Joe Hardy ran his fingers through his windswept, blond hair as he and his older brother, dark-haired Frank, were on their way back home from a get-together with their friends. They had been showing their new friend, Ken Blake, around town and helping him get acquainted with the area. In the six days since they threw the welcome party for Ken, each day had seemed like a mini party. They would meet at the park, show Ken around, break for lunch, then show him some more before each member of the group had to head home.

The boys were taking a back way home. They were on a winding, open road that rounded around cliffs and near farms with little traffic and fewer traffic lights. Frank had the car going at just over the speed limit. The roof was down and the boys were enjoying the cool breeze in their hair on this warm, summer day.

"By the end of this week, Ken will be an expert on all things Bayport," quipped Frank.

Joe grinned. "That is the goal. This is his home now as much as it is ours. If he doesn't know everything about Bayport, we suck at being tour guides."

Frank chuckled. "I never thought being a tour guide would be something we would excel at, anyway."

Joe laughed. "That's definitely not a job title I want attached to my name. Mall cop would be better."

"Sure it is. You just want to be able to ogle at all the pretty girls doing their shopping."

Joe whacked Frank's shoulder. "Shut up."

Frank gasped. "What's this? Joe Hardy doesn't like being teased about ogling at pretty girls when that's his MO?"

Joe scoffed. "It's just I would never do that while I'm on duty."

"Yeah, uh-huh."

"I'm serious! I don't go around chasing girls when we're in the middle of a mystery!"

"We've only been on two so far," pointed out Frank. "That could change quite easily."

Joe scoffed. "That's what you think. Just you wait, I'll prove that I won't the more mysteries we get."

"If we get more mysteries," said Frank.

Joe waved his hand. "Oh, don't worry, we will. Dad might need help on his next case."

"The guy is supposed to show up today," pointed out Frank, his eyes sparkled with interest and excitement.

Joe's face fell. "Yeah, maybe he's already come and gone. I kinda wanted to meet him too."

Frank shrugged. "You never know. Dad didn't exactly tell us when he was coming, just that it was today."

Joe drummed his fingers on the door. "Well, I hope he comes after dinner. If not, oh well," he said with a shrug. "Just hope Dad needs help. I know it's only been a week since we technically solved our last mystery, but it feels like it's been long overdue for our next one."

Frank laughed. "I know, right? It really does feel like it's been forever since we've had our last one. But we really only started just this summer, basically. Give it some time."

"Alright," said Joe with a huff. "Think Nancy's already on her third case?"

"Joe! She just wrapped hers up not too long ago either! And after her dad was kidnapped . . . I think she needs a little more time before starting her next one."

Joe pursed his lips. "True." There was a moment of silence before Joe broke it with, "It really puts a new perspective on things."

"What does?"

"Losing a parent." There was another moment of silence. "Ugh, I'm such an idiot!'

"No you're not-" began Frank.

"Yes I am! I didn't even think about Nancy's feelings! All I was thinking about were mysteries! I am such a knucklebrain."

"No argument there," mumbled Frank.

"What? You were just saying I'm not an idiot!"

Frank smirked. "There's a difference between being an idiot and being a knucklebrain."

Joe crossed his arms. "Oh yeah, and what's the difference?"

"Being an idiot means you're not thinking at all, being a knucklebrain means you're just not thinking about things from a different perspective, or another person's feelings."

"Who died and made you the dictionary?"

Frank took his hand off the wheel long enough to whack Joe's shoulder. "At least I know what most words mean."

"Well yeah, you read the dictionary as a pastime," quipped Joe with a roll of his eyes.

"And you ogle at girls as a pastime," smirked Frank.

Joe scoffed. "Not my fault there are so many cute ones out there!"

Frank laughed. "Ok, I'll give you that one."

Joe gasped. "Frank Hardy, have you been looking at other girls besides Nancy Drew?"

Frank blushed. "Joe Hardy, I can appreciate beauty whenever I see it! Come on!"

Joe leaned back in his seat and laughed. "Ok, ok, touche, touche. I will say no more on the matter, if you say no more."

Frank rolled his eyes, but he was grinning. "Oh fine. Deal."

Joe laughed. "Deal." There was a slight pause. "Yeah, I need to work on my empathy. It was dumb of me to not even consider what Nancy is going through and that it's different for her than for us."

Frank shrugged. "I don't know, I think you are pretty empathetic. You were just on the high from solving another mystery, that's all. And excited that Nancy solved another one as well. Nothing to it, really."

"Yeah, but I should still be considerate of her experiences. We haven't lost a family member and, and we kinda take that for granted."

Frank nodded slowly, his lips pursed in a grim line. "Yeah, you're right about that. And to be honest . . . whoa!" The car had turned a bend in the road, and another car came swerving into their lane. Frank spun the wheel, avoiding a near collision. They went off the side of the road, Frank maneuvering the car into a safe position. The two gasped for air, their knuckles white, Joe from gripping the car door, Frank from gripping the steering wheel.

