DISCLAIMER: You know the drill...

Chapter 19

The three girls sat paralyzed as the deafening buzz of a chainsaw cut through the still air. A few seconds later, they head a pop and a loud crack. Then it seemed as if the earth was moaning. A second later, there was an incredible crash. The girls, their hearts now slowing down after the fear, looked at each other and breathed again. George gave a wide grin.

"Timber," she said after the fact.

"A little later, don't you think?" Bess said, still kind of mad.

"Well, wherever Raybolt is, we can be sure that he wouldn't be near someone who is lumbering. Too much noise," Nancy said. "Still, the logging people might have seen him. Or at least his car. Come on, I don't think we're far. Let's head over there."

They started off again. The sounds of falling trees and chainsaws grew louder. They stepped into a clearing and in the distance they saw the operation of men. Land was being cleared for a housing complex. Nancy spotted someone who she thought was the foreman. He was tall and husky, kind of young to be a foreman. She made a beeline for him and smiled charmingly when he turned to her.

"Hi," she said and her friends smiled behind her.

"Hello," he replied, but he was confused. What were three girls doing plodding around in the middle of the woods? "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was wondering if you guys used that front entrance to get to this area."

He shook his head. "That's someone's property. We come in the back way. A little longer, but worth not getting sued. Where you coming to see the clearing?"

The man looked almost a little nervous. She realized that he thought she might be an inspector. She gave him a comforting laugh and shook her head. "We're not inspectors or anything, if that's what you mean."

The foreman breathed a sigh of relief and laughed as well. "You scared me. I was thinking that they were starting them off young. I'm Tim Murphy. Anything I can help you with? You looking for someone or something?"

"Yes, actually," Nancy grinned. "Have you seen a… a…." she searched for the right word.

"A bum in a shitty car?" George put in for her.

"Yeah, you know. All shabby and dirty-looking?" Bess added.

The foreman's answer surprised them. "In fact, I think I know who you're talking about. He was here. This development has been held up with permit crap and red tape. We just started up again a little while ago. Every time it would rain, we would go to this abandoned shack not too far from here. Two days ago we went over there and the guy scared the crap out of us. He came out with a shotgun and told us to get the hell off his land. He looked mangy and his clothes… well, they've seen better days."

"Did you see his car?" Bess asked.

"Yeah, some big black tank that looked like it was driven through World War II," Murphy replied, making a face. "That they guy you looking for?"

"Yeah, but if he's got a shotgun, we aren't going anywhere near the psycho," Bess murmured.

Murphy laughed. "You won't have to worry about that. He left."

Nancy's face fell. That shattered all hope she had of finding Raybolt. "When did he leave? Do you know?"

"Uh, sure. During the night I think. And it didn't look like he was coming back. He looked like a total hermit. I think he wanted to be alone and right next to a brand new housing development isn't the ideal place for a recluse. Can I just ask why you girls are so interested in a hobo like that?"

The girls all hesitated, Bess and George looking at Nancy for an answer. Murphy waited, interested. Nancy opened her mouth to respond.

"Hey, Murphy! We need you over here, pronto!" a worker called out, saving the girls.

Murphy smiled hurriedly at the girls. "Sorry. I have to go. Hope I helped."

"You did. And thank you so much," Nancy replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

The girls headed back to the car. They were silent, thinking to themselves until they had passed the spot where they had stopped before. Bess didn't whine or complain, so they kept going, but George spoke up.

"You think crazy shotgun guy was Raybolt?"

Nancy shrugged. "You know as much as I do. But whoever he was, he sure acted guilty of something."

"Yeah, but what if he was just some cranky old hermit who doesn't like people around?"

"Then why leave? If he was a hermit, he would have fought tooth and nail for his little place and for the housing development to go, not him. Again, he just seems guilty. Guilty and he doesn't want anybody around."

"Which makes me think it is Raybolt," Bess spoke up. "And it also makes me think that I don't want to go anywhere near Raybolt and his shotgun. I think we should give this up."

Nancy answer surprised both of the girls. "I would've agreed…if I were sure. But all we know is that there's a shabby hobo with a shotgun somewhere in the world. And I want Swenson out of jail, I want him out. I want that family okay for once in their lives and goddamn if I'll let a prick like Raybolt spoil that. I know that he and his wife are in on this together. I want to find him before he can leave the country."

"And you think he'll do that?" Bess asked, wide-eyed.

"I am positive. I've never been more positive of anything in my life. They're just waiting to collect on that fire insurance and they'll probably meet up in some foreign country."

"Probably France," George grated. "They'll blend right in there with their friend, the lovely Maplecroft Inn clerk."

