Fenton couldn't help worrying over this bit of news, but as he glanced at his watch, he realized that he needed to get going, if he didn't want to be late. "Greg, keep me posted?" he requested Rathbone, who promised he would. Fenton hung up, and departed for Mel's Diner.
Jim Wood and Billy got there about 20 minutes after Fenton's arrival. Fenton drove the duo to Feldman's warehouse, and parked the car. "It's in there," he informed Wood. "Sumaine arrived right after I hung up with you." he added, pointing to the telephone booth near the corner.
"All right Jeff, wait for us here." Wood commanded as he and Billy exited the car. Fenton nodded, realizing he would now be in the position of driver of a getaway car following a murder. He fervently hoped things went down as planned, in the warehouse!
He waited until Wood and Catherson entered the building before leaving the car and going down the street to where a beat-up old van was parked. Fenton knocked on the rear door, and was admitted inside, to watch the performance on the monitors.
The two men walked warily into the warehouse, trying to glance in several directions at once. Although it seemed innocuous enough, with several cars being stripped for parts by the 'mechanics,' both Wood and Billy Catherson were tense with nerves. When a sudden voice accosted them, both jumped slightly in surprise.
"Wood?" Ezra growled in a guttural voice. He had undergone a miraculous change in looks. His brown hair was covered by a wispy black wig, and his face bore scars all along the right side, while the left side was so shiny it looked more like plastic than flesh.
"Sumaine?" Wood asked in an incredulous voice, his eyes taking in the appearance of the man before him.
"What are you doing here, Jim?" Ezra demanded, in that same deep growl. He was doing an impressive imitation of a man with damaged vocal cords.
"I changed my mind." Wood said. "I decided not to give you anything." He removed a Magnum .45 from its holster beneath his blazer. "Return my son and the other kid, and I won't kill you." he offered.
"You wouldn't dare," Ezra informed him. "My men would never let you leave this place alive."
"They like money." Wood stated coldly. "They will be more than willing to work for me, if the price is right."
"You may be right about that," 'Sumaine' conceded. "But I have something that will make you give me my million, regardless of whether or not you get your son and that other brat back." He smiled thinly at Wood, the flesh of his scarred face tightening. "You left something besides boys in the back of your car." he rasped, pulling out a Beretta .40 and aiming it at Wood. "I'd say we're at a stand-off."
"Or not." Wood replied, as Billy Catherson, who had been standing silently observing the interchange, gave a sudden roundhouse kick which knocked the gun from Ezra's hand. Billy retrieved the weapon and aimed it at Wood's supposed former partner.
"I'll take that, Billy." Wood told him, taking the gun and pointing it at Ezra. "It appears the odds are all in my favor." he said. "I've gotten used to this weapon," he continued, holding it up and aiming at Ezra's heart. "It prevented that Collig bitch from keeping me from what is rightfully mine, and it's going to keep you from doing the same." With these words, he fired the gun.
Ezra staggered back two steps, but remained upright, protected by the Kevlar vest beneath his clothing. Wood's eyes widened in disbelief. He took aim to fire again, but before he could, the gun was blasted out of his hand.
"What the...?" Wood gasped in surprise. He turned, and beheld Chief Barry Greer standing in the doorway of the warehouse, brandishing a weapon at him, his beady green eyes filled with rage.
"You bastard, Wood!" Greer snarled. "Turn me in to Internal Affairs, will you?" As he finished speaking, he began firing, emptying the rest of the bullets from the chamber.
When it was over, the 'mechanics' closed in on Greer, taking him into custody and relieving him of his weapon. But it was too late for Jim Wood and his associate, Billy Catherson. Both men lay on the ground, dead.
Fenton came into the warehouse with the FBI agents. He looked for his friend, and saw him, and saw Ezra staring at something only he seemed able to see. Fenton could almost swear he was looking at Ginger. Ezra's breathing was labored, giving Fenton the notion that he was having difficulty controlling his emotions. Fenton went to him, took his arm, and led him outside.
"It's over...." Ezra rasped - and began to cry.
Seven months later, Fenton, Laura, Frank and Joe gathered in the judge's chambers in the courthouse of downtown Bayport. They were there for a momentous occasion.
Laura gazed at her two boys fondly, mentally reviewing the past seven months. It's been a very happy time, she thought. We've been so lucky!
