What did you think of the last chapter? Too angsty? I felt I needed a flash back chapter to clear things up. Back to the regular story now. Please review, I love hearing your thoughts!

The next morning, when Nancy awoke, the first thing she did was reach under her pillow to make sure the packet containing the papers Troy had saved was still there. It was. She quickly dressed and made her way downstairs, eager to continue discussing the evidence the papers contained with her father.

After eating a delicious breakfast of Hannah's cinnamon rolls, both Drews headed for the living room. Nancy had already explained the astonishing way Troy had come by the papers. Now all they had to do was see what was so important about them, so important that David Lob would enter a burning home to save them. Mr. Drew opened the manila envelope carefully. The first sheet of paper was a list of names and money amounts. Nancy asked curiously "What do you think that is, Dad?" He studied it for a minute before replying. "I think it's a list of people hit by Marvin Polk's insurance scam. See, the woman who hired me to prosecute him is on here, as well as several others she mentioned. The money amounts must be the money he made off of them. I still don't get why David Lob was trying to save this paper on Marvin Polk. He's obviously trying to protect Polk from being prosecuted, but I don't understand why. Oh, well, maybe the next paper will tell us something."

The next few papers were merely correspondences, letters from David or his wife to others. Under closer examination, however, Nancy realized they were not simple letters. "Dad, this letter is addressed to Marvin Polk from David Lob, and it's dated fifteen years ago!", she cried excitedly. Her father took the paper from her and looked at it. At first, the letter was simple chat - family matters, the weather, sports. It quickly took a different note:

Marvin, that Drew man is an incessant nuisance. We must watch out for him. He dredged up all sorts of evidence to show in court, incriminating matters that would've seen me locked away for years had my connections not come in handy. I will send you another payment,cash, of course, for your services in getting me out of the country. In your previous letter, you mentioned your fear someone - possibly Drew - would discover your business that helps men of my trade. Do not worry. I have a plan for revenge on Drew that will shut him up. I have noticed that, for a man as young as he is, he is extremely devoted to his little family. I understand he has a wife and a daughter. Perhaps injuring one of them is the route we must take. I will make it look like an accident - you can attest I am very good at that! Then, whenever he gets too hot on our tail,we will simply remind him what we are capable of doing. Revenge will be sweet.

Regards,

David Lob

Shocked, Carson was starting to search through the rest of the papers when Nancy queried, "Dad, what does it say?" Her father was rapidly shuffling through the papers, scanning them to see if they contained any information as important as the other letter had had. He held up one finger, meaning she should wait. His eyes never left the papers. The telephone rang then, and Nancy went over to it. "Hello, this is Nancy Drew speaking." "Nancy? Ah, Carson's little detective, hmm? I am David Lob. Perhaps your father mentioned my previous call ? At any rate, if you wish to know the truth about your mother's death, come alone to the horse statue in River Park. If you attempt to trick me or bring police, I will know, and I will not tell you. Come tonight at 9:00." There was a click, and the phone was dead. "Nancy, who was that? I didn't hear you say anything to the person on the other end?" "Uh, that was George. She was inviting me to spend the night. You know how she is when she starts talking!" Nancy felt bad about lying to her father. It was not something she did regularly, but she knew he would never let her go on her own. Besides , George had invited her to spend the night, she'd just forgotten to mention it to her dad.

Carson was also struggling with a lie. He knew that if Nancy saw the papers, she would want to rush off and find David Lob. He had he her to stop investigating the case once already, and she had went and found these papers. Nothing he could say would get her to stop investigating. David Lob was obviously dangerous, and he didn't want Nancy getting hurt. Oh, God. If she was hurt he would never never forgive himself. Yes, he was going to have to lie to Nancy. "Oh, that's nice, dear. I'm going to the police station to have the handwriting checked on these, make sure they're legit." He left before she could ask any questions.

And so, that was how Nancy found herself walking through a deserted park at night. The shadows loomed eerily at her. This was against her better judgment. She knew that. But she also knew that if she didn't come here, she never would know the truth. George had reluctantly agreed to cover for her. A strange noise echoed through the stillness. She told herself it was nothing. The stars and a sliver of the moon twinkled at her, and she tried to focus on those. Suddenly the bush beside her bristled suspiciously. Following her instinct, she turned to run, but a hand clamped over her mouth. She bit the hand and kicked backwards, arms and legs flailing wildly, but whoever had her was too strong. A cloth that smelled sweet pressed against her nose, and she twisted her head away, knowing it was probably drugged. This wasn't her first rodeo. But the the effort of turning away proved too much. The sickly sweet smell consumed her, and she slumped to the ground.

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