Later that afternoon, Nancy was sitting on the dock by Lake Mystery. She wondered how Frank was doing. Joe had driven him into town to the hospital and still hadn’t returned. As she watched the kids paddling canoes and swimming in the roped off area, her thoughts began to wander to what was going on at camp.

All she knew was her attacker was wearing bright green sneakers and there were only two counselors unaccounted for, Misty and Allan. But there was something else bothering her. Derek seemed very uncomfortable with Ned working closely with Steve. There were too many pieces that seemed to go different ways. The person that attacked her could have done that to discourage her from finding the saboteur. Or to convince Ned the job as Steve’s assistant was not as easy as it seemed. Or she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Hey Nancy!" a voice yelled from behind her. She turned and saw Ned standing by the boathouse. She quickly made her way toward him.

"Hey, Ned. What’s up?"

"I just got a phone call from Joe."

"Is Frank all right?" Nancy asked anxiously.

"All Joe said is they are going to keep him overnight," Ned said. "He is on his way back and will give us a rundown then."

"I sure hope Frank is all right," Nancy said glancing back at the water.

"He’s going to be fine," Ned said reassuringly.

"Hey Ned!"

They turned and saw Derek coming toward them. He looked angry.

"Hi, Derek," Nancy said as he got closer.

"You are a lousy excuse for an assistant camp director," Derek said ignoring Nancy’s greeting and stepping right up to Ned’s face.

"What are you talking about?" Ned asked glancing at Nancy.

"You’re supposed to keep the counselors in line, but it seems you’re more concerned about being popular."

"Derek, you’re talking nonsense," Ned said getting annoyed.

"Oh, really. I’m not the only one who sees what’s going on here. You’re giving special treatment to your friends."

"That’s funny," Nancy said sarcastically.

"Nobody is getting special treatment," Ned said firmly.

"Nancy and Frank are."

"Nancy and Frank were out looking for one of your kids," Ned said. "They went out without letting anyone know. We only found out after the kids told you."

"Steve needs someone who will keep their mind on their job, instead of their girlfriend," Derek said looking pointedly at Nancy.

"Steve has someone," Nancy said. "If you opened your eyes, you’d see Ned is doing a terrific job, no thanks to you."

"How can he do his job with you around?" Derek asked. "If I was in charge, you would’ve never been hired."

"You didn’t hire me, Steve did," Nancy stated.

Derek faced Nancy. "I’m the only one who isn’t afraid to say what I feel." Derek took a step toward Nancy making her take a step back. "Your little group of friends doesn’t belong here. You’ll ruin this camp’s reputation and it’ll close."

"You think we’re behind this, but we’re not," Nancy said. "But I think you know who is."

"You’ve flipped," Derek said.

"I think you’re the one trying to ruin the camp," Nancy countered. "You want this place to fail so no one will have any fun."

"You really need some help," Derek said. "You’re such a great detective that you’re barking up the wrong tree."

"So, you’re not involved?" Ned asked stepping up beside Nancy.

"No," Derek said. "This camp means as much to me as it does to Steve. Working here gives me experience and money to pay my way through college. If anything happened to this place, I don’t know what I’d do."

"For what it’s worth, I believe you," Nancy said. "Instead of fighting, we should work together. Do you have any idea who would want this place to close?"

"No," Derek said shaking his head. "Everyone want this place to be successful. No one wants this place to close."

"Thanks," Nancy said.

"I’ve got to get to the cabin," Derek said after looking at his watch. I’m sorry I misjudged you, Ned. I jumped to conclusions." He extended his hand toward Ned.

"It’s all right," Ned said shaking his hand firmly and Derek walked away from the lake.

Nancy turned and watched the canoes float along the lake. She began to wonder what was really going on at Camp Funtime. She wished she could talk to Frank, but she knew it had to wait until he was released from the hospital.

"What are you thinking?" Ned asked getting her attention.

"I have nothing to go on," Nancy said disappointedly. "All I have is the color of a pair of sneakers, a color no one seems to be wearing."

"Come on," Ned said. "Something will give you a clue and you’ll solve this mystery in no time."

Nancy smiled at Ned. Once again he was being so supportive of her. "Thanks."

"You’re welcome." Ned smiled back. "By the way, don’t forget tomorrow is the first competition among the counselors."

"What’s the event?" Nancy asked.

"I won’t know until tomorrow," Ned said. "Be prepared for anything."

