“Dad, are you forgetting me?” Nancy asked. “You can keep working for her. I’ll work for you.”

Drew shook his head. “I’d rather you didn’t, honey. I’ve been set up, and I’m sure organized crime has a hand in it.”

“Mr. Drew?” A young man in uniform stood at Carson’s elbow. “I’m sorry, but your visitors will have to leave now.”

Nancy gave her father a quick hug, smiling to hide how worried she was. “We’ll be waiting for you.”

“He might be a while,” the policeman said gently. “This way, sir.”

He led Carson Drew through a heavy door. It shut with a resounding thud, and that was the last glimpse Nancy had of her father.

Back out in the foyer, Ann Granger began to pace. “This makes no sense at all. Why has it all happened now? The court order, the death threats-the timing is all wrong.”

Nancy turned pale. “Death threats! Are you serious?”

“Only a couple of them.” Ann spoke as if she were used to death threats. “But why now? I’ve already written the articles exposing the insurance fraud, and I’ve cooperated with the grand jury-except for naming my source, of course. The grand jury will be handing down indictments any day now.”

“In other words, everything’s all over,” Ned said.

“Right. So what’s the point? Why threaten me and frame Carson, especially with something as ridiculous as trying to bribe a judge?”

“They goofed,” Nancy agreed. “Who’s going to believe my father would do such a thing?”

“Nancy,” Ned said, his voice gentle. “People will wonder. Don’t forget, your dad’s not accused of bribing just anybody. His accuser is a judge.”

“Which judge?” Nancy asked Ann.

“Renk. Judge Jonathan Renk.”

Nancy stared at her. “You must be mistaken! Uncle Jon would never do this to my dad.”

Ann’s eyes widened with astonishment. “Judge Renk is your uncle?”