“But the game! The team needs me out there!” he pleaded.
“No dice. You’re injured, and if I let you keep playing I’m just begging for a lawsuit on my last day of work.”
“But, Dr. Riggs—!”
“Forget it. You’re out of the game, and that’s all there is to it.”
When Nancy returned to her seat she was trembling. She was also deeply confused. Sitting, she began to think feverishly. Her program twisted around and around in her hands.
“Nan, what’s the matter?” Bess asked. “Ned’s all right, isn’t he?”
“Yes. It’s not Ned that’s bothering me. It’s what happened just now.”
“What about it? It was only an accident.”
“I don’t think so. I think Ned was deliberately taken down.”
George turned toward her in surprise. “You mean Craig and Andy put him out of action on purpose? But how? Why?”
“I’m not sure how. It happened so fast I couldn’t really see. As to why, I’m not sure about that, either. But I’ve got to figure it out!”
On the court, the game resumed. Around her, the fans continued their chants and cheers. Nancy heard none of it. Elbows on her knees, she desperately tried to make sense out of the senseless events of the last five days.
Why would Craig and Andy hurt a member of their own team? Who had pushed Mike off the sports complex’s roof? Who had been driving the black Camaro when the bus’s tire was shot, and why was he also beating up Emerson students?
The questions went on endlessly. Nancy looked at them from every angle she could think of. Still none of it made sense. Frustration swelled inside her like a balloon. If she didn’t solve this mystery—and soon—she felt like she would burst!
The game entered its final minutes. With Ned out of action, Emerson slowly lost its lead. Seven points . . . six points . . . four points . . . soon Barton would overtake them and pull ahead!
“We’re getting killed!” Bess cried, glancing at the clock. “What a time for Ned to be benched!”
George nodded grimly. “You said it! I’ll bet the other team is happy about it, though.”
Suddenly Nancy sat up. “George! What was that you just said?”
“Didn’t you hear? I said, I’ll bet the other team is happy.”
In one magical burst of insight, everything fell into place. Nancy grabbed her friend’s arm. “George, that’s it! You just gave me the answer!”
Chapter Sixteen
“C’mon, you guys! We’ve got to find a phone!” Leaping up, Nancy began to push her way to the aisle. Bess and George exchanged puzzled looks but quickly rose to follow her.
The lobby outside the gym was empty. Everyone, including the security guards, was inside watching the game. Nancy spotted a pay phone on the opposite wall and ran for it, digging all her change from her pocket as she did.
Please let him be home! she prayed silently as she punched out a long-distance number. On the other end, the phone began to ring. Please let him be there! If he is, I promise that I’ll never run my credit card over its limit again!
Carson Drew’s voice was calm and steady when he finally answered. “Hello?”
“Dad, thank goodness you’re home! I really need to talk to you!”
“Nancy! What is it?” her father asked. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Dad, but this case has been driving me crazy. You wouldn’t believe how weird it’s been.”
“Knowing you and your nose for trouble, I think I would.” He laughed.
Nancy laughed then, too. It was such a relief to talk to him!
“Listen, I think I’ve worked out most of the puzzle, but there are still a few blank spots,” she said. “I need your help to fill them in. Have you got the time?”
“Of course! Fire away,” he offered.
Rapidly Nancy sketched the basics of her theory. Her father grasped the situation immediately, and in no time was giving her exactly the information that she needed.
Nancy smiled. Most people knew that Carson Drew was a highly respected criminal lawyer, but few realized that in addition to defending the innocent he also defended the guilty. He knew a lot about crime. Now that knowledge proved highly useful. Her grin broadened as he finished.