Witness to Murder by Franklin W. Dixon

Author:Franklin W. Dixon [Dixon, Franklin W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780671716103
Amazon: 0671004786
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Trade Division)
Published: 1988-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Joe knocked at Annie's door. "Annie, you asleep?"

"No, Joe. Come on in. What's wrong?" Annie sat on the side of her bed, still dressed, her suitcases unopened. "I've been trying to figure out what to do. I've already caused too much trouble."

"I have a plan, Annie. I'm glad you haven't unpacked anything. We're leaving here."

"Where are we going?" Annie stood up and slipped on her shoes.

"I have a friend who has a cabin upstate. There are a couple of small motels in the area. I'm going to take you up there and hide you out in a motel until this mess gets worked out. Then I'll come back for you."

Annie stared at Joe. "Joe, I told you I'll just leave town, disappear."

"No, Annie. Trust me. If you lay low for a few days, I can crack this case. But I can't if I'm worrying about you."

"I can take care of myself," said Annie.

"I did notice that," Joe said with admiration in his voice. "But something might come up that even you can't handle."

Annie's eyes held his for a moment and she said nothing. "This is Frank's idea, isn't it?" she said finally. "To get me away from you."

"Frank wants you to stay," Joe insisted. "He's — he's concerned about you."

Annie laughed bitterly. "He's never liked me," she said. "Maybe it's because I'm not like Callie. I don't have parents who take care of me and have money and — "

"Annie," Joe interrupted, taking her hand. "Who cares what Frank thinks? I like you — a lot. And I want you to be safe."

At his words, Annie's troubled face cleared, and she smiled gratefully at Joe. "I guess that's why you're the Hardy I decided on," she teased, and gave him a happy kiss on the cheek.

It was around eleven when Joe and Annie climbed into the van and pulled away from the house.

"You hungry, Annie?" Joe asked.

She smiled ironically. "No, but I bet you are."

The first fast-food place they came to, they ordered and then ate as they drove along the highway. It's good being alone with Annie, Joe thought as he checked the rear view mirror and switched to the fast lane. Inside the van they were safe, in a warm and cozy cocoon far from the problems of the world.

With Annie so quiet Joe had time to do some serious thinking. He didn't like there being tension between Frank and him, but he knew that Annie was right when she said Frank had never liked her. And now Frank was doubly suspicious of her. It was also true that there were some facts about the case that just didn't add up. Maybe it was time to ask some questions.

"Annie, you asleep?" She turned to look at him and gently shook her head. "Can we talk?" This time she nodded. "That day in Mr. Pizza, when you got the phone call from Phil, that wasn't the first time you'd heard from him lately, was it?" Joe glanced over at her, curled up so sweetly in the seat beside him.

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