"Good morning," he said. "What can I do for you?"

Principal Cooper closed the door and Nancy said, "I was wondering who has a chance at being valedictorian."

"There are three people who have a good chance. One is Mike Nusseman. He’s had four point zero grade point average since elementary school. Then there’s Debbie Stellar. She’s been getting straight A’s all through high school."

"And the third person?"

"Frank Hardy."

Nancy wasn’t surprised Frank was a contender for valedictorian. She knew he was smart and she could easily picture him at graduation giving the speech to his classmate and their families.

"Have there been any scholarships set up for the valedictorian?"

"All three of them have been offered scholarships," Principal Cooper said pulling out a file. "But there is also a special incentive. For this year’s valedictorian, a fifty-thousand dollar cash reward has been put up for our top student. As for each student, Mike has been offered scholarships for teaching. Debbie has been offered a few for medical school.

"Medical school?"

"Her father has a practice. He’s prepared to make it a family practice when she gets out."

"Her science grades must be real high," Nancy commented.

"She’s earned perfect scores since junior high in her science classes. She is a bright girl. Is that all you needed?"

"It’s a start. Thanks for talking with me," Nancy said. "I need to get to class."

"Anytime," Principal Cooper said and she left his office.

As Nancy walked to her homeroom, she thought about the intruders on Monday night. They had gone directly to the science labs. Debbie had the biggest reason to steal tests if she needed to prove to her father she was able to become the doctor he wanted her to be.

By noon when school was dismissed, she had even more questions. She had taken her literature test early in the morning since classes were compacted in time and had trouble concentrating. She had more questions about the case and was getting more concerned about Frank as every hour passed. She also hoped Frank would be given another chance to take the test when he was found. He had an opportunity ahead of him and she couldn’t stand it if he missed it because he had been kidnapped.

She walked out the door and saw Ned waiting in the car. He wore his suit jacket and tie to look as if he was a business man. As Nancy opened the door, she heard someone yell, "Nancy!"

Turning, she saw Joe coming toward her. When he reached her, she asked, "Any word?"

"No," Joe said. "Why don’t you meet me at the pizza parlor after the doctor’s appointment. We can plan our next move from there."

"Good idea," Nancy said. "We’ll see you later."

"Bye," Joe said and walked off.

*****

Ned and Nancy arrived at Dr. Stellar’s office ten minutes early. Ned filled out all the paperwork and told the receptionist he was going to pay cash.

Nancy was called in a few minutes later. A nurse checked her height and weight and told her to have a seat on the exam table. As she sat there, she noticed the room was comfortable. Deep down she hated doctor’s offices, because there were too many things that could happen.

After a soft knock, the door opened and a man in his late forties walked in followed by the nurse who had noted her height and weight. He had graying hair and bright blue eyes. "Hi, Nancy. I’m Dr. Stellar."

"Hi," Nancy said and the doctor took her pulse and blood pressure.

"So, how have you been feeling?" Dr. Stellar asked writing on a clipboard.

"Pretty good except for some tightness in my chest," Nancy said. "Are you related to Debbie Stellar?"

"That’s my daughter." A smile appeared on his face. "I’m really proud of her. She’s a good kid."

"You sure do sound like a parent proud of their children," Nancy said with a smile.

"All right," he conceded. "I may be biased, but she is just a wonderful kid. What makes me even prouder is the way she had turned herself around to get into medical school."

"How’s that?"

Dr. Stellar put a stethoscope to her back and listened to her breathing before answering. "Well, she used to have a hard time with science in elementary school. But when she got to junior high, she was finally able to understand the concepts and started getting good grades. It’s like the old cliche’ if you put your mind to it, you can do anything."

"I’ve seen her around school wearing the black leather jacket and a really neat purple and pink feather earring."

"She considers that earring a good luck charm," Dr. Stellar said putting the clipboard on the desk. "You seem to be fine. Tell your brother there’s nothing to worry about."

"Thanks for seeing me, Dr. Stellar," Nancy said getting to her feet.

Nancy walked into the waiting room and saw Ned sitting reading a magazine. He looked up quickly got to his feet. "Does everything check out?"

"I’m fine," Nancy said. "No sign of recurring pneumonia."

"Then let’s get out of here," Ned said. He paid the receptionist and they left. When they got to the car, he asked, "What did you find out?"

"Dr. Stellar is really proud of Debbie because she’s turned herself around," Nancy replied. "Is it possible for someone to change in a few years?"

"I don’t understand."

"Dr. Stellar said that Debbie had a hard time with science through elementary school. But when she got to junior high, she started to get good grades."

"And you think she’s been cheating since junior high," Ned concluded.

"It’s possible. She could have found a way to access all the science tests and has been cheating all through high school."

"But you need something to prove she’s been cheating."

"I know," Nancy sighed. "Let’s get to the pizza parlor. Joe should be waiting."

*****

When they arrived at the pizza parlor, there were two dozen kids inside eating a late lunch. They walked in and Nancy noticed Joe sitting in one of the booths by himself. As they got closer, they saw Joe had already ordered a pizza. He was picking at the slice on the plate in front of him.

Joe looked up once they were seated. Nancy had never see Joe look this bad. He had huge bags under his eyes and his face showed the lack of sleep.

"Hey. Anything?"

"Nope," Nancy said. "I wish I had some encouraging news."

