Jury Duty
A Hardy Boys Fan fiction
By Time Guardian

It was a bright and sunny summer day in Bayport. Eighteen year old Joe Hardy chose to enjoy it by tuning up his motorcycle in the garage.

The summer break from school allowed him to catch up on things that he had been missing, like time with his girlfriend Vanessa Bender. It also helped that there had been no mysteries to solve so far - it just meant more time to relax and spend time with friends before school was due back in session.

Today was also quiet because his nineteen year old brother Frank had been called to serve jury duty over at the town courthouse. When Frank had initially received the letter weeks ago, Joe gave him a good ribbing about 'doing his duty' and going in with a 'hang em all' attitude. Frank had brushed it off and had told him it was just easier to 'get it over with'.

Maybe it isn't so bad having the day to myself after all, Joe thought wryly. I could go pick up Van, see an early movie-

His cell phone trilled loudly from where he had set it on the garage floor beside his tools. One look at the caller ID and Joe groaned. Any thoughts of a day off were quickly forgotten. He quickly snatched up the phone, pressed a button, and brought it up to his ear. "Frank, you are supposed to be in civil court serving jury duty. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into that you would be calling me?"

Joe half expected an exasperated retort from Frank, but instead his brother's voice came across the phone hushed and worried. "It's complicated. Are you near a TV?"

"Frank-"

"Just do it, okay?" Frank retorted.

He knew that tone of voice and realized that Frank was deadly serious. Joe quickly dusted himself off and quickly made his way through the garage to reach the door to the kitchen. "All right, Frank, give me a moment."

Joe opened the door in the garage and quickly stepped through to the kitchen. He knew that his mom always kept a small TV hooked up near the stove so that she wouldn't miss the occasional news reports.

Spotting the TV, he quickly dashed over and turned it on. His mom had it tuned to a local channel, and it looked like they were airing a special news report. Images of the courthouse came into view, surrounded by dozens of cars and police. The anchor's voice came across in a tense and urgent tone. "We have just received word that a number of unknown assailants have secured the courthouse and have taken numerous hostages-"

Pieces were falling into place and Joe didn't like the answer. "Frank-you're in that building."

Quiet laughter greeted his declaration. "No kidding Sherlock - the only reason I am free is a well timed trip back to the jury room for my notebook."

Joe listened as the anchor went on to declare that there had been only one message from the inside, but the details weren't known yet to the public. "Frank, do you know what's going on in there?"

"Not totally. All I know is that we were getting ready to hear a civil suit - I think it was Bellamy VS. Hansen. When we were getting ready to be seated I realized I had forgotten my notebook in the jury room. I was only in here for a minute or two when I heard the gunshots."

"Gunshots?" Joe echoed. "Frank, sneaking firearms into a courthouse is next to impossible. You know what you are saying right?"

"Of course," Frank replied matter-of-factly. "I know what it means and it doesn't make things any clearer either, inside job or not. I chanced a peek out into the courtroom since the jury room is just off of the courtroom, and I saw the plaintiff standing behind Judge Stevenson holding a gun to his head. I also saw someone who wasn't a bailiff guarding the exit doors to the courtroom. I didn't chance a longer look. I ducked back in, barricaded the door, and retrieved my cell phone from the storage locker the bailiff had put it in. I heard the sirens outside and figured the news spread fast."

"Did it ever," Joe agreed. "What do you want me to do?"

"Run with the information I gave you. There has to be a connection between somebody in this courtroom and the plaintiff. Start with the judge. The more we know, the better chance we all get out of this situation unharmed."

Joe turned off the TV in the kitchen and headed towards the living room. He was worried for his brother, but Joe wasn't about to let that show at a moment like this. "Geez, you get into a little trouble and I end up having to cover for you. Keep your cell phone with you and stay put. I'll get the cavalry going to your rescue in no time."

"I only have three hours of charge left on cell phone, so we will have to make our conversations brief," Frank replied, letting out a breath of frustration, "Hell, they may be even shorter if the police try to jam any communications so you better get moving."

"Right. Take care, Frank."

He disconnected the call and stuffed his cell phone into his pocket. Rushing upstairs to his room, Joe grabbed his motorcycle keys from his bedside table and then rushed back downstairs at a fair clip. If he was going to find out what was going on, he needed to move and fast.

--

Being called for jury duty sparks the weirdest plot bunnies. ;) Luckily I only had to serve one day, but this plot bunny wouldn't leave me alone. Not sure how fast I can post the chapters, but this idea is quickly taking a life of its own, and as always I promise to try and make it worth the wait. :)