The Search for Cindy Austin by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

9

Kidnapped!

Nancy raced to the door. She glanced anxiously in all directions. A misting rain darkened the skies, making it hard to see. Nancy searched the entire parking lot. Cindy was nowhere to be found!

Retracing her footsteps, Nancy went back inside the theater. She was furious at Cindy and furious at herself for trusting her. Yanking open the door to the movie she walked blindly toward her seat, her eyes adjusting to the gloom.

“Bess, George,” she whispered loudly. “Come, quick. Cindy’s missing!”

“What do you mean?” Bess’s voice floated toward Nancy in the darkness. She sounded perplexed. “Cindy’s right here.”

Nancy blinked. To her amazement Bess was right! Cindy was sitting in her seat, her eyes glued to the screen. She sent Nancy a puzzled look, then returned her attention to the movie.

Nancy eased into the seat beside her, feeling foolish. Was she overreacting? She slid the girl a look out of the corner of her eye. She noticed Cindy had no popcorn. And there were dewy beads of water on her jacket.

Cindy had deliberately set her up!

Steaming, Nancy wondered what she should do. Cindy was playing a very dangerous game that could easily backfire on her.

Throughout the rest of the movie, Nancy wondered how to get through to Cindy. Several times Cindy glanced her way, but Nancy kept her gaze on the screen. She needed to think.

On the way home Nancy decided that she needed to have a talk with the Austins, so she dropped Bess and George off first. The rest of the drive to the Connellys’ passed in silence. Cindy squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, but Nancy didn’t offer any conversation.

Finally Cindy asked, “What’s the matter? You act like you’re mad or something.”

“Really? I wonder why.”

“How should I know?” Turning away from Nancy, Cindy stared out the window at the dark night.

Behind them a pair of headlights showed through the blurring rain. Nancy’s heart lurched. Were they being followed?

Keeping an eye on the rearview mirror, Nancy asked casually, “Didn’t your parents talk to you about the accidents I had while you were missing?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So, those accidents happened because I was looking for you. It’s too dangerous for you to run away again.”

“I didn’t—”

“Yes, you did, Cindy,” Nancy cut her off. “You ran out the front door of the theater. The girl behind the concession stand saw you.”

Cindy hunched down in her seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Come on, Cindy. You meant for that girl to see you. Then you sneaked back inside and found your seat again. Just to make me search for you.” The headlights grew closer and Nancy’s heart started thumping.

They were approaching the last stretch of road toward the Connellys’. Nancy stepped on the accelerator and the headlights fell back. Glancing at Cindy, Nancy asked, “What if someone had been waiting for you outside? Waiting for a chance to grab you?”

“You’re all paranoid,” Cindy answered. “No one wants to kidnap me.”

“Cindy, we’re being followed right now. That car’s been on my tail since we left the River Heights city limits.

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