Fatal Ransom Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’ve been hurt worse than this lots of times! It’s all part of the job. I still think I can get Hal back. You can call in the police if you want, but I’d still like to continue working. A sprained arm won’t affect my brain. It won’t even affect my physical ability that much.”
    â€œNancy Drew,” Lance said, “I take it back. If you want to stay on this case, I’m all for it. And I won’t call in the police yet— in case the kidnappers meant it when they said they’d kill Hal if I did.” He started for the car again, and thengave Nancy’s left arm a gentle squeeze. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as dedicated as you. I wish Monica were more like you.”
    Nancy didn’t answer. She was thinking that the only thing she had in common with Monica was that they were both female.
    â€œI wish she had some direction in her life,” Lance said. “It’s so hard to get her to think about anything besides herself. If Monica were half as dedicated to something as you are to your work, she’d be—well, she’d be—”
    Nancy cleared her throat. “I’m sure Monica must have some good qualities,” she said, wondering what they might be.
    Lance held the car door open for her, then went around to the driver’s side and got in. For a minute he sat staring out the windshield at the crowded parking lot. “We used to care for each other,” he said. “But not anymore.”
    Nancy wasn’t sure what to say. “Things change,” she finally ventured.
    â€œBefore the kidnapping we had finally decided to break up. It was hard on both of us. Harder on her, really, I suppose. That’s why I told her she could stay at the house until she found a suitable place. Of course I’ll pay for her new place until she gets a job. She’ll probably choose the most expensive apartment she can find—but at the moment it seems worth the price.”
    That explained Monica’s presence—and her attitude, Nancy thought to herself.
    As they pulled out of the parking lot, Nancy told Lance what she thought he’d like to hear: “I’m sure everything will work out.”
    It wasn’t what she believed.
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    It was afternoon before Nancy was able to investigate the mall, as she had planned to do in the morning. She and George walked together, hoping to find anything that they could use as a clue.
    â€œI never come over here to shop, but I see what Lance meant,” Nancy said. “This mall is a hangout for a lot of punk kids.”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with punkers,” George said. “They’re just kids trying to make a different kind of statement.”
    â€œI know,” said Nancy, “but I am going to follow my lead on Hal’s crowd until I know definitely if they’re involved with this case or not.”
    â€œBut just because they dress differently from us doesn’t make them kidnappers!”
    â€œYou’re right,” Nancy said. “But Lance thinks Hal’s girlfriend, Amy, knows something about all this. And the last time Lance talked to Hal, Hal said he was going to the mall. I just feel there has to be a tie-in here somewhere.”
    As they finished their round of the mall, Nancy added, “Lance gave me a security guard’s name. I think I’ll go see if he’s on duty and check things out with him. Why don’t you go ahead and make another round while I’m gone? Keep your eye out for anyone who looks like Hal Colson or Amy Tyler.”
    â€œLove to, Nancy,” George said. “How will I recognize them?”
    Nancy showed her the photo of Hal Colson. “This is Hal. All I can tell you about Amy Tyler is that she wears punk clothes and she has weird hair. Orange spiked on the left side, shoulder-length purple on the right. Shouldn’t be too hard to find,