“That’s the way Denise signs her artwork, Nancy,” Ned said, his voice quavering slightly.
Nancy stared at the crude drawing. Denise must have drawn it in seconds. It was unmistakably a message, though, meant for them to find.
“They must be holding her at a lighthouse,” she guessed. “There’s one on the North Side. It’s lucky you saw that, Ned. That must be where they’ve taken her.”
Moving as one, Nancy and Ned raced back to the Sampsons’ car and slid in.
Ned drove this time. They followed the winding road through the park and finally arrived at the lake shore. He pulled up to one of the small parking areas near the lighthouse but far enough away that they wouldn’t look conspicuous.
Although it was early afternoon, the sky had darkened to dusk and a bitter wind blew. A storm was coming, and the lakefront was deserted and cold.
The lighthouse appeared to be deserted, too. There were no cars around it, and no lights showing inside. Ned slumped down in the driver’s seat. “There’s no one here,” he said. “I guess we read the drawing wrong.”
Not willing to give up, Nancy scanned the park. She caught sight of a lone, small brick building that was set apart from the lighthouse, at the edge of a fringe of trees in the park. It looked like some kind of park maintenance building. She could see a green compact car in the driveway, a dark sedan parked in front of it.
“Wait, Ned,” she said excitedly. “Look over there. That’s Bernard’s car in that driveway. Denise meant near the lighthouse, not in it!”
They both climbed out of the car. Nancy pulled her hat, sunglasses, and a pair of mittens out of her pockets. She handed Ned the hat and sunglasses. “Put these on,” she said. “They probably won’t recognize you in this getup.”
“I’d hardly recognize myself,” Ned said.
Nancy’s smile was strained. She was trying not to think about what could happen if the kidnappers did recognize him. They’d seen him at Puccini’s, after all—and he and Bernard had met face-to-face!
They’d have to chance it. “Go up and knock on the door,” she instructed. “Pretend you’re lost and need directions. Check out as much as you can from the doorway. Then get the police—and please don’t get caught! I’ll go around back.”
“Nan, wait.” He stood shivering in the frigid air. “Just be careful,” he told her at last.
Nancy smiled and blew him a kiss. “Don’t you worry about me, Nickerson.”
With a last look at her boyfriend, Nancy set out for the one-story brick building. She made a big loop around the building, dodging in and out of the trees. She was thankful for the darkening skies. It would be hard for anyone looking out the window to see her.
She crept up a slight incline toward the back wall of the house. The afternoon had gotten so dark that someone had turned on the lights in the downstairs room. She could see her own breath forming little cloudy puffs in the cold air.
She stood on her toes to peer in. Her eyes widened. About two feet from her, separated only by the window, sat Denise. She was slumped down in an easy chair, one arm hanging over the side. Tears were running down her cheeks.
At that moment a man walked into the room, and Nancy drew back into the shadows. She could still see what was going on, though.
The man was someone Nancy had never seen before. He reached down and unlocked a pair of handcuffs, which Nancy guessed had fastened Denise’s wrist to the chair leg. He set a tray on her lap and then left the room.
Nancy knew that this was the best opportunity she would get. If she was going to rescue Denise, it had to be now. As soon as the door had closed behind the man, she tapped on the window.
Denise looked up with a start. But Nancy was suddenly distracted. Out of the corner of her eye she’d just seen something very disturbing.
Ned had evidently completed his mission, for now he was walking swiftly toward the red sedan, which was still parked at the lighthouse.
Someone was following him, though, and that someone was closing in on him fast.
What could Nancy do? She was about to run to Ned’s aid, when he reached the car and climbed in. His shadow must have decided not to tackle him.
Turning back to the window, Nancy took off one of her mittens and waved it in front of the lighted square. Seconds later Denise’s face appeared at the window, peering out in alarm.
Nancy was shocked to see how pale and ill Denise looked. There were dark circles under her eyes, and her hair hung in limp strands beside her heart-shaped face. Then she spotted Nancy, and delighted surprise lit up her eyes.
