The Watcher

by: HardyGirls

Disclaimer: They're not mine but it's nice to dream…

Chapter Five

-00-

Fenton backed carefully retraced his steps and backed carefully out of the room. He stood scanning the room while he calmed himself down.

"Think man, think!" He remonstrated. Nothing seemed out of place but still something didn't feel right. He forced himself to start a meticulous scan and to concentrate on everything in the room. The curtains blew gently making him realize the window had to be open. Oddly enough it actually centered him a little to realize that. It was a reasonable explanation as to how the perpetrator had managed to get into the house without alerting his sister to his intrusion. Fenton tried to pull his mind away from the real fact that Gertrude had been left completely vulnerable and an unsuspecting target that day while he was at the hospital with the boys.

Turning away from his room he moved quickly down the corridor to Frank's room. He stopped at the closed door, looking hard around the surround. He wasn't going to be surprised again. Satisfied he opened it and looked into the darkened room. It was silent. He tried to shake the emotion he was feeling and again forced himself to the present looking to the curtains; they were still – nothing open in here. The room didn't appear to have been entered. The room was as he expected; neatly made bed, the writing desk tidily set out. Frank's laundry basket was overflowing but other than that the room was neat and tidy. Frank had always been the tidier of the two. For a moment that little sense of normalcy gave him something to hang on to in his besieged mind. Moving quietly he made his way into Joe's room with the same calm approach. Anyone would have been forgiven for thinking this room had been burgled but you had to know Joe to know what the mess really meant. After his appraisal he stepped over the clutter carefully to locate the item he was looking for. Joe was the gadgets man; everything to do with cameras fascinated him and often there would be one in his room, in pieces or various states of repair. Fenton checked for film then left his son's busy room.

Fenton was anxious to check the rest of the house and the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end at the thought he was being watched. He pushed those thoughts away and headed back to the master bedroom of the house; his and Laura's room. His stomach lurched at what it would have meant if she were here now. No, she'd have to understand not being kept informed. She'd be safer that way. Carefully entering the room he began photographing it systematically. He paid particular attention to the card on the bed and was fastidious about not touching a single item. When he'd exhausted the roll of film he made his way downstairs to his study. He needed to call the police first; then' he'd get Gertrude up.

-00-

"How are you feeling?" Frank opened his eyes as his doctor approached his bed and picked up his chart from the end of it.

Frank blinked and swallowed. "I've been better than this."

"Still nauseous?" the doctor had finished reading the chart and had reached for Frank's wrist. His eyes flicked from his watch to Frank's face waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, still sick" he admitted, feeling the need to swallow again.

The doctor reached for the thermometer beside Frank's bed and shook it down.

"Open up for me"

Frank did as bidden and held the glass rod under his tongue.

"It's hanging on a bit I'm sorry" the doctor told him. Frank nodded his understanding. "We'd hoped it would have passed by now." Taking his stethoscope from around his neck the doctor reached for the top of Frank's gown and placed the bell to his chest. Without being asked Frank took the required big breaths.

"You're chest sounds better, that's something" he pursed his lips at the washed out young man before him. Checking his watch again he took the thermometer from Frank's mouth and rolled it carefully in his fingers, lining up the mercury line in the light.

"Still not back to normal, but it's an improvement." He smiled encouragingly. Frank coughed and clutched at his ribs.

"That's another story Frank; what on earth possessed you not to get yourself checked out properly after your run-in with the bonnet of a car?" he folded his arms and stared perplexed at Frank.

Frank cleared his throat carefully, not wanting to cough again. "It wasn't life threatening and Joe was more important."

The doctor shook his head. "Yes but that doesn't change the fact that…." But Frank cut him off.

"You can't treat them anyway can you?"

"That's not the point…"

Frank was too tired to argue and with the strain of talking the reality of wanting to throw up again was making itself felt.

The doctor softened when he saw the obvious discomfort his patient was in. "It could have been worse than it is…if you'd needed surgery with that poison running around inside… all I'm saying is it's better to be safe than sorry." Realizing his words were falling on deaf ears, or at least defiant ones he left Frank for the moment to organize his medication.

