Carolyn Keene - Trial By Fire

Ann had landed even harder than Nancy. She thought she might have cracked a rib, so Carson had insisted that she go to the nearest emergency room. The doctors had shipped her off to X ray and made it clear they wanted her kept overnight.

Carson had been knocked flat by the force of the blast. But he had been lucky because he escaped all injury. A shard of flying glass had sliced through his coat sleeve but missed his arm. All things considered, the three had been extremely fortunate.

A few minutes later Nancy went downstairs and sat at the kitchen table to dial the number Hannah had left for her. Ann answered the phone with an anxious “Hello?”

“Hi. It’s Nancy. Sorry to be so late, but Hannah just woke me. How are your ribs?”

“Bruised, not broken, but they won’t let me go yet. Tests or something. I think it’s just an excuse to keep me here. How’s your father?”

“He’s okay. He’s at the office. Do you need anything?”

Immediately Ann’s voice became edged with excitement. “I’ve heard from my source again,” she said, talking rapidly and softly. “He left a message on my answering machine. But I’m sure it had to be the same man, even though he disguised his voice by whispering.”

“What did he say?”

“He has another tip for me, but this time he wants to tell me in person. He asked me to meet him at the Grand Cinema on Shepherd Street at the first matinee. It starts at twelve-thirty.”

“Uh-oh,” Nancy said. “I guess you’re not going to be able to make it.”

“I can’t even sneak out. I’ve got a police guard now, and his orders are to see that I stay put. They may even place me in protective custody, if I’m not in it already. Can you make this meeting for me, Nancy?”

“Sure. I’d be glad to.”

“Terrific! He said to sit in the aisle seat, left side, next to the last row. And call me back as soon as you can.”

“If you’re still there, I’ll come by the hospital.”

“Great. I’ll be waiting for you. And thanks, Nancy.”

Nancy hung up and sprinted for the bathroom. She’d have to hurry to get to the Grand in time.

Carson Drew was coming in as she was leaving, his briefcase stuffed to overflowing. “Some reporters followed me to the office,” he explained. “They were driving my secretary crazy. If my being there is going to cause chaos, I decided to work at home.”

“Any word on the pretrial hearing yet?”

“Not yet. Where are you off to?”

“Ann’s heard from her source. She asked me to meet him.” She shoved her wallet into her pocket. “He has another tip, and you never know-maybe he knows something about what happened to you. Have you talked to Uncle Jon?”

Her father shook his head. “He’s not in, or not taking my calls. I’m stumped, Nancy. I thought I knew him. Friend for twenty years, card partner once a week for most of that time-it doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m sure it’s just a big mixup,” Nancy said, although she no longer thought so.

Her father took her hand and stared into her eyes. “Nancy, before you go, you have to promise me you’ll be very careful. After what happened last night, we know these people are playing rough and for keeps.”

Nancy nodded. “They must be desperate. I have to find out what they’re so desperate about. But don’t worry. I’ll watch out for myself.”

“Promise?” Her father peered at her intently.

“Scout’s honor. See you later.” She kissed his cheek and left, hoping she wasn’t wasting valuable time on this errand for Ann. If the man’s information turned out to be of no use to her in helping to clear her father, her next move would be toward the far side of town. She’d camp on the doorstep of Judge Jonathan Renk if she had to, but she would not leave until she saw him. He held her father’s future in his hands.

The Grand was an old movie house living out its last days by showing film classics at discount rates to college students and senior citizens. Nancy paid for her ticket and went in. The movie, Sons of the Desert , starring Laurel and Hardy, had just begun.

Nancy slipped into the aisle seat on the left in the next-to-last row. Then she looked around. There were no more than a dozen people in there, most of them down in front close to the screen. No one moved, and no one checked to see if she had arrived. She hoped Ann’s contact wouldn’t be long.

Nancy loved Laurel and Hardy, and before long she was caught up in the film. Every now and then she glanced around, but no one approached her. No one seemed the least bit interested in her.

One-thirty, and Ann’s source still hadn’t arrived. He isn’t coming, Nancy thought. She had mixed feelings. She was disappointed, both for Ann and herself, but she was also a little relieved. It was hard not to be nervous at the thought of what this meeting might have been like.

Nancy shifted in her seat, relaxed, and gave the two funnymen her undivided attention. The movie was almost over, and she wanted to enjoy the rest of it. So the hand that clamped over her mouth came as a complete surprise. And so did the icy barrel of the gun against the back of her neck.

“Well, well. Who do we have here?” a voice whispered. “You’re Drew’s kid, aren’t you? I saw you on the TV news this morning. You aren’t who I was expecting-but you’ll do. In fact, you’ll do just fine.”

Nancy tried to slip from the man’s grasp-and instantly regretted it. He tightened his grip painfully.

“Make the wrong move, and the last thing you’ll see will be one fat guy and one skinny guy hiding from their wives. Understand?”

Nancy nodded, forcing herself to stay calm. She had to keep cool and carefully watch for a time to escape. Then she realized she wouldn’t be able to watch anything. The man was slipping a blindfold over her eyes. Then he slapped a strip of adhesive tape across her mouth. Pushing her forward in her seat, he tied her hands behind her back.

“Okay, now, little lady, we’re leaving,” he hissed. “Let’s go.”

Nancy wondered desperately whether any of the people in the front rows had noticed what was going on, but it seemed that she and her captor weren’t attracting any attention at all.

Yanking Nancy to her feet, her captor led her up the aisle a few feet and turned right. Nancy had checked out the theater and the surrounding area just after she parked her car. She was sure the man was taking her out a side door to an alley. When a soft breeze brushed past her cheek and ruffled her hair, she knew she had guessed correctly.

She heard a car door opening. “Head down,” the man barked, and pushed her forward. “On the floor, and no tricks.”

Moving carefully, Nancy wedged herself into the space between the front seat and back seat. Then her captor slammed the door.

The floor felt gritty, and the interior smelled musty and old. Nancy struggled to find a more comfortable position.

“Hope you’re cozy back there,” the man said nastily. “I don’t want damaged goods-yet.”

Nancy’s mouth went dry. Her mind was racing. Who was this guy? Nancy decided he couldn’t be the same person who had given Ann that first tip. Ann said she didn’t know who that man was, so she was not a danger to him. He’d have had no reason to kidnap the reporter. Ann had just believed him when he said he was the same person.

The engine coughed, rattled, then roared to life. Nancy waited until she was sure there was no one else in the car with them. Then she began to rub her temple stealthily against the edge of the back seat, trying to move the blindfold enough to see a little. It seemed like ages before she got a glimpse of the worn rubber mat she was lying on. It wasn’t much, barely better than nothing.