An Instinct for Trouble Read online

  Nancy sighed and said, “I’ll probably skip the dance.”

  Bess gave her a sharp glance, then replied, “We can discuss that later. Right now, what do you say to a waterfall?” Without waiting for an answer, Bess hooked her arm in Nancy’s to lead her down to the car.

  After a few minutes of driving, Nancy said, “Bess? I think somebody’s following us. A dark blue car’s been right behind us the whole time.” All at once the car pulled off at a scenic overlook. “So much for that,” Nancy said with a laugh. “I guess I’m getting paranoid.”

  Bess reached over to touch her shoulder. “Nancy?” she said in a tentative voice. “Are you positive that the professor is involved in the poaching?”

  “Positive? Of course not,” Nancy replied, surprised by the question. “I don’t have evidence to prove it either way. Brad says he saw him just before his accident—but he wasn’t positive. And then there was that Phi Beta Kappa key.”

  “Then he is your chief suspect.”

  “Well,” Nancy said slowly, “no one is in a better position to set up a poaching operation than he is. . . .”

  “What happens if we don’t find the missing marmots?” Bess asked. “Or if more of them disappear?”

  “I guess the study will be ruined—and so will the professor’s career,” Nancy answered.

  “So poaching and selling marmots wouldn’t exactly solve his problem,” Bess went on. “In some ways, it would only make it worse.”

  Nancy nodded. “I see what you mean, Bess.” Nancy’s thoughts were churning. Was she focusing too hard on Trainey? In that case she owed Ned an apology—if she could ever get him to listen to it.

  She slowed the car down. “There’s a sign for the falls,” she announced.

  After finding a spot in the crowded parking area, Nancy and Bess followed a sawdust-covered path through the woods. As they walked, they heard a low, persistent rumble in the distance. When they emerged from the trees at the base of the falls, the sound was overwhelming.

  Bess tapped Nancy’s arm. Nancy turned and saw her friend’s lips moving but couldn’t hear anything above the roar of the water. Bess pointed up the path and raised an eyebrow. Nancy nodded and followed her friend to an observation platform perched a dozen feet above the river, just beyond the reach of the spray.

  She craned her neck to peer up at the top, where the water cascaded over a ridge of red and yellow volcanic rock. The constant motion of the water made her feel a little dizzy, so she clutched the railing for support.

  Bess leaned her head close to Nancy’s. “Would you like the binoculars?” she shouted, holding them out. Nancy took them and could see the individual droplets of water splashing into the river. Along the banks, bright wild-flowers grew.

  A large group of sightseers jostled onto the platform behind Nancy. Two middle-aged women pushed up and flanked her. As her gaze swept farther down the riverbank, she noticed a man with black hair. Frowning, she focused the binoculars to get a clearer image. She let out a gasp because she was looking at Dan Trainey, who was holding a marmot trap!

  Nancy focused in tighter and realized that Trainey was talking to someone who was partly hidden by a tree trunk. All she could make out were the other person’s hands gesturing to Trainey.

  She wanted to get a better view, so she started edging her way along the railing. She had almost reached the corner of the platform when someone shouted, “Look! A red-tailed hawk!”

  As the crowd on the platform surged forward, Nancy felt someone put both hands on her back and give her a powerful shove. A moment later she was falling over the rail into the swirling river below.

  Chapter

  Ten

  NANCY GASPED as she hit the icy water. She had just enough time to fill her lungs and clamp her mouth shut before the river swirled over her. She fought her way to the surface and tried to make it to the nearest bank, but the raging current pulled her downstream.

  As an eddy spun her around, she got one last glimpse of the platform she had just been pushed from and saw Bess frantically making her way through the stunned crowd, trying to reach the riverbank.

  The current tumbled her again, pushing her into a somersault. Nancy flailed her arms wildly and managed to keep her head up, but she didn’t know how much longer she could hold on.

  Downstream, a boulder rose up above the surface about half a dozen feet from shore. If only she could get to it, she thought, she might have a chance of saving herself.

