Joe Hardy's blue eyes followed seventeen year old Vanessa Bender as she danced to the soft music on the juke box with Roger, her long, ash-blond hair brushing against his face as she leaned her head on his shoulder. Joe's mouth tightened as he watched her chest rise and fall and knew she was sighing in contentment. How could she? he wondered, his eyes rolling and landing on the boy she clung to.
Roger Billings was new in town. He had moved to Bayport the day after Joe and his year older brother, Frank had left town with their father, a former member of the New York City Police Department and currently a world renown private investigator, to stop the illegal killing of an endangered species for the animal's hide.
At eighteen, Roger was a bit more debonair than he was, Joe had to admit. And the guy was good looking with his wavy brown hair and cool blue eyes which, Joe grimaced at the thought, seemed to be constantly on Vanessa. Too, Roger was safe. And that's the kicker, Joe thought bitterly, running a hand absently through his own golden locks. Vanessa wouldn't have to wonder where he was or even if he was still alive. Roger wouldn't have to stand her up at the last minute to stop someone from committing a crime. He supposed he should be glad that she had found someone she could depend on that wouldn't cause her grief.
Vanessa hadn't even had the decency to break up with him before going out with Roger. Tony, the olive-skinned, dark headed son of the owner of the establishment he now occupied, had informed him that Vanessa and Roger had shown up together at Mr. Pizza his first night in town. That had earned her an immediate exile from the group of friends who had accepted her into their fold when she had moved to Bayport several months earlier.
Joe, after being informed of Vanessa's duplicity, had driven out to the farm which the Benders had converted into a studio for Mrs. Bender's work with animation. There, he had found Vanessa and Roger kissing on the front porch swing. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He was NOT going to relive that scene. But it was really over between the two of them. Vanessa had a new boyfriend and had no room in her life for Joe and his chosen vocation.
Opening his eyes, Joe let out a deep growl as he saw Roger's hand snaking it's way down Vanessa's back, his hand wrapped in her long tresses. He picked up his soda, squeezing the glass so hard his knuckles turned white but he was oblivious tot he sensation such an action caused. He took a swig and slammed the glass down. Letting it go, it toppled over and a stream of the brown cola made its way hastily across the table toward his brother's blond-headed girlfriend, Callie Shaw.
"Easy, Bro," brown headed Frank scowled at his year younger brother. His brown eyes softened as he remembered why Joe was in such a snit. "She's not worth it," he added softly.
"You got that right," agreed, blond and beefy Biff Hooper, Joe's best friend since moving to Bayport as a child. "Forget her. There are hundreds of girls in Bayport who have been dying for you to break up with Vanessa."
"Sad, but true," concurred sandy haired, green eyed Phil Cohen. A year older than Biff's seventeen years, he had more in common with Frank but considered both hardy boys his friends. "Every girl I have gone out with has admitted to having had a crush on you at one time or another."
"No way," Joe denied with a shake of his head. He couldn't believe a girl would tell her date something like that. And Phil, while not an athlete or even outstanding in the looks department, was a great guy with moderate good looks.
"Believe it," moaned Tony. "I only started dating Barb after you started dating Vanessa."
"That doesn't mean anything," Joe pointed out.
"True," agreed Tony. "But her brother told me."
"He was probably lying," said brown eyed Callie, trying to make him feel better.
"He's six years old," Tony informed her. "He talks a lot. I mean, he probably never even heard of Joe except through Barbara in the first place."
"I'm sorry," Joe said, looking even more depressed than he had previously, his friends attempts to boost his ego backfiring.
"It's not your fault," said Karen Black, Biff's dark haired girlfriend. "You can't help it if you're one of the best looking and most popular guys at Bayport High."
"If I'm such a great catch, why did Vanessa dump me?" Joe demanded, standing up as Vanessa and Roger passed their table holding hands. "I've got to get some air," he said, not waiting for a reply he wasn't in the frame of mind to believe anyway. "I'll see you at home," he added to Frank.
