chapter3

After everyone had gone home, they gathered in the lounge to discuss the case that Robert had for Fenton to solve.

Robert let Ed explain it to them, "Have you heard of the show called Roughing it?"

"Yes it is and it's in trouble even before it's started. The teens whom were picked to start the show have backed out at the last minute."

Fenton asked, "And how can I help? I'm not exactly a teen anyone and I don't think I could pass for one either."

Ed smiled saying, "That's why I thought Frank and Joe could help out there and you could pose as a camera man."

Fenton nodded saying, "Gee, I get to cut their heads off, I hope you're joking. The boys can tell you I can't take a picture without cutting peoples heads off that's Laura's department."

"Mmm... Ok you could be the groper boy or the mic man." Ed told him.

Before Ed could reply, her dad exclaimed, "No Laurie, it's too dangerous."

Laura, rolling her eyes, said, "Dad, I've helped Fenton and the boys solve many cases. Why just the other day I helped Fenton and the boy bust a gang, it comes with my job."

Sighing, he threw a unexplained look over at Laura's husband saying, "Do what you think is wise, but if Laurie gets hurts I'll hunt you down and hang you out to dry."

Trying to lighten the mood, Joe piped up saying, "Nope you can't that's Aunty job."

Gertrude, who had been listening, said in a no-nonsense tone, "If anyone hangs my baby brother out to dry it's me."

Robert, who hadn't noticed her, said, "Ahh Fenton, I didn't know you had a sister."

"He does and I don't like the way you treat him. If you weren't Laura's father, I'd throw you out on your ear."

Robert smiled saying, "Now there a woman after my heart. Now Fenton why can't you be like you sister?"

Looking fondly at his sister, he said, "She's one of a kind. No one can pull the wool over her eyes and Gert takes her job of protector seriously and if anyone hurts a member of her family, boy they better watch out for her wrath."

Laura nodded backing him up, "The Hardy's are a tight family and they respect their in laws as well."

Smiling, Joe glanced over at his brother who had a grin on his face enjoying the baiting going on.

Laura said, "So back to the business on hand, you want to recruit the boys and their friends to go under cover?"

Robert looked over at his grandchildren, saying, "That's it in a nutshell, but I have to say I don't what that Callie girl involved," Before Frank could interrupt he hurried on, "I'm sorry Frank. I know she's your girlfriend, but there's just something not right with that girl and I won't risk having anyone hurt because of her."

Frank nodded, saying, "Sure Pops I understand. I don't have to like it, but I understand. You know she's gonna be hurt that she was cut out when everyone else got in."

Nan said, "We're having a meeting for new people. Have her come with the others and we'll cut her then, so that way she can't complain that we didn't ask her to join."

Robert looked over at his wife saying, "See she has the brains and I'm the brawn."

Frank laughed saying, "Joe says that as well. He's the brawn and I'm the brains."

Frank joked, "That's be praise coming from little brother, Pops. Can't get any bigger than that."

Pops smiled fondly at say when he said, "You know why don't you Frankie?"

Frank shook his head, "It because that way your head doesn't get to big for your britches, isn't that that right Joey?"

Frank laughed, "Oh the man with the big ego, Pops Joe's ego is way bigger than mine will ever be."

With a straight face his grandfather said, "You must be feeding it too much Frank."

Ed and Fenton who have never seen Robert totally relaxed and treating everyone, enjoyed the sigh but didn't dare make a commit just in case they ruined the night.

Laura watched as her father teased her sons, cuddled into her husband looking up at him she asked, "You OK love?"

Peering through half closed eyes down at her, "I'm fine Lar." Looking over at Ed Fenton asked "Which one did you marry Ed?"

Laura nodded she had already been told by Ann her self said, "Congratulations Ed when the big day?"

"Ok enough chit chat back to the matter in hand. Boys you have to go under cover so that means you can't go in as the Hardy brothers."

"We know Pops and I'll go in as Danny Cooper and Joe will go as JD Cooper." Frank told him.

Joe explained, "Because it's easier especially when Frank and I work as a team. It won't seem weird to see us talking together than it would be for two strangers. We know from other cases it's easier to just admit that we are brothers than to act like we don't know each other in cases like this that is."

Frank nodded saying, "As Joe said, it's easier on us in cases like this."

"Ok as long as you get to the bottom of this. Ok now lets head to our hotel and get some shuteye, Kids we'll see you and your friends in Maryland on the eighth of this month. Laurie and Fenton you'll hear from us before then with you assignments."

Robert gave his daughter a hug saying, "Laurie honey take care and I'll see you soon."

Releasing her, he shook Fenton's hand saying, "Since you have two protectors in this house I won't say anything but thanks."

Fenton said, "And I won't ruin it by saying anything, but you're welcome."

Hugging his grandsons he told them, "You make me proud guys and Joe if you can stand up to me, you can stand up to anyone remember that kiddo."

Nan replaced him when he stepped back, "Love you two, take care and we'll see you and your friends real soon."

Robert approached Gertrude saying, "Miss Hardy it was my pleasure to met you, might I say that it's not everyday that a person puts me in my place. That usually my job, and anyday you want help to keep your brother in line call me."

With a faith smile she replied, "When that day comes I'll call you but don't hold your breath Mr. James. I've handle Fenton and his brothers for years and the day that I need help will be the day that hell freezes over."

Robert roared with laughter, saying, "Fenton, I like your sister, she's got spunk."

Nan smiled as her daughter's family show them to their cars saying, "Honey see you soon and take care of this beautiful family of yours."

Holding her mother tight she said, "I will and you and dad take care as well. We'll be waiting to hear from you."

Piling into their cars, James headed to their hotel while the Hardy's headed back into the house and to their beds for a night of restful sleep.