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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.

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Chapter 9

Edith watched as Laura Hardy returned to the waiting room. The poor thing looked as if she had seen the horrors of hell. She was shocked when the other woman chose to sit a few chairs away from her son. Edith was further surprised when Frank made no move to comfort his mother. It was true she didn’t know the Hardy family terribly well but they had always seemed very close-knit and the boys seemed to dote on their mother. She looked at her own son, hoping he could offer her an explanation.

“I’ll explain later mom, please,” Phil whispered. He hoped his mother would let it drop for now. If she insisted on being present when he gave his statement she’d hear it all then anyway. He was relieved when Edith nodded her acceptance, though he could see she desperately wanted an explanation now.

“You should go to her Frank,” Sam advised.

“I suppose,” Frank replied, though he made no move towards his mother.

Laura had intended to wait in the hallway just outside the exam room. That was her plan, until she heard her youngest begging the doctor not to do the exam. She couldn’t take the guilt, knowing she had caused her baby yet more pain. But what else could she do? They needed to know how badly he was hurt. She only hoped that Joe would be able to understand later when he was more himself. Glancing to her left she flinched away from the look of fury on Frank’s face. She was very much afraid that at least part of that fury was directed at her.

The double doors opened, drawing the attention of those in the waiting room. Both Hardys jumped to their feet as they converged on the doctor.

“Mrs. Hardy you’ll be pleased to know the exam turned up nothing,” Tim informed the woman.

“Thank God,” Laura whispered, knees weak with relief, she found it difficult to remain standing. “Will Joe need to stay the night?”

“Wait a minute,” Frank interrupted. “What are you talking about? I know Joe was hurt, we all saw the cuts and welts.”

Laura bit her lip. Now that she knew that man hadn’t hurt Joe sexually she didn’t know how much to tell her oldest.

Seeing her dilemma the doctor intervened. “Due to the behavior of the assailants, your mother expressed some concern over the possibility of hidden injuries,” Roberts diplomatically explained.

Frank’s face turned red and his eyes widened as he realized what the doctor probably meant. “Oh,” he whispered, unable to think of what else he should say.

The doctor turned again to Laura. “Given Joe’s injuries I would normally send him home, however, there is a small complication.”

“What kind of complication?” Laura fearfully asked.

“Joe has once more become unresponsive, much as he was when he was first brought in,” the doctor explained. “I believe it’s a reaction to the exam but I would prefer to see him responding to somebody before I release him. Now Mrs. Hardy as he did speak to you before I’m hoping he’ll do so again.”

Laura nodded. “Could Frank come too, they’re very close. If Joe won’t talk to me he might talk to Frank.”

“That would be fine. Are you up to this Frank?” Roberts asked. Though the older teen had no visible injuries he was clearly exhausted. At the boy’s nod he turned to lead the two through the doors, back to exam one.

Laura stepped slowly into the room. A few short steps brought her to her son’s side. “Joe, honey, how are you doing baby?” she softly asked as she lovingly brushed her fingers through his hair. To her disappointment he said nothing. The blue eyes so like her own only looked through her, though whether this was due to shock or anger she wasn’t sure. For a few minutes she continued trying, hoping for some response but nothing changed. Reluctantly she moved away from the table, giving Frank a chance to speak to his brother.

Frank watched from behind his mother. Each minute passing without a response had his fear for his brother increasing. Was he going to be like this forever? What would they do if he never recovered from the nightmare those men had forced him to live?

His mother stepped away, giving him his chance. With a lump in his throat Frank stepped forward. “Joe you need to wake up now.” He tried to sound normal but knew he had failed miserably. To his surprise Joe blinked, once, twice, then his eyes focused. “Hey,” Frank whispered.

“Hey,” Joe returned. “Can we go home now Frank?” he asked in a small voice.

Frank looked towards the doctor, relieved when the man nodded. “Yeah Joe we can go home.” He frowned in concern at the shudder sweeping through his brother when the doctor spoke.

“I’ll get his discharge papers ready,” the doctor said. Turning away he left the room.

“I need clothes,” Joe said, looking down at the scrubs he wore. He didn’t remember changing into them, he supposed the emergency room staff had done it when he came in. Joe shuddered, the thought of more hands touching him made him feel vaguely sick.

“You can wear the scrubs home Joe,” Laura told him. She had been here with Fenton on more than one occasion when his own clothes had been ruined and so knew the procedure. Joe didn’t respond but he didn’t say anything more about his clothes.

“Will we have to talk to the police?” Joe asked Frank.

“I don’t know if we’ll have to do that tonight.” Frank had another concern on his mind. He reluctantly turned to his mother. “Will we be able to stay in the house tonight?”

Laura looked at him in confusion. Why wouldn’t they…oh of course she should have realized that Joe might not be up to it.

“It’s a crime scene and I don’t know about Joe but I’m not sure I want to be there right now,” Frank explained.

Laura blushed, she hadn’t even thought about the crime scene aspect. “We can get a hotel for a few days.”

“Or you could stay with me and Ethel,” Sam said from the door, startling them.

“Are you sure Ethel won’t mind Sam?” Laura had to ask. Truthfully she was grateful for the offer. The thought of staying in an impersonal hotel wasn’t really appealing, particularly considering the way the boys felt towards her at the moment.

“I already spoke to her, it was her idea,” Sam assured her. “So…”

“Thank you Sam,” Laura accepted with heartfelt gratitude.