Frank had his eyes shut on his return, brows knitted lightly. The doctor made short work of injecting the drugs into Frank's IV line.

"We're going to move you upstairs in a little while; we're just organizing a room. You'll be able to get some real sleep then instead of being constantly disturbed by what's going on around you here in the ER."

Frank nodded tiredly. "Is there any news on my brother Joe?"

The doctor nodded. "Yep, he's woken a few times and all reports say he's recovering quite well. Anyway, you can ask him yourself when you get up there." Smiling a teasing little smile the doctor patted Frank's blanketed legs and turned away.

-00-

Pamela Whiting had nursed the Hardy brothers on more than one occasion in the ICU so when the current situation had arisen she'd been asked to step in as a trusted member of staff. She was abashed that her superiors felt that way. Right now there was a severe restriction on who could enter the room and each time she entered or exited the room she had to prove her identity.

Joe had been awake now for almost an hour; the longest time for the entire day. Though it was the early hours of the morning Pamela took the opportunity to get him freshened up and changed into a clean gown. She could feel the tremble in his muscles as he tried to sit up to help her at her task. Quietly and efficiently she achieved her goal and had him lying back resting in no time. Though Frank hadn't recognized her the day before she knew that both young men recognized her routine and what they needed to do to help her. So in a way they did know her.

"Thanks Pamela" Joe sighed as he willed his body to relax again. He had to admit though, after having sweated out a fever it was delicious to feel clean again.

Pamela smiled as she cleared up the bathing items. "You're fine Joe, just rest for a moment; give your body a chance for those muscles to relax again."

Joe forced a smile. "Am I that obvious?" he asked ruefully.

She shook her head. "No not really, it's just is normal to feel that way."

"How's Frank doing?" he asked suddenly changing the subject. "There's got to be something else you can tell me?" he pleaded.

"Actually, yes there is, in fact he's being transferred up to this room as we speak. The ER doctors really do feel he's on the mend and it would be quieter for him up here to let him get some sleep…. So no talking after lights out!" she teased him lightly.

She watched Joe visibly relax into the pillows, a small smile playing on his lips. "Like we'd do that?" She snorted lightly. After checking his vitals and writing up his chart she turned the lights down leaving only a small desk lamp glowing. "Get some sleep Joe; I'll let you know when he's here."

Sometime later Joe woke to the sound of a gurney being wheeled into his room. He tried to sit up quickly but the room being shrouded in darkness limited his view.

"Frank?" he called, his voice hoarse from sleep. He didn't get an answer but Pamela was beside him suddenly telling him to ease back and she'd talk to him in a bit, they had to get Frank settled first.

Laying back he listened to the sounds of his brother being moved into the rooms' vacant bed. There was a swoosh of curtains closing then a light switched on within which allowed Joe to see the silhouettes of the staff. He tried to focus on where he figured Frank was laying but he saw no movement, heard no sound. Pamela was there; he could hear her gentle voice and knew she was now taking charge. The hiss of the blood pressure cuff told him she was taking his vitals and murmuring to him in a low voice but still no matter how he strained he couldn't hear a reply.

He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew the room was silent and only bathed in moonlight. The curtain to his brother's cubicle had been pulled back and he could now make out the comforting shape of Frank lying on his back. His breathing sounded even so Joe knew he was asleep. He bit his lip wanting to call out to him but stopped knowing this was best for him. Turning slightly he winced at the pull of his injuries. It still frustrated him how limiting his present condition was.

"Joe? Are you alright" Pamela was beside him, a small penlight torch lighting her way.

Joe sighed as deeply as he could. "Yeah, must have dozed off; is he ok?" he pointed with his eyes to Frank.

"He's fine, just very very tired; the doctor has given him something to make his transfer more comfortable. Your brothers suffering from exhaustion so right now sleep is the best thing." She whispered. All the while she'd taken the chance to once again do a vitals check.

"Man, I'm sick of this" Joe whined in a low voice.

Pamela smiled at him ruefully. "I bet you are, but it's better if we can do this when you do wake rather than disturb you all the time. I'll be quick I promise."