Joe no longer wore the cast on his leg; the bone had knit well, and now he was as active as Frank, and growing rapidly. The physical scars were healed. The only remaining evidence of his abuse at his father's hands were the nightmares he still had. But as time passed, these had become less frequent. Where there had once been a frightened, abused child shrinking into the shadows, now there was a happy, sunny-natured one, with a constant mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes, and an open, loving smile for nearly everyone he encountered.
One hitch had occurred, Laura remembered now, when a note had come home from school, from Joe's teacher, Mrs. McIntyre. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, the note had begun, It has come to my attention that Joe is having difficulty with pronouncing some words, and I suggest the possibility of speech therapy for him.... Joe had been startled and upset, and Laura and Fenton somewhat worried - but Frank had laughed, and explained about Mrs. McIntyre. A phone call to Chet Morton's parents had reassured the Hardys that Joe really didn't need speech therapy, any more than Chet had, and a brief interview with Mrs. McIntyre had ended the situation. Joe's friendship with Chet had blossomed from that point; they felt they had something special in common.
Frank's acceptance of Joe never wavered - Joe was his 'baby brother,' with all the perks and privileges entailed in that sort of relationship, and he took his 'big brother' status seriously, looking out for Joe at every turn. Laura smiled now, thinking about that. Joe was growing so fast he was catching up to Frank in size, and occasionally chafed at Frank's protectiveness - but only occasionally. Although rapidly developing a more outgoing personality than Frank's, Joe still clung to the older boy for emotional support.
Joe was looking a little tense at the moment. He had been told that this meeting was about him, and he was worried about what that might mean. He was very happy with the Hardys, and didn't want to consider the possibility that he might not be allowed to remain with them.
Judge Carlson entered his chambers, and everyone stood up. The judge, an older man with white hair, looked at Joe and winked as he sat down. Joe gave him a faint smile in return.
"Does everyone know why we're gathered here today?" Judge Carlson began.
"Yes, Your Honor." Fenton replied.
"Yes." came from the corner of the room, where a blonde, green-eyed woman who appeared to be in her late twenties sat.
"Ms. Greene?" the judge inquired of the young woman.
"Yes, Your Honor." she replied.
"Your sister's will specified that you be named Jeffrey Wood's legal guardian, should Jim Wood be unable to properly care for his son. I understand that you have agreed to forfeit your guardianship?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Ms. Andrews answered. "I'm not the proper person to raise a young boy. Besides," she added, smiling at the Hardys. "I don't think my nephew could find anyone who loves him more than the Hardys do."
Camellia Greene had been contacted the day after Jim Wood's death, and told of Daisy's will, which Fenton had discovered in the hidden safe. She had been prepared to take Jeff, and raise him as her sister requested, but after observing the way Jeff had been accepted and treated in the Hardys' home, and hearing their plea to adopt him, she knew what her decision had to be. Although she would have done her best, being single, she knew she couldn't provide the sort of family life the Hardys could.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hardy," the judge said then, turning to the couple. "It is my understanding that you desire full custody of Jeffrey Wood."
"That's correct, Your Honor." Fenton replied for both of them.
"And I am given to understand that you want Jeffrey Adam Wood's name legally changed to Joseph Paul Hardy?" the judge continued.
"Yes!" Joe interrupted. "That's my name!" he exclaimed, smiling at Frank. Frank had named him Joe, but Laura had wanted Joe's middle name to be Paul, after her father. Frank's middle name, Robert, was Fenton's father's name.
"Very well," Judge Carlson said, smiling at the boy's enthusiasm. "By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I hereby grant the name change and the adoption. Fenton and Laura Hardy, may I introduce you to your son, Joseph Paul Hardy?"
"YIPPEE!" Frank shouted, and everyone laughed. Fenton, Laura and Frank joyfully embraced the newest member of their family, who happily returned their hugs. Camellia Greene also hugged her nephew, just a little sadly, for this was really goodbye.
"Your Honor," Fenton said, when things had quieted down a little. "I do have a question regarding Joe's inheritance."
"I have looked over your proposition," the judge told him, smiling. "Joe's inheritance will be placed in a trust until he is 21. Until that time, his affairs will be handled by a board of trustees, and you, Mr. Hardy, will have the right to review any and all decisions made on Joe's behalf, until he comes of age. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, Your Honor, thank you." Fenton answered.
