Trail of Lies by Carolyn Keene

grin faded at the sight of George’s face. Though her friend tried to smile, she couldn’t hide the distress in her eyes.
    â€œIs something wrong?” Nancy asked quietly.
    George’s nod was almost imperceptible. “Later,” she murmured.
    The boys climbed down from the truck, and Nancy walked over to Steve, holding out her hand. “I never got to congratulate you,” she said.
    He took her hand and shook it. “I told you I’d win,” he said with a grin. It was the first time Steve had been friendly to Nancy.
    When Nancy and George got into the car, George was quiet, her expression grave.
    â€œOh, Nancy, I can’t believe it.” George’s voice was low and angry.
    Nancy looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
    George’s dark eyes were sad. “Steve did it. He’s the one who spooked Lindsay’s team.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Nancy demanded. “How do you know he did it?”
    George exhaled slowly before telling Nancy, “I found a whip hidden on his sled!”

Chapter

Eleven
    A WHIP ?” For a moment Nancy’s heart sank. Then she realized what was wrong with George’s idea. “But if Steve had used a whip, we’d have seen it. It’s not something we could have missed.”
    George looked as though she wanted to believe Nancy, but she was still skeptical. “If he wasn’t going to use it, why was it hidden on the sled?”
    Nancy shrugged. “I don’t know. I think we ought to ask Steve that question, don’t you?”
    When they reached the house, Nancy and George found Steve in the den, watching television.
    â€œWhere’s Craig?” Nancy asked.
    â€œHe’s putting the dogs back in the barn, andthen he’s going to sleep.” Steve’s reply was curt. “Remember that he works at my esteemed father’s establishment most nights,” he added sarcastically.
    Nancy switched off the television and turned to face Steve. Confrontation had worked with John. Maybe it would work with Steve, too.
    â€œDid you spook Lindsay’s team?” she asked bluntly.
    Steve jumped to his feet. “What? No way!” he cried.
    â€œWhy did you have a whip on your sled if you didn’t plan to use it?” George asked quietly.
    Steve whirled around. “What are you talking about?” he demanded. “What whip?”
    â€œYou didn’t hide it very well, Steve.” George’s look was anguished. “I found it in the sled basket, close enough to the handlebar that you could have reached it without any trouble.”
    For a second Steve was silent, a muscle in his jaw flexing. Finally he spoke. “Let me say three things. Number one, I didn’t hide any whip. Two, I didn’t reach for any whip. Three, I didn’t use any whip. That’s all there is to it.”
    â€œSteve, it’s not that simple,” Nancy answered. “When you got to the last lap, Lindsay was ahead. Her team would have won—except that the dogs were driven off the track by thesound of a cracking whip. We all heard it. Now, you told everyone you were going to win the trial. Also, you know that her team goes wild at the sound of a whip. And a whip was found on your sled. You’ve got to admit, there’s a pretty strong case against you.”
    â€œVery nice logic, Miss Detective,” Steve snapped. “You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you? But you’re wrong. I had nothing to do with it. And I don’t need to prove myself to you.”
    â€œI—I believe you, Steve,” George spoke up, and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “But do you have any idea how that whip got onto your sled?”
    Steve shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t used a whip at all this season. Lindsay gave me a hard time about it all last year, and then Amanda started in, too. I finally gave up and told Craig to throw the thing