Nancy put a finger to her lips, warning Denise not to cry out. Then she pantomimed opening the window.
Denise gripped the lock on the window with both hands, but it was stuck. Nancy’s could see beads of sweat on the cheerleader’s forehead as she struggled with the window. Desperation shone in her eyes.
Suddenly the lock gave and the window flew up. Denise was halfway out when she seemed to change her mind. Holding up one finger, she slid back into the room. Nancy’s heart was in her mouth. What was Denise doing?
Moments later Denise reappeared, dragging a blanket and a flat steel case. She threw the case out the window, and it landed with a dull thud on the frozen ground. The blanket followed, and finally Denise herself climbed out the window.
At the moment she landed, Nancy heard a commotion near the parking lot. Tires squealed. She heard a car gunning its motor and racing off.
It was perfect timing for her and Denise. The sound of the car would cover any noises they made. Still, it wouldn’t be long before Denise was missed.
Nancy grabbed the blanket and case that Denise had thrown to the ground. She took Denise’s arm and pulled her to the right of the house. There was no way to get by the side and front of the building without being seen.
The afternoon light was fading fast. The only way to escape was to head for the woods of Lincoln Park—and then to the frozen lake and darkness.
Chapter
Fifteen
LET’S GO!” Nancy whispered. She grabbed Denise’s hand, and the two girls ran for the woods. The heavy steel case banged against Nancy’s legs at every step.
She glanced at Denise. The cheerleader’s breath was labored, but she was keeping up.
Nancy frantically tried to think up a plan. They were running away from any kind of civilization. They had to hope that the darkness and the vastness of the park and the lake shore would keep them hidden. With luck the kidnappers would search for them nearer the road.
Nancy could hear Denise’s breath coming hard, then suddenly she stumbled.
With her free arm Nancy grabbed Denise. The case and blanket went tumbling.
“Are you okay?” Nancy asked softly.
Denise gulped air. “I—I have to rest.”
Nancy looked behind her. There wasn’t anyone following them—yet. She scanned the area for shelter.
Looming ahead was a cluster of brick buildings, huddled under some trees. A sign read: “Lincoln Park Zoo. Closed for renovations.”
The park was deserted. For a moment Nancy felt a stab of panic. Why hadn’t she led them back toward Lake Shore Drive? At least there’d be other people there. They could try to circle back, but first they’d have to go far enough to the left or right so that they wouldn’t be intercepted by any of the kidnappers.
“We can’t stop here,” Nancy told Denise. She tried to support some of Denise’s weight to keep her going.
They crossed a small road, and suddenly the lake stretched in front of them. Huge chunks of ice were piled together near the shoreline. But beyond that the water seemed to go on forever.
They had to find shelter, so that Denise could get a chance to rest. Up ahead Nancy saw a gazebo. It appeared entirely out of place in the frozen landscape, with its dainty white woodwork and summery look. At least it would give them some protection from the cold wind.
She half pulled, half dragged Denise up the stairs. The two of them collap
sed in a heap at the top. It felt warmer, at least for the moment, because there was less wind.
It was like being in a small lookout tower, Nancy thought. Through the latticework of the gazebo walls, she could make out part of the kidnappers’ hideout, about two hundred yards away.
Two men were standing behind the building. One was talking and pointing toward the front of the house. They had discovered Denise was gone—the rest period would have to be short.
Nancy turned to Denise, who was huddled under the blanket.
“We should get together—otherwise we’ll both freeze,” said Denise. She smiled weakly. “Hey, by the way—thanks for rescuing me.”
“Well, you’re not quite rescued yet. Let’s just hope I didn’t get you into worse trouble.
“Are you okay?” Nancy continued. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
Denise shook her head. “Not really. They just kept me blindfolded most of the time and in the back room. I heard everything they said. They argued a lot. See, none of this was supposed to happen.”
