She had wanted a new case, it was true, but not this one. The stakes were so high! What if I can’t solve it? she thought, suddenly terrified. What if I don’t find the real killer, and Ned has to go to jail? Carson Drew must have seen the tension on Nancy’s face, for he said gently, “Nancy, all we can do is try. And my money’s on you. So is Ned’s, for that matter. We talked it over on the way back here. If we work together, we can win this case.” Nancy breathed in deeply. “Thanks, Dad. Let’s hope you’re right. Now,” she went on, straightening up determinedly, “if I’m going to investigate, I’d better get cracking. I’ve got only five days before the grand jury.” “That’s my girl!” Carson said proudly. • • • Half an hour later Nancy was seated at the Nickersons’ dining room table with Ned, Bess, and George. After asking Ned’s permission, she had called her friends and filled them in. She knew she’d need help with the investigation, and as Carson had pointed out to Ned, it would be foolish for him to get involved.
