Trial By Fire

“Bruised, not broken, but they won’t let me go yet. Tests or something. I think it’s just an excuse to keep me here. How’s your father?”

“He’s okay. He’s at the office. Do you need anything?”

Immediately A

“What did he say?”

“He has another tip for me, but this time he wants to tell me in person. He asked me to meet him at the Grand Cinema on Shepherd Street at the first matinee. It starts at twelve-thirty.”

“Uh-oh,” Nancy said. “I guess you’re not going to be able to make it.”

“I can’t even sneak out. I’ve got a police guard now, and his orders are to see that I stay put. They may even place me in protective custody, if I’m not in it already. Can you make this meeting for me, Nancy?”

“Sure. I’d be glad to.”

“Terrific! He said to sit in the aisle seat, left side, next to the last row. And call me back as soon as you can.”

“If you’re still there, I’ll come by the hospital.”

“Great. I’ll be waiting for you. And thanks, Nancy.”

Nancy hung up and sprinted for the bathroom. She’d have to hurry to get to the Grand in time.

Carson Drew was coming in as she was leaving, his briefcase stuffed to overflowing. “Some reporters followed me to the office,” he explained. “They were driving my secretary crazy. If my being there is going to cause chaos, I decided to work at home.”

“Any word on the pretrial hearing yet?”

“Not yet. Where are you off to?”

“A

Her father shook his head. “He’s not in, or not taking my calls. I’m stumped, Nancy. I thought I knew him. Friend for twenty years, card partner once a week for most of that time-it doesn’t make sense.”

“I’m sure it’s just a big mixup,” Nancy said, although she no longer thought so.

Her father took her hand and stared into her eyes. “Nancy, before you go, you have to promise me you’ll be very careful. After what happened last night, we know these people are playing rough and for keeps.”

Nancy nodded. “They must be desperate. I have to find out what they’re so desperate about. But don’t worry. I’ll watch out for myself.”

“Promise?” Her father peered at her intently.

“Scout’s honor. See you later.” She kissed his cheek and left, hoping she wasn’t wasting valuable time on this errand for A

The Grand was an old movie house living out its last days by showing film classics at discount rates to college students and senior citizens. Nancy paid for her ticket and went in. The movie, Sons of the Desert, starring Laurel and Hardy, had just begun.

Nancy slipped into the aisle seat on the left in the next-to-last row. Then she looked around. There were no more than a dozen people in there, most of them down in front close to the screen. No one moved, and no one checked to see if she had arrived. She hoped A

Nancy loved Laurel and Hardy, and before long she was caught up in the film. Every now and then she glanced around, but no one approached her. No one seemed the least bit interested in her.

One-thirty, and A

Nancy shifted in her seat, relaxed, and gave the two fu

“Well, well. Who do we have here?” a voice whispered. “You’re Drew’s kid, aren’t you? I saw you on the TV news this morning. You aren’t who I was expecting-but you’ll do. In fact, you’ll do just fine.”

Chapter Four

Nancy tried to slip from the man’s grasp-and instantly regretted it. He tightened his grip painfully.

“Make the wrong move, and the last thing you’ll see will be one fat guy and one ski

Nancy nodded, forcing herself to stay calm. She had to keep cool and carefully watch for a time to escape. Then she realized she wouldn’t be able to watch anything. The man was slipping a blindfold over her eyes. Then he slapped a strip of adhesive tape across her mouth. Pushing her forward in her seat, he tied her hands behind her back.

“Okay, now, little lady, we’re leaving,” he hissed. “Let’s go.”

Nancy wondered desperately whether any of the people in the front rows had noticed what was going on, but it seemed that she and her captor weren’t attracting any attention at all.

Yanking Nancy to her feet, her captor led her up the aisle a few feet and turned right. Nancy had checked out the theater and the surrounding area just after she parked her car. She was sure the man was taking her out a side door to an alley. When a soft breeze brushed past her cheek and ruffled her hair, she knew she had guessed correctly.

She heard a car door opening. “Head down,” the man barked, and pushed her forward. “On the floor, and no tricks.”

Moving carefully, Nancy wedged herself into the space between the front seat and back seat. Then her captor slammed the door.

The floor felt gritty, and the interior smelled musty and old. Nancy struggled to find a more comfortable position.

“Hope you’re cozy back there,” the man said nastily. “I don’t want damaged goods-yet.”

Nancy’s mouth went dry. Her mind was racing. Who was this guy? Nancy decided he couldn’t be the same person who had given A

The engine coughed, rattled, then roared to life. Nancy waited until she was sure there was no one else in the car with them. Then she began to rub her temple stealthily against the edge of the back seat, trying to move the blindfold enough to see a little. It seemed like ages before she got a glimpse of the worn rubber mat she was lying on. It wasn’t much, barely better than nothing.

Then she went to work on her bonds. The man had done a sloppy job. One of the knots gave a little, freeing a six-inch length of cord between her wrists.

Suddenly a radio crackled to life, and Nancy froze. After a few seconds, Nancy realized it was a CB. Her captor began talking so softly that she had to strain to hear.

“Lucked out. Granger didn’t show, but guess who did? Drew’s daughter.”

“His daughter! Hey, wait, Wes-”

“No names! The kid’s not deaf.”

“Oh. Yeah. Are you sure taking her is smart?”

“Very. When we call him and offer to exchange his baby girl for the name of Granger’s source, what do you think he’s going to do?”

Nancy stiffened. How stupid she had been!

“Suppose Granger hasn’t told Drew the name?” the voice on the radio said. “Reporters are fu

“If she hasn’t, she will now. Especially if she knows this kid’s life is in her hands.”