The Case of the Photo Finish Read Online Free PDF Page A

The rest was hidden behind the phone. I wasn’t really paying attention, anyway. You understand, I was busy doing my job.” He shrugged. “Look, I’m sorry, but we still have half the run to do. I’ve got to go.”
    â€œSure. Thanks for your help,” Nancy said.
    As the truck started moving, the man called out, “Good luck with your case!”
    Before driving off, Nancy thought over this latest development in the case. The white warm-up suit made it a safe bet that Marta’s threatening caller was involved with the high school games, either as a competitor, an official, or a trainer.
    She started her car and drove back to George’s house. Barbara Williams was coming down the walk as she pulled up, and the young reporter looked depressed.
    â€œYou didn’t get your interview?” Nancy guessed.
    â€œNope,” the reporter replied. “I tried every argument I could think of, but Marta’s trainer flatly refused. She wouldn’t let Marta say a single word. Just claimed she was tired and sent her to bed for a nap.” Barbara shrugged. “Oh, well, on to the next interview.”
    She pulled a sheet of paper from her briefcase and consulted it, then looked around. “Whit-worth Drive. Have you ever heard of it?”
    â€œI think it’s in that new development near the country club,” Nancy replied. She looked curiously at the sheet of paper. “What is that? May I see?”
    â€œIt’s just a list of the athletes and their hosts. It was in my press kit. I think all the athletes got one, too.”
    Barbara held it out to her, and Nancy quickly glanced at it before handing the list back. “I see. I was wondering how you knew where to find Marta.” And how Marta’s mysterious caller got George’s phone number, she added to herself. The list was further proof that the caller was someone connected to the games.
    â€œWell, I’d better get going,” Barbara said. “By the way, I didn’t catch your name.”
    â€œI’m Nancy Drew.”
    Barbara’s eyes widened. “The detective? I should have guessed! Say, are you planning to track down the person who threatened Marta Schmidt?”
    â€œI’m going to try,” Nancy admitted.
    â€œWhat a dynamite story! Will you let me in on what you find out? ‘Terror Stalks High School Games’—I can see the headlines now!”
    Nancy grimaced. She wasn’t sure she wanted the case getting a lot of publicity. It would only alarm the contestants and make everyone edgy, and that might interfere with her investigation.
    â€œMaybe later,” Nancy hedged, “but for now I’d like to keep this quiet.”
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    As she drove home, Nancy drummed her fingers on the rim of the steering wheel, going over in her mind everything that had happened that day: Cheryl’s “accident,” the spilled jar of honey that turned out to be stolen from Marta, and now the menacing call to Marta. Each girl seemed convinced that the other was out to ruin her chances in the meet. And maybe that was exactly what was happening, but somehow Nancy didn’t think so. The question was, who else would want to hurt them?
    Nancy turned into her driveway just as two people in white warm-up suits came down the porch steps. One was the Swiss girl, Annelise. The, other was a tall barrel-chested guy with bushy red hair, broad shoulders, and muscular arms. Nancy waved as she brought her car to a halt.
    â€œHello,” Annelise said as Nancy got out of the car. “We walked over to see Cheryl, but she is not in the house now. Oh—this is Ramsay Roberts. He’s from Canada.”
    â€œHi, Ramsay,” said Nancy. “Are you a runner, too?”
    He grinned. “With my build?” he said. “Not a chance! My events are the shot put and the discus throw. Are you into track and field?”
    â€œI’m afraid my