Free Out of Bounds by Carolyn Keene Page B

letter?” Bess urged. “You could call the police—”
    â€œAnd they could catch Pete in the act of handing over the money!” George finished for her cousin.
    â€œNot so fast, guys,” said Nancy, running a hand through her hair. “There’s nothing illegal about giving somebody money. Also, we don’t know why Pete’s being blackmailed, or what that guy Doc has to do with this whole thing. There’s a lot more we have to find out.”
    â€œYou’re right,” murmured George, leaning on an elbow with her cheek on her palm. “This case is weird.”
    â€œLet’s concentrate on what we do know,” Nancy suggested. “Sometimes that helps.”
    â€œWe know Edgar is blackmailing Pete,” Bess offered.
    â€œIt sure seems like that’s the case,” said Nancy with a nod. “But, remember, Pete doesn’t necessarily know who his blackmailer is. This letter is anonymous.”
    â€œTrue,” George agreed.
    â€œI think it’s rotten of Pete to accuse Cynthia ofstealing when he’s the one taking money from his own restaurant to pay a blackmailer!” Bess said in a sudden outburst.
    â€œHold on, Bess,” Nancy replied reasonably. “We don’t have any proof that Pete is stealing from Touchdown, though it certainly does look that way.”
    â€œAre you going to tell Cynthia what’s going on?” George asked.
    â€œMaybe I’d better,” Nancy said thoughtfully. “She’s been so anxious.”
    â€œThe news should help her enjoy the party more. I’m really excited about it—assuming Bedford beats Montvale tomorrow.”
    â€œAre you coming with us, or do you have to work, Nancy?” George asked.
    â€œI wouldn’t miss the game for anything,” Nancy said with a smile. “After all, Pete’s going to be there. And wherever Pete goes, I go.”
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    â€œIt’s all so incredible,” said Cynthia, shaking her head in disbelief the next day before the opening kickoff. “I can’t believe Pete’s stealing the money from Touchdown.”
    The stadium was packed for the big game, and anticipation was running high. Nancy, Bess, and George had gotten front-row bleacher seats just behind the cheerleaders’ bench. Cynthia was looking up at them, her eyebrows drawn together and her mouth open slightly.
    â€œWell, I can’t say for sure yet,” Nancy went on. Looking down on the field, Nancy saw Rob practicing tosses. “Oh, and Cynthia,” she went on, “there’s something else—it’s about Rob—”
    The referee’s whistle blew, signaling the teams to enter. A roar went up from the excited crowd.
    â€œIt can wait till later,” Nancy said. “You’d better start cheering. The team needs you.”
    â€œRight. See you later, Nancy. And thanks for all the good work.” Cynthia went off to join the other cheerleaders on the fifty-yard line as the players were introduced one by one. When Bill Ellman’s name was called, Nancy noticed a puffy white bandage around his finger. “Hey, Bess, what happened to Bill?”
    â€œOh, didn’t I tell you?” Bess said. “He broke his ring finger at practice yesterday.”
    â€œHe broke a finger?” Nancy said, amazed.
    â€œYeah, but he won’t let it stop him from playing,” Bess added.
    â€œThat’s incredible,” Nancy murmured, wondering if her friend was finally starting to tire of going out with a guy so obsessed with football. “How can he play with a broken finger?”
    â€œBeats me,” Bess confessed. “You know, I’m beginning to wonder about Bill. He’s so completely wrapped up in himself and the team. All I did was ask him if his finger hurt, and he told me it was none of my business.”
    â€œBess,” George said with a shake of her head, “maybe