Frank turned to Joe. "Are you alright?"

"Just spooked," came Joe's reply, "I didn't like that timing."

"You and me both," muttered Frank. He unbuckled. "But we should check on that driver and see if he's alright."

"See if he's alright? He's the one who nearly ran into us!" exclaimed Joe, but he too unbuckled. Both got out of the car and gave it a quick look over. It looked quite alright.

Frank was the first to look towards the other car, and pointed. "Oh yeah? It looks like it wasn't his fault."

Joe followed his brother's finger. A wheel laid on the road a few feet from where the other car had stopped on the side of the road. Joe let out a breath. "Well, it looks like we're putting a tire back on a car."

"Let's make sure he's alright first, though." The two jogged towards the other car, just as a man walked around to the road.

His eyes widened when he saw them. "Oh thank goodness, you're alright! I mean, I had figured as such, didn't see your car tip over or anything, but I am glad that you're alright! I'm so sorry about all this!" The boys noticed the man spoke with a slight British accent.

Frank waved at the tire. "How did this happen?"

The guy let out a frustrated breath. "Trusted the new guy at the mechanic shop. I had red flags going off in my head too when he told me he had done this before." He glanced at the tire laying in the middle of the road and rolled his eyes. "Well, he obviously did not know what he was doing." He grinned sheepishly at the boys. "You wouldn't happen to know more than he did?"

Joe scoffed. "The fact that we do know more than the new hire at a mechanic's shop is something, but not quite something I would think to tell the grandkids."

The guy laughed. "That's fair. But I'm glad you do. Sorry to have to ask this after nearly getting you killed, but, could you help me get this tire back on and put on right? I'm in a real pinch."

"What's the hurry?" asked Joe.

The guy huffed. "Got a meeting I have to go to the day after tomorrow in England. Staying at a hotel in New York City tonight so I can catch my flight early tomorrow."

"Well, what are we waiting for! Wouldn't want you to miss your flight!" said Joe before dashing off to grab the tire.

"Thank you so so much," said the fellow as he and Frank got the jack out.

Frank waved his hand. "Don't mention it. We're not the ones in a hurry." The three worked quickly and got the tire put into place correctly.

The man wiped his brow before glancing at his watch and let out a yelp. "Hoo boy, I'm going to be cutting this close! Thanks fellows!" He held out his hand. "Wish I could pay you, but I don't have cash or a checkbook on me."

Frank shook his hand. "Don't mention it, glad we could help you out, otherwise you'd be really late!"

The guy chuckled. "That's one way of looking at it!" He shook hands with Joe. "But would you tell me your names please? I would like to do something to thank you when I return." Frank introduced himself and Joe. The guy's eyebrow raised. "Frank and Joe Hardy, huh? Sons of Fenton Hardy?"

"The one and same," said Joe with a bob of his head.

"I'm John Mead, I inherited my uncle's estate so I guess I will be seeing you around a lot more. But, now that I'm thinking about it, maybe there is something you can do for me while I'm gone, if you don't mind. Again, I will pay you." John reached into his pocket.

"Well, that depends on what it is you want us to do for you," said Joe. Frank whacked him. "Ow," said Joe softly, rubbing his shoulder.

"Well, my uncle left me instructions to find something of his as quickly as I could so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. However, my uncle was quite . . . eccentric and has hidden it pretty well. So well that I don't think there's any chance of anyone finding it. But I do want to honor his wishes, and since you two should be good at solving mysteries, maybe you could figure it out while I'm gone."

"Well, you've asked the right guys," said Joe with a cheeky grin as he saluted John. "We're your men!"

"Why was your uncle eccentric?" asked Frank.

John grinned sheepishly. "He, uh, figured out a way to not use keyholes." As he said that, he pulled a key out of his pocket. "But he created key holes, so to speak, with puzzles, that you will need a key to get in once you've figured out the puzzle. I've been using the back door this entire time because that's the easiest one to figure out. But if you guys don't mind looking into it . . ."

Frank smiled. "We'd be happy to help you, Mr. Mead."

"Oh, just call me John, and thank you so much! That takes a load off my mind!" John glanced at his watch, and yelped. "Yikes, I'm really going to be late for sure!" He quickly thrust the key into Frank's hands. "Thanks again, fellows, and don't lose that key please! It's the only copy I've got!"

"We'll be extra careful, John!" said Joe.

"Thank you both again! I'll be back in about a week, let me know your progress then!" He quickly shook hands with them again. "Now I really must go. You have a great week!"

"Thanks! And you have a great trip!" said Joe. John waved his thanks before jumping back into his car and driving off, the Hardys waving goodbye until he drove around the bend. Joe jumped and cheered. "We've got another mystery!"

