The Hardy Bros: Secrets of the Lighthouse by Ann ♪ ~ Chapter 23

Secrets of the Lighthouse

Chapter 23

   Joe listened to his brother’s wise words, knowing with certainty in his heart that Frank was right. He ran a tired hand over his face, “You’re right. I just….wish that those who hate decency wouldn’t let hate guide their lives, destroy their lives and the lives of others.”

   “Hate is a scary thing, and there are varying degrees of it. Not all take it to that extent. If a person doesn’t have respect for themselves or hope, that tends to have a very ugly effect on their whole outlook.”

  “I guess we know now why we were feeling that apprehension,” Joe noted.

  The brothers were quiet for a minute, contemplating the recent events. Both were mentally reliving every moment on the walkway.

   “Thanks, Frank.” Joe looked at his brother with a lump in his throat. He could have lost his brother that quickly.

   Frank smiled, and reached out a hand to hover it over his brother’s head, “I’d tousle your hair, but, uh, I don’t think it would look any different at this point.” Joe swatted his big brother’s hand and grinned. He could tell that Frank was feeling what had happened just as much as he was, but was being tough for his little brother.

   “I have a feeling that Margaret is fixing us quite a breakfast. She mentioned that she would be when we came in early this morning, but I think you were asleep on your feet,” Joe said.

   “Yeah, I think I can smell it,” Frank noted as he got a whiff of good food cooking.

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   As promised, Margaret had cooked them a wonderful, hearty breakfast. They weren’t sure if they would be able to eat, still shook up from the night before. However, once they sat down and she began to put the tempting dishes in front of them, it would have been rude not to eat.

   While they ate, Frank and Joe told the Jordans about the tunnel they had found, along with the cavern, the contents of the crate, the journal, and what they had read as well as the details about the lamp working again. All three were very impressed with the brothers’ progress in the case.

   After they had finished eating, Frank and Joe went over to the lighthouse and got the journal to show to the family. Margaret called the committee to request an emergency meeting that day without letting them know exactly what had been found out. She requested that each member come to the lighthouse to find out something of utmost importance to the committee. While Margaret took care of that, Frank called Zoeth and asked her to come early so they could let her know what was going on. She, of course, could sense that the news they had for her was going to be very good and was ecstatic at the thought of finding out what had happened all those many years ago with her ancestor.

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   The group of eleven committee members milled around, talking amongst themselves. Zoeth was trembling with excitement. She had shouted and hugged both the Hardy brothers after finding out what they had learned. She apologized for the tears, but had really gotten herself worked up, particularly due to the rude dealings from some of the town, including various members of the committee.

   Frank and Joe looked around at some of the influential, important members of the town. There were parents, teachers, members of various religious organizations, and professionals.

   The brothers were talking quietly when they heard two ladies nearby discussing the cleaning schedule of the lighthouse.

   “I have been trying to get my schedule changed. It’s always my turn to clean in the tower right before Adrianna. I want to do it after her,” the woman said, not even bothering to hide the whine in her voice.

   The other woman laughed, “Is that really fair? After all, you wouldn’t have anything to do once she’s done.”

   “That’s what I mean. You think it’s funny because you are usually after her.” The woman wasn’t done whining. “She always complains about how filthy it is after I’ve worked really hard on it.”

   Frank and Joe looked at each other, another puzzle piece falling into place. Right then the president of the committee called the meeting to order. They were all standing outside the lighthouse, and those in the committee were trying to guess what they had been called there for.

   “We have two guests here today who requested to talk with you. Margaret has told me that it has significant ramifications for the lighthouse. As you know, there was an incident here last night. Margaret’s two friends were almost killed.” Voices clamored in shock at the words and open stares were sent toward Frank and Joe, who shifted uncomfortably at the attention. “They are very brave as they had to fight off a serial killer who had come to our town to hide out.” There were more gasps and hushed talking in the small crowd.

   “I can’t stand this kind of thing,” Frank muttered to his brother, who nodded and whispered, “Don’t worry, just wait until we tell them what we found out, then it will really get interesting.”

   “You mean when you tell them,” Frank said.

   Joe chuckled. “You’ll face a killer for me, but a crowd of people is a different story.”

   “You got that right,” Frank stated. He was going to stand next to his brother while Joe let everyone know what they knew about the happenings at the lighthouse. It was sure to be very interesting. Frank had the feeling Joe was looking forward to it. He was right.

   “So may I introduce Frank and Joe Hardy, who will solve for us this mystery of why we’ve been called here.”

   Frank followed his brother up in front of the crowd, again really wishing he was somewhere else.

   “This is gonna be fun!” Joe told Frank before they faced the committee. Frank watched his brother and looked around at the different expressions as Joe began to speak.

   “First thing I’d like to say, so you can be put at ease, is that some of you are really going to hate what we have to say,” Joe started off with good humored sarcasm. Frank looked at his brother, as Joe just looked relaxed and at ease. His eyes scanned over the faces in the crowd to take note of any changes while they listened, as various members glanced at each other.

   “You see, I’m afraid that this haunting is a thing of the past. Get it?” Joe grinned, but nobody in the crowd grinned back. That didn’t bother Joe. “Okaaay, no sense of humor isn’t a crime. It’s just sad.”

   “We’ve heard the story about the haunting and I’m afraid it’s all, uh…a pile of …..something to avoid,” Joe saw several people shifting around. “Here is the knife that keeps appearing and disappearing.” He produced the knife and held it up for everyone to see. “That is not blood on the blade. Nor could this knife have been used to kill someone in 1900 because the company that made it wasn’t even around until 1955. Would have been difficult.” Joe held up the bulb. “A working bulb was hidden along with the knife. This faulty bulb was in the lamp, so that when anyone tried to turn on the lamp, it wouldn’t work, but yet it would come on at odd times.”

   “Then there was the scream,” Joe said. “Quite startling, especially if you are a little one who has finally drifted off to sleep but is awakened because people in the town want to draw tourists to a lighthouse that is cool all on its own without a made-up murder.”

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