Darkness Falls (2 page)

Frank was barely listening. His mind had drifted back to the award ceremony. He could
hardly believe that they were about to meet Dr. James Ebersol—the man who had done more than any single person to make astronomy a household word. At the height of his fame, five years earlier, Dr. Ebersol had had three books on the best-seller list at the same time. One was about black holes, another was about space travel, and the third was about other life forms in the galaxy. His weekly TV show, “The Universe Explained,” had been on for years. Going to Hawaii with him and his research team was the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Dreaming of sun and surf, Frank?” Chet asked, breaking into Frank's reverie.

“More like sun and stars,” Frank said. “We've been joking about it, but the truth is, I'm still in shock. We may actually help discover the first new planet in our solar system in a hundred years!”

“Does Ebersol really believe there's another planet out there?” Biff asked dubiously. “Wouldn't it have been discovered by now?”

“That's just the thing,” Joe broke in. “Until recently, there was no way to prove it. According to Ebersol, this planet—if it ever existed—was blown to bits billions of years ago, and it's only with advanced infrared photography that the Ebersol team may be able to capture the remaining debris on film. That's why
when he heard about our infrared film project winning first place at the science fair, Ebersol asked us to come along.”

When they arrived at the campus, Fenton Hardy parked behind the ultramodern building that was the home of the school's astronomy department. They entered through a rear door and found themselves in a long corridor. “We're looking for Room one-oh-nine,” Fenton reminded the boys.

The room, just a few yards away, was a fairly large lecture hall with a dais and podium, and curved, arena-style seating. The front row had a few reporters loading film in their cameras and making notes. Laura Hardy, Frank and Joe's mother, sat in the fifth row with the boys' aunt Gertrude. When the two women saw the Hardys appear in the doorway, they smiled proudly and waved.

“I hope you're our winners,” a plump young woman in a plaid dress said, approaching the group. “I'm P. J. O'Malley of the Ebersol Foundation. I'm looking for Joe and Frank Hardy.”

“These guys, right here,” Chet said, proudly patting each of his friends on the shoulder.

“It's nice to meet you,” she said with a smile. “Unfortunately, Mr. De La Rosa, the manager of the foundation, couldn't be here to welcome you in person, but he asked me to
extend his sincere congratulations. He'll be joining you in Hawaii the night after the eclipse, so you'll meet him then.”

“Good luck, fellas,” Fenton said, leaving with Chet and Biff to join his wife. “We'll be watching.”

“Your seats are the last two on the right,” P.J. told Frank and Joe, pointing to the dais.

“Thanks.” Frank felt a rush as a large set of spotlights came on. A local TV news crew was setting up to film the ceremony.

Frank and Joe had just taken their places when a tall man with piercing blue eyes and a charismatic manner strode up to them. With him was a woman in her late twenties with large brown eyes and flowing auburn hair. “You must be Joe Hardy,” the man said, brushing back his long mane of gray hair and offering his hand. “I'm Jim Ebersol. We spoke on the phone.”

“Yes, sir. I recognize you,” Frank said, standing up. “But I'm Frank. This is Joe.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Ebersol said, shaking Frank's hand, then Joe's. “I'm looking forward to having you on our expedition. Oh, by the way, this is my wife.”

“My name is Michele,” she said with a smile almost as dazzling as her husband's. “Your photographs were spectacular. Congratulations!” Michele's peasant-style dress with embroidered
flowers emphasized her youthful appearance. She had to be at least fifteen years younger than her husband, Frank thought.

“Michele fancies herself an expert in infrared,” Dr. Ebersol said, putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a little squeeze. “Her master's thesis was on it. Wasn't it, dear?”

“Have you forgotten already?” his wife protested with a smile, though Frank noticed a slight edge to her voice.

“Where's Everett?” Ebersol asked, peering out over the assembly. “I want to introduce him, too,”

“Right here, sir,” said a man who'd been sitting quietly on the other side of the dais, his nose buried in a scientific journal. He was pale, with thinning blond hair and dark-rimmed glasses. Frank guessed he was about thirty.

“Come over and meet the Hardy brothers!” Ebersol told him. “Boys, this is my longtime assistant, Everett MacLaughlin, who'll be with us in Hawaii. Some day, I predict he'll make quite a name for himself with his own discoveries.”

“You're very kind, sir,” the assistant said, acting uncomfortable with the praise. He gave the Hardys a terse smile and returned to his seat.

“Excuse me, Dr. Ebersol,” P.J. said, tapping
him on the shoulder. “If we're going to get a clip on the evening news, we have to get started.”

Frank gazed out at the auditorium, which was nearly filled now. A woman in a navy blue suit rose from her seat and approached the podium. Frank recognized her as Hillary Burns, the president of the university.

“Tonight,” Ms. Burns began, “we're privileged to have a great scientist with us. He is perhaps the best-known astrophysicist since Galileo, thanks to the power of the media and the brilliance of his discoveries. Please give a warm welcome to the Great Explainer, Dr. James Ebersol!”

Everyone rose and applauded as Dr. Ebersol exchanged places with Dr. Burns. Frank's hands stung from clapping as he sat back down to listen.

“Thank you,” Ebersol began. “It's an honor to be at this university, which was so supportive of my work while I was here and continues to support me at the Ebersol Foundation. I'm extremely proud to be able to give something back tonight—an Ebersol Foundation grant to establish a new library of astronomy and astrophysics.” This announcement was met with more enthusiastic applause.

“I'd like at this time to acknowledge the two young men seated up here with me. Frank and
Joe Hardy discovered an important component of accurate infrared film development and used this film to shoot the night sky and stars. The Ebersol Foundation would like to honor them and their achievement tonight with the Ebersol Science Award. Frank? Joe?”