“You mean the kidnapping?” Nancy asked. Denise nodded. “Yeah, I think I know all about that.” She told Denise what she had uncovered, about the smuggled Rembrandt and the delayed shipment, Mr. Mason’s new theft-proof security system, and Bernard’s desperate plan to recover the priceless painting from the Amster Gallery.
“Wow, you are quite a detective, Nancy,” Denise said. “Lucky for me. If you hadn’t been on this case, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”
Nancy could feel herself start to blush. “Don’t forget that I only stumbled onto this case because the kidnappers grabbed me by mistake,” she pointed out. “If that hadn’t happened, I never would have known about the plan to kidnap you.”
“Well, I’m really sorry I didn’t believe you in the beginning. It just seemed like such a crazy story—at the time, that is.”
Both girls were silent for a moment.
“It’s really scary to get kidnapped,” Denise said. “I used to think it would be kind of exciting, you know? Everyone would worry about you . . .”
“But it wasn’t like that at all,” Nancy said, finishing Denise’s thought.
Denise shook her head. “I can’t tell you how happy I was when I heard Ned’s voice at the door asking for directions,” she confessed. “But then he left. I wanted to yell out, but one of the kidnappers was in the room with me. I think I really started losing hope at that point.”
That reminded Nancy. “Ned was going to the police. I hope he gets there, for our sake,” she said. She tried to sound positive, but she was worried. She had a feeling the squealing tires she’d heard meant that Ned was in trouble himself.
“Hey, have you ever seen a Rembrandt close up?” asked Denise, abruptly changing the subject.
“Not that I know of,” said Nancy.
“Well, I’m sitting on one,” said Denise. She gave a little giggle.
Nancy gasped. So that was what was in the steel case! Denise had been alert enough to grab it on her way out. “Denise—you didn’t!” she said admiringly.
“I sure did,” Denise said, her green eyes sparkling with irrepressible humor. Both girls laughed.
“Nancy,” Denise said after a moment, “I wanted to tell you something. This seems to be as good a time as any.” She paused. “Ned and I have been getting pretty close,” she said finally.
Nancy held her breath. She could hear the blood pounding in her ears.
“In fact, I’ve been trying to date him,” Denise went on, looking ashamed of herself. “I’m sure you noticed I was flirting with him the other night. I mean, I sort of wanted you to notice.”
“I did,” Nancy said in a neutral voice.
Denise leaned forward. “That was before any of this happened.” She smiled grimly. “I’ve had a lot of time to think these past couple of days, you know. And I saw that what I was doing wasn’t nice, or fair to you. So I just want to say I’m sorry and tell you I won’t ever try to come between you two again.”
Nancy didn’t know whether to be happy or upset. On the one hand, Denise had just admitted that she and Ned liked each other. On the other, she’d said she wouldn’t pursue him any longer.
Nancy didn’t have time to answer. She heard a shout. Had they been sighted? She put a finger to her lips to signal Denise to be quiet, then peeked through the latticework.
Two men in dark blue parkas and fluorescent ski caps were coming toward them. It didn’t look as if they were headed for the gazebo, but it was only a matter of time before they thought to check it out. She and Denise would have to move—and fast.
“Do you think you can run again?” she asked Denise.
“I can do anything if I have to,” Denise replied gamely.
“Good—because I think we have to. We’re like sitting ducks up here. Let’s wait till they’ve gotten closer to the lake before we move.”
Denise threw the blanket aside and began rubbing her legs to warm them up. Her hands were red with cold.
“Here, have a mitten,” whispered Nancy as she took off one of her thick woolen mittens. Her father had brought them back for her from a trip to Sweden. As she thought of it, Nancy felt a pang. She desperately wished she were safe at home with Carson Drew.
She drew a deep breath. “I think we should head for that strip of lights over there,” she said, pointing toward the lights glinting through one part of the park. “The houses look pretty far away, but maybe we can get to a phone and call the police.”
“I don’t think there’s any need to call the police,” said a now-familiar voice.
Startled, Nancy looked down the gazebo stairs. Bernard stood at the foot of the steps, a gun in his hand. They were trapped!
