Mystery of the Midnight Rider (Nancy Drew Diaries #3)(24)

"Interesting.” I twirled a lock of hair around my finger as I tried to fit this piece into the puzzle.

Bess was frowning. “So this means Jessica couldn’t be our culprit, right?” she said. “She wasn’t around to slip something into Midnight’s food at that show.”

"Right,” I said. “Unless she really is in cahoots with Lenny Hood, of course.”

"Oh, right.” George’s face fell. "I forgot about that.”

“Actually, with all the weird stuff that’s happening, it’s seeming more and more likely that there could be more than one culprit at work,” I said. “That would certainly make it easier to make all the pieces fit.”

“Okay,” Bess said. "So what do we do now?”

"I’m not sure.” I glanced at the sky, which was showing streaks of red. "It’s getting late, and the show will be winding down for the night pretty soon. Maybe we should find Payton and see what she wants to do.”

My phone buzzed before my friends could respond. It was a text from Ned, asking where we were. Oops. In all the excitement, I’d forgotten to update him in a while.

I let him know where we were, and he was there within minutes. “What have you been up to all day?” Bess asked him. “Planning some romantic getaway for your anniversary?”

“Actually, yes.” Ned grinned and winked, then turned to take my hand. "I’m officially sweeping you away with me.”

“Huh?” I said.

"Since we had to cancel our picnic, I want to make it up to you,” Ned said. “I’m taking you out to dinner. What do you say?”

“Picnic? What picnic?” Bess asked.

Ned ignored her. “So how’s Italian sound?” he asked, squeezing my hand.

My stomach grumbled, and I realized I’d forgotten to eat lunch. "It sounds fantastic.” I glanced at my friends. “Can you guys finish up here without me? We should probably check in with Payton, and—”



“Go.” Bess gave me a little shove. “Have a nice time.” She pulled me back toward her, gave a sniff, and wrinkled her nose. “But for Pete’s sake, stop off at home and take a shower first. You smell like a horse!”





*****





"This is nice,” I said, reaching for my water glass. The ice cubes clinked against the crystal as I took a sip. I glanced around. We were seated in the crowded dining room of the most popular Italian restaurant in River Heights. “I can’t believe you actually got us a table here on a Friday night.”



Across from me, Ned looked happy and handsome as he lifted his own water glass in a toast. “Only the best for you,” he said with a wink. Then he chuckled. “But seriously, it’s only because my mom plays tennis with the owner. Don’t tell Bess that, though.”

"Your secret’s safe with me.” My smile faded as I returned my attention to my pasta. It was delicious, even though I could barely remember ordering it. In fact, I’d spent most of the two-plus hours since leaving the show grounds only half-focused on what I was doing. The rest of my mind kept returning to the case. The Grand Prix was tomorrow night, and I had no idea when the powers that be would make their decision about whether Payton and Midnight could still enter. If I didn’t figure something out fast, there was a chance Payton could miss her chance to impress the Olympic chef d’equipe. And I didn’t want that to happen if I could help it.

It took me a moment to realize that Ned had said something. Blinking, I shot him a sheepish smile. “What? Um, sorry. Guess I’m a little distracted.”

He looked sympathetic “I hear you. I’m worried about Payton too.”

I reached over and squeezed his hand, grateful as always that he was so understanding about my sleuthing. "Thanks. It’s just that we don’t have much time, and—”

"I know.” Ned speared a meatball with his fork. "I called Mom and Dad to tell them Dana would be dropping Payton off when they finished for the day. They asked how everything went, but I didn’t mention that slashed-up saddle. Now I’m wondering if it’s a mistake to keep it from them. Whoever did that has some serious anger issues.”

“Maybe Payton will tell them when she gets home,” I said.

“Maybe.” Ned sounded dubious. “But she’s the one who didn’t even want to tell her parents about that note.” He sighed, setting down his fork. "I’m thinking it might be almost time to bring in the police.”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t really disagree with his point.

"Things just aren’t coming together,” I mused, staring at my plate. "There are a lot of people on our suspect list, but none of them quite fits all the evidence.”

"I know. Like that girl Jessica—she’s got a motive, but she wasn’t at the show where Midnight got drugged,” Ned said. “Plus, could she really sneak into Dana’s bam in broad daylight to slash that saddle or tamper with Midnight’s feed without anyone seeing her?”

“I’m not sure. We did see her outside right after those horses were let loose. But what about those threatening notes? I’m not even sure she’s old enough to drive—how would she follow Payton all the way back to your house?”