Out of Bounds Read Free

Nancy and George on her heels.
    They stepped outside to find Cynthia leaningagainst the building around the corner from the restaurant entrance. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
    â€œWhat a jerk that guy is!” Bess fumed, trying to comfort her friend. “I mean, talk about hostile!”
    â€œIt’s probably just a mistake, Cynthia,” George said. “Maybe the money was misplaced.”
    Cynthia shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she said, stopping to catch her breath first. “Edgar told me last week that a lot of money was missing. Then Pete fired Erica Dawson, and we all thought that would be the end of it.”
    Nancy riveted her attention on the girl. “Wait—Pete already fired someone else for stealing?”
    â€œLast week,” said Cynthia, nodding sadly. “It’s weird, isn’t it?”
    â€œI’ll say,” said Nancy. “Did he press charges against the girl he fired?”
    â€œNo. He threatened to, but when her folks hired a lawyer, he dropped everything,” Cynthia answered, brushing a stray tear from her eye. “I really need that job, too.”
    â€œCynthia’s been saving for college,” Bess explained. “Ooh, the nerve of that rat. She’s no more guilty than you or me.”
    â€œI’d never steal! I couldn’t live with myself if I did!” Utterly defeated, Cynthia slumped back against the wall, her head hanging.
    â€œThere’s got to be a way to find out what’s really going on,” Nancy said, touching the cheerleader’s hand comfortingly.
    â€œYou think so?” Cynthia asked, raising her head.
    â€œOf course,” echoed George.
    â€œThat’s right,” Bess said. “Everyone’s innocent until proven guilty.”
    â€œBut Cynthia can’t prove she’s innocent,” George said. “Unless Pete presses charges, the case will never come to court. It’ll remain an ugly rumor and continue to hurt Cynthia’s reputation.”
    â€œThat’s true. Erica’s been looking all over town for a job,” Cynthia said, a sudden catch in her voice. “Nobody will hire someone who’s been fired for stealing. Bedford isn’t that big, and everyone hears everything eventually.”
    â€œCynthia, do you think Erica really took money from Touchdown?” Nancy asked.
    Cynthia’s blue eyes focused someplace over Nancy’s head as she thought a minute. “When she was fired, I was shocked. I mean, I couldn’t believe it, but Pete said he had proof—”
    â€œHe might not have had proof, if he didn’t press charges,” Nancy pointed out.
    â€œI’ll bet Nancy’s right!” Bess threw in. “Pete was probably lying!”
    â€œAnd he can’t have proof that I stole, because Ididn’t!” Cynthia insisted through fresh, hot tears.
    â€œThere’s something very strange going on here,” Nancy murmured. “The best thing would be for me to take a job at Touchdown and find out what it is.”
    Cynthia gulped hard. “Would you? Would you really do that for me?”
    Nancy realized the three girls were staring expectantly at her.
    â€œYou’d only have to work there until you found out what was going on,” Bess said, urging her on.
    â€œOkay,” said Nancy. “I’m not a great waitress, but I’d hate to see Pete get away with this.”
    â€œLook at this face,” Bess said, breaking the heavy mood of the moment by holding Cynthia’s face in her hands and turning it from side to side. “Is this the face of a thief? No way!”
    Cynthia couldn’t help breaking out in a small smile. “Gosh, Nancy. Bess was telling me how terrific you were and all—”
    â€œHey! There’s the girl who stole the money!” Two guys in denim jackets turned the corner of Touchdown and were looking directly at Cynthia. Their faces were