Turbulence on the Streets [Hardy Boys One-Shot]

Turbulence on the Streets

"Hey, Frank!" Seventeen-year-old Joe Hardy, called his brother a year older than him, who was currently looking at their target through a pair of binoculars. Joe wasn't happy being forced to sit and wait patiently, never one of his strong points. But he was going to make the best out it.

"Yeah Joe, what is it now?" Asked Frank, failing miserably to stop his eyes from rolling. He was trying to concentrate on what was going on around them, but Joe wasn't making it easy. They had followed the suspect, whom they believed to have kidnapped a young boy to this place that looked like an abandoned store in the outskirts of Bayport. The boys were sitting in their Van parked a fair distance away from the store.

"I feel like I'm Batman lurking in the shadows trying to save the world from Evil. I'm just missing the costume" Joe said excitedly.

"Congratulations Joe on joining the elite group of 97% of the men who think the same!" replied Frank, with a gleam in his eyes.

"Frank be serious for a second will you. I even got my own Batmobile" Gesturing at the Van. "Hey come to think of it, if you be good, you can be my Robin. We could save the world together" said Joe actually considering it.

"Whatever you say Joe. We all know wisdom has been chasing you but you have always been faster." Replied Frank, now smirking. In all honesty, Frank was glad Joe was here trying to lighten the mood. He would never admit it but he hated stakeouts as much as Joe did. But he knew that it was an important aspect when it came to Detective work whether you like it or not.

Joe was trying to think of a comeback when Frank suddenly called out "Joe, take a look at this" From Frank's Tone Joe knew something was wrong, and without wasting any time he grabbed the binoculars.

Joe let out a soft whistle as he watched through the binoculars. The suspect who Joe named Mr. Hulk and another man were carrying a fairly large package which was covered by a black cloth towards Subaru Sports Car parked nearby. At least that's what an onlooker would see. But the trained eyes of the Hardy's saw different.

"It looks like Mr. Hulk and his buddy are moving the kid to a different location. I knew I was right about the hiding place! Come on, let's make our move!" Said Joe starting to open his door. Finally some action! God knows how long he'd been waiting to do something. His excitement was short-lived when Frank grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him in.

"No! They'll be out of here before you even get there. Let's tail them and wait for our chance." Joe was reluctant, but he knew his brother was right. So he sat back and started the Van. The engine was silent, thanks to the upgrades they had done to the engine.

"I can't believe they are transporting a kidnapped child in a Subaru! These guys gotta be nuts" said Joe.

"We've got bigger problems, little brother, if they spot us tailing them, we have no chance of keeping up with that thing." Frank said, pointing at the sports car. "So you better try your best not to get spotted"

"Yeah right, we'll see about that" was Joe's reply. He made sure there were at least two vehicles between them and the kidnappers along the journey, while never letting the kidnappers out of sight. After a few minutes, the Subaru made a sudden hard right catching Joe by surprise. But since he had kept a fair gap between them he was able to easily guide the Van in the route the car had taken.

"It looks like we've been made or they are getting paranoid. Either way now that guy is flooring it. We are never going to catch them!" Frank said through gritted teeth.

"Aww Frank, have some faith. Do you really think I'd let them get away that easily? Dude I watched all the Fast & Furious movies just for this moment. It's not what's under the hood that matters but what's behind the wheel, just hold tight and relax" With that Joe flicked a switch and hit the gas simultaneously and the Van lurched forward with a surge of energy. Joe knew he was at a large disadvantage not because the Van wasn't powerful, but who was he kidding it was no match for the sleek sports car. But he was never the one to back down from a challenge.