Danger for Hire by Carolyn Keene

innocent?” Cindy asked hopefully.
    â€œI’m pretty sure the thieves’ll be working tonight. If Neil is one of them, he’ll go out. If he doesn’t—well, it may not prove that he’s innocent, necessarily, but it will help.”
    â€œI’ll do it, then,” Cindy promised. “Boy, it sure is creepy to suspect one of my own neighbors! I feel like a traitor.”
    â€œWhen you’re a detective,” Nancy said, “you have to ignore your personal feelings and be objective about everyone.”
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    When Nancy went downstairs for dinner that evening, her father was waiting for her. She had a pretty good idea of what he wanted to talk to her about.
    â€œI guess you saw my car, huh?” she asked in a small voice.
    Carson nodded gravely. “I did. Would you like to tell me what happened?”
    She told him.
    Carson wearily rubbed his eyes. He was still in his business suit and looked tired. “Nancy, it isn’t worth the risk.”
    â€œYes, it is. Dad, listen—” Nancy began.
    Her father cut her off with an angry wave of his hand. “No, you listen. I won’t let you risk your life. This time you’re up against professionals, Nancy—ruthless, violent men!”
    â€œYes, but . . .” Nancy’s voice trailed off. She knew he was right.
    â€œNancy—” Carson’s voice softened. “It looks to me like you’re trying to prove something with this case. What? Does it have something to do with your young assistant?”
    â€œWith Cindy? No. What makes you think that?” Nancy asked, genuinely puzzled.
    â€œI thought that maybe you were trying not to let her down—to be professional yourself. A professional detective, that is.”
    â€œNo, that’s not it—not exactly,” Nancy said. The truth was, she hadn’t felt that there was anything special about this case—until now. But now that her father had pointed it out, she realized that there was something different. She sighed. “I guess it started when I spoke at the Career Fair on Saturday. Remember that?”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    Nancy went on. “Well, I hadn’t realized it until now, but it got me wondering about my own career—you know, what I’m going to do with my life. I want to know what it would be like to be a real detective—a full-time, career detective.”
    â€œSo you decided to try it out?” Carson guessed.
    Nancy nodded. “Sort of. You see, on this case I’ve tried to be totally professional. I’ve tried to treat Tom like a client.”
    A smile grew on her father’s face. “I understand. But, sweetheart, remember you’ve got plenty of time to choose your career. Years, in fact. You don’t have to rush.”
    â€œNo, I don’t suppose I do.” Nancy smiled, too. In a way, she felt a whole lot better thinking that. “But, Dad, now that I’ve started this case, I have to finish it. I’m not a quitter. You taught me that.” But would he let her continue her investigation? She held her breath while he thought.
    â€œOkay, finish the job,” Carson said after a minute. “But promise me something—”
    Nancy hugged him. “Anything!”
    â€œFrom now on take Bess or George with you when you patrol the warehouse district,” he requested.
    â€œI promise,” Nancy said.
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    That night Nancy positioned herself on a platform high up the side of a grain silo near the river. She was bundled in a thick wool sweater and her leather jacket.
    George was with her. “Tell me again why we’re up here?” her friend asked.
    â€œBecause it’s a good surveillance point. And because this time I can stay still and let the robbers do the moving around,” Nancy explained. She reached into her knapsack.
    To help her she had borrowed a piece of equipment from