Frank flushed as flashes went off and he and Joe rose to accept their bronze plaque.

“Thanks very much, Dr. Ebersol,” Frank managed to say, taking the plaque. The bright lights suddenly felt intensely hot and blinding to him.

“My brother and I would also like to thank our parents and the people at the university photography lab who let us use their equipment,” Joe said as smoothly as a professional speaker. Frank was impressed. During another small burst of applause, the brothers shook Dr. Ebersol's hand and returned to their seats.

“Search for the stars,” Dr. Ebersol continued, his voice softening dramatically as he repeated the phrase slowly. “Search for the stars—it's almost an unwritten commandment, isn't it? And it began the moment our ancestors first raised their eyes from their caves to the complex, starry night sky. It's a pursuit that has motivated me since I can remember. And now I stand on the brink of what may be my greatest discovery—the Exploded Planet.”

Staring out into the audience, Frank saw that
everyone seemed enthralled by Ebersol's dramatic exposition.

“A quest of this magnitude takes a lot of effort, and a lot of resources, and I'd like to thank my supporters for making the search possible,” the scientist continued. “It has long been my belief that to be complete humans beings, we must always feel the awe our ancestors felt as they studied the stars. Yes, my friends, our true human destiny—to discover—can only be fulfilled when we search for the stars!”

There was a moment of silence as Dr. Ebersol's inspiring words faded. Then, a smattering of applause began, followed immediately by enthusiastic clapping.

Acknowledging the acclaim with a modest smile. Dr. Ebersol added, “Now I'll be happy to take questions from the press. I'm sure you're all curious about the coming eclipse. You, there,” he said, pointing to a reporter waving her pencil in the air.

“Could you explain your ‘exploded planet' theory for us, sir?” she asked. “And also, what do you hope to achieve during the coming eclipse?”

“Certainly,” Dr. Ebersol said warmly. “My theory holds that at the birth of our solar system, there were more than nine planets. But one of them, or possibly even two, were pulled
into the sun's gravitational force, where they blew apart.

“My theory could only be proven by finding a ring of cosmic rubble around the sun,” he went on. “Now, why have we never spotted this ring? Simply because the sun is too bright. But with the new infrared detectors developed by my team, Michele Ebersol and Everett MacLaughlin, and with the two young Hardys, my guess is that we'll be able to spot the rings during the eclipse.”

“But, Doctor,” another reporter said, “we've had eclipses before. What makes this one special?”

“This eclipse is far and away the longest in our lifetime,” Ebersol replied. “Imagine! The sun's rays will be totally obliterated for a full seven minutes! If I may add a small historical footnote—I find it ironic that in ancient times a solar eclipse was considered an evil omen, foretelling the death of kings. Now we view an eclipse as a scientific opportunity. Our perspective has certainly changed, hasn't it?”

The science editor of the local TV station rose and waved his hand. “Where will you be taking the photographs, Doctor?” he shouted.

“I've chosen the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii for my experiment,” Ebersol replied. “It's extremely fortunate that the eclipse will take place over one of the greatest astronomical
research facilities in the world. And the mountain's elevation—over thirteen thousand feet, above half of the earth's atmosphere—reduces interference from dust and water vapor. If there are no more questions, I want to thank you all for coming, and wish us luck.”

Ebersol waved to the crowd, then turned back to the row of chairs behind him. Before the applause could begin, a voice shouted out from the back of the auditorium.

“Dr. Ebersol! Tim Wheeler of
Astronomy Today.
Just one quick question. Which is more important to you, Doctor—finding this destroyed planet, or getting your next book onto the best-seller lists?”

Frank watched as Ebersol's back stiffened. Clenching his fists, the Great Explainer made his way back to the metal podium to answer the impudent question. He grabbed the microphone in one hand.

As he did so, there was a sudden sizzling sound, and a shower of sparks flew out from the mike. Ebersol screamed in agony, and several others in the audience screamed, too.

Frank couldn't believe it—Dr. Ebersol was being electrocuted right in front of their eyes!

F
RANK SPRANG
toward the podium, but Joe was quicker. Knowing that if he touched Ebersol with his feet on the ground, he, too, would be electrocuted, Joe leaped high with both feet, kicking Ebersol free of the mike. The two toppled to the floor.

There was pandemonium in the hall as the group on stage crowded around. Frank checked Ebersol's pulse. “Get an ambulance!” Frank shouted. Then, as Joe got up, he asked, “Are you okay?”

“I think so,” Joe said, rubbing his back.

Frank bent down and loosened Ebersol's tie; the great man's eyes opened. “Are you all right, sir?” he asked. Ebersol nodded, but Frank could
tell he was woozy. Just then Michele knelt by her husband's side. “Jim, darling,” she whispered.

Frank stepped back to make room for her and gestured for Joe to come with him. The two brothers went straight to the podium to check the wiring visually. “Don't touch anything,” Frank warned. “We'll have to make sure the circuit breaker is off first.”

P.J. came up to them. “You can touch it,” she said. “I just shut it off.” She bent over to check out the mike, too.

“Who turned on the mike?” Frank asked as Joe traced, the wiring.

“It was all set up when we arrived,” said the woman. “The university keeps it ready.”

“Hmmm,” Joe said, holding a wire in his hands. “Here's the problem. This wire's been stripped down.” He showed them the spot where the insulation had been worn away.

“Do you think it was cut deliberately?” Frank asked, examining it.

Joe frowned. “If it
was
deliberate, somebody took great care to make it look natural.”

“But why would anyone want to electrocute Dr. Ebersol?” P.J. asked. “Accidents do happen, after all.”

“I hope you're right,” said Joe. “All the same, Frank, we'd better keep an eye on Ebersol from now on.”