Free Close Encounters (Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective Book 21) by Carolyn Keene

wouldn’t be here, would I?” she replied testily.
    “Probably not,” he said. I could see he was trying to humor her. “But start from the beginning. What’s all this about your brother going missing? More to the point, what in the world does this have to do with one of your dogs?”
    Upon hearing the officer’s words, I instantly realized two things. This woman was Aldwin’s sister. And while the mayor knew about the dognapping, the officer didn’t.
    I found that latter bit decidedly odd. Almost as oddas seeing who chose that moment to slide out of the driver’s side of the pickup truck.
    I recognized him immediately as Nathan Blackman. That’s when I remembered where I’d heard of the Nichols farm. Blackman was renting one of the farm’s chateau cabins.
    He leaned back against the cab of the truck. His expression was decidedly amused as he watched Addie May begin her story.
    She explained how Aldwin discovered Sherlock had been dognapped. “Then, after the troopers left, Aldwin came into the house. I was in the basement doing laundry. When I came back upstairs, he was gone. At first I thought he’d headed off to look for Sherlock, but then I found his cane on the porch. He couldn’t have gone far without it.”
    “Probably those aliens teleported him clear off the porch,” Nathan said, his voice mocking.
    Though I still wasn’t sold on the alien abduction scenario, I couldn’t stand Nathan’s sarcastic tone. “And exactly what do you think happened to Aldwin?” I challenged.
    He shrugged. “Beats me. First a dog goes missing, then the dog’s owner. Maybe it really is aliens, or . . . who knows? So many new folks in town could mean some foul play.”
    I found Nathan’s suggestion curious. I couldn’t shakethe feeling that the guy was up to no good. Then again, maybe I was being unfair. Just because he looked scruffy and eccentric didn’t mean he was up to no good.
    I had learned a long time ago to trust my instincts, though—and my gut feeling about Nathan Blackman said there was more to him than met the eye.
    The more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed that a science fiction writer might very well benefit from living in a town where aliens were rumored to abduct people and their pets. It was the perfect place to write an eyewitness report. With the publicity he’d boost his chances of getting a more lucrative deal for his next book.
    Since he lived on the Nichols farm, it would be a cinch for him to lure Sherlock away. As for Aldwin . . . I shuddered at the thought. Luring either of them might be easy, but keeping them hidden would be nearly impossible—unless he had done them some real harm.
    I decided I had to get back to the farm and somehow check out his cabin when he wasn’t around.
    Just then Addie May stood up straighter. Apparently, talking to Officer Cargill had calmed her some. They shook hands, and I overheard the officer tell her that perhaps Aldwin got a ride from someone who offered to help him look for the dog. With any luck he’d be home by the time she got back to the farm.
    “I doubt it,” Addie May said, “but just in case, I’dbetter head home now. I sure hope you’re right, Larry Cargill.”
    As she and Nathan left, I realized I’d have to wait to search the writer’s digs. I could check him out on the Internet once George’s computer was available, though. With that in mind I went back inside. George had righted one of the tables and was doing something to Winnie’s laptop. As I approached, she looked up.
    “Just the person I want to see,” she said. “Can you give me a lift back to the inn?”
    “Aren’t you going to work on Winnie’s website?”
    “I am,” George said. “But I’ve already transmitted all the files I need from her computer to mine. I’d rather work in the quiet of our room than here,” she explained.
    “I’ll get Bess,” I said.
    When I found her, Bess was in the middle of fixing Winnie’s back door. Joel was holding