“Do we have to make a statement tonight?” Frank asked.

“I think Collig will wait until tomorrow.”

None of them rested well that night. What little sleep they managed was filled with nightmarish images. Nevertheless they made their way to the police station after breakfast. When they arrived they discovered that Phil Cohen had already made his statement.

“I’ll need to speak to each of you separately,” the Chief explained. He was handling this case personally. “Sam can come in with each of you if you like,” he offered. He suspected they would all, especially Joe, need the support.

“Would you like to go first Joe?” Ezra wasn’t sure if he was offering the boy a kindness or not. A quick shake of the head was the only answer he received.

“I’ll go first,” Frank stood. “You can stay out here Sam.” He wanted the man with him but he didn’t think Joe would like being left alone with their mother. He still hadn’t spoken to her.

“Are you sure Frank?” Sam doubtfully asked.

“I’m sure.” Turning away he followed Collig into his office. When he returned thirty minutes later his eyes were red-rimmed and his face blotchy. In spite of this he gave his brother an encouraging smile as he sat next to him, giving his hand a quick squeeze.

Laura went next, Sam going with her. She didn’t look much better than Frank had when she returned. Sam, coming to stand in front of Joe, didn’t look too well himself.

“You ready Joe?” Sam quietly asked.

“Do I have to?” Joe nearly whimpered.

Sam kneeled in front of him, laying a supportive hand on his knee. The slight flinch had him fighting the urge to hit the bastard locked in the cells. “I’m afraid so buddy. I’ll be right beside you, I promise.”

Taking a deep breath Joe nodded and pushed himself to his feet. Walking like a man on his way to the gallows he slowly followed Sam into the office.

Sam listened with growing horror as Joe told them everything he had experienced the day before. Though they already knew most of it from the others it wasn’t the same as hearing it from the primary victim. Nor had the others known the particulars of what had happened in the kitchen with the one they all called Red. By the time it was over he wasn’t sure which of them was most relieved.

“Can I go now?” Joe asked in a pleading tone.

Collig nodded. “Thank you for talking to me Joe.” He wasn’t surprised that the boy paused for only a second before leaving the room. He was nearly vibrating with the need to escape the meeting.

“What have you found out about the animals that did this?” Sam growled. “Why did they attack Laura and the boys? Was it revenge?” It had been his first thought and he knew it would be Fenton’s as well.

Ezra sighed. “We don’t know yet. According to his license the one they called Red was Gary Wyndham. The other one is Alex Tomlinson. Neither of them has a record as far as we can determine.”

Sam gaped at him. “That’s not possible. First time criminals don’t do what they did.”

“I didn’t say they were first timers, I said they didn’t have a record,” Ezra pointed out. “At this point we’re not even sure how they became partners. Tomlinson comes from a wealthy New England background, while Wyndham grew up in Chicago raised by a single mother.” Ezra hesitated for a moment before continuing. “One more thing you’ll want to know, Tomlinson has only said two things since he was brought in.”

“And?”

Ezra braced himself, sure that Sam wouldn’t react well to what he had to say next. “He wanted a lawyer and he wanted to know how Joe is.”

“Son of a bitch,” Sam swore.

“Does Fenton know yet?” Ezra asked, moving the conversation on to hopefully safer ground.

Sam shook his head. “I’m hoping to hear from him this afternoon. I expect him on the first plane home, case be damned, as soon as he finds out.” Sam ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I don’t mind telling you I don’t look forward to the conversation.”

“I can imagine,” Ezra sympathized. “We will find out what was behind this Sam,” he promised. “We’re not done digging, not by a long shot.”

“Neither am I,” Sam vowed. “Between us we ought to be able to find something. They had to have left a trail somewhere.”

“In the meantime why don’t you take Laura and the boys home,” Ezra suggested. “I don’t know if they want to go to their home yet but the house has been processed.”

“I’ll mention it to them but I suspect we’ll have houseguests at least until Fenton gets back. Thanks Chief,” Sam said, offering his hand.

“Just doing my job,” Ezra said, waving off the thanks. “I’ll let you know as soon as we learn anything.”

Sam stood to leave when a thought had him turning back towards the desk. “Do you know if the lab checked the food and drinks for any drugs?” He wasn’t sure they would have as nobody knew before today that there was a possibility of drugs.

Ezra nodded. “The Cohen boy mentioned the accusation against Laura so I contacted the forensics people while they were still processing the house. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough residue left in any of the glasses to test. They will test the food scraps but from the sounds of it if anything was slipped to the men it would have been in the drinks.” Ezra wished he had better news for the other man.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think Laura tried to drug them?”

“No I don’t,” Ezra admitted. “But those boys do and without proof to the contrary I’m not sure anybody will ever be able to convince them otherwise.”

Sam nodded and opened the door, he was afraid the chief was right. Stepping into the outer office he saw that once more Laura was seated a little removed from her sons. He was gratified to see that Frank at least wasn’t completely ignoring her nor was he shooting glares her way. Unfortunately he also wasn’t making any effort to bring her into the quiet conversation he and Joe were having. Forcing the worry to the back of his mind Sam plastered a more pleasant look on his face as he stepped over to his partner’s family. He couldn’t take away the horror they had lived through but he could and would do all he could to lessen the pain of the aftermath.

TBC....

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The Divine Right of Kings