Frank back to the infirmary with a cup of hot tea and saw Nancy had changed and was wrapped in a blanket. Frank handed her the cup and she took a sip gratefully.

"What did the nurse say?" Frank asked.

"That I’m fine and just need to rest.

Frank sat down in a chair across from her and said, "Tell us what happened."

Nancy sipped the tea and took a breath. "After the story by the campfire, I talked to Ned and Steve for a few moments. Then, started off toward the girls camp. I was looking at the stars when someone grabbed me. I think it was a guy, but I’m not sure. I was forced into the woods. When I tried to break free, I was hit in the head and blacked out."

"But who would do something like that to you?" Ned asked putting his arm around her.

"That’s one questions," Frank added. "The other is why."

"I can’t answer either of them right now," Nancy said. "But you can bet I’ll find out."

At that moment the door to the infirmary opened and Steve walked in. Steve said. "Joe told me they found you. Are you all right?"

"I’m fine," Nancy replied. "Just a bump on the head."

"I feel so bad this happened."

"You shouldn’t be, Steve. It’s not your fault, unless you were the one who forced me into the woods," she added teasingly.

"Nancy!" Ned shouted, pretending to be shocked.

"It’s okay," Steve said laughing. "I wasn’t the one who forced you into the woods. I just feel bad this happened to you. You’re such a nice person. I don’t understand why someone would want to hurt you."

"I don’t know why, yet, but I plan to find out," Nancy said determinedly.

"If you need anything, let me know," Steve said. "But right now, we need to get down to the lake for the swim tests. See you later."

"Wait, I’ll walk with you," Frank said and the two of them left Nancy and Ned alone in the infirmary.

Ned brushed the hair back from Nancy’s face. "Why don’t you stay here and get some sleep? That way I know you’re safe."

"I’m fine," Nancy said. "You don’t have to worry."

"After last night I am going to worry. I don’t want anything else to happen to you."

"Nothing will happen," Nancy said touching Ned’s face.

"All right," Ned said. "Just get some rest. At least here you won’t be disturbed by the girls."

"That’s true."

"I’ll come get you before lunch," Ned said.

"Okay."

Ned gave her a quick kiss and left the infirmary. Smiling to herself, she stretched out on the cost. She closed her eyes tightly wrapping the blanket around herself and drifted to sleep.

*****

Frank arrived at the lake just as the kids from his cabin were getting in the water from the dock. He saw Jamie standing alone by the boathouse. He walked up to him and asked, "How come you’re not in the water?"

"I don’t want to do this," Jamie said folding his arms across his chest.

"Why not?"

"These kids are different."

"What do you mean by different?" Frank asked.

"Their parents are not involved in politics."

"What does that have to do with it?" Frank asked, slightly annoyed. "Each of you comes from a different background, but when you’re here, you’re all campers. Where you’re from doesn’t matter."

Jamie was quiet for a moment, the said, "You’re right." He was grinning from ear to ear as he pulled off his shirt and ran down to the end of the dock. He dove into the water and started swimming laps with his bunkmates.

Frank watched as Jamie cut cleanly through the water like a professional swimmer. When Jamie got out of the water, Frank complimented him. "I’ve never seen such an experienced swimmer."

"Thank you. I guess it helps to spend summers at camps that specialize in swimming," Jamie responded with a shrug of his shoulders.

"It looks like it paid off," Frank said with a smile.

"Where were you this morning?" Jamie asked toweling off.

"Steve’s assistant Ned needed some help with something," Frank said as the five other kids came up to him. "We should head back to the cabin and get cleaned up for lunch."

"Do we have to?" Jamie asked.

"If you want lunch you do," Frank said. "Come on."

*****

After lunch, all the campers who passed their swim test split up and were involved in games on the basketball court and the baseball diamond. Those who needed some help were getting lessons. Some of the girls joined in the games while others sat on the bleachers talking.

Nancy was sitting on the bleachers watching a baseball game with a cup of tea in her hands. She had slept until lunch and her headache was almost gone. She saw Frank and Bess coming toward the bleachers. They climbed up and sat down beside her.

Frank said, "Ned wants us to keep an eye on you."

"I’m flattered he’s worried about me, but there’s no need. I’m fine."

"You know he’s concerned," Bess said. "How else is he supposed to feel when he finds out his fiance’ is missing."

"But I’m fine," Nancy said. "The guys found me. I had a little headache from the bump on my head, but I’m back to normal."

"Glad to hear it," a voice said from behind the bleachers. They turned and saw Ned standing there.

"What did you do? Hide your paperwork so you could come out in the sunshine?" Nancy teased.

"Actually, I finished it this morning," Ned said as he climbed the bleachers and sat down between Nancy and Bess as Bess slid over.

"I find that hard to believe," Nancy smiled. "I think you left your work to check on me."

"You’re wrong," Ned said and squeezed Nancy’s hand.

"Have you thought about what happened? Have you remembered anything new?" Frank asked.

"I still have no idea who it was," Nancy said turning to face Frank. "There could be someone lurking in the woods or it could be someone here at camp."

"Do you really think one of the counselors assaulted you?" Bess asked.

