As they left the library, Nancy said, “That was a waste of time.”

“It was a good place to start,” Frank said.

“So, what’s next?”

“Let’s go see Chief McGinnis.” He looked at Nancy. “He may have come across them and it didn’t end up in the papers.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

When they arrived at the police station, they were directed to the Chief’s office. They went in and saw Chief McGinnis sitting as his desk behind a pile of papers. The Chief looked up as they walked into his office.

“Nancy! Frank! It’s good to see you,” Chief McGinnis said.

“It’s good to see you again too,” Frank said, shaking the Chief’s hand.

“Have a seat,” the Chief said, motioning them to sit down. “So, what did I do to receive a visit today?”

“We’ve stumbled onto a case and need some help,” Nancy said.

“What’s going on?” Chief McGinnis asked, putting his elbows on his desk.

“Well,” Nancy began. She explained how she had been asked to look for Ethel’s daughter. She told the Chief how Ethel suspected her daughter to be in trouble.

Frank jumped in. “We know her daughter is hanging out with the tough-looking group. You might have seen them around town. They’re the ones wearing black leather jackets, vests and pants.”

“We were wondering if they’ve been in any trouble with the law. If there have been any crimes these people have been charged with,” Nancy said.

Chief McGinnis leaned back in his chair. He looked at both of them. He finally said, “Nancy, I want to help you, but I can’t. If there was a crime where this group was suspected, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.”

Frank saw Nancy look at the floor. Frank asked, “Is it possible Vicki could be in trouble with the police? Could you be looking for her?”

“That is the first time I’ve heard the girl’s name,” Chief McGinnis said. “If the police wanted her for anything, I would know about it. So, I don’t think she’s in trouble.” He looked at Nancy. “I wish I was more help.”

“You’ve helped us a lot,” Nancy said. “Thanks for your time.”

“You’re welcome.” Chief McGinnis got to his feet. “Just be careful, Nancy. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in July. I’m looking forward to your wedding.”

Nancy remained silent. Frank said, “Thanks for your time, Chief.”

“You’re welcome.”

Nancy remained quiet as she led Frank out of the police station. She knew it was time to find out where she stood with Ned. She needed to know if they had a future together. She knew the only person who could answer that was Ned. She had to talk to him. She had to know for sure if their relationship was over.

Nancy felt a hand on her shoulder. She stopped and realized she was outside the police station. She turned and looked at Frank. He asked, “You all right?”

“I’m okay.” She took a breath. She looked at her watch, then at Frank. “Let’s go get something to eat.”

“All right.”

They started for Nancy’s car. Once they got in, Nancy said, “But I want to make a stop first.”

Frank gestured toward the wheel. “You’re driving. You can go anywhere you want.”

“Okay.”

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Nancy pulled up in front of a building. She turned off the engine and looked at it. This building housed the office Ned worked in. Nancy said, “Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Okay,” Frank said.

Nancy got out of the car and approached the building. She knew she needed to talk to Ned. She knew this might be the only way to talk to him. She went into the building and approached the receptionist.

“May I help you?” the receptionist asked, smiling at Nancy.

“I’d like to speak with Ned Nickerson, please.”

“And who should I say is here?”

Nancy knew if she gave her name, Ned wouldn’t come. She repeated, “I’d like to speak with Ned Nickerson, please.”

The receptionist picked up the phone. A moment later, she set the phone down. The receptionist looked at Nancy. She said, “He will be out in a moment.”

“Thank you.” Nancy stepped away from the receptionist. She moved over to the window and watched cars pass by the building. She knew she was doing the right thing. She knew they both needed to know where they stood.

She heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Ned making his way toward her. Her heart started to beat faster. She missed him. She knew she loved him, even though he was scowling.

Ned moved over to her. He calmly asked, “What do you want?”

“I’d like a word with you,” Nancy said. “We can either talk here or outside.”

“Outside.” Ned turned to the receptionist. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Nancy went outside and Ned followed her. Once outside, Ned asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve got a question that I don’t know the answer to.”

“What’s the question?”

“Are we still getting married?” Ned stared at her. “I need to know. If we’re not getting married, a lot of things need to be canceled.”

Ned remained quiet. Nancy couldn’t believe Ned was going to say anything. She thought Ned would try to make up, but she realized she was wrong about him.

Nancy let out a breath. “I guess that’s your answer.” She pulled off the engagement ring. “This is your idea, just remember that. You can cancel all the plans we’ve made. You can also call all the guests.” She looked at the ring. “I should’ve never accepted your proposal. It was a mistake from the start.”

Ned finally spoke. “It wasn’t a mistake from the start. Our relationship changed.” He looked at her. “You changed.”

“I didn’t change. You did. I always help people when they need it. I always will.”

“That’s the problem,” Ned said. “You are so wrapped up in other people’s problems. You don’t care about me.”

“How could you think that? I’ve always cared about you.”

“You never showed it,” Ned raised his voice. “Everyone else was your top priority. Your cases always came first. I came second.”

Nancy heard footsteps on the sidewalk. She heard a voice ask, “Is everything all right?”

Nancy turned her head and saw Frank standing there. Ned asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Nancy called me.”

“I’m not surprised,” Ned said, shaking his head. He looked at Nancy. “I knew you would go to Frank.”

“Where is your head?” Frank asked. “I came to help Nancy. That’s the only reason.”

“That’s not the reason you’re here.” Ned pointed his finger at Frank. “You want to know something, you two can have one another. It’s over. The wedding is off.”

“Fine.” Nancy threw the ring at Ned. “Enjoy canceling all the wedding arrangements.”

Nancy turned and headed for the car. She got in and started the engine. When she heard the passenger door close, she drove off. She didn’t look back.

Nancy couldn’t believe it was over. She through that if they talked, they could’ve worked things out. She didn’t think anything would fix it now.

“Nancy,” Frank said quietly. She looked at him and he asked, “Are you okay?”

Nancy looked out the windshield. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady. She said, “I’d like you to come for dinner. I need to tell my dad what’s going on. I need someone there when I tell him.”

“I’ll join you.” Frank put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Things will be okay. I know it.”