Joe felt slightly churlish for having complained. Pamela and indeed the whole of the nursing staff had been wonderful to him. He usually tried to block out the times he'd spent being "managed" by medical staff and some of the procedures he'd endured or woken to find he had endured. If he started to think like that he'd have been unable to ever face any of them. Instead he was always met with a ready compassionate smile and nothing less than totally dignity.

He started to mumble an apology but Pamela stopped him, smiling gently. "It's ok Joe, it's got to be hard on you; I don't know how you've managed to come through this with such fortitude. A lesser person would've thrown in the towel, but not you, I admire that." With a final tug on the blankets she had him comfortable and settled, melting back into the shadows of the room.

-00-

Frank blinked for a moment trying to un-jumble his cotton wool brain to determine what day it was and where he was. It was quieter than the ER but he didn't remember much about being moved. Remembering suddenly what his doctor had said he turned his head quickly to see if it was true. Even laying down a wave of dizziness washed over him and not for the first time he found himself clamping his jaws tight, willing his stomach to stay down. The headache behind his eyes throbbed a little louder as if to let him know it wouldn't be much that would set it off again.

Opening his eyes he was relieved and delighted to be staring at a much improved pair of blue eyes. The bruises were still there but fading giving Joe even more of a raccoon look. Seeing Frank awake, Joe broke into a huge grin, giving him a tiny wave.

"Hey big brother" he said simply.

"Hey little brother" Frank rasped, and then coughed at the first use of his voice. A spasm through his chest had him reaching for his ribs but it settled enough for him to re-open his eyes. This time the blue eyes he met were worried.

"It's ok Joe, just bruised ribs" he tried to placate him.

"Yeah, right; is that before or after the exhaustion and the poison incident?" Joe asked Dryly.

Frank grinned ruefully. "I'm fine really, just need a rest they tell me. What about you? How are you doing?"

Joe nodded. "I'm getting better. I can stay awake longer now that's gotta be an improvement!"

Frank smiled. "You needed it…" his words trailed off and he found it difficult to keep looking at Joe. "I'm so sorry Joe… for everything."

Joe rolled his eyes a little, stopping with a wince. "It's not your fault Frank! – gosh are we going to have to do this again?" he asked, real frustration showing plainly on his face.

Frank sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "No, I guess not, but I can't help…"

"Exactly right Frank, you can't help it; you didn't do this, so don't start ok? I've been going over in my mind everything that's happened – well, that I know that's happened and I'm itching to figure this out; are ya up to it?"

Frank opened his eyes again and stared at his little brother. When did Joe grow up into this self assured perky adult? "Hmmm… love to, just need to shut my eyes for a minute" he mumbled, the pull of sleep too great. The last thing he heard was Joe. "Lovely! And he accuses me of sleeping all the time!"

-00-

The Hardy household was overrun with people; a forensics team was dusting every possible surface for prints and Ezra Collig had come to oversee the operation himself. Fenton kept Gertrude close. She'd been shocked when Fenton came to her room the previous night and now with the adrenalin fading, real fear was taking its place.

She'd been over and over it in her mind, nothing had seemed amiss to her and she couldn't remember hearing anything out of place in the house. The thought chilled her. Her brother looked worn out; he'd not slept a wink and was now running purely on coffee and adrenalin.

"How are the boys Fenton?" she asked distracting him from his own thoughts.

"What? Oh yes, the hospital says they're doing well. Under the circumstances Frank is being kept in longer and he's been moved up to Joe's room. They don't know about this yet but the hospital staff have agreed to keep them as long as they need to. At least I know there they're both under constant supervision."

Gertrude cocked an eyebrow. "Frank is not going to like being kept in the dark Fenton, nor Joe."

Fenton glanced at her guiltily. "I know Gert but it's for their own good. I'll tell them everything after everything is squared away here. At least they have constant guards where they are."

His sister nodded in agreement. "I know; it's for the best."

The morning wore on with police officers coming and going. Fenton had handed over Joe's camera to the forensics team who had promised to develop the film straight away. A team of police specialists had combed the Hardy house looking for any other signs of entry but came up with nothing.

