“Of course, you’re all sworn to secrecy,” she said when she had finished. “And I mean that,” she said, giving Bess a long, hard look. If there was anything Bess loved, it was a juicy secret. “It’s a good thing you can’t get around,” Nancy joked. “Maybe it will actually stay a secret.”
Bess raised an eyebrow and grinned. “There’s still the telephone . . . . Just kidding. His secret is safe with me.”
“I knew that man was hiding something,” Aunt Elizabeth said. “I thought it was something a little more scurrilous. Imagine, a world-famous writer in Fairport.”
“Remember, now, you know nothing about this writer,” Nancy reminded her.
“What writer?” Aunt Elizabeth retorted with a grin.
• • •
The next day at breakfast, Nancy announced it was time to pay a visit to the Town Hall.
“I think we need to talk to Mr. Stryker,” she said. “He told us the town budget was exhausted from snow removal, and that it was a mild winter. He’s met with Ralph Bremer, and they had an argument.”
“That could mean anything,” George said. “I’d like to know why he’s been hanging around Mr. Stanton’s . . . um, I mean, Mr. Tolchinsky’s so much.”
“You’ve got it,” Nancy said brightly.
After assuring Bess they would tell her everything, absolutely everything, when they returned, Nancy and George headed into town.
Town Hall was just opening for the day. In the lobby, Nancy and George consulted a directory and located Mr. Stryker’s office on the main floor and to the left.
When they arrived at his door, however, it was locked. Nancy poked her head into the doorway of the office next door. Ms. Oberdorf, the town secretary, was at her desk.
“I’m looking for Mr. Stryker,” Nancy said. “Is he in?”
“Not right now,” Ms. Oberdorf said. “He called a minute ago and said he’d be late.”
“Do you know why?” Nancy asked.
Ms. Oberdorf shrugged. “He didn’t say. And I didn’t ask.” She seemed a bit put out. “That means I’ve got to file all these papers myself.” She shoved a stack of documents across her desk. “It’s Chuck Danzig’s habitat conservation plan and the dissenting opinions.”
Her intercom rang, and she picked up the phone. After listening for a moment, she frowned. “No, I didn’t know that. That’s very odd. There was plenty of money in the road improvements fund the last time I looked.” She paused. “All right,” she said, and hung up. “Accounting,” she said, getting up from her desk. “Seems to be a problem they think only I can fix.” She stepped out into the hall. “Why don’t you try later?” she said. “Mr. Stryker should be here after lunch.”
Nancy watched Ms. Oberdorf go down the hall. When she knew she wouldn’t be seen, she turned to the papers on the secretary’s desk.
“Should we?” she asked George, nodding toward the papers.
“We didn’t ask,” George reminded her.
“No, we didn’t,” Nancy said. “But do we have to? These are public records. Look, there might be a clue in there. I can’t pass this up.”
Nancy stepped closer to the desk. “Keep watch,” she told George, who stood outside glancing nervously down the hallway.
Nancy quickly leafed through the documents. There were a number of federal forms, dense with detail. There was also a transcript of the town meeting she’d attended and, finally, the habitat report from Chuck Danzig. Something in it caught her eye.
“What in the world—” Nancy exclaimed.
“Here she comes!” George whispered.
Nancy quickly restacked the papers and stepped out of the office to join George in the hall.
Ms. Oberdorf was looking down as she walked and didn’t see Nancy and George until she got to the door of her office.
“Can I help you with anything else?” she asked. She was frowning.
“Did Chuck Danzig turn in his report yet?” Nancy asked.
“Mr. Stryker gave it to me yesterday to include in the package. He said it was the last thing that needed to be added. That’s why I’m sending it all off today.”
“That’s good to hear,” Nancy said.
“I’ll be glad when this is over,” Ms. Oberdorf said.
“I think we all will,” Nancy said. She motioned to George. “Let’s go.”
When they reached the sidewalk, Nancy pulled George to one side. “Chuck’s report said a cave had been found.”
“What!” George exclaimed in disbelief. “How could Danzig know about a cave? He didn’t even believe there was one at the town meeting. We’re the only ones who know. The report’s got to be a fake.”
“Right,” Nancy agreed exultantly. “But who gave Chuck’s report to Ms. Oberdorf?”
“Mr. Stryker!” George answered. “Wow, this is getting exciting!”
• • •
Back at Aunt Elizabeth’s, Nancy told Bess and George’s aunt what they had discovered at the Town Hall.