"Now that that is settled, I have one more directive for you." Judge Carlson said. Everyone looked at him questioningly. He smiled broadly. "Go out and be a family."
THE END
Jim Wood and Billy got there about 20 minutes after Fenton's arrival. Fenton drove the duo to Feldman's warehouse, and parked the car. "It's in there," he informed Wood. "Sumaine arrived right after I hung up with you." he added, pointing to the telephone booth near the corner.
"All right Jeff, wait for us here." Wood commanded as he and Billy exited the car. Fenton nodded, realizing he would now be in the position of driver of a getaway car following a murder. He fervently hoped things went down as planned, in the warehouse!
He waited until Wood and Catherson entered the building before leaving the car and going down the street to where a beat-up old van was parked. Fenton knocked on the rear door, and was admitted inside, to watch the performance on the monitors.
The two men walked warily into the warehouse, trying to glance in several directions at once. Although it seemed innocuous enough, with several cars being stripped for parts by the 'mechanics,' both Wood and Billy Catherson were tense with nerves. When a sudden voice accosted them, both jumped slightly in surprise.
"Wood?" Ezra growled in a guttural voice. He had undergone a miraculous change in looks. His brown hair was covered by a wispy black wig, and his face bore scars all along the right side, while the left side was so shiny it looked more like plastic than flesh.
"Sumaine?" Wood asked in an incredulous voice, his eyes taking in the appearance of the man before him.
"What are you doing here, Jim?" Ezra demanded, in that same deep growl. He was doing an impressive imitation of a man with damaged vocal cords.
"I changed my mind." Wood said. "I decided not to give you anything." He removed a Magnum .45 from its holster beneath his blazer. "Return my son and the other kid, and I won't kill you." he offered.
"You wouldn't dare," Ezra informed him. "My men would never let you leave this place alive."
"They like money." Wood stated coldly. "They will be more than willing to work for me, if the price is right."
"You may be right about that," 'Sumaine' conceded. "But I have something that will make you give me my million, regardless of whether or not you get your son and that other brat back." He smiled thinly at Wood, the flesh of his scarred face tightening. "You left something besides boys in the back of your car." he rasped, pulling out a Beretta .40 and aiming it at Wood. "I'd say we're at a stand-off."
"Or not." Wood replied, as Billy Catherson, who had been standing silently observing the interchange, gave a sudden roundhouse kick which knocked the gun from Ezra's hand. Billy retrieved the weapon and aimed it at Wood's supposed former partner.
"I'll take that, Billy." Wood told him, taking the gun and pointing it at Ezra. "It appears the odds are all in my favor." he said. "I've gotten used to this weapon," he continued, holding it up and aiming at Ezra's heart. "It prevented that Collig bitch from keeping me from what is rightfully mine, and it's going to keep you from doing the same." With these words, he fired the gun.
Ezra staggered back two steps, but remained upright, protected by the Kevlar vest beneath his clothing. Wood's eyes widened in disbelief. He took aim to fire again, but before he could, the gun was blasted out of his hand.
"What the...?" Wood gasped in surprise. He turned, and beheld Chief Barry Greer standing in the doorway of the warehouse, brandishing a weapon at him, his beady green eyes filled with rage.
"You bastard, Wood!" Greer snarled. "Turn me in to Internal Affairs, will you?" As he finished speaking, he began firing, emptying the rest of the bullets from the chamber.
When it was over, the 'mechanics' closed in on Greer, taking him into custody and relieving him of his weapon. But it was too late for Jim Wood and his associate, Billy Catherson. Both men lay on the ground, dead.
Fenton came into the warehouse with the FBI agents. He looked for his friend, and saw him, and saw Ezra staring at something only he seemed able to see. Fenton could almost swear he was looking at Ginger. Ezra's breathing was labored, giving Fenton the notion that he was having difficulty controlling his emotions. Fenton went to him, took his arm, and led him outside.
"It's over...." Ezra rasped - and began to cry.
Seven months later, Fenton, Laura, Frank and Joe gathered in the judge's chambers in the courthouse of downtown Bayport. They were there for a momentous occasion.
Laura gazed at her two boys fondly, mentally reviewing the past seven months. It's been a very happy time, she thought. We've been so lucky!