"You didn't leave the window open did you Fenton?" Ezra asked carefully.

Fenton took a deep breath. "You know I didn't" he replied simply.

Ezra pursed his lips and smiled sadly. "I know, I had to ask though. It's not every day we're working with someone as astute as you but the basic questions still have to be asked."

Fenton nodded tiredly.

"I've organized a locksmith to come over as soon as we're done here." Ezra told him, clasping his weary colleague on the shoulder.

Fenton shook his head. "No, don't… I don't want any loose ends. I'll get the place re-keyed myself with Chet's help. I don't want anyone else involved. This guy is very very good and I have no way of knowing if the locksmith you have come over is compromised or not."

Ezra thought for a moment then nodded. "Ok, well, if you're sure… I'll try and get back over this afternoon and give you a hand."

"You don't need to do that, you've got enough on your hands right now." Fenton dissuaded him. "Are there any other leads?"

Ezra Collig shook his head. "No, nothing… I've got to tell you Fenton, this guy is good; menacingly good. We're having trouble connecting the dots as to why Joe then Frank and now you have been targeted. No need to ask if you've been back through all your files in here."

"Again and again." Fenton replied.

The two men were interrupted by the arrival of Chet Morton and Biff Hooper. Both young men were neatly turned out in collared shirts and jeans but it was obvious that sleep had evaded them as well for some time.

"Hi boys, come in." Fenton tried to sound welcoming.

"Umm.. hi Mr. Hardy, my dad said you have something to ask me?" Chet asked worriedly.

"I do; I need to re-key this whole house; today. Is there any chance that you two could give me a hand?" Fenton clasped both boys on the back looking from one to the other.

"Well yeah! – Chet answered; relieved it wasn't anything more terrifying than that. Having worked with the Hardy brothers for longer than he could remember a simple request like Mr. Hardy's could have seen him on a plane to a snake infested jungle for all he knew.

"Great! I've got a plan so we're going to have to be really careful but I think we can do this." Fenton got a pad a pen motioning for the boys to come over to him.

"We need new locks for every door and window. Everything is going to be keyed. I don't want you buying everything at one store though so I want you to split up. Drive to the next town if you have to but I want you to be as unobtrusive as you can. If you go to a hardware store, buy half a dozen other unrelated things with the lock, and only a couple at each store. I'm concerned boys that this "Watcher" fellow will be following you. I don't want him to know what you're doing or realize what your aim is. You both need to separate so that he's not suspicious."

"F-f-f-ollowed?" Chet stammered.

Fenton tried to ease the nervous boy. "I know Chet, it's worrying but I if you keep your wits about you, you should be fine. So far it's only us he's targeted. I'm just hoping if you can do this then we can re-key everything without him being able to figure out what we've used. If we buy these at one place I'm sure it would take him less than a heartbeat to find out exactly what we've bought and how to pick the lock. This way at least it'll take him longer. I want to be ready for his next visit so I'm counting on this way giving me that time to be prepared.

"Wow" Biff said, letting out a low whistle. "This is good Mr. Hardy. The more we spread out the more targets he's got to keep tabs on. This is cool! We'll get the rest of the gang together and get them shopping too." Biff took the list from Fenton, his eyes glimmering with the satisfaction of actually doing something positive.

"Another thing too; Chet, when you get back, bring Pizza." Fenton instructed him reaching for his wallet to cash the boys up.

"Pizza – check" Chet said instantly, and then a frown appeared on his face. "Umm... why Pizza Mr. Hardy?"

"You're coming for dinner boys, Pizza dinner – I don't want anyone watching the house to think you're coming just to work on the house.

"This is a very very neat plan Mr. Hardy" Biff told him, nodding in agreement. "You've really thought through every angle haven't you?"

Fenton chewed on his lip for a moment. "I'm hoping so Biff; if this character as his name suggests, is watching us I need to give him more than one thing to look at; that way at least it might slow him down."

Gertrude appeared in the doorway suddenly, dressed to go out. Fenton raised his eyes expectantly. "Gert? Where are you off to?" he asked carefully.

"Fenton, the fridge is bare! I'm going to do the groceries – and yes, before you ask they do sell locks at the supermarket!" she stated flatly, turning on her heel and heading for the door.

