The Hardy Bros in Hot Ice by Ann ~ Chapter 4

HOT ICE

Chapter Four

   Frank and Callie glanced at the clock in the living room. Aunt Gertrude had ushered them out of the kitchen to watch TV while she finished up the special dinner. Callie had a shillelagh that a relative had given her before. She got around pretty well with it.

   The surprise guest had texted them that he was about to start the drive there from the airport. His plane had been late due to the weather, so it was going to be a while longer before he could get there.

   Frank and Callie shared some kisses while Aunt Gertrude was busy in the kitchen. They got interrupted when Callie’s ringtone sounded. Neither were thrilled with the interruption at all.

   “Hello?” Callie recognized the name of who was calling her before she answered it, via speakerphone, but she didn’t know Ms. Faring had her phone number.

   “Callie Shaw?” the teacher asked, sounding every bit as cheerful and bright as she did in the science class she taught, which was not at all. Callie loved real science and that was why she didn’t like Ms. Faring’s pseudo-science class. “You’re accusing me of causing your accident?”

   “No, what are you talking about?” Callie looked over at Frank and shrugged. The teacher wasn’t one to make much sense in class, and obviously that was true outside the classroom, too.

   “The principal found out I had some students washing my car and assumed the frozen sidewalk was my fault since I’m responsible for that.” Ms. Faring didn’t mention anything about the fact she’d knocked the bucket over. As far as she knew no one knew about that. “I believe it was your carelessness that was the cause and I would appreciate it if you would own up to that and tell the principal.”

   Callie’s eyes had widened as the teacher talked and Frank’s sparked anger. Neither one had a chance to talk because Aunt Gertrude took Callie’s phone and she had something to say.

   “That has to be one of the tackiest things I’ve heard today, and I had the radio on earlier!” Aunt Gertrude had righteous indignation going on and her Hardy blood intended to do something about that. “This is Gertrude Hardy, a friend of Callie Shaw’s, and let me tell you something, I’m going to be talking with the principal and yourself tomorrow, because right now you’ve already taken up too much time from this nice girl and caused her pain. Get a good apology ready, because there’s a need for it.” Aunt Gertrude paused.

   “Well, I never-” Ms. Faring sputtered.

   “It’s about time you did, then.” With that Aunt Gertrude ended the call and handed the phone back to Callie.

   “Don’t worry about it,” Aunt Gertrude told Callie. “I’ll take care of it.”

   “Thanks, Aunt Gertrude,” Callie said. She still felt a little in shock from the audacity of the teacher.

   Frank added his thanks. He was still thinking, and steaming, about it. “I wonder who the students were.” He got out his phone and made a few calls. Those led to other calls. After a while of phone conversations and texts, he had some answers.

   “After all those questions and answers, I think I know what happened. Most of the students said they’d been pretty careful and the car wasn’t that close to the section of sidewalk where you slipped, Callie,” Frank said. “One of the students set a bucket of water ‘out of the way’ near that spot, though. He was going to take care of it, but he got a call right then from his younger sister, who was having trouble with something and he moved to get a better signal. When he came back to do so after all that, the bucket was gone and so was Ms. Faring’s car. He had seen her leaving.”

   “She knocked it over, didn’t she?” Aunt Gertrude asked.

   “I believe so. The timing is right. Although the bucket could have still been sitting there when she left.” Frank raised his eyebrows. “And if it was, she should have taken care of it.”

   “She has some explaining to do tomorrow!” Aunt Gertrude promised. She left to go check on dinner, still fuming at the nerve of some people.

   Frank smiled at Callie. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Aunt Gertrude’s got this.” He chuckled. “And I think our rude pseudo-science teacher is very deserving.”

************

   Fenton and Laura, on their romantic getaway, went down to the elegant dining room at the resort they were staying at. An orchestra’s music mingled with the usual sounds of talking and dining.

   They were shown to a beautifully decorated table that went perfectly with the tasteful decor of the large dining area. They’d just ordered, when they heard their names. Turning in the direction the greeting came from, they recognized another married couple they were friends with, Ben and Suzanna Gold, smiling at them.

   Fenton and Laura invited them to sit down and they agreed but only for a few minutes. They chatted comfortably for a little bit.

   “I don’t think it’s a coincidence we ran into you,” Ben said quietly. He and Suzanna were both military operatives that involved critically important cases of defense. “We need to leave soon, but a contact is supposed to have a message for us tomorrow here. It’s not directly connected with this next assignment, but it’s very important, too.”

   “Can we help?” Fenton asked after he and Laura exchanged a quick silent agreement.

   “Yes. Now we can go ahead and leave while knowing the message will be in trustworthy hands.” Suzanna told how to recognize the messenger and what to do. “Then after you’re given the message, take care of whatever needs taking care of?”

   Fenton and Laura knew Ben and Suzanna could be trusted and they agreed.

   After a few more minutes of talking, the couples wished each other well and parted company. A short time later their food arrived.

   “You’re even more handsome than any of the James Bonds.” Laura smiled at Fenton.

   “Why, thank you. And you are more exciting than any of the Bond Girls.” Fenton’s eyes told her he truly meant that.

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