"Hey guys!" someone yelled from behind them. Joe was hurrying down the path toward them. He had a smile on his face.

"How’s Frank?" Ned asked.

"He’s going to be all right," Joe said. "He’ll have to take it easy for a few days, but he’ll be fine."

"That’s good to hear," Nancy said and the three of them walked toward the dining hall. "He had me worried for a while."

"The doctor had to give him a couple stitches, but hopefully there won’t be a scar."

"When will he be released?" Ned asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Joe said. "I’ll go get him after breakfast."

"I’m sure he’ll be grateful to get out of the hospital," Nancy said. "He hates those places as much as you do."

"That’s for sure," Joe said trying to stifle a yawn. "Sorry, guys. It was a long night."

"Why don’t you get some rest?" Nancy suggested. "We’ll see you at dinner."

"I think I will," Joe agreed tiredly. "I’ll see you later."

Joe headed to his bunk. When he walked into the cabin, Joe realized once again the boys had left the place a mess. Clothes were strewn all over the floor along with miscellaneous sports equipment. For a moment, Joe thought he was in his room back home. His room looked the same way.

Too tired to care, Joe dropped down on his bed and rolled onto his side. As he nodded off to sleep, he thought he saw something green sticking out from under Allan’s bed.

*****

At lunch the following day, Steve announced the game all the counselors would participate in. They would be playing nine innings of softball. He also named the teams. He said, "Unfortunately one of the counselors will be unable to participate in today’s game. Instead of choosing one player to sit out on the other team, I’ve decided that Ned will take the injured counselor’s place." Steve smiled. "Now, everyone enjoy lunch and we’ll see you at the baseball diamond at two o’clock."

At that time, the counselors were on their benches choosing positions as the campers got comfortable on the bleachers. Steve chose the teams alphabetically. Nancy and George were on the same team as the Hardys while Bess was on the team with Derek and Allan.

Frank sat on his team’s bench to help cheer them on since Ned was taking his place. He was glad Joe had gotten him from the hospital as soon as he could be released. He wanted to be back at the camp.

The team, wearing blue shirts, were warming up off to the side as Nancy came over to the bench and sat down beside Frank.

She asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Frank admitted sliding his sunglasses off.

"He should be resting," Joe stated firmly as he came up behind Nancy.

"I promise I’ll rest after the game, MOM," Frank said. He looked at Nancy. "Have you had any luck figuring out who attacked you?"

"No," Nancy replied disappointedly.

The sharp shrill of a whistle broke the silence, followed by, "All players to their benches."

Ned jogged over to the bench to join the rest of the team. "I don’t think Bess is too happy about being on the other team."

"Are you sure that’s the problem?" George asked as they all glanced over at Bess.

Bess was holding her T-shirt and had a disgusted look on her face. The T-shirt was bright green in color and they all knew Bess preferred to wear clothes that were more stylish.

"Bright green," Nancy said looking at Ned, then the Hardy’s. They were all thinking the same thing.

"Steve," Nancy said getting to her feet and jogging over to him. "Who ordered the T-shirts?"

"I did," Steve replied. "Why?"

"How did you decide on the colors?"

"I just picked two colors."

Nancy made her way back to the bench deep in thought. She was grateful she wasn’t playing for a few innings. As she sat beside Frank, she wondered if someone could have chosen the colors for Steve. She glanced over at the other bench and saw the team had lined up to hit. She watched closely to see if any of them were wearing a pair of bright green sneakers.

"Nancy," a voice said 15 minutes later.

She looked up and saw George standing in front of her. Nancy asked, "What is it?"

"You’re in the game," George said handing Nancy the baseball mitt.

Nancy headed out to the field. Misty was in centerfield. Ned was on first base and Joe was pitching. Nancy tried to concentrate on the game, but was grateful when the inning ended quickly.

When they got back to the bench, Ned handed Nancy a bat. Ned said, "Give it your best shot."

"Don’t I always," Nancy smiled smugly, batting her eyelashes at Ned coyly. He just rolled his eyes and grinned.

She hit the first ball that came across the plate. She made it all the way to second base. Joe stepped up to the plate next. He hit the ball right between second and third base making Nancy stay where she was.

Misty stepped up to the plate. Nancy watched as she took a couple practice swings. The ball was thrown and Misty hit it hard. Nancy saw the ball speeding toward her and tried to dive out of the way, but it was too late. The ball hit her in the head and she fell to the ground.