The boys grinned as their friends strong-willed Aunt headed out.

"I guess you didn't ask her first eh?" Biff asked carefully

Fenton screwed his face up a moment. "You might be right there Biff, you might be right."

-00-

Morning turned into afternoon and Joe was itching for Frank to awaken. The doctor had been in to examine both of them and Frank had hardly stirred. Joe looked on anxiously. He'd heard a little of what happened from Callie but didn't know the full extent as to what had been going on with Frank. He'd been stunned when he saw the doctor lift Frank's gown, exposing the angry bruising along his side. Gently the doctor prodded and palpated Frank's abdomen and seemingly satisfied re-covered him, pulling up his blankets.

"Doc?,how's he doing?" Joe asked as his own examination was being carried out.

The doctor smiled easily. "He's ok Joe, he's got problems but we're monitoring them. Right now he's sleeping the best he has in days so that's good healing sleep. Be patient, he'll be awake before long. Now you young man; you're improving every day which is great news. Before too long we're going to start getting you back on your feet. Don't try and overdo it though, you don't want a fall to cause a relapse now do you?"

Joe didn't reply but continued to stare at his older brother. The brothers had always worked together on cases and right now it seemed like they were all working independently of each other. Even their father hadn't been in to see them today. Joe was bothered. Pamela had said he'd called and got an update and told them both not to worry but still he couldn't help but feel he was out of the loop.

His thoughts were interrupted by a deep breath and a cough and his brother's sleep-filled brown eyes trying to focus on him. Frank blinked a couple of times, staring at Joe.

"Hey Frank, still here" Joe quipped lightly. The doctor smiled at Joe's levity and on finishing up his exam on the younger sleuth made his way back over to Frank's bed.

"Hi Frank, good to see you awake again." Frank didn't recognize the doctor and for a moment frowned, pulling back from his touch.

"Ok, easy now son, I'm your doctor while you're on this floor. Flashing Joe a grin he continued. "Your brother can vouch for me, I haven't managed to stitch his ear to his knee yet!" Frank flicked his gaze to Joe who was nodding and expressing great exasperation to his older sibling. Looking back at the doctor Frank relaxed a little, sighing deeply.

"Sorry Doc, just didn't …."

"Know me?" the doctor finished for him. "I know, but you two are safe here. The hospital has this floor sewn up so tight and you've got plain clothed policeman outside the door every second of every minute of the day; Goodness I don't think I've ever shown my ID so many times in my life as I have since you two became our guests!" The doctor waited until Frank relaxed a little more before attempting to re-take his pulse.

Frank accepted his ministrations in silence. After a few moments and a few more questions the doctor was satisfied he was stable and after writing up both boy's charts handed them back over to the day nurse to keep safe.

Frank needed the bathroom in a big way and seeing this as he was about to leave the doctor offered to help get him there. Joe rolled his eyes and grumbled as they passed the end of his bed and Frank was pretty sure he picked up pretty colorful descriptions of the tubes that were ensuring Joe couldn't get out of bed yet.

-00-

Frank and Joe passed the afternoon propped up in their respective beds filling each other in on the happenings of the past few days. Joe was worried to hear about Frank rolling over the bonnet of the getaway car and Frank's face was stormy when Joe once again recounted what he could remember of the beating he'd received.

"So, no markings, no scent, nothing you can remember?" Frank prodded.

"No, nothing; I've been over it in my mind a hundred, a thousand times… it was dark when I woke up. The goons were wearing black, including ski masks; and dark glasses – every inch of them was covered up. Nobody spoke, not a grunt, not a word. I knew I was in a room underground because I could smell earth but that's it. They had a light directly on me for the whole time, well, what I can remember anyway so I couldn't see past the light. The room was dark outside of that light. I remember being scared when one of them would loom out of darkness at me…." Joe stopped, taking a deep breath.

"Easy Joe…" Frank murmured, "Don't go back there bro"

Joe sighed deeply. "I know… sometimes I feel my heart race just at the thought of it."