"It’s possible," Nancy said. "But there is no way to prove it." She gazed out at the field. "There is something familiar about the person who grabbed me that I can’t remember."

"I’m sure it’ll come back to you," Ned said.

"So," Bess said, "How do we find this attacker."

All three of them looked at Bess. They knew she hated getting involved in anything that could lead to danger. Frank asked, "Are you really volunteering?"

"Yeah, I guess I am," Bess said sounding surprised. "Someone hurt one of my best friends. I’m not going to let them get away with it."

"So, what do we do first?" Ned asked.

"All we know is the person who grabbed me has a deep and scratchy voice."

"Do you think you would recognize the voice if you heard it again?" Frank asked.

"Probably," Nancy said. "But I have this feeling whoever it was tried to disguise their voice."

"Hey guys," someone said behind them.

They turned and saw Derek walking toward them with Misty.

"Hey," Frank said. "Thanks for covering for me this morning."

"No problem," Derek said climbing up the bleachers. "But, could you do me a favor?"

"Sure," Frank said.

"Take over helping in the kitchen tomorrow after lunch. I’m supposed to go into town to meet my sister."

"Okay. It’s the least I could do."

"Have any of you seen Joe?" Misty asked sitting beside Bess.

"He’s probably playing basketball," Bess said.

"I thought he said he was going t play baseball," Misty said.

"So," Derek said changing subjects and looking at Ned. "I guess you guys got your work done this morning."

"I was glad Frank could help," Ned said.

"What did you need Joe for this morning?" Derek asked.

Frank and Nancy looked at Derek as Ned slowly asked, "Why are you so concerned about my work?"

"I’m just a concerned counselor," Derek said. "I don’t want anything to happen to this place."

Misty spoke up. "Rumor has it that you are searching for some lunatic that attacks young women in the woods. The rumor also goes that Steve is your prime suspect."

Nancy and Frank laughed. They realized word had spread quickly from the other night that they were private investigators and they were working on a case.

"That’s real funny," Nancy said.

"You know," Frank began. "With the way this rumor sounds, it makes me wonder if some of the returning counselors are jealous."

"Why would we be jealous of a bunch of losers like you?" Derek asked.

Frank looked at Derek knowing they had just been insulted. He remained calm as he said, "Maybe we aren’t the losers. Maybe someone can’t handle a newcomer getting a job that an experienced counselor wanted."

"Take a hike," Derek said getting to his feet. "This little group of yours will never make it through the summer."

Ned stood up, put a restraining hand on both their arms and said in an authoritative voice, "That’s enough out of both of you. If I catch you arguing, you’re both going to be leaving."

"I won’t jeopardize my job." Derek turned and walked away.

"What was that all about?" Nancy asked as Ned sat back down.

"Frank said it," Misty replied.

"Said what?" Nancy asked.

"Derek is jealous," Misty said softly.

"Is it all because Ned got the job instead of him?" Nancy asked.

"Yeah," Misty said. "From what I know, Derek has been here for the past nine years. When the assistant left last year, Derek thought he was a shoe in, but unfortunately he never finished college."

"It was still inappropriate," Ned said. "Especially with the kids close by. We’re supposed to be examples to them."

"You’re right," Frank said. "I am sorry."

"Excuse me," Misty said getting to her feet. She got off the bleachers and walked away.

"I hope it wasn’t anything we said," Bess said watching Misty go.

"I just wonder who got the rumor started," Nancy said.

"I think someone it trying to make us look bad," Frank said. "And I think it’s Derek."

"You guys don’t need to dig up a mystery," Ned said getting to his feet. "We’re here to work with the kids, not investigate the counselors."

"Ned has a point," Bess said. "You guys have been on so many cases lately, you think of one, even if there isn’t."

Frank and Nancy looked at each other. Bess had a point about the past few months. They had gone to extreme measures on the past cases and were still on an exhilarating high and itching for another case.

"You’re right," Frank said. "We need to focus on the kids. That’s why we’re here."

"I agree," Nancy said smiling up at Ned.

"Okay," Ned said. "I need to talk to Steve before Derek finds him. I’ll see you guys later."

"Bye," Nancy said and he left the baseball diamond. "I think I’m going back to the cabin to take a nap."

"You probably should," Frank said. "You need to get your energy back before the dance tonight."

"I forgot about that," Bess said.

"I’ll see you guys later."

"Have a good rest," Frank said as Nancy headed back to her cabin.

As she walked back to her cabin, Nancy wondered if someone was lurking in the woods again. She felt a little uneasy even though the sun was high in the sky. She couldn’t figure if the attacker was one of the counselors or some stranger.

As she walked into the cabin, she noticed how quiet it was. She stretched out on her bed and thought about the night before. She wondered how the person was able to sneak up behind her. Nancy knew the trail led all the way around the camp, but there were several different starting points. Two were down by the lake, one on either side of the boathouse, one was off the back of the craft cabin. Another pair of paths started at the boys camp and at the girls camp. The last entrance was off the dining hall. She had to figure out if where she ended up was near or between the hiking trail.

Drifting to sleep, she figured she’d check the spot before breakfast the following morning