  Nancy put all the energy and determination she had into powerful strokes and kicks. Just as she was sure she couldn’t keep it up any longer, the rock was right in front of her. She wrapped her arms around it and took a deep breath.

  “Nancy! Over here!”

  Startled, she looked over and saw Gerald Turkower standing on the riverbank near her.

  “Hang on!” he shouted, cautiously stepping off the bank. He inched forward, the water swirling around his knees now, then leaned forward and stretched out his hand. Nancy reached out and grasped it. Gerald steadied himself, then reeled Nancy in to the bank as if she were one of those cutthroat trout he had talked about at lunch.

  Nancy’s legs were numb and wouldn’t hold her up. “Thanks,” she said to Gerald through chattering teeth.

  “Nancy! Are you all right?” Bess demanded, running up.

  “C-c-cold” was all Nancy could manage.

  Gerald took off his fleece-lined leather jacket and draped it around Nancy’s shoulders.

  Bess turned to him. “Where did you come from?” she asked curiously.

  His eyes flickered. “I was in the woods, taking pictures.”

  Nancy looked sharply at him and struggled to find her voice. “Was anybody with you?” she asked after a second.

  Gerald shook his head. “Come on, Nancy, I’ll help you to your car. You need to get in and turn the heater on full blast. How did you happen to fall in?” he asked as they walked.

  “I didn’t,” she replied. “Somebody pushed me.”

  “What?” Gerald’s face registered shock. “Are you sure? Couldn’t you just have been jostled?”

  Nancy shook her head. “I distinctly felt two hands shoving against my back. It was no accident, take my word for it. Did you see anything, Bess?”

  “No. I’m sorry,” Bess replied on the verge of tears. “I was looking at the falls.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Nancy said. “You had no reason to think somebody was going to push me in.”

  As they reached the car, Gerald told Nancy to go back to the hotel and take a hot shower.

  “I’ll drive, Nan,” Bess offered. “You relax.”

  Nancy gave Bess the keys, then thanked Gerald again for rescuing her.

  “I’m glad I was there to help,” he replied, holding the door for her.

  Bess turned on the heater, and soon Nancy stopped shivering. “It was a man who pushed me,” she said. “As I went over the railing, I got an impression of his hands. They were too big and hairy to belong to a woman. Oh, Bess,” Nancy said, interrupting herself. “Your binoculars! They must have fallen into the river with me. I’m so sorry.”

  “Do you think I care about some old binoculars when I just watched you nearly drown?” Bess scolded.

  As Bess turned into the hotel parking lot, she continued, “Who could have pushed you?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t know. In fact, I don’t know what to think anymore.”

  A large, shiny bus was stopped in front of the hotel entrance. People were spilling out of it onto the sidewalk.

  “Look, Nancy,” Bess said excitedly, pointing out the bus, which said Randy Dean Productions. “Do you think Randy’s with them?” she asked.

  Nancy smiled. “I doubt if a big star like Randy Dean would arrive on a bus,” she said. “He’s probably coming by private helicopter.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Bess said, parking the car. “Come on, let’s get you inside and warm.”

  Nancy’s legs felt like lead as
she climbed the steps to the hotel lobby. “All I want to do is lie down in a warm tub and soak for a month or two,” she announced as Bess unlocked the door to their room.

  Bess gave her a concerned look. “Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?”

  “I’m sure,” Nancy replied firmly. “After a hot bath and a little rest, I’ll be as good as new.”

  • • •

  At Bess’s urging, the girls had dinner in their room. As the waiter took away the tray, Bess gave Nancy a close look and said, “You look a lot better. You may not be up for an evening of square dancing, but at least you can sit and watch.”

  “You really think I ought to go?” Nancy asked.

  Bess was now standing in front of the mirror, smoothing the waist of her knee-length denim skirt. “You want to see Ned, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do,” Nancy replied, then paused. “But I don’t know what to say to him.”

  Bess spun around, went to Nancy, and sat beside her on the bed. “First you’ll tell him you’re sorry,” she stated flatly. “Then you’ll say that you love him. Then he’ll take you for a moonlight drive . . .” Bess giggled. “And I’m not going to say what happens after that.”

