did you really think nobody would notice your continual harassment of the boy? I have an idea why I wasn’t told anything before today but that isn’t the important thing." Eric turned to the other man standing in the room, easily recognizing him from the papers. "Mr. Hardy I can’t apologize enough for my son’s behavior. I can assure you that steps will be taken to ensure he understands the error of his ways."
"I appreciate that Mr. Cooper," Fenton said, taking the offered hand.
"I hope your son is alright?"
Fenton nodded, "He was upset of course but he’ll be fine." He didn’t think it would do any harm to admit that much, the Cooper boy already knew he had upset Joe after all.
Cooper nodded. "Mr. Wemette can I assume that Bradley’s behavior was allowed to continue because the staff was afraid of upsetting me?"
Mark blushed, unable to deny the accusation.
The reddening of the man’s face was answer enough for Eric. "I don’t blame you entirely for that assumption. We both know many school board members would use their position to protect their children from rightful punishment." He turned to glare at his son, satisfied when the boy shrank down in his chair. "Unfortunately for Bradley I’m not one of them. I assume he will be suspended?"
"Yes sir, three days of in school suspension beginning Monday and a mandatory sensitivity class. He will of course be going home for the rest of today."
"Agreed, and if he steps out of line again I expect to be notified immediately," Eric grimly informed Wemette.
"You have my word Mr. Cooper," Mark readily agreed. Truthfully he found the man’s attitude a welcome change from the behavior he had been expecting.
Eric turned to his son. "Let’s get your things Bradley." As the boy joined him, Eric threw his arm across the boy’s shoulders. "By the way son, you’re grounded for the next two weeks, you will write a letter of apology to Joe Hardy, which I will read first."
"Dad that’s not fair," Bradley whined.
"No son; what happened to that boy wasn’t fair; you earned your punishment. Continue behaving as a bully and you won’t have to worry about the coach benching you I will pull you from the team myself." Eric knew how much Bradley loved football and he hoped the threat would keep him in line if nothing else did.
Fenton watched them go. Hopefully Mr. Cooper’s methods would bring the results they all wanted. He wasn’t naïve enough to think it would save Joe from being bullied by others, but even one less bully would help his youngest as he dealt with the aftermath of that horrible day.
TBC...
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The Divine Right of Kings