"Don't go," begged Callie. "You won't feel any better by being alone."
"I won't feel any better until Roger is gone," Joe retorted sourly.
"Want to take the van?" Frank asked, looking concerned.
Joe shook his head. "I just need work off some of this ...." he broke off, not wanting to admit how upset he really was. He turned away and left the restaurant. He strode down the street, passing the window in front of his friends as he left.
"Poor Joe," commented Chet Morton, the Hardys' seventeen year old pal. "He just can't cut a break," he added, thinking of his sister who had died in a terrorist bombing. Joe had been deeply in love with her and he had become withdrawn until Vanessa arrived in Bayport.
"He'll be okay," Callie observed. "Joe's been through a lot and he always pulls through."
"You're right," agreed Frank, smiling at her although his eyes remained worried. "If you don't mind, I think I'll pass on the movie this evening," he continued.
"You want to go home and wait for Joe," guessed Callie, smiling in understanding. "That's okay. You can drop me off at home on your way."
"No," Karen denied. "You can still go to the movies with us and Biff and I will drop you off afterwards."
"Go ahead," Frank urged her. "I know you really wanted to see this flick."
"Okay," she agreed. "Call me tomorrow?" she asked Frank, knowing he would be giving Joe all his attention tonight.
Frank nodded as he stood up and left. He paid his, Joe's and Callie's tab on his way out and, climbing into the van, drove home slowly, hoping to spot Joe en route.
"You're home early," commented petite Laura Hardy as Frank entered the living room. She looked at him curiously, her blue eyes worried. "You didn't have trouble with Callie?" she asked. She knew all about Vanessa and couldn't bare it if both her sons had been dealt such crushing blows on the same day.
"No," Frank assured her. "Joe wanted to walk home and I figured he might want to talk when he got here," he explained.
"How's he taking it?" asked Fenton. Fenton Hardy was an older version of Frank, complete with twinkling brown eyes and wavy brown hair although it had begun to thin a bit.
"As well as can be expected, I guess," Frank said, frowning. "How could Vanessa do this to him? I thought she loved him."
"Frank, Joe and Vanessa are only seventeen. They, and you, are going to suffer many heartbreaks before finding the person they are ready to settle down with," Fenton told him.
"Whatever," Frank said. Me? Break up with Callie? Never! His dad really had no clue sometimes. "I'll wait for him in the kitchen," Frank said. "He always comes in that way when he's on his own."
"Want some company?" Laura asked, lifting an eyebrow.
Frank shook his head without even thinking about it. "I think Joe will just want to talk with me," he said, giving her an apologetic smile.
"In that case, your mother and I are going to call it an early night," Fenton said, reaching out and pulling Laura to her feet. "Call us if you need us."
Frank nodded and headed into the kitchen to wait for Joe. Almost three hours later the kitchen door opened and Joe walked inside. "Where have you been?" Frank demanded, his voice coming out in an angry roar although concern was the motivating factor.
"Clearing my head," Joe said, not upset by Frank's outburst.
"Are you okay?" Frank asked, his expression softening as he looked at Joe.
"I would be better if you could get rid of Billings," Joe replied, then sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired."
"Let's go to bed," Frank said, locking the door and flipping on the alarm. He put an arm around Joe's shoulders and led him upstairs.
The next morning found the Hardys finishing breakfast when a loud knock came from the front door. Fenton rose from the table and went to answer. "Ezra, Con," Fenton greeted two of Bayport's finest. "Come in," he invited.
Tall and graying Ezra Collig, Chief of Police and young, brown-eyed, brown headed Sergeant Con Riley entered the house, neither of them looking comfortable at the invitation. "What's wrong?" Fenton asked, his expression turning serious as he became aware of the altered attitudes of his friends.
"Hey," Frank said, entering the room followed by Joe. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his expression curious as he took in their awkward stances.