The boys sat in amiable silence for a moment before Frank spoke again. "Joe, what did you photograph that day?"

Joe cocked his head to the side. "So the photo's got lost at the mall did they?"

Frank rolled his eyes marginally. "Of course they didn't but…." He told Joe the whole story concerning the roll of film.

Joe took it better than he'd expected. Scratching his chin a moment he stopped suddenly and snapped his fingers at Frank only to stop suddenly at the pain his bruised knuckles were radiating. "I know that was a properly loaded roll of film Frank! – it wouldn't have stopped at the end otherwise."

Frank thought about it for the moment. Joe was right. A poorly seated roll of new film in a camera would leave an unsuspecting photographer snapping away happily forever without giving the signals that the film was full. It would have simply sat in its spindle doing nothing the whole time.

"What I can't get a handle on is how'd this guy know to deliver a message to you that day with Chet."

Frank nodded. "I know, I've got an idea about that though but I need to get out of here first to follow it up. They guy that delivered the message was from a delivery company. There can't be that many in Bayport so I figure I'll just have to check out the whole lot and maybe get lucky."

Joe shook his head. "I'm not buying it; from what we've seen I can't imagine that guy being so stupid as to leave his name or phone number with the order for the delivery. Even if you get a description I bet it won't be him, it'll be someone else that this guy has used to make this happen."

Frank thought for a moment. "You're probably right, but maybe he's counting on that too. I've got to try; I mean it isn't going to hurt is it?"

Joe raised an eyebrow and stared at his brother. "Do you think you should lay low? I mean c'mon Frank, this guy could snatch you in a heartbeat."

"Joe, how many times have we had people try to frighten us off a case? It's not like it's the first time is it?"

"No, I agree with you Frank but I don't want you to end up like me, or worse end up dead. I'm just saying we have to be careful is all."

Frank thought for a moment, and Joe waited patiently. He could almost hear the cogs in Frank's brain ticking over. "Do you remember what you were taking photographs of at the club? Was there anything in particular that took your interest?"

Joe shook his head. "No, I was just taking general photo's of the club and the surrounds and then some of the staff came out and helped unload supplies for the club. To be honest it all seemed rather normal but I took the photo's anyway in case we found something useful later."

"Did you recognize anybody?"

"No, actually, not a sole… Not even George Trellan showed up."

Frank rubbed his eyes and yawned. "This is getting us nowhere fast; I need to get out of here…"

-00-

Daylight was fading fast as Fenton, Chet and Biff finished up the last of the new keyed locks on the Hardy house. The three of them were sweating and dusty and Chet had bits of saw dust in his hair from drilling holes in the doors and windows.

"And that… should be the last one." Fenton grunted, tightening the final screw by hand.

"Phew" Chet wiped the sweat from his brow. "That's hot work Mr. Hardy, but I think we've done pretty well to get them all done in such a short time!"

Fenton smiled at the two friends. "Chet, Biff; I can't tell you how much you've helped me. I couldn't have possibly done all this on my own today, not a chance of it. C'mon, let's get cleaned up here and get some supper.

On cue Aunt Gertrude appeared, wiping her hands her apron. "Fenton Hardy, are you going to slave drive these boys into starvation?"

"No, no Gert, we're finished, wow, supper smells good!"

As instructed Chet had brought back several Pizzas when he'd returned, but they'd been eaten hours ago. All three of them were more than ready for something else. They squared away their tools and made their way to the bathroom to clean up, grinning at the clucking noises Aunt Gertrude was making at the mess each lock had produced on her nice clean floor. There was sawdust and paint chips, dust and foot prints. She turned away in mock disgust but stopped at a light tapping sound. Her heart started pounding immediately and standing stock still she listened intently for a repeat of it. The tapping started again, very lightly. She looked at the newly locked patio doors and beyond, staring out into the inky blackness. To her relief she identified the culprit as the tree right on the edge of the garden whose long gnarled branches touched the patio doors as the wind blew. She watched the branch tapping for a moment then taking a deep breath turned and headed back to the sound of the three men talking in the dining room.

She didn't see the grinning face watching her unease, nor did she didn't hear his low cynical chuckle.

To be Continued…