  Nancy shook her head sadly. “I only wish it could be that easy.”

  Bess gave Nancy a hug. “Stop worrying. It’s going to be fine.”

  While Nancy pulled on a full-skirted blue corduroy dress, Bess went on. “I talked to Jack while you were napping. He’ll meet us in the lobby at eight.”

  “ ‘Us’?” Nancy repeated.

  “Well, sure,” Bess said. “This is a group event, you know, not a date.”

  When they reached the head of the stairs, Bess began searching through her purse. “I forgot my compact,” she said. “I’ve got to go back.”

  “Okay,” Nancy said. “I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

  Jack, in worn but perfectly fitting jeans and a red plaid shirt, was standing near the foot of the stairs. He saw Nancy coming and gave her a warm smile. “I called Bess after you got back to the hotel, and she told me what happened,” he said, concerned. “Are you all right?”

  “Good as new,” Nancy said. “Bess will be down in a minute.”

  She took in the transformed lobby. All the furniture had been cleared away from the central area, and a small stage had been set up near the windows. Paper lanterns dangled from the log rafters, and bales of hay had been placed along the walls.

  “They did a great job of decorating this place, didn’t they?” Jack said, and led the way to a table at the edge of the dance floor. “I’m glad you felt well enough to come. I’ve been really looking forward to the dance,” he added with a glance full of meaning.

  “So has Bess,” Nancy replied pointedly as she spotted her friend coming down the stairs.

  Jack sprang to his feet as Bess approached. “Hey, you look terrific!”

  Bess blushed becomingly and threw in a little curtsy.

  The other tables were filling up. Two men and a woman in matching shirts climbed up on the stage and started tuning a guitar, fiddle, and string bass.

  A woman in a fringed leather vest joined the trio on stage and picked up a microphone. “Okay, folks,” she said. “We’re going to start out real easy this evening. You don’t need a partner for this one. Don’t be shy, just form two long lines, gents on the left and ladies on the right. The name of the tune is ‘Rabbit in the Peapatch.’ ”

  “Come on, you two,” Jack urged, springing up. As the band launched into the rollicking tune, Nancy saw Ned and Jennifer come in the door. Jennifer was pulling Ned toward the two lines of dancers.

  As he passed, Ned spotted Nancy and smiled at her tentatively. Then the dance started, and Nancy was too busy following the caller’s instructions to pay attention to Ned.

  “This is fun!” Bess exclaimed breathlessly when the first number ended.

  Nancy smiled, but her eyes were now searching for Ned. There he was, she thought, near the stage. He was looking around, too. For her? Taking a deep breath, Nancy crossed the room.

  “Hi, Ned,” she said.

  He didn’t say a word, only took her hand and led her off to the far side of the fireplace.

  They turned to face each other. Nancy could hear the music start for the next dance, but the only thing that mattered now was Ned.

  He was staring down at the floor. She was about to say something when he spoke up. “I really lost it this afternoon,” he said, his brown eyes shining. “I’m sorry, Nan. You know I didn’t mean those things I said.”

  “Of course I do,” Nancy responded. “I said things I didn’t mean, too, and I’m sorry. I really do understand the way you feel about Professor Trainey. It’s just that—”

  “It’s just that you’re too good a detective not to follow up on all the evidence you find, no matter where it leads,” he finished. “And I wouldn’t want you any different.”

  Nancy put her arms around his neck. “Oh, Ned—I’m so glad you understand.” She pulled his head down to hers, and their lips met in a kiss that lasted a long time.

  When they parted, Ned held her close and ran his fingers through her hair. “Why don’t we get our coats and go for a drive?” he said breathlessly. “It’s a beautiful night.”

  “I’d love it,” Nancy replied.

  They were walking past the alcove that held the house phones when Ned squeezed her elbow. He put his finger to his lips and pulled her back out of sight.

  “Gerry? It’s me.” Nancy recognized Professor Trainey’s voice. She strained to make out the words.

