CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Once the friends arrived at the police station, Misty opted to go in, drop off the note, and be back out in a few minutes. The group was in a hurry to meet Mr. Drew at the Drew's house.

Misty got out of the van and took the note into the station. Walking up to the front desk, Misty rang the small, silver service bell.

Sergeant Bithers looked up from his paperwork. A brilliant smile fell upon his face as his eyes rested on Misty. He walked over to the front desk, "Hello! How is the investigation coming along?"

"Every minute brings a new surprise, but how did you know about it?" confusion spread across her face.

"Your father phoned in a few days ago asking about something or another and mentioned it," Bithers shrugged. "So," he rested his elbows on the desk and his chin in his hands, "What brings you here?"

Misty handed him the oddly folded paper, "Do you think that Chief McGinnis could check this for fingerprints?"

Bithers shook his head, "He's not in now and won't be for a few days; he's gone to North Carolina to help with a case. But I could have it done for you. When do you need it back?"

"As soon as you come up with the results," she answered, "It may be a hopeless attempt, but we thought we could try. I mean who knows how many prints are on that page!"

"You're right not to get your hopes up, but it is worth a shot. I'll phone you as soon as I can."

"Nancy, Ned, Mr. Nickerson, George, and I all held the paper, that much I do know. Maybe, just maybe, the note was wiped clean before handed to the thief that we are speculating had possession of it. Perhaps, the thief who stole the paper from Mr. Nickerson's press goofed and left some prints." Misty shook her head, "So far, though, everything seems to have been done by professionals…" she shook her head again and looked up at Bithers. He was studying the note carefully. He slipped it into a sterile evidence bag.

Immediately, Misty became shy again. She twiddled her fingers and looked down at her hands, "I suppose I should go now. The others are waiting for me in the van, and Dad found my death certificate -another lead that we plan to follow." As she turned to leave, the sergeant called after her. She turned and looked up.

"I know you're in a hurry, but I was wondering…" Bithers seemed to turn a little red. He cleared his throat, "Well…what I mean is…uh," he scratched nervously at the back of his head and looked down at the desktop. He stood up straight and looked up at Misty, "Do you think that maybe we could…you know…get together…sometime?" He looked hopefully into her green eyes.

Misty was so surprised that she could not utter a reply. It wasn't until she realized that the entire room had become silent and was staring at her, that she found her voice. Her face flushed a vibrant color as she stammered her answer, "Of -of course, anytime you'd like."

Misty made a mad dash for the door, casually. Just before the door swung shut she heard the room erupt in whistles and applause. She heard a man yell across the room, "Ooh, must be someone special to make old, smooth-talkin' Bobby blush and stutter!"

As Misty slammed the door to the van, she huffily buckled. The others in the van stared curiously at her. She looked up, her face reddening even further, "Are we ready?" she asked, a little breathless.

"Wha-" Bess began, but she stopped when Nancy shook her head and gave her a look. Bess cleared her throat and turned away.

"Uh…yeah," George recovered, "Next stop, the Drew's house. Is everyone still buckled?" They all affirmed that they were. George drove to the Drew house and parked behind Carson's black car.

"George, you'll need to take us all back to the park later so that we can retrieve out own vehicles." Nancy reminded her friend.

"Of course," George nodded.

Bess skipped to the garage/kitchen door, "Oh, come on you slow pokes! Am I the only one who's elated about this development?" The others smiled at her enthusiasm; they quickened their steps, anticipation building every moment.

Carson set his glass on a white, round coaster that set on the wooden coffee table in front o f him. "Well," he sat back against the beige couch in the Drew living room, "That's what I came up with. It's a standard death certificate. I'm not sure that I see what you're hoping to get from it, but you're welcome to have it. It's meaningless to me now…" He smiled at Misty, who sat on a matching recliner to his right. Nancy was snuggled next to her father on his left. Ned sat in a wooden rocker that was in the corner by the window to Misty's right. Bess sat on the far end of the couch, on the other side of Nancy, and George stood in front of the beige recliner to the left of Bess.

"It's a start. Thanks, Dad," Nancy gave her father a squeeze.

"Well, I must be off to work again," He kissed the top of Nancy's head and stood, "I will see you at supper." He turned to Misty and kissed her forehead as well. The friends sat in silence for a few moments after he left.

Bess's phone rang, cutting through the exhausted silence. She stepped into the kitchen and returned after her phone call. "George, we have to go home. Mama wants us to help her with something. Bye Nancy," Bess turned to go, "Goodbye Misty, Ned."

"Wait, George, I'll come with you, and Ned you had better come as well," Nancy stood to follow George.

"That's right," Ned stood, "We need to get our vehicles." They all waved to Misty and left.

"I won't be long," Nancy said to Misty.

"Would you stop by the store and pick up some tortillas and tomatoes?" Misty rose from her chair, "Hannah wants to have tacos for dinner. While you're gone, I'll start on supper- Hannah won't be back until later."

"Alright, that sounds fine to me. Do we need any mild Pace Picante? I know we have hot Pace."

"Yes, Hannah said that we have everything we need except for tortillas and tomatoes. She wants to make chicken tacos."

"I'll be sure to get them. I should be back in twenty minutes."

"Okay, bye Nancy." Misty said as she watched Nancy walk out the door and climb into George's back seat with Ned.