Cold as Ice by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page B

happened.”
    He took a deep breath before continuing.
    â€œI was feeling so . . . I don’t know, restless and upset about being off the team that I decided to go for a run across campus to Foster Gate, then back the long way by the heating plant.”
    Nancy nodded. “Did you see anybody you know?”
    â€œThe cops asked me that, too,” he said. “And I’ll tell you what I told them. I didn’t notice anybody. I’m not saying I didn’t pass a few people, but I didn’t pay any attention.”
    Nancy sighed. If nobody saw him, it would be impossible to find someone who could verify hisstory. Rob sure wasn’t making her job any easier. “What about your jacket? Are you sure you left it in the boat house?”
    â€œI’m positive!” he shouted. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve done nothing for the last half hour except answer questions about that stupid jacket.”
    â€œDo you have any idea how it could have gotten soaked with gasoline?”
    He raised his hands, palms up, in a gesture of exasperation. “How should I know?” he said miserably. “I don’t understand any of this. I mean, when I woke up this morning I was just a normal student like everyone else. Now all of a sudden I’m a major criminal!” He shook his head. “Do you realize that on top of setting the boat house fire, the cops think I stole those jewels? Can you believe it?”
    â€œI can’t believe you did it,” Nancy admitted. “But you’d better face the fact that the police have good reason to suspect you. And it looks as if somebody is trying to give them better reasons.”
    Rob looked at her in disbelief. “You mean someone’s setting me up?”
    Nancy nodded. “It looks that way. Can you think of anybody who might want to get you in trouble?”
    â€œNot this kind of trouble,” he said. “I’m not saying everybody’s a friend of mine, but I usually get along with people.”
    Nancy studied Rob’s face. His expression was sincere. “Okay,” she said reassuringly. “But if anything comes to mind, let me know.”
    Another twenty minutes brought them to the student center. As they walked in the door, Ned called out, “Nancy! Rob!” and rushed over to them. “I was so worried. What happened to you?” he asked, taking Nancy’s hand in his. “We thought you’d get here an hour ago! We were just about to go look for you.”
    â€œI might as well tell everyone at the same time,” Nancy said, leading Ned over to the others.
    While Nancy told them about finding Rob’s jacket and being taken in for questioning by the police, Rob stood by silently, a gloomy expression on his face.
    Jerry turned to him, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Ol’ buddy, it sounds to me like somebody is fitting you for a frame.”
    â€œI already told Nancy, nobody dislikes me that much,” Rob said in a downcast voice.
    â€œBut maybe somebody simply wants to send the police off on a false trail. Maybe the reason you’re the target is that the thief happened to find your jacket and realized that he could use it.”
    â€œYou mean the thief might not have any connection at all to Rob?” Bess said. “Then how on earth are we ever going to track him down?”
    â€œThe usual mixture,” Nancy said. “Sound thinking, hard work, and a touch of good luck.”
    â€œI sure could use the good luck,” Rob said, smiling weakly. “But let’s not talk about my problems anymore. It’s Winter Carnival, after all.”
    Nancy was glad he was making an effort to cheer up, even if it was only for everyone else’s sake. Glancing over Rob’s shoulder, Nancy saw someone who wouldn’t help his mood.
    Rob was unzipping his parka and starting to take it off just as Susan Samuels walked past. She