Nancy smiled at her friend. "Speaking of which, who wants to eat lunch there?"

"Ha, ha. Ha, ha. Ha," George huffed sarcastically, flicking her off. "No thanks. I would like to stay unarrested by Mrs. Raybolt. And as much as I want to see my favorite little French asshole… no."

The girls drove to a nice roadside restaurant. They sat at a nice secluded table. There was a nice din of conversation so they couldn't be overheard.

"What I wouldn't give for that asshole's asshole wife to take the money and run. He wouldn't be able to do jack shit about it without getting caught," George muttered, playing with her straw.

"I wouldn't put it past her, either," Bess said. "That woman is the she-devil."

They ate, talking of other things, then Nancy mentioned that she wanted to visit Mr. Swenson. They nodded and headed out. They got to headquarters at about three in the afternoon. She asked to see him and the sergeant in charge of prisoners looked at a book.

"He was just brought to one of the waiting rooms," he said. His voice became a little sad. "His kid came to see him. Didn't want the girl to see him behind bars. His wife is there too."

"Really? We're really close friends of theirs. Do you think we could go back there?" Nancy asked.

The officer thought for a second, then nodded, leading the way. When Nancy walked into the room, Honey leapt at her. She hugged her excitedly, then moved onto Bess and George. She stayed cradled protectively under George's arm, the older girl gently stroking her hair. The Swenson's were happy to see them and gave them small, sad smiles. Mrs. Swenson looked like she'd been crying for a long time and her husband's eyes were red-rimmed.

"It was very sweet of Ned to bring us here," Mrs. Swenson said. "He said he'd come back in about an hour. He should be here in about fifteen minutes."

Nancy smiled at the woman. She told Mr. Swenson of her meeting with Baylor Weston and he brightened when he learned that his position was being held for him. Nancy looked back at George and gave her a look. George nodded understandingly.

"Hey, Honey, why don't we go see if Nancy has any candy in her car?" George suggested.

Honey, not as hyper as usual, nodded dumbly and followed the two girls out of the waiting room. She wasn't stupid, she knew her father was in trouble and she didn't know why. The thought scared her. Nancy was left alone with the couple. Joe was hugging his wife firmly and she began to weep again.

"You're the only one who can help us, Nancy," Helen wept. "You've been so kind. You and your friends and your father. Your father! We don't even have the money to pay his fee."

"Don't worry about that," Nancy said, waving her comment away.

"No, but Nancy, we-"

"Don't worry about it," she said in a final tone. "My father told me he's happy to help, trust me. And if there is a trial, which I don't think there will be, he'll continue to help. I'm hoping that I can prove you're innocence."

"The book you have may help," Swenson said guardedly.

Nancy nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. Mrs. Swenson was still crying softly, just now getting under control. Nancy smiled at the two of them then said goodbye, promising to send Honey in. She knew they wanted to be alone. When she walked out to the lobby, George, Bess and Honey were waiting, talking to someone who had their back to her. George's eyes slid past the guy and landed on Nancy. The person turned and flashed an impressive smile at Nancy. She grinned back.

"Hey Ned," she greeted happily. She turned to Honey. "Why don't you go back and talk to your Daddy for a while?"

Honey nodded. "Thanks."

They watched her go, then Ned turned to Nancy. "So. What do you think? George and Bess have been updating me."

"Good, then I won't have to and I can get straight to the juicy stuff," Nancy said, rubbing her hands together. "Swenson just told me that there is something in the diary that can clear him."

"He did?" Bess asked.

Nancy shrugged. "In so many words, but that's exactly what he meant. I'm going to call Mr. Peterson from the bakery and see if he's well enough to see me."

"You're nonstop, you know," Ned said with a amused, affectionate smile.

"Thanks. Anyway, I was going to pass by while on the way down to River Heights," Nancy said.

"So no chance for grabbing a bite or something while you're here?" Ned asked, his voice a little sad.

"Aw," George murmured. "Puppy love."

Ned made a face at her. "I was going to pay for you. Now you can eat all by yourself."

"Don't listen to her, Ned," Bess said, shoving her cousin. "She's a dickhead."

Nancy laughed and said, "Thanks, but we can't. However, don't plan on staying home too long. I'm going to need your help tonight."

"Are you now?" Ned asked. "What for?"

"I'll call you later. Keep your cell on," Nancy said, grabbing her keys from her bag. "See you."

George and Bess started out of the police station, Nancy following, when Ned grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. He kissed her quickly, gave her a knee-weakening smile and let her go. She stood for a second, trying not to loose all control of her legs, which felt like jelly and smiled back.

"See you tonight," he called after her as she left.