Free The Wrong Track by Carolyn Keene Page A

me.”
    Nancy smiled at the ski instructor. “Thank you,” she said softly. She didn’t know if Ben was telling her the truth—either about his not beingthe thief or about how he wouldn’t tell anyone that she was “investigating” the theft at Tall Pines. Could she really believe him?
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    â€œOf course I understood,” Sheila said when Nancy went to call on her at her condo. “Come in. Karl and I felt just awful when we heard what happened last night. Are you all right now?” she asked, her crystal blue eyes showing her concern.
    Nancy’s smile was brave, and Sheila wouldn’t have guessed how queasy she still felt. “I’m fine, really,” she fibbed gracefully. “I’d like to interview Karl if I could,” she said after she and Sheila were seated on the couch. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Sheila said. “He had some kind of problem to handle this morning.” She tapped her fingers nervously on the arm of the couch. “My husband’s too trusting. I mean, who else would hire a person with a criminal record?” she blurted out.
    Sheila must have realized what she had let slip because her mouth instantly clamped shut. Before Nancy could question her further the phone rang, and at the same time there was a knock at the door.
    â€œWould you get the phone?” Sheila asked Nancy as she hurried toward the door.
    Nancy picked up the receiver that was on an end table beside the couch.
    â€œI’ve got what you want,” a man announced before Nancy could identify herself. “Meet me at that unfinished building tonight at ten.” Withoutwaiting for a response the man hung up. Nancy put the receiver down, completely puzzled by what she had just heard. Who was the man, and what did he have? What unfinished building was he talking about?
    As she thought over the man’s words Nancy remembered seeing Sheila the day before with the man in the black fedora by the new pond. There was an unfinished building there—the snack bar. Maybe the caller was the same man.
    â€œAren’t these gorgeous?” Sheila came back into the room, her arms filled with flowers. “Karl sent them.” She sniffed deeply.
    â€œThey’re beautiful,” Nancy agreed.
    Sheila placed the floral arrangement in the middle of the coffee table and touched one of the petals. “This is a very rare iris,” Sheila told Nancy as she sat down again. “Who was on the phone?” she asked, curious.
    Nancy told her about the man’s call, careful to watch the woman’s reaction. “He didn’t leave his name,” she said.
    Sheila flushed. She fingered the iris petal again, and Nancy could see her hand trembling. “He must have the anniversary gift I want for Karl.” Sheila’s words were spoken hesitantly, and her eyes never once met Nancy’s.
    Nancy had a strong suspicion Sheila was lying and decided to ask her about the day before. “Didn’t I see you near the skating rink yesterday?” she asked. “I wanted to try it out but didn’t know it wasn’t finished yet.”
    The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “No, it’snot done yet. You must have seen me there with the, uh, contractor. Karl asked me to meet him.” With that she got up off the couch, picked up the flower arrangement, and nervously paced the room. “Now where should I put these?” she asked absently.
    It was obvious to Nancy that the woman was hiding something. But what?
    Sheila set the bouquet down on a nearby table and checked her watch. “Oh, Nancy, I’m so sorry,” she said. “I just remembered I have an appointment in ten minutes, and I haven’t even finished getting ready. Would you excuse me?” she asked, giving her a tense smile.
    Nancy nodded and stood up. “Sure. Tell Karl I’ll be in