"And you are?"

"Nancy and Ned Nickerson."

"One moment." The desk sergeant picked up a phone. After a few moments, the sergeant put the phone down and said, "The Chief will see you now. Go down the hall. It’s the last office at the end of the hall on the right."

"Thank you," Nancy said and started down the hall with Ned following close behind.

Nancy knocked on the door and a gruff voice told her to come in. She took a quick look at Ned who nodded. She turned the knob and opened the door. She saw a man in his fifties with white hair sitting behind the desk. There were piles of papers all over the room and several empty coffee cups. There were commendations hanging on the wall above the coffee pot.

"Hello, Chief," Nancy said extending her hand. "I’m Nancy."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you," the Chief said shaking her hand. "and you must be Ned, the detective the Hardy’s were talking about."

"Actually, I’m the detective," Nancy said.

"Sorry," the Chief said looking more than a little embarrassed. "I just assumed the detective was a guy when the Hardy’s didn’t correct me."

"It’s all right."

"Please have a seat," the Chief said motioning to the two chairs in front of his desk. As they sat down, he continued, "Now, if you would excuse me for one moment." Nancy nodded as the Chief picked up the phone and yelled, "Get those Hardy boys on the phone for me right now. I have a bone to pick with them,."

Nancy tried not to smile as the Chief set the phone down. "Now, how much did Frank tell you?"

"Frank told me there’s been some vandalism at the school. Some graffiti in the gym and most recently two computers have disappeared from the lab sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning."

"That’s correct. Frank’s told me that he has worked with you before."

"We’ve solved a few cases together," Nancy responded modestly.

"Good. Then let’s get started. I’ve already talked with Principal Cooper and he’s agreed to allow you to investigate. He’ll want to see you first thing tomorrow morning to give you your class schedule and touch base.

"Do you have any leads on who would be doing these things?" Nancy asked.

"There are several people who could be responsible. A group of kids started hanging out together a few weeks ago and they have been involved in several fights that have sent people to the hospital."

"So, there’s a possibility these kids are behind all this?" Ned asked.

"It’s possible," Chief Collig said. "We talked to the leader, a kid named Nathan Miles, but he’s claimed they weren’t involved."

"What does Nathan look like?" Nancy asked pulling out a small notebook.

"He’s about six feet tall with a shaved head. He’s also got a blond mustache and always wears black."

"He shouldn’t be hard to spot," Nancy said.

"Everything is all set," Chief Collig said. "If you have any problems, you could always count on help from the Hardy’s."

"Fine," Nancy said as she stood up. Ned also got to his feet. "Oh, just one more thing."

"What?"

"When have these incidents taken place?"

"During the night," the Chief said. "The doors get locked at ten and are unlocked around six in the morning."

"Okay," Nancy said. "I’ll see that I can come up with."

"Good luck," Chief Collig said.

Nancy smiled and left with Ned. As they walked to the car, Ned said, "They really don’t have much information."

"I know," Nancy sighed as she got into the car. "That’s just going to make my job a little tougher."

"So, where do we go from here?"

"Let’s go get some dinner. I’m hungry," Nancy said as her stomach grumbled. "We can plan the next move from there."

As Ned started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, he asked teasingly with a smile, "Hey, won’t you need some supplies for school?"

"I already have a notebook and some pens in my bag, thank you very much. Besides, I’m here to investigate, not get an ‘A’ in history."

"I would be impressed if you did."

"Just find us someplace to eat."

*****

The next morning, Ned dropped Nancy off at Bayport High School. She made her way up the front steps wondering if she looked all right. She had chosen a short blue skirt and an off-white blouse. She had her hair pulled back in a French braid. She found her way to the principal’s office and went straight to the secretary’s desk. "Hi, I’m Nancy Nickerson. I’m a new student here and this is my first day."

"Principal Cooper is expecting you," the secretary said with a smile. "Go right in."

"Thank you," Nancy said and she entered the officer.

Principal Cooper was on the phone and Nancy took the opportunity to study him. He was standing by the window overlooking the courtyard. He had slicked back black hair that was turning gray at the ends. Looking around the office, she saw there were certificates hanging on the wall listing various degrees. His office was well organized compared to the police chief’s mess. She saw he had a few pictures on his desk along with a mug with the words, "World’s Greatest Principal."

"Miss Nickerson," Principal Cooper said hanging up the phone. He extended his hand and shook Nancy’s with a firm grip. "I apologize for making you wait. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you," Nancy said as Principal Cooper motioned for her to have a seat.

"Well, Nancy, I hope you can help us solve this problem we’re having and quickly."

"I hope so too, sir. I spoke with the Chief yesterday about the situation. Do you have any idea who is responsible?"

"Not really," Principal Cooper said shaking his head. "Every year the senior class plays practical jokes. At first, that’s what I thought was happening when we found the graffiti in the gym. But someone taking computers is a different matter. It took three years for the Board of Education to approve the funds for them. Half the school records are entered into the software. I need to get them back."

"I’ll do the best I can," Nancy said.

"Good," Principal Cooper said shuffling papers around on his desk. "Let’s get on with it then. I have here a copy of your class schedule, a map of the school and a few hall passes so you can roam around during your free period."

At that moment the warning bell rang. Principal Cooper said, "I believe the young man who will be showing you around should arrive any moment."

"I can’t wait," Nancy said with a smile.