“You really think they did that?”
“We all know her mother is broke. Who else would do something like that?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” Nancy said.
The dark-haired girl stared at Nancy. “You?”
“That’s right. I’m a detective.” Nancy waited to see Kelly’s reaction.
“Is this a joke?”
“Not at all. Janine asked me to find out what really happened.”
“Oh, I get it.” Kelly closed her book and stood up. “You’re just like everyone else. Looking out for poor little Janine. Well, don’t expect any help from me.”
“I’m not looking for help, Kelly,” Nancy said in a calm voice. “I’m looking for the truth.”
Kelly snorted and stalked away. Nancy watched her go, thinking about what the girl had said. Then she got up to leave, too.
On her way out of the library, Nancy bumped smack into the art teacher, Jonathan Morse.
“I beg your pardon,” the old man said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going again. I do that, you know.”
Jonathan Morse looked even more absent-minded than he had in Garrison’s office.
“It’s all right, Mr. Morse.” Nancy smiled. “It was just a little bump.”
Morse looked relieved. For the first time he realized whom he was talking to. “You’re the young lady I met in Mr. Garrison’s office, aren’t you? The one who should have gone to Pineview!”
Nancy laughed. “If only we could do some things over again.”
The old man nodded. A sad, faraway look had come into his eyes. Nancy wondered what he was thinking.
“Even at my age, young lady, there are some things you regret,” he said. “Maybe we’re never as smart as we think.”
Nancy smiled again. “Mr. Morse, you should be very proud of what you’ve done with your life. Look at all the students you’ve helped over the years. From what I understand, Pineview really depends on you.”
The art teacher’s face lit up with pleasure. Then he looked sad again. “I hope so. I depend on it, too, I’m afraid.”
Nancy thought she saw a tear in the old man’s eye. He certainly loved teaching.
“Well,” the teacher said, “I must go. I need some materials for my afternoon lecture.”
“I hope we can talk again sometime, Mr. Morse,” Nancy said.
“Yes, let’s do that. And remember, your daughter must be a Pineview girl.”
Nancy laughed and shook the old man’s hand. He had a strong and sure grip. She liked him, and she could understand why everyone else did, too.
Next, Nancy went to the admissions office to pick up some brochures on the school. She learned that Russell Garrison was in his fifteenth year as headmaster. Jonathan Morse was beginning his forty-sixth year at the old school.
As she read the brochures, Nancy walked slowly to the dining hall. The team would be eating a light meal before practice. George was already there, so Nancy grabbed a yogurt and sat down with her. In a few minutes they were joined by Kate Boggs.
“I didn’t think we’d see you again so soon, Nancy,” Kate said. “Don’t tell me our team has another loyal fan.”
“That’s part of it,” Nancy said. “But I’m also looking into the jewel robbery.”
“I keep forgetting your reputation as a detective. I’m sorry.”
“You mean I haven’t bragged about her enough?” George teased.
“Now that you mention it,” Kate teased back. Then she looked up from her food at Nancy with her sharp, birdlike eyes. “Who asked you to investigate the robbery?”
“Janine,” Nancy said, putting down her spoon. “She’s afraid people will think her mother had something to do with it.”
Kate nodded. “I was worried about that. Janine’s been so upset over this robbery that it’s affected her playing. With the tournament coming up, the last thing we need is for our star goalie to have her mind someplace else.”
“So much the better, then, if I can reassure her,” Nancy said. “Tell me something, though. If you didn’t have Janine, couldn’t Kelly Lewis do the job?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. She doesn’t have the game experience, because she’s always played behind Janine. I think that’s why she resents Janine so much.”
Nancy glanced at George. She wanted to tell her friend how angry Kelly had been in the library. Surely Kelly wouldn’t have stolen the jewelry just to get a chance to help win the Canadian Cup?
The three of them ate quietly for a few minutes, each lost in her own thoughts. Finally, George stood up.
“Time to get the equipment ready for practice,” she said. “That’s one of the exciting jobs assistant coaches have.”
“Yes, and you’re a genius at it,” Kate teased.