"I'm afraid so," Chief Collig admitted. "I'm so sorry, Fenton," he said, then turned to face Joe. "Joe Hardy. You are under arrest for the attempted murder of Roger Billings."
Roger Billings was new in town. He had moved to Bayport the day after Joe and his year older brother, Frank had left town with their father, a former member of the New York City Police Department and currently a world renown private investigator, to stop the illegal killing of an endangered species for the animal's hide.
At eighteen, Roger was a bit more debonair than he was, Joe had to admit. And the guy was good looking with his wavy brown hair and cool blue eyes which, Joe grimaced at the thought, seemed to be constantly on Vanessa. Too, Roger was safe. And that's the kicker, Joe thought bitterly, running a hand absently through his own golden locks. Vanessa wouldn't have to wonder where he was or even if he was still alive. Roger wouldn't have to stand her up at the last minute to stop someone from committing a crime. He supposed he should be glad that she had found someone she could depend on that wouldn't cause her grief.
Vanessa hadn't even had the decency to break up with him before going out with Roger. Tony, the olive-skinned, dark headed son of the owner of the establishment he now occupied, had informed him that Vanessa and Roger had shown up together at Mr. Pizza his first night in town. That had earned her an immediate exile from the group of friends who had accepted her into their fold when she had moved to Bayport several months earlier.
Joe, after being informed of Vanessa's duplicity, had driven out to the farm which the Benders had converted into a studio for Mrs. Bender's work with animation. There, he had found Vanessa and Roger kissing on the front porch swing. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He was NOT going to relive that scene. But it was really over between the two of them. Vanessa had a new boyfriend and had no room in her life for Joe and his chosen vocation.
Opening his eyes, Joe let out a deep growl as he saw Roger's hand snaking it's way down Vanessa's back, his hand wrapped in her long tresses. He picked up his soda, squeezing the glass so hard his knuckles turned white but he was oblivious tot he sensation such an action caused. He took a swig and slammed the glass down. Letting it go, it toppled over and a stream of the brown cola made its way hastily across the table toward his brother's blond-headed girlfriend, Callie Shaw.
"Easy, Bro," brown headed Frank scowled at his year younger brother. His brown eyes softened as he remembered why Joe was in such a snit. "She's not worth it," he added softly.
"You got that right," agreed, blond and beefy Biff Hooper, Joe's best friend since moving to Bayport as a child. "Forget her. There are hundreds of girls in Bayport who have been dying for you to break up with Vanessa."
"Sad, but true," concurred sandy haired, green eyed Phil Cohen. A year older than Biff's seventeen years, he had more in common with Frank but considered both hardy boys his friends. "Every girl I have gone out with has admitted to having had a crush on you at one time or another."
"No way," Joe denied with a shake of his head. He couldn't believe a girl would tell her date something like that. And Phil, while not an athlete or even outstanding in the looks department, was a great guy with moderate good looks.
"Believe it," moaned Tony. "I only started dating Barb after you started dating Vanessa."
"That doesn't mean anything," Joe pointed out.
"True," agreed Tony. "But her brother told me."
"He was probably lying," said brown eyed Callie, trying to make him feel better.
"He's six years old," Tony informed her. "He talks a lot. I mean, he probably never even heard of Joe except through Barbara in the first place."
"I'm sorry," Joe said, looking even more depressed than he had previously, his friends attempts to boost his ego backfiring.
"It's not your fault," said Karen Black, Biff's dark haired girlfriend. "You can't help it if you're one of the best looking and most popular guys at Bayport High."
"If I'm such a great catch, why did Vanessa dump me?" Joe demanded, standing up as Vanessa and Roger passed their table holding hands. "I've got to get some air," he said, not waiting for a reply he wasn't in the frame of mind to believe anyway. "I'll see you at home," he added to Frank.
"Don't go," begged Callie. "You won't feel any better by being alone."
"I won't feel any better until Roger is gone," Joe retorted sourly.