"I wish I knew Frank was all right," Joe said. "That’s what’s bothering me the most." Joe pushed his plate away. "Go ahead and help yourselves. I’m not hungry."

"Joe, you have to think positively and take care of yourself," Ned said. "Frank will be fine."

"Deep down I know he can get out of any situation," Joe said. "But its been two days."

"Joe, we’ll find him," Nancy said. "And when we do, you’ll realize you were worrying for no reason."

"You’re probably," Joe said, but still picked at his pizza.

As Nancy ate the pizza, she tried to figure out what their next move would be. She knew they had to find out who was really involved. She was deep in thought when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She turned her head quickly and looked up. Nathan was standing there. "Hey, beautiful."

Nancy glanced at Ned and Joe. She turned back and asked, "Can I help you?"

"Come here," Nathan said pulling Nancy to her feet.

"Let her go!" Ned said sliding out of the booth.

"Mind your own business," Nathan said putting her hands around her waist. "I want to have a chat with the new girl in town."

"Nathan, take your hands off me," Nancy said pushing him away. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Since you’re new, I was going to see if you wanted to see some of the more colorful sites in Bayport," Nathan said with a wink.

"Like what?" Nancy asked.

"Some nice, quiet places where two people can get to know one another."

"Nancy, you are not going with him," Ned stated.

"Why not?" Nancy asked turning her back on Nathan and giving Ned a quick wink. "You may be my guardian, but you don’t own me."

"I don’t like the looks of him," Ned said. "And we are not going to repeat what went on at the last school."

"Those break-ins were not my fault," Nancy said glad Ned was playing along. "The cops wanted to pin something on me, but they didn’t have anything."

"You aren’t going anywhere with him," Ned repeated.

"I’ll stop her," Joe said getting to his feet.

"In your dreams," Nancy said grabbing her purse. She mouthed, "Follow us."

Nancy walked outside with Nathan. He led her over to a blazer and helped her get in. She looked at the pizza parlor and saw Joe paying the cashier. Nathan got in and started the blazer. He revved the engine, then hit the gas. Nancy asked, "Where are we headed?"

"Someplace we can talk."

"About what?"

"Were you really caught for breaking and entering?"

"They didn’t have anything on me," Nancy laughed. "The locks were so easy to get into."

"You know, I could probably use your help with some work," Nathan said glancing over at her.

"Forget school work," Nancy said. "I’m not doing too well myself."

"I’m not talking about schoolwork," Nathan said pulling over.

Nancy saw they were parked on a cliff overlooking the bay. Nancy said, "I have never seen anything like this before."

"It’s a cool view," Nathan said getting out. He came around and opened the passenger door. he helped her out and they stood at the front of the blazer gazing out at the bay.

"Wow," Nancy said. "This is such a nice place."

"It’s even better at sunset," Nathan said putting his arm around Nancy’s shoulder.

Nancy pulled away turning to face Nathan. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I want to know you better," Nathan said touching her face. "You can do a lot better than Joe Hardy."

"I actually have eyes for his brother, Frank," Nancy said. "It’s just a shame he was kidnapped."

"Yeah," Nathan said sarcastically. "That’s a real shame."

"You don’t seem to care."

"Frank and Joe Hardy seem to put their noses where they don’t belong," Nathan said. "A lot of people don’t care for the two of them. Frank is probably hiding and the papers said he was kidnapped to give them some publicity."

"But that doesn’t explain why he’s missing," Nancy said walking toward the edge of the cliff. "Have you seen Joe Hardy? He’s tired and worried. If this was a publicity stunt, he’d look normal."

"Why are we talking about the Hardy’s?" Nathan asked coming up behind her. "Let’s talk about us."

"Us?"

"Yeah." Nathan put his hands on her shoulders. "I have been admiring you since the first time I saw you."

"Thanks," Nancy said pulling away.

"Where are you going?" Nathan asked pulling her back.

"To get a better look at the bay," Nancy said moving toward the cliff.

"Follow me," Nathan said heading into the woods. "There’s a much better view around this way."

"I think this view is just fine," Nancy said getting an uneasy feeling.

"Come on," Nathan said grabbing her hand and leading her into the woods.

"Where are we going?" Nancy asked.

"Someplace interesting." Nathan led her into the woods. She felt the hair standing up on the back of her neck. She didn’t like the idea of going into the woods. They just stepped behind the trees, when all of a sudden, Nathan swung Nancy around and pushed her against a tree. He held her securely in one hand. He demanded, "Tell me how to break into locks."

"What?"

"Tell me how to do it."

"No," Nancy said struggling against his grasp. "Why should I tell you anything. What is wrong with you?"

"Tell me," Nathan growled as he slid his hand around Nancy’s throat and started to squeeze.

"No," Nancy gasped trying to pry his hands off her throat as dots danced in from of her eyes from the lack of oxygen. "You’re hurting me."

"I think you should tell me if you want to get back to town alive."

"I don’t know how to break into locks," Nancy muttered between gasps for air. "I thought I could impress you."

Nathan released her suddenly and Nancy slid to the ground gasping. Nathan said, "It’s a shame you don’t know."

Nancy turned her head just in time to see Nathan grab a broken tree branch and swing it toward her head. She tried to dive out of the way, but the limb connected with the back of her head and she blacked out.