The Case of the Photo Finish by Carolyn Keene Page A

at a phone booth on her way home to make that second threatening call to Marta; that might explain her renewed good mood. So far, it certainly seemed as though they were trying to sabotage each other.
    Nancy drummed her fingers on the kitchen table, concentrating. Somehow it seemed too neat. And then there were the reporters and photographers. How did they fit in?
    â€œNancy?” said Cheryl. Her voice sounded loud, as if she had already spoken three or four times without any response.
    Nancy blinked. “Sorry, what is it?”
    â€œI was wondering if you have a bathing suit I could borrow,” Cheryl said. “We’re about the same size, I think.”
    â€œI guess so. Why?”
    â€œThey announced yesterday that the high school pool will be open for us during the games,” Cheryl explained. “I thought I’d take advantage of it. There’s nothing like a few fast laps to soothe you and cool you off.”
    Nancy nodded. “I’m sure I can come up with something,” she said.
    â€œBring one for yourself, too,” Cheryl called as Nancy started up the stairs. “I love to have company when I swim.”
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    Nancy dropped Cheryl off at the locker room and strolled over to the athletic field. The stands were already starting to fill up with spectators, and the athletes were gathering on the grass near one end of the stands, waiting for the opening parade.
    Nancy walked in their direction. She had been hoping to talk to Marta that morning—about the second phone call and about the previous night’s attack—but so far she hadn’t seen the German girl or her trainer.
    As Nancy approached the athletes, Willy waved and called to her. Annelise was standing next to him.
    â€œGood morning,” he said, smiling, as Nancy came over. “What a beautiful day, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt sure is,” Nancy replied, glancing around her. “Hi, Annelise. Are you enjoying your visit to River Heights so far?”
    â€œYes,” the Swiss girl said. “It is very nice here.”
    â€œCan you tell me about the history of your town?” Willy asked Nancy. “The history of America interests me very much.”
    â€œI can tell you a little, I think,” Nancy said. She searched her mind for some of the local history she had had to learn in grade school. “Let’s see—”
    â€œAttention, please,” a loud voice rang out, and Nancy turned to see a man in a blue satinwindbreaker who was speaking into a bullhorn. “Will the athletes please take their places for the opening parade.”
    â€œExcuse me,” Willy said. He and Annelise moved over to where the other athletes were lining up. Just then Cheryl came jogging over, on her way back from the gym. She took her place among the other athletes, wearing a very solemn expression. This moment clearly meant a lot to her.
    There was a stir in the crowd, and Helga Roth appeared, holding the arm of the official in the blue windbreaker. She was talking rapidly, and although her voice was too low for Nancy to hear her words, Helga’s whole body conveyed a sense of urgent intensity. The official listened, shook his head, then listened some more.
    From the loudspeakers came the opening music of a lively march. The athletes straightened their ranks, and as the first of the competitors stepped out onto the track, the spectators began to cheer.
    But at that moment, Helga shouted, “There! Cheryl Pierce—she is the one!”

8
A Serious Charge
    At the sound of her name, Cheryl stopped so abruptly that the young woman behind her in line almost tripped over her.
    â€œExcuse me, miss,” the man in the blue wind-breaker said to Cheryl. He took her arm and led her out of the line. “Would you mind coming with me, please?”
    Nancy moved closer so she could hear.
    Cheryl stared at the man, then looked back at the parading athletes. Over half