A Killing in the Market (12 page)

Aunt Gertrude closed her eyes. "It didn't seem to do him much good," she said quietly.

"They were ready to get rid of Mrs. Simone, too, but she promised to help them find the money Simone had embezzled. But first they had to cover the murder." Joe patted Aunt Gertrude on the shoulder. "I guess you were the perfect candidate for a frame-up."

"Meanwhile, Mrs. Simone led Clifton to Justin Spears," Frank explained. "She knew he'd been helping to hide some of Simone's shady deals. So he had to know where the money was."

"Spears wasn't about to give up all those big bucks though," Joe said.

"So it became like a treasure hunt," Fenton Hardy said. "Spears trying to hide the money, Clifton and Mrs. Simone looking for it."

"But there was a third player," Frank put in. "Henry Fleckman. Spears used Fleckman's account to move the money around and to set up a patsy for Clifton or anyone else investigating Simone's crooked deals. Fleckman wasn't going to take that rap. But he did want to take the money."

"But why would he try to kill you?" Fenton Hardy asked. "There was no reason."

"He probably just panicked. Anyway, Spears wound up getting double-teamed," Joe said. "Fleckman's goons roughed up Spears's assistant, but it was Clifton's people who finally killed Spears. Mrs. Simone had them stake out his office and wiretap his phone. That's how they found out about the evidence he was sending us. They killed him and phoned Clifton that the evidence was on the train—and you know the rest."

"Except, of course, Fleckman and his four goons are in the can awaiting trial for attempted murder—among other things," Frank said.

"Amazing," Mr. Hardy said. "You boys did a terrific job."

Aunt Gertrude looked skeptical. "Well, I don't know if I'd say that. I'm still out fifty grand!"

Joe shook his head grimly. "I guess Simone needed cash for his getaway. But it hasn't turned up. I guess Mrs. Simone could tell us something. She mentioned the cash in her testimony, but it's hardly a solid lead."

"What did she say?" Frank asked.

"Oh, just something about Simone saying he hid the money with no sweat — "

Suddenly Aunt Gertrude bolted up from her chair. "No Sweat! Frank, Joe! Drive me to the police station right away!"

"Why?" Joe asked.

"Don't ask questions, young man! Just do it!"

Fenton Hardy gave his sons a stern look, and they took Aunt Gertrude out to the van.

Minutes later they were at the station house. Aunt Gertrude charged up the stairs and burst through the front door.

"Buy low, sell high! Make a killing in the market! No sweat! Squawwwwk!" the parrot screamed back in the lounge, where he was still being kept until a new owner could be found.

Aunt Gertrude went straight to the cage and opened it.

"Dinnertime! Birdseed! No sweat!"

"I don't believe this," Joe muttered to Frank. "She wants to feed the bird."

"Atta boy, No Sweat," Aunt Gertrude said calmly. The parrot fluttered its wings as Aunt Gertrude examined the bottom of the cage. Then, carefully, she lifted a piece of loose cardboard, and the whole floor of the cage came up.

Underneath it, in flat bundles, were five groups of ten crisp thousand-dollar bills.

"Invest with confidence! Braawwwk!"

"Thank you, No Sweat!" Aunt Gertrude said with a smile. "This time I will take that advice."

Frank's and Joe's faces were covered with astounded grins. "All riiiiiight, Aunt Gertrude!" Joe said.

"Not bad for someone who hates detective work!" Frank added.

Aunt Gertrude shrugged as she put the money into her pocketbook. "I only said I hate for you boys to do it." She held herself tall as she walked out past the front desk to the front door, a sly smile creeping across her face. "I don't mind when it's done right!"

"Oooh, that hurts," Joe said as Aunt Gertrude stepped outside.

Frank hesitated before going outside. "I don't know, Joe," he said. "Does this mean we have to send her out on cases from now on?"

Joe winced. Then he thought about it for a second and laughed. "Well, why not? Then you and I can stay home and cook for her."

From outside came the honking of the van's horn. "Hurry up, boys! My lasagna is going to get overdone!"

Frank turned to Joe. "Uh, on second thought," Frank said, "let's keep things just the way they are!"

"Coming, Aunt Gertrude!" Joe called out. And with a couple of wild whoops, the Hardy brothers raced each other to the van.

The End.