Mystery of the Midnight Rider Read Online Free PDF Page B

Payton.”
    Mr. Nickerson nodded. He handed the note to Ned, who read it with Bess and George looking over his shoulder.
    "Whoa,” George said.
    Mr. Nickerson grabbed the note back. "I think we’d better call Payton’s parents.”
    “And the police, as well,” Mrs. Nickerson added.
    “No, wait!” Payton’s face had gone pale. “Please don’t call my parents. I don’t want them to worry.”
    "That’s sweet, dear,” Mrs. Nickerson said. “But they’ll want to know their only daughter could be in danger.”
    "You don’t understand.” Payton bit her lip. "My parents are always pushing me to be the best. They wouldn’t want me to get scared off by some random jerk trying to steal my focus.” She smiled, though it looked forced. "They’d probably trot out that old line about how sticks and stones might break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”
    Mrs. Nickerson frowned. “Nonsense,” she said. "I know your parents always encourage you to do your best, but your safety is more important than anything, and I’m sure they’d agree. Hand me that phone,” she ordered her husband.
    "But what if this is just some kind of prank?” George spoke up. "Like one of Payton’s fellow riders trying to psych her out or something?”
    I guessed she was thinking about that girl from the schooling ring earlier. "It’s possible,” I mused aloud. “Someone from the show grounds could’ve followed Payton here and planted that note.”
    Mrs. Nickerson’s eyes widened in alarm. “All the more reason to notify the police!” she exclaimed.
    “Or maybe you just need to notify someone who might actually be able to figure out what’s going on.” George pointed at me.
    “Done.”
    Mr. Nickerson raised an eyebrow. “She has a point,” he said to his wife.
    "Yeah,” Ned agreed. "There’s no point getting Mr. and Mrs. Evans all riled up over nothing. Let’s let Nancy look into it first. If it’s just some prankster or crazy competitor, she’ll figure it out.”
    His mother glanced at me, seeming uncertain. "Well...”
    Meanwhile, Payton just looked confused. "Let Nancy look into it?” she said. “What do you mean?”
    “Oh, right.” Bess smiled. “Payton doesn’t know about our local sleuthing prodigy.”
    She and the others took turns explaining. Payton listened, nodding along but still looking skeptical.
    "Nancy Drew, girl detective—I know it sounds weird, right?” Ned finished with a chuckle. "But trust me, Payton. If anyone can help you, it’s Nancy.”
    "I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give her a chance to look into it a bit,” Mrs. Nickerson said slowly. She glanced at her husband, who nodded.
    "It’s worth a try,” Mr. Nickerson said. “But if you can’t clear things up quickly, Nancy—or if you sense any real danger—we’ll definitely be calling in the troops.” He put a hand on Payton’s shoulder. “And I want you to be careful until we know what’s going on, all right? We’ll keep an eye on you while you’re here, of course. But you might want to mention this to your trainer, so she can keep an extra-close watch while you’re at the show.”
    “Ned and I were planning to spend the day at the show tomorrow anyway,” I said. "We can help keep a lookout.”
    “And we can come help,” Bess said, and George nodded.
    "Thanks, you guys.” Payton sounded grateful. "I’m sure this is nothing. Really.”
    "All right.” Mrs. Nickerson still didn’t sound completely convinced. "We’ll give this a chance. But please let us know if you un-cover anything worrisome, Nancy.” She stood up. "Now we’d better get back out there before our other guests think we’ve abandoned them.”
    She hurried outside with her husband right behind her. Bess, George, and Payton headed out too. I started to follow, but Ned stopped me with a hand on the arm.
    "I have a confession to make,” he said once we were alone. "I, um, wasn’t planning on taking you to the horse show tomorrow.”
    "You weren’t? But