"It's not one of dad's mysteries," began Frank.

"No, but it's not our typical 'schoolyard' mystery either," quipped Joe, referring to the nickname they gave to solving mysteries for their friends. "We actually get to just solve puzzles and find an invention!" He paused and blinked, rubbing his chin.

"What is it?" asked Frank as he pocketed the key.

"Nancy's been doing a lot of that, too."

Frank scoffed. "That was just her first one, her second mystery involved unmasking a ghost, remember?"

Joe waved his hand dismissively before the two crossed the road. "I know, I know, but she hasn't had to deal with a network of thieves or a government agent."

"Her dad also doesn't take cases for the government," pointed out Frank.

"Point is," said Joe as they got into their car, "both times she's had to deal with clues left by people to their inheritors, now we get a turn." His face slowly broke into a grin while Frank slowly backed the car onto the road. "You know, we could ask her for tips, seeing as how she might not be getting her next mystery yet."

Frank rolled his eyes. He knew Joe was really trying to get him to blush again, but it wasn't going to work this time. "We'll see. First, we need to get home and look into this John Mead and his estate. By the way, did you notice his ring?"

Joe scoffed. "How could you miss it? That thing looked so weird."

"Yeah it looked odd, the insignia, it looked like it was a square wheel with three spokes."

"Wait, what, that's your best description of it?"

"Then how would you describe it?" asked Frank.

Joe shrugged. "Like a square with a strange-looking Y in the middle of it."

Frank huffed. "Whatever."

Joe scoffed again. "A square wheel . . . where do you come up with these things?"

"You'd be surprised," muttered Frank.

"I shouldn't be, I live with you, you know."

"Some days I wish you didn't."

Joe gasped with mock hurt. "You what? Oh, you wound me! And after everything I do for you!"

"What?" Frank exclaimed. "Everything you do for me? Oh brother, I could probably count that on one hand."

"Hey!" exclaimed Joe.

Frank laughed. He turned his attention back to the road, they were nearing their house. His eyes widened. A gentleman wearing a grey suit was exiting their house. "Joe, look!"

Joe sat up straighter in his seat. He gasped as his own eyes widened. "Frank, why that's . . . that's Mr. Edwards!" Mr. Edwards was followed out by Mr. Hardy and the two shook hands before Mr. Edwards got into his car. Frank and Joe shot a quick glance at each other. Why was the museum director at their house?

(Author's Note: Hello all my rosy readers! Who's ready for more Hardy excitement! And funnily enough, I'm going to be posting a review of the Hardy boys show on Hulu at the end of each chapter, and, well, seeing as how the first episode dealt with a car crash, this is kinda eerie, to say the least. But no one dies in this crash, so, you know, we're good, lol. As for that first episode of the show, it's already a lot better than the CW Nancy Drew. Not quite sure how I'm going to like Biff being changed into a girl, outside of thinking it definitely should be canon that Joe and Bess get together, or Chet not as into food as he used to be. You know, kinda the same treatment they gave Bess in the CW, slimmed down and looks entirely different. Funny how I had envisioned Chet as being kinda redhead, if not auburn, and they cast a black actor in the role. Only seen a bit of Phil, but he looks the most like his book counterpart that I've seen. At least we still have Callie. Except she's not blonde anymore, Frank's girlfriend from the city is though, lol. And while the age difference between the boys is going to take some getting used to as it really changes the dynamic between the two, it's ok, I guess. I just keep thinking of Roger Baxter and his brother Bill, who already have a four year gap and that dynamic works for them. The Hardys were almost twins growing up, and a little closer than they are in the series. That is, so far. It's not like they're distant or anything, unlike Nancy and her friends in the CW at the beginning, but they aren't as close either. They're supposed to be like best friends as well as brothers. A comparison for sisters would be like Jane and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. But the way they are in the show seems more like Elinor and Marianne than Jane and Elizabeth, if you get my drift. Yeah, there are even different brotherly relationships, just like there are different sisterly relationships, and the Hardys had a close one. Anyways, I'm still going to watch the show despite the issues because, unlike the CW, this does feel more real and really does seem like the people behind this show actually care enough about the source material to write a good fanfic. I'm still on the high from seeing Sam Radley in the first episode. XD I do hope he comes back, I really like reading his and Fenton's friendship in the books too. Anyways, so far it's a fairly good beginning, and the mystery is afoot! Hope you like this beginning as well! Posting schedule will be all over the place as I am back to writing four fanfics at the same time, this one, plus working on the next Nancy Drew - Secret of the Jeweled Box, as well as getting back to work on Mystery of the Monoplane's Mission and Secret of the Sprite Society. And there's a novella contest going on at Wattpad that I would like to participate in as well as finally finish getting my original books done, especially now that I've reworked a few things and gotten more of the worlds built up. So yeah, working on several things at once, lol. But thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful week! God bless!)