"No," Fenton answered, looking the officer right in the eyes.

"We found the car he stole about a quarter of a mile from here," the officer said, trying to look around Fenton into the kitchen.

"Would you gentlemen like a cup of coffee before you continue your search?" Laura asked, smiling at the two men from the stove.

"Um, no, thank you," was the reply. "Are you sure..." he started.

"You’re Fenton Hardy, aren’t you?" the second officer asked, finally realizing where he had seen the man before. "I thought you lived in Bayport."

"I do," Fenton said, smiling. "But we’re visiting some relatives of ours," he explained.

"Well, I guess you would know this guy if you saw him," the officer said. "His name is Dan Pearson. I understand you arrested him."

"Pearson?" Fenton asked, looking thoughtful. "I believe I remember him," he said a minute later. "He was one of the first men I arrested after I resigned from the police department."

"Any idea where he was headed?" Frank asked from his chair, silently praying Pierce would not enter the room.

"No. Honestly, we were surprised to find he was in the area. It was assumed he would head for Canada but..." he broke off, shrugging.

"If we see him we’ll alert you at once," Fenton promised.

"Well, then, we’ll leave you alone to enjoy your Christmas Eve," said the first officer, smiling at Mr. Hardy.

"Merry Christmas to you," Fenton replied, trying hard not to act surprised that it was Christmas Eve.

They let out a collective sigh when Fenton closed the door behind the officers. "I couldn’t do it," Fenton said. "I know Pierce deserves to be in prison. He belongs there but.."

"But Joe needs him," Frank said, knowing exactly what his dad meant.

"It’s what we have to do," Laura agreed. "Whether it’s the right thing or not."

Joe, listening at the door, took a deep breath and entered the kitchen. Fenton, Laura and Frank turned to look at him. "If you want to sit down, breakfast is ready," Laura said looking at him, her face breaking into a smile then faltering before turning back into a smile.

"The roads are clear," Fenton said, sitting down beside Frank.

"Joe, before we leave... before you make us... we need to talk," Frank said.

"I’m listening," Joe replied, taking a seat across from them. Laura set a plate down in front of him then took a seat beside him, sitting stiffly.

"Joe, about yesterday. I’m sorry," Fenton began. "I never meant what I said. I..."

"Don’t," Joe said. He didn’t know what he had expected, but this wasn’t it. After standing outside the kitchen door and listening to them lying about Pierce because of him, he had thought, maybe, they would actually talk. But apologizing wasn’t talking, it was an excuse. Something he didn’t want to hear.

"I’m not," Fenton said, this time capturing Joe’s attention. "There have been too many times when I have had to apologize to you," he said. "What I want to tell you is this: I love you. I have always loved you. I don’t know for sure what I did to make you feel unloved or to make you think that you were a burden, but it isn’t true. I thought you knew how much I loved you but I guess I never told you or didn‘t tell you enough. But the truth is, you have been everything I ever wanted you to be and so much more. You have never let me down. But I have let you down. I know you’ve been hurt and I would do anything to make your pain go away."

"Is that what this is all about?" Joe broke in, glaring at Fenton. "You feel guilty so you’re spouting all these platitudes?" Joe stood up. "The roads are clear. Just leave and don’t ever come back." With these words, Joe strode out of the room.