Nancy turned away from the window and continued thinking out loud. “Didn’t Ned go on a couple of white water trips with his uncle a few years ago? He’d probably be a big help in case of an emergency or something.”

“Emergency?” Bess went pale. “Like-like the raft tipping over?”

George looked at her scornfully. “Rafts don’t ‘tip over,’ dummy. They capsize.”

Bess turned a shade paler.

“Rafts don’t capsize, either,” Nancy said, patting Bess comfortingly on the shoulder. “They’re too stable.” She stretched and yawned. “Listen, Bess, if you want a vacation at the beach, go for it. But I’ve never been white water rafting, and it sounds like fun to me-if Ned can come along.” She turned to George.

“Sure,” George said enthusiastically. “Yeah. Ask Ned. We’ll have a great time with him.” She cast a sideways glance at Bess. “And with all the other boys.”

“What other boys?” Bess asked.

“Are you kidding?” George replied. “The letter said there are six other kids coming along on the trip. Probably boys.” She paused. “Rugged, masculine, plaid-shirted boys with broad shoulders and…”

“Well…” Bess said indecisively.

“Oh, come on,” Nancy said. “It’ll be great.”

“Boys,” George teased.

“Okay,” Bess agreed. “I’ll come.”

“Bess Marvin has agreed to go white water rafting with you and George?” Ned said incredulously. He propped his feet up on Carson Drew’s favorite ottoman.

Nancy’s father was an internationally known criminal lawyer. He had taught Nancy a great deal of what she knew about detective work. At the moment, he was on one of his frequent trips, this one to the Middle East. Nancy missed him, but she wasn’t alone. She had Hannah Gruen, the Drews’ longtime housekeeper, who had been like a second mother to Nancy since the death of Nancy’s real mother.

Nancy glanced at Ned. He was home for the weekend, and she was glad to see him. She was enjoying their cozy evening in the den watching TV.