Free Trail of Lies by Carolyn Keene

run.
    â€œWe’re in luck,” Craig said. “Steve’s dogs run well in deep snow. Some of the other teams don’t.”
    Nancy and George offered to help the boys get the team ready, but they refused.
    â€œThey get excited when there are strangers around, and we want to store up all their enthusiasm for the race,” Steve said.
    Several hours later Nancy and George drove to the state park where the trials were taking place. Once they turned off the main road, they had no trouble finding the spot. The parking lot was filled with trucks carrying wooden doghouses, and the sound of excited yipping filled the air.
    Craig and Steve were harnessing the last of the team when Nancy and George arrived.
    â€œI’m glad you’re here to see me win,” Steve said, smiling at George.
    Lindsay’s team was right near Steve’s, andshe must have overheard his words. “Pretty confident, aren’t you?” she called over.
    Steve grinned. “Just realistic. I’ve been working hard. Today I’m going to prove I’m a better musher than you.”
    Lindsay raised a skeptical eyebrow and turned away.
    A crowd was beginning to gather, and Nancy scanned the spectators, searching for Amanda. Though it was a work day, the trials had been arranged so that people could come on their lunch break. But there was no sign of the bookkeeper.
    Craig gave Thunder a gentle pat on his nose, then turned to Nancy. “Is your father coming?”
    Nancy thought it was better not to mention that her father and Henry were at the police station. It might upset Steve and weaken his concentration. “I don’t think so,” she replied. “He and Mr. Wilcox are at the office today.”
    Steve glowered at Craig. “You can bet your life Dad won’t come!” he said bitterly.
    Once again, the depth of Steve’s hostility toward his father surprised Nancy. She was dying to ask about it, but she held back. Just before Steve’s key trial was not the right time.
    â€œWhere’s the best view?” she asked. “George and I want to be sure we see everything.”
    Steve pointed to the opposite side of thefield. “If you stand over there, you can see the last turn and the finish line. That’s usually the most exciting place to be.”
    Craig nodded. “As soon as Steve takes off, I’ll join you there.”
    It was almost noon, and the teams were starting to pull into position, two to a row. As the two teams with the best cumulative scores of the season, Steve and Lindsay were in front, side by side.
    Steve flashed a smile at George, then bent down and spoke to his team. An instant later, the starting bell sounded.
    The teams were off!
    The course was a mile long, and when the trail wound into the forest, Nancy and George could no longer see the teams. There was, however, no doubt that the race was on. The sound of the dogs’ excited cries echoed through the trees.
    When the teams appeared a few minutes later, Steve and Lindsay were still even. Their lead dogs were in a dead heat. It looked as if Lindsay wasn’t going to let Steve win without a fight.
    Nancy watched the teams round the corner, then glanced at the crowd of spectators on the opposite side. Craig was still over there, talking to a man in a big fur hat.
    Then Nancy noticed John Tilden standingonly a few feet away. It seemed odd that John was there. He hadn’t struck her as a sled-dog enthusiast.
    When the first team emerged from the forest on the second lap, it was Steve’s, clearly in the lead. A second later Lindsay appeared, but the distance between Steve’s team and hers was growing.
    Soon Nancy forgot everything except the excitement of the race. Steve headed into the forest on the third lap, his lead undeniable. Then somehow Lindsay caught up to him, for both teams came out into the open together. Once again the dogs were running side by side. They stayed side by side for