“Speaking of money . . .” Marisa said. She told everyone about the phone call she had received from Eric.
“Poor Eric,” Bess said. “He’s lucky he has Nancy on the case.”
Marisa looked puzzled. “Why?”
“Nancy’s a detective,” Bess explained. “Didn’t she tell you? She’s been on tons of cases.”
“Bess—” Nancy protested, embarrassed.
“Eric will be out of jail in no time,” Bess promised. “You’ll be going to the police station with Marisa, Nan—right?”
“I’d like to,” Nancy said, “but I drove you and George here. How will you get home?”
“That’s no problem,” Devon said. He put his arm around Marisa. “I’ll drive you and Marisa to the station, and—”
Marisa frowned. “That’s okay, honey.”
“No,” Devon said. “I want to.”
A clap of thunder was swiftly followed by a flash of lightning. Bess jumped.
“That was close,” Nancy said.
Casey shivered against Bess’s leg. “Poor baby,” Bess said, scooping the puppy into her arms. “You’re scared of thunder.”
“We’re going to be soaked if we don’t make up our minds,” George said. “If you’ll let me drive your car, Nan, I’ll take Bess, Amber, and Casey home.”
“Fine with me,” Nancy said. “And, actually, my father can take me home. He’ll be meeting us at the police station. He wants to talk to Eric.”
Marisa’s grip on Misty’s harness relaxed slightly. “I know Eric’s innocent until proven guilty in the eyes of the law, but it means a lot to me that you and your dad are going to help clear his name,” she said to Nancy. “You hardly know me, and you’ve never even met Eric.”
“I’m glad I can help,” Nancy said. “Besides, there’s nothing I love more than a good mystery.”
Twenty minutes later Nancy flagged down her father when he stepped into the police station lobby. He walked over to them, his dripping umbrella leaving a trail of water across the floor. Nancy introduced him to Marisa and Devon.
“Pleased to meet you,” Mr. Drew said. “I’m glad I was home when Nancy called. I came as soon as I could. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“We just got here,” Nancy said. “Do you think the police will let me see him today?”
“You have a good working relationship with Chief McGinnis,” Mr. Drew said. “Let’s see what he says.”
Nancy had worked with Chief McGinnis on many cases in the past. She hoped he would be willing to bend the rules a little in this instance.
The chief passed through with a can of soda in his hand. “Hello, Drew family. What can we do for you today?”
Mr. Drew explained that he was Eric Pavlik’s lawyer. “Any chance that Nancy could be present while I interview him?”
The chief nodded. “Why not? We brought him in for questioning, but he hasn’t been formally charged. We have a few more leads to pursue. However, the evidence against him is fairly strong.”
Nancy introduced Marisa and Devon to Chief McGinnis.
“I don’t suppose we could see Eric, too?” Marisa asked. “I’m a law student and a good friend—”
“Sure, go ahead,” the chief agreed. “As I said, no charges have been filed at this time. We were planning to release him shortly. And if Mr. Pavlik isn’t guilty, any help you can give us in breaking open this counterfeiting ring would be appreciated.”
“Thanks, chief,” Nancy said. “We’ll do our best.”
A few minutes later, a uniformed officer led Nancy, Mr. Drew, Marisa, and Devon into a large holding room. They sat down at the rectangular conference table. Misty laid her head across Marisa’s feet and closed her eyes.
The officer brought Eric into the room. Eric had brown, curly hair and pale blue eyes, and appeared to Nancy to be in his early twenties. His corduroy blazer had a designer’s emblem on the pocket.
Eric’s eyes widened when he saw the group assembled in the room. “You can’t all be here to see me,” he said.
Mr. Drew stood up and went over to Eric. “I’m Carson Drew,” he said, and reached for Eric’s hand.
Eric shook it. “Pleased to meet you. Thank you so much for your help, Mr. Drew.”
Mr. Drew smiled. “I haven’t done anything yet.” He turned to Nancy. “This is my daughter, Nancy. She’s an amateur detective, and Marisa has asked her to help with your case. And I’m here in case you need a lawyer.”
Eric sat down at the table. “Great. I have the feeling I can use all the help I can get.”
“You don’t mind our being here, do you?” Marisa asked.
Eric shook his head. “Of course not.”
“Even me?” Devon asked.
Nancy looked at Devon. She thought she heard the hint of a challenge in his voice.