Joe no longer wore the cast on his leg; the bone had knit well, and now he was as active as Frank, and growing rapidly. The physical scars were healed. The only remaining evidence of his abuse at his father's hands were the nightmares he still had. But as time passed, these had become less frequent. Where there had once been a frightened, abused child shrinking into the shadows, now there was a happy, sunny-natured one, with a constant mischievous sparkle in his blue eyes, and an open, loving smile for nearly everyone he encountered.
One hitch had occurred, Laura remembered now, when a note had come home from school, from Joe's teacher, Mrs. McIntyre. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, the note had begun, It has come to my attention that Joe is having difficulty with pronouncing some words, and I suggest the possibility of speech therapy for him.... Joe had been startled and upset, and Laura and Fenton somewhat worried - but Frank had laughed, and explained about Mrs. McIntyre. A phone call to Chet Morton's parents had reassured the Hardys that Joe really didn't need speech therapy, any more than Chet had, and a brief interview with Mrs. McIntyre had ended the situation. Joe's friendship with Chet had blossomed from that point; they felt they had something special in common.
Frank's acceptance of Joe never wavered - Joe was his 'baby brother,' with all the perks and privileges entailed in that sort of relationship, and he took his 'big brother' status seriously, looking out for Joe at every turn. Laura smiled now, thinking about that. Joe was growing so fast he was catching up to Frank in size, and occasionally chafed at Frank's protectiveness - but only occasionally. Although rapidly developing a more outgoing personality than Frank's, Joe still clung to the older boy for emotional support.
Joe was looking a little tense at the moment. He had been told that this meeting was about him, and he was worried about what that might mean. He was very happy with the Hardys, and didn't want to consider the possibility that he might not be allowed to remain with them.
Judge Carlson entered his chambers, and everyone stood up. The judge, an older man with white hair, looked at Joe and winked as he sat down. Joe gave him a faint smile in return.
"Does everyone know why we're gathered here today?" Judge Carlson began.
"Yes, Your Honor." Fenton replied.
"Yes." came from the corner of the room, where a blonde, green-eyed woman who appeared to be in her late twenties sat.
"Ms. Greene?" the judge inquired of the young woman.
"Yes, Your Honor." she replied.
"Your sister's will specified that you be named Jeffrey Wood's legal guardian, should Jim Wood be unable to properly care for his son. I understand that you have agreed to forfeit your guardianship?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Ms. Andrews answered. "I'm not the proper person to raise a young boy. Besides," she added, smiling at the Hardys. "I don't think my nephew could find anyone who loves him more than the Hardys do."
Camellia Greene had been contacted the day after Jim Wood's death, and told of Daisy's will, which Fenton had discovered in the hidden safe. She had been prepared to take Jeff, and raise him as her sister requested, but after observing the way Jeff had been accepted and treated in the Hardys' home, and hearing their plea to adopt him, she knew what her decision had to be. Although she would have done her best, being single, she knew she couldn't provide the sort of family life the Hardys could.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hardy," the judge said then, turning to the couple. "It is my understanding that you desire full custody of Jeffrey Wood."
"That's correct, Your Honor." Fenton replied for both of them.
"And I am given to understand that you want Jeffrey Adam Wood's name legally changed to Joseph Paul Hardy?" the judge continued.
"Yes!" Joe interrupted. "That's my name!" he exclaimed, smiling at Frank. Frank had named him Joe, but Laura had wanted Joe's middle name to be Paul, after her father. Frank's middle name, Robert, was Fenton's father's name.
"Very well," Judge Carlson said, smiling at the boy's enthusiasm. "By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I hereby grant the name change and the adoption. Fenton and Laura Hardy, may I introduce you to your son, Joseph Paul Hardy?"
"YIPPEE!" Frank shouted, and everyone laughed. Fenton, Laura and Frank joyfully embraced the newest member of their family, who happily returned their hugs. Camellia Greene also hugged her nephew, just a little sadly, for this was really goodbye.
"Your Honor," Fenton said, when things had quieted down a little. "I do have a question regarding Joe's inheritance."
"I have looked over your proposition," the judge told him, smiling. "Joe's inheritance will be placed in a trust until he is 21. Until that time, his affairs will be handled by a board of trustees, and you, Mr. Hardy, will have the right to review any and all decisions made on Joe's behalf, until he comes of age. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, Your Honor, thank you." Fenton answered.
"Now that that is settled, I have one more directive for you." Judge Carlson said. Everyone looked at him questioningly. He smiled broadly. "Go out and be a family."
THE END