  “Yes, I know,” she heard the professor say into the phone. “It can’t be helped. Late tomorrow night? Yes, the camp should be quiet. No junior detectives to get in our way.”

  Chapter

  Eleven

  NANCY HEARD Trainey hang up and then watched him walk away.

  Ned was slumped against the wall, his eyes filled with misery. He stared at her. “You were right about the professor all along.”

  The bitterness in his voice surprised Nancy. Her heart ached for him. “I’m sorry, Ned,” she said, slipping her arms around him. “I kept hoping it wasn’t him, but—”

  “ ‘Junior detectives,’ ” Ned spat out. “And I kept telling you how much he respected and cared about his students. He thinks we’re a joke!”

  “He must be pretty desperate,” Nancy pointed out. “I don’t think he would have gotten involved if it weren’t for his money problems. And let’s face it—if he is involved, our investigation must really be getting in his way.”

  Ned’s eyes widened. “If? Of course he’s involved. You heard what he said. He’s planning something for tomorrow night. And he was talking to Turkower!”

  Nancy remained impassive. “I’ve got to admit, that surprises me,” she began slowly. “After what Gerald did today to save me, I was starting to think he was okay.”

  Ned was obviously confused, and Nancy realized that she hadn’t told him about her dip into the river. She took a deep breath and told the whole story. “Gerald pulled me Out,” she concluded.

  “I just can’t believe that someone I admired so much could be involved in something so awful.” Ned shook his head. “Trainey is such a hypocrite.”

  Nancy stepped back. “Look, Ned. I don’t have any real proof against the professor, just what Brad said, so let’s not jump to conclusions. What I really need to do is catch the poachers in the act, and it sounds like I might be able to do that tomorrow night.”

  Ned brightened a little. “Are you still up for that drive?” he asked. “I know I am. I’m sick of thinking about this mess.”

  “I’ll run upstairs for my jacket,” Nancy replied.

  When she came back down dressed for the outdoors she waved goodbye to Bess, who was dancing in a square with Jack. Her friend gave her a big grin, then Nancy went out to the parking lot. It was quite chilly, and she was glad to see that Ned had put the top up.

  “Feel like looking
at the moon from the shore of Yellowstone Lake,” he asked her softly as he started the Jeep.

  On an impulse Nancy leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

  He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Will you forgive me for being so pigheaded?”

  “I already have, Ned.”

  They’d just turned onto the parkway that ran beside the lake when Nancy said, “Ned, look. Somebody’s in trouble.”

  Parked on the opposite shoulder was a low-slung Italian sports car. The driver was standing with a flashlight pointed under the raised hood.

  Ned pulled over and then carefully turned around so he could light up the sports car. He leaned out and called, “Need help?”

  The driver moving toward them was very familiar. They had both seen that face on countless posters and CDs.

  “Is that who I think it is?” Ned said to Nancy.

  Nancy studied the man’s liquid brown eyes and curly, honey-colored hair. “It is. It’s Randy Dean!”

  “Hi there!” Randy stopped next to Ned’s door and leaned over to peer into the window. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

  “You have car trouble?” Ned asked.

  The rock star shrugged. “It looks that way. I went over a big bump a while back and heard a loud thump. Then, about half a mile back, the engine started sputtering. Now it’s stopped. Do you know anything about cars?”

  “We both know a little,” Ned replied. “We can take a look if you’d like.”

  “Great.” Randy backed away, and Ned and Nancy got out of the Jeep. He held his hand out to Ned. “I’m Randy Dean.”

  Ned grinned. “Yeah, we figured that out. I’m Ned Nickerson and this is Nancy Drew.”

  “Hi, Nancy.” She was surprised at how personable and open Randy seemed.

  Ned reached for Randy’s flashlight, clicked it on, and peered under the hood. Nancy joined him.

  They poked around under the hood for a few minutes, then Ned said, “I don’t know what’s wrong. Let me see if I can start it.”

  Ned climbed into the driver’s seat, but when he turned the key in the ignition, the engine only coughed and sputtered.