Free Let’s Talk Terror by Carolyn Keene Page B

and dusty air conditioner fitted into the wall. Racing to it, she gave it a swift karate kick, and to her great relief, it budged. After three or four morekicks, the old machine caved in a bit, creating a small hole for Nancy to breathe through. She gratefully took a few hurried gulps of air. Around her, the heat of the fire was rising. Horrified, Nancy peered into the hall and saw flames dancing across the floorboards at the top of the steps.
    Unless she could knock the air conditioner completely out, she was doomed and she knew it. Flames were even licking at the doorway of the little office she was in. Her only exit was blocked!
    â€œNancy!” Over the roar of the flames, Nancy heard George’s voice from outside—probably from the front of the building. “Nancy, are you in there?”
    â€œUp here, George!” Nancy screamed through the tiny hole. “By an air conditioner!” Below her, in what Nancy assumed to be an alley, she heard footsteps approaching and stop right below her.
    â€œGeorge, did you come in my car?” Nancy asked.
    â€œYes!” George called up to her.
    â€œCan you back it up under this window?” Nancy asked.
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œGood. There’s a rope in the trunk. If you can loop it around the air-conditioner supports, you might be able to drive the car forward and yank it free!”
    â€œGot it!” George yelled. In a minute Nancy heard a car backing into the alleyway. Behind her, flames were inching across the room. The smoke was making everything dark. Nancy felt as if she might pass out. She would have if it hadn’t been for the small hole letting air in.
    Suddenly the air conditioner was jerked, and Nancy knew that George and the car were working the supports loose. Just as the heat from the flames grew unbearable, there was the screeching of tearing metal and the air conditioner fell out, landing hard with a crash.
    In no time Nancy was through the hole, and holding on to the ledge, she lowered herself to the ground. Gulping fresh air, she looked down. The alley was about seven feet below her feet. Nancy braced herself and let go.
    She landed hard. At the impact, her lungs hurt—but she was alive! George put an arm around Nancy and helped her up. Together they staggered back to the car. “I’m okay, I really am,” Nancy gasped. “Now go call the fire department. I’ll wait here.”
    George took off, and Nancy climbed into the car. She backed it a safe distance away from the burning building, which was now fully engulfed in flame. One by one, the windows exploded, and flames shot out like grasping fingers.
    Nancy slumped over the wheel. “That callerwas right—somebody really means business,” she whispered, still trying to steady herself. “And something tells me it wasn’t Laura Salvo.”
    Just then George came back. “Are you okay?” she asked, opening the driver’s side door. “You look horrible.”
    â€œI feel wonderful,” Nancy rasped, coughing a couple of more times as she slid across the seat so George could get in. “How did you get here so fast?”
    George giggled and gave her friend a quick, tight hug. “I got to thinking after you left,” she told Nancy. “I didn’t know if Laura Salvo even knew your last name. I decided I had to come after you.”
    â€œThanks,” Nancy said with a smile. “Anytime you want to use your head to save my life, I give you permission.”
    The fire crew arrived moments later. “Smoke inhalation can be serious. You were lucky,” one fire fighter told her as Nancy took a dozen deep breaths from the portable oxygen supply they carried. “In fact, I recommend you get to a hospital to have your carbon monoxide level checked.”
    â€œCan’t,” Nancy said. “The person who set this fire is out there somewhere, and I’ve got to stop him—or