Out of Bounds by Carolyn Keene Page A

finished and was just pulling the door shut when she heard a muffled voice coming from the direction of Pete’s office down the hall.
    Curious, Nancy gingerly made her way to the end of the corridor. When she reached Pete’s office, she shot a quick glance through the small pane of glass in his door. Pete was standing at his desk holding what looked like an unopened envelope, his hand resting on the phone receiver.
    He tore the envelope open and pulled out a sheet of paper. A look of pure panic crossed his face as he read it. Then he flopped down in his dark green swivel chair and rubbed his face wearily.
    Nancy ducked back as Pete swiveled his chair directly toward her. The last thing she wanted was for Pete to catch her snooping. Inching backto where she could see him, she watched as he dialed his phone. Apparently, there was no answer on the other end. Tapping his fingers on the desk, Pete waited, then finally slammed the receiver back in the cradle.
    Who was he trying to reach? Nancy wondered. What could the note possibly say to upset him so much?
    Nancy didn’t have time to figure it out, however. Pete suddenly stood up and stuffed the letter into his pocket. His jaw clenched, he headed for the door.
    Nancy looked around for an escape route, but there was none. A pay phone was just across the corridor. She made a move for it, intending to pick up the receiver and pretend to be talking.
    Before she could make her dash, though, Nancy felt a hand grip her arm, slowly tightening its grasp. She turned to meet Pete’s icy eyes boring into hers.
    When he spoke, Pete’s voice was menacing and cold. “I think you’ve got some explaining to do, Nancy Edwards,” he said. “What were you doing spying on me just now?”

Chapter

Eight
    S PYING ON YOU ?” Nancy managed to say, giggling like a young schoolgirl. “I was just coming back from the ladies’ room.”
    â€œOh, really?” Pete grunted. Nancy held her breath and watched him decide whether or not he believed her. Finally he relented. “Well, get back to work,” he said gruffly. “And don’t let me catch you near my office again.”
    With that, he strode toward the restaurant. Nancy’s heart pounded wildly as she followed him out of the corridor.
    As she slid back behind the counter, Nancy overheard Pete talking to Mark by the far register, where Mark was going over receipts.
    â€œI want you to take over for today, Mark,” Pete was saying. “I’ve got to go somewhere.”
    â€œYou’re going?” Mark repeated in amazement. “But you just got here!”
    â€œJust take care of things,” Pete snapped, grabbing his coat before barreling out of the restaurant.
    Nancy looked out a side window as Pete hurried across the parking lot to his white car with its gold and blue Bedford Bear bumper sticker. If only she could find out where he was going in the middle of a workday, she thought, frustrated. She was sure his leaving had something to do with the note he’d just read, but how could she follow him to prove it? She was just beginning her shift and couldn’t walk out. Or could she?
    Looking over at Mark, she quickly improvised a plan.
    â€œUm, Mark? Could I talk to you a minute?” Nancy asked anxiously. If she was going to follow Pete, she didn’t have a moment to lose.
    â€œSure, Nancy,” Mark said, giving her a wide grin. “What’s up?”
    â€œOh, Mark,” Nancy lamented breathlessly. “I know this is terrible, but I just called home, and my dad reminded me that I was supposed to pick up my aunt and uncle at the airport today. I said I’d do it before I got the job here, and they’re really depending on me.” Nancy made sure toemphasize her speech with heavy sighs and guilty, uncomfortable looks.
    â€œCan’t your dad pick them up, Nancy?” Mark asked reasonably.
    â€œWell, he would, but he can’t