The Hardy Boys

Previously, on Hardy Boys...

This is Paul McFarlane. He's the dean of Rosegrave Academy.

He knew your mother. You knew her?

We were in the same class.

She was always a step ahead, no matter what you threw at her.

I had this funny feeling when he was telling me,

like there was something he wouldn't say.

"Laura and Paul. Love is definitely in the air."

Dean McFarlane is Mom's high school sweetheart.

Ew!

Joe!

Does this look like the same thing he was wearing?

You're looking at that piece of cloth like you expect it to talk to you.

Just ask someone who knows about that stuff.

This overcoat is from a uniform manufacturer.

Possibly military, but judging by the color,

I'd say most likely police issue.

So, maybe we're looking for some dirty cop from Dixon City.

Yeah. Or maybe someone a little close to home?

A couple of hours ago,

the man that they caught at the farm escaped.

We can confirm that the prisoner has escaped custody.

Citizens should be advised that he's armed and dangerous,

and to take the necessary precautions.

You're getting sloppy.

And you know how I hate cleaning up messes.

I escaped from their jail, didn't I?

You got caught. Twice. By a group of kids.

You hired me to get the object.

I will get the object for you.

It's become increasing difficult

to believe what you have to say. I'm hanging up now.

If you hang up, I will get the piece,

and I will take it to another buyer.

You just made a grave mistake.

Is that a threat?

It's a promise.

Hello, Frank.

Hi, Joe.

I didn't hear you there.

Well, that's too bad.

Hearing people is very important. And useful.

Mm‐hmm.

What are you doing today?

Me and Callie are gonna go to Rosegrave, talk to Dean McFarlane.

See if he can tell us why Mom left town after high school.

You?

Well, I'm gonna find out what crooked cop this came from.

I'm gonna get them to confess that they were the buyer at the brick factory.

Why would anyone admit that to you?

Even if they did, no one's gonna believe your word over a cop's, Joe.

They will...

'Cause I'm wearing a wire.

I'm using these headphones as a microphone.

And I just recorded everything you said.

So, super plan, buddy.

It's a prototype, all right? It'll work.

Joe, you're not wearing a wire, okay?

I need you to stay home until the cops find the tall man,

or at least until I get back.

That's not fair. Life's not fair.

If our situation was reversed, you wouldn't sit here and do nothing.

Promise me.

Okay?

Sorry, Frank. I didn't get that.

"Conquest Two."

How is it? I've been so busy I haven't really had a chance to play it.

It's not as fun as the first one.

Really?

Nah.

You know, uh, back in Dixon City

when my dad used to disappear for long cases,

me and Joe used to play, like, hours of "Conquest."

Keeps your mind off things, you know?

Yeah. Beats being at the farm right now.

I'm sure things will get better.

From what I hear, you can't keep a Morton man down, right?

Yeah, right. Thanks, man.

Hey. Oh.

Hey, you, Hey.

You look really nice.

Too nice? Like, I'm "trying too hard" nice?

Nah, just... nice, nice.

Callie, I told you. No one's gonna care what you wear.

And I told you I care what I wear.

I want to make a good impression.

Then quote Socrates or something.

That's all these Rosegrave people care about.

My brain, I'm confident in.

It's this that makes me worry.

You got nothing to worry about.

Did I miss something?

I told you.

Frank and I are spending the day at Rosegrave.

I would have remembered you telling me.

Turns out the dean at Rosegrave used to date my mom in high school.

So, I'm gonna go and I'm gonna ask him some questions.

And I figured I'd tag along.

Gives me a chance to see the campus.

But you've seen the campus before.

In pictures, yeah. Not in real life.

So, when's that bus come?

Twenty minutes. So, we should head out soon.

It's Bingo day in Gresham,

so the buses fill up really quickly with the ladies from the retirement home.

Really? I kid you not.

No, no, no. Don't... Don't take the bus. I could drive you.

- Really? - Yeah.

We, we can't make you do that.

You're not making me do anything. I'm offering.

And besides, who am I to say "no" to a road trip, right?

It's a lot better than riding in a bus. Thanks, man.

Sweet. Thank you.

Should be fun.

Phil. Miss Trudy.

You're here. I am.

Why are you here?

For me!

Now this, you'll have to explain. I'm going to a Sea Cadet meeting.

Joe, you know you're not allowed to leave the house.

Come on! Look at us.

Look at what we're wearing.

Who'd mess with a couple of sailors?

There's a dangerous man on the loose.

And what better cover

than being surrounded by a bunch of kids dressed exactly like me.

How do you figure? Because of the old switch‐a‐roo.

Let another kid get taken

while I slip away undetected.

Is it immoral?

Yes. But is it effective?

Also yes.

Come on, we'll be fine.

It's even being supervised by... naval... people.

Mm‐hmm. What, like retired officers?

Most of them have been on boats.

It's gonna be even safer than here.

And Phil's mom is even gonna drive us.

If I trust you with this, do you promise you won't take any stupid risks?

Sea Cadet's honor.

Be back before dinner.

Okay, thank you. Bye.

Go, go, go, go!

But after 1924,

the organization went international, and it's now in 42 different countries.

- Bye, Mom. - Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Cohen.

At first, the Sea Cadets only included saltwater bodies,

but after Elton McWebben was elected for president in 1932,

he realized that designation was limited. You gotta learn to edit yourself!

I'm a passionate guy.

Oh, ah, I'm, I'm so sorry.

I just remembered, I have a book on hold at the library.

I, I really gotta pick it up before they fine me. I mean,

you know how it is. Uh, could I catch up with you later?

You didn't even try making that excuse believable.

I, I got really important things to do, Phil.

But you'll miss the signing of the new constitution.

And Hakeem's bringing fruit punch.

Save me a cup. It's your loss, Hardy.

We were gonna learn the bowline today.

That's the most important knot in the bunch!

Took you long enough.

Phil's a hard man to shake off.

Well, not that hard.

And you're sure you weren't followed?

I'm slier than I look. And I look pretty sly.

Not in that outfit.

Come on. I needed a cover to get out of the house.

And your cover was dressing like the leader of a marching band?

Your sass is gonna slow down my investigation, Hooper.

Okay. So what's the plan?

This piece of fabric is our missing puzzle piece.

Now all we gotta do is find the dirty cop

whose jacket it came from. Don't say it like that.

Like you're so sure JB's buyer's a cop.

Biff, you were there with me.

We got confirmation that this comes from a police‐issue jacket.

A police‐issue jacket that could have been stolen.

Look, I'm not pointing fingers at your mom.

You better not be.

If you want me to believe that it's not a cop,

you gotta prove it.

I'm not going anywhere until you change out of that.

You know the old Sea Cadet motto, right?

"Come prepared." Or... "Make a plan." Whatever.

My point is, I'm ready.

I'm ready for anything.

You've got a real future as a pretend Sea Cadet, Joe.

Let's get out of here.

Humph.

Trudy? Kitchen!

Hey.

Hi. How are ya?

Pretty good.

Wow.

I didn't know you painted so many.

These are really good. Thanks.

Are you preparing for an exhibit or something?

Actually, Gloria hooked me up with a gallery.

Oh.