“How unfortunate for me,” he continued, smiling thinly. “Now I’ll have to dispose of two redheads instead of one!”
Chapter
Sixteen
THIS WAY, LADIES.” Bernard gestured toward the hideout with his gun. “And I’ll carry that, thank you.” He grabbed the steel case from Denise.
Thinking fast, Nancy turned to him.
“Bernard, you have the Rembrandt. You don’t need Denise anymore. Let her go,” she urged.
“I can’t let either of you go. You know too much.”
“But, Bernard, Mr. Mason knows just as much as we do, more even. He already knows that you were involved,” Nancy pointed out. That was a fib—she hadn’t told Mr. Mason anything yet, but Ned would soon, if all went well.
“If you harm his daughter,” Nancy went on, “he won’t have any reason to keep quiet. If you let her go, he might just agree to keep the whole thing quiet. After all, publicity like this could really harm his gallery.”
Bernard frowned. “Miss Drew, although I know you’re trying to trick me, I must say you’re very clever. I respect that. To reward your cleverness, I shall do as you ask. But in exchange, you will have to do something for me.” He turned to Denise.
“All right, Denise. You are free to go. Please don’t take this personally. You know it was not my intention to involve you at all. Don’t bother calling the police, though I’m sure you will, anyway. We’ll be long gone by the time they arrive.”
Denise didn’t move. He stared at her. “What are you waiting for? I said go.”
Nancy and Denise exchanged a look.
“Go, Denise,” Nancy said quietly. “I’ll be okay.”
Denise was shivering badly from the cold and exhaustion. “I—I can’t leave you here,” she said, biting her lip. She looked as if she were about to cry.
“Would putting a gun to your head convince you?” said Bernard.
Denise silently moved from behind Nancy.
“Thank you, Nancy. I’ll—see you.”
Bernard and Nancy watched as Denise stumbled down the steps and walked into the park. She walked toward the bank of lights that Nancy had pointed out earlier.
“I don’t think she would have lasted much longer, anyway,” Bernard said, watchin
g Denise’s progress. Then he turned back to Nancy. “We’ll be walking this way.” He gestured toward the lake with his gun.
Nancy darted a look at him out of the corner of her eye. Bernard was pale, and his lips were set in a tight line. He was clearly very nervous and frightened. Could she possibly overcome him in a struggle? Nancy wondered.
“Go on.” Angrily Bernard prodded her with the gun. “Don’t try anything stupid. I don’t have much to lose by killing you. You’re only alive because I need your help to get me out of this mess. Now walk.”
Nancy felt the cold steel barrel of the gun in the small of her back and decided not to try anything. She walked down the steps and over the sandy embankment to the shore of the lake.
“On the ice,” ordered Bernard.
Nancy felt a stab of alarm. “Why?”
His patience snapped. “Don’t ask questions. Just do it!”
Nancy walked to the edge of the lake. Bernard must have run out of ideas, she thought with a little thrill of hope. Why else was he forcing her out onto the half-frozen lake? There was only about ten yards of piled-up ice. After that the frigid water of Lake Michigan stretched endlessly.
She stepped out onto a block of ice. The wind whipped around her. It had gotten so much darker in the last half hour that she could no longer make out the individual trees in the park.
Again, Nancy studied Bernard out of the corner of her eye. He kept glancing behind him and then out toward the lake. It seemed as if he were measuring something.
“There,” he said finally, pointing a short distance down the lake shore. “That’s where I stowed the boat.”
The boat! Nancy’s heart began beating faster. So he had a getaway planned. She walked over to where he had pointed.
A small rowboat was wedged between blocks of ice. It moved only slightly with the swells of the lake. Nancy gulped. It was crazy to try to go anywhere in that rowboat. Didn’t Bernard know that?
She looked at his face. Even in the failing light, she could see the wild look in his eyes. At this point, she guessed, Bernard wasn’t thinking rationally. Nancy had to try to talk him out of his crazy plan before both of them drowned in the icy waters!