“Maybe on the surface,” Nancy said. “But the real one has a history that can never be copied. I wonder,” she added after a moment, “how many people through the ages have risked everything to possess this magnificent statue?”
• • •
It was well past midnight by the time Nancy and George brought Herbert into the Clinton Park police station. The professor was worn and haggard, his face smudged with soot. His eyes, still red and watery from the locket’s dust, were now filled with a mixture of fear and anger.
The desk sergeant phoned Lieutenant Higgins at his home, and the lieutenant rushed right over.
“This piece had better be authentic,” he said, taking the Golden Horse from Nancy a half hour later. Nancy had already explained Herbert’s role in the case, and she now gave the lieutenant the copy of Herbert’s letter to Sharp.
Lieutenant Higgins read the letter carefully. “Well, I guess this pretty much clinches Herbert’s involvement,” he said. “But this Sharp character is real slippery. His name has popped up before in quite a few jewelry thefts. We don’t even have a description of the man—and all this letter gives us is a post office address. I doubt if we’ll have much luck getting Herbert to talk, at least right now.” He flashed Nancy a hopeful smile. “I don’t suppose you have any ideas?”
Nancy adjusted her bag on her shoulder as she turned to leave. “Not right now, I’m afraid,” she said. “But if I can think of anything, I’ll let you know.”
“Just a minute,” Lieutenant Higgins called. “How would you feel about taking part in a sting operation—if we can set one up quickly?”
“Sure,” Nancy agreed. “I’ll do what I can to help.”
“We’ll figure out something,” the lieutenant promised. “We’ll work out the details and let you know soon.”
• • •
Two days later Nancy was briefed on the part she was to play as a police specialist wired her with a tape recorder.
“That looks good,” Lieutenant Higgins said finally, inspecting Nancy critically. “Sharp will never suspect a teenager as part of a police sting operation.” He sighed. “It’s too bad Herbert refused to cooperate. But we’re relying on Sharp’s greed. He should have already received the forged letter from Herbert that we sent. I have a hunch Sharp will believe Herbert was afraid he was being watched, and that Sharp will agree to pick up the horse from one of Herbert’s unsuspecting students.”
An hour later Nancy waited at the prearranged meeting place outside the park, carrying the fake statue in a tote bag. She glanced around at the bushes, where she knew the police were hiding, ready to film the exchange on their video cameras. She felt confident that everything was under control. All she had to do now was exchange the statue for the cash.
A few moments later a black Jaguar turned the corner and came racing toward her. It stopped a few feet away. Then a man got out, wearing a tweed suit and a large brimmed hat. He was carrying a leather attaché case. When he looked up, Nancy recognized the blond hair and deep tan.
“Justin Todd,” Nancy muttered in disbelief. Todd and Sharp were the same person! Would Todd remember her from the dog show? But before she could shout to the police, Todd rushed forward and grabbed Nancy roughly. Then he hustled her into the car and drove off at high speed!
15
The Chase
Nancy felt a pistol press against her side as Todd steered the speeding car with his left hand.
Swallowing hard, Nancy forced herself to stay calm. “What’s going on?” she asked. “I’ve got some kind of package for you from Professor Herbert.” She felt the pressure of the gun ease.
“Herbert would never use Carson Drew’s daughter as a go-between,” Todd replied. “Who really sent you?”
Nancy wiped her damp palms on her jeans as Todd jumped a red light. Somewhere behind them a police siren began to wail.
“It’s the police you’re working for, isn’t it?” Todd growled, driving faster. He made a sharp turn through a crowded intersection, narrowly missing another car.
Nancy braced herself against the dashboard as Todd’s Jaguar squealed around the turn.
“Tell me!” Todd shouted. “You’re working for the police, aren’t you?”
“They’re traffic cops,” Nancy bluffed. “It’s your own fault. You jumped that red light back there.” She held her breath, hoping he’d believe her.
Suddenly Nancy saw a truck backing out of a side street ahead of them. “Watch out!” she cried. “You’ll get us both killed!”
Todd dropped the gun to his lap and drove with both hands, swinging the car around the truck.
Nancy glanced over her shoulder. All she could see was the truck blocking the road. She knew this was Todd’s chance to lose the police car.
A few moments later her fears were realized—the police were no longer in sight.
Todd laughed. “Bunch of jerks,” he said. “What can you expect from traffic cops?”
Nancy realized she was on her own now. But at least Todd seemed to have bought her story about the police being traffic cops. Her mind raced as she considered her options. Had she convinced him that she was Herbert’s go-between, or was Todd still suspicious? She waited for him to make the next move.
Finally Todd said, “I’ll soon find out if you’re on the level.” He turned and glanced at her.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Nancy said.
Todd reached under the dashboard and pulled out the car phone receiver. Holding it against the steering wheel, he punched in a number. “Give me Professor Herbert,” he said into the phone. “No, don’t you dare put me on hold!”
“Herbert’s not there,” Nancy bluffed again. “He’s meeting me later to pick up your envelope.”
Todd hung up angrily. “I don’t believe you.”
“Look,” Nancy said. “Take my word for it. Professor Herbert asked me to bring your envelope to his cabin later. I’ve got your package. What more do you want?”
She watched Todd closely. The tension in his face seemed to drain. “Look, I’m tired of this,” Nancy went on. “I’ve been up since five this morning. I had to drive all the way to Herbert’s cabin to get this package, whatever it is. Now either you want it, or you don’t.” She sighed. “All I get out of this is a better grade in my anthropology class.”
“All right, all right,” Todd said, finally slowing down. “Put the package on the backseat and take the briefcase.”