"Want to take the van?" Frank asked, looking concerned.
Joe shook his head. "I just need work off some of this ...." he broke off, not wanting to admit how upset he really was. He turned away and left the restaurant. He strode down the street, passing the window in front of his friends as he left.
"Poor Joe," commented Chet Morton, the Hardys' seventeen year old pal. "He just can't cut a break," he added, thinking of his sister who had died in a terrorist bombing. Joe had been deeply in love with her and he had become withdrawn until Vanessa arrived in Bayport.
"He'll be okay," Callie observed. "Joe's been through a lot and he always pulls through."
"You're right," agreed Frank, smiling at her although his eyes remained worried. "If you don't mind, I think I'll pass on the movie this evening," he continued.
"You want to go home and wait for Joe," guessed Callie, smiling in understanding. "That's okay. You can drop me off at home on your way."
"No," Karen denied. "You can still go to the movies with us and Biff and I will drop you off afterwards."
"Go ahead," Frank urged her. "I know you really wanted to see this flick."
"Okay," she agreed. "Call me tomorrow?" she asked Frank, knowing he would be giving Joe all his attention tonight.
Frank nodded as he stood up and left. He paid his, Joe's and Callie's tab on his way out and, climbing into the van, drove home slowly, hoping to spot Joe en route.
"You're home early," commented petite Laura Hardy as Frank entered the living room. She looked at him curiously, her blue eyes worried. "You didn't have trouble with Callie?" she asked. She knew all about Vanessa and couldn't bare it if both her sons had been dealt such crushing blows on the same day.
"No," Frank assured her. "Joe wanted to walk home and I figured he might want to talk when he got here," he explained.
"How's he taking it?" asked Fenton. Fenton Hardy was an older version of Frank, complete with twinkling brown eyes and wavy brown hair although it had begun to thin a bit.
"As well as can be expected, I guess," Frank said, frowning. "How could Vanessa do this to him? I thought she loved him."
"Frank, Joe and Vanessa are only seventeen. They, and you, are going to suffer many heartbreaks before finding the person they are ready to settle down with," Fenton told him.
"Whatever," Frank said. Me? Break up with Callie? Never! His dad really had no clue sometimes. "I'll wait for him in the kitchen," Frank said. "He always comes in that way when he's on his own."
"Want some company?" Laura asked, lifting an eyebrow.
Frank shook his head without even thinking about it. "I think Joe will just want to talk with me," he said, giving her an apologetic smile.
"In that case, your mother and I are going to call it an early night," Fenton said, reaching out and pulling Laura to her feet. "Call us if you need us."
Frank nodded and headed into the kitchen to wait for Joe. Almost three hours later the kitchen door opened and Joe walked inside. "Where have you been?" Frank demanded, his voice coming out in an angry roar although concern was the motivating factor.
"Clearing my head," Joe said, not upset by Frank's outburst.
"Are you okay?" Frank asked, his expression softening as he looked at Joe.
"I would be better if you could get rid of Billings," Joe replied, then sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just tired."
"Let's go to bed," Frank said, locking the door and flipping on the alarm. He put an arm around Joe's shoulders and led him upstairs.
The next morning found the Hardys finishing breakfast when a loud knock came from the front door. Fenton rose from the table and went to answer. "Ezra, Con," Fenton greeted two of Bayport's finest. "Come in," he invited.
Tall and graying Ezra Collig, Chief of Police and young, brown-eyed, brown headed Sergeant Con Riley entered the house, neither of them looking comfortable at the invitation. "What's wrong?" Fenton asked, his expression turning serious as he became aware of the altered attitudes of his friends.
"Hey," Frank said, entering the room followed by Joe. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his expression curious as he took in their awkward stances.
"I'm afraid so," Chief Collig admitted. "I'm so sorry, Fenton," he said, then turned to face Joe. "Joe Hardy. You are under arrest for the attempted murder of Roger Billings."