The Wrong Chemistry by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

Nancy was again struck by the force of his personality. She nodded.
    â€œAnd I’m Ned Nickerson,” Ned said, maneuvering himself between Bangs and Nancy. “Nice to meet you. We’re looking for one of your members. Angela Morrow. Maybe you know her?”
    Bangs laughed. “My members? I’d love to take the credit, but this is Karen’s group. She founded POE. Actually, I’ve never seen or heard of another group like it. I’m just here because my lecture ran over yesterday and I missed my plane. She’s got a great group of kids here,” he said generously, clapping Karen on the shoulder warmly. “Earnest, committed—a wonderful group!”
    Nancy watched Bangs curiously. For all his smooth manner, he didn’t strike her as sincere.
    Karen blushed at Bangs’ compliment. “Philip, you remember Angela. The thin girl with the short black hair? You saw her off today when she went home.”
    Bangs furrowed his brow slowly. “Oh, yes!Great kid. Very knowledgeable about politics, too.”
    â€œYou saw her off?” Nancy interrupted. “You don’t remember if she said anything, well, unusual, do you? Or if she left a message for anyone?”
    â€œNo, nothing unusual,” Bangs replied. “She just jumped into her car and said she’d be back tomorrow.”
    Karen squared her shoulders and turned to Bangs. “Philip, before you go, I want to schedule another lecture sometime in the spring.” The blond girl turned back to Nancy and Ned, dismissing them. “I’m sorry Angela isn’t here, but we do expect her back tomorrow. I’ll tell her you came by.”
    Nancy could see that Ned was about ready to burst. She led him outside quickly.
    â€œAngela’s father died when she was six years old!” Ned said furiously. “How could she be getting his permission? I don’t believe a word they say. What if they’re holding her against her will?”
    Nancy hesitated. “Angela seemed ready to join them last night. Besides, what would they have to gain by holding her? Does her mother have a lot of money?”
    Ned shook his head. “Not that I know of.”
    â€œLook, Ned, I hate to say it,” Nancy pointed out quietly, “but it might mean nothing. Whywould Karen know if Angela’s father was alive or not?”
    â€œIt doesn’t fit,” Ned insisted.
    Nancy nodded. “You’re right. I don’t like this, either, but we won’t know more until we talk to Angela.”
    â€œI could call her at home.”
    Nancy took Ned’s arm. “Ned, you talked your heart out last night and it didn’t work. I don’t think you’ll change her mind now. Let’s wait and see what happens when she gets back.”
    Nancy walked Ned to his history class. He still seemed moody and distracted. Stopping to let the boisterous crowd of students pass them, she gave him a quick kiss and made him promise not to worry. As Nancy watched Ned disappear into the gray stone building, she couldn’t help thinking something was wrong with POE. She ached to help him find out what it was, but she was here at Emerson to solve a different mystery and she’d better get started.
    Heading for the science building, Nancy spied Professor Maszak shouting into a pay phone. Seeing her, he lowered his voice and turned his back on her.
    Nancy drifted into one of the phone booths a few feet away, lifted the receiver and pretended to dial. She strained to hear what Maszak was saying but his words were too soft. Then, just as she prepared to give up, he raised his voice.
    â€œI’m doing it,” she heard him growl. “I’ve been doing it all along, and they haven’t done anything with it! They are the ones wasting time waiting for the processing. You’ll get your money. I’ll go back to them and see what I can do. You can count on me.”
    There was a short silence, then