Nancy Screw and the Coming of Age (18+) Chapter 11

Chapter 11

A Curious Note

When Nancy arrived at Venture Park Beth and Janet were there waiting for her at the very spot they had consoled her not a night before. The three met up and were soon on their way.

Venture Park was an expansive plot of land for the town of Riverside. It consisted of one third grassy fields, playgrounds, and sport structures and the other two thirds spaciously settled woods. On nice days like this, the park was usually full of people. However, this weekend seemed unusually deserted.

“What did you have in mind, Nancy?” Beth seemed a bit more curious now than she had been on the phone earlier.

“Well, I think that we should go for a walk and see if we can find anything. I’m not sure how else to go about it.”

Nancy paused for a moment and then waited for a response. She spoke again.

“If any of you two have any suggestions, I would love to hear it.”

“Well, Nanc, I think that going for a walk would be great. We’ll keep our eyes open.”

With that the three set off along the sidewalk that winded into the park. Along the way they kept their eyes open for any clues.

“I’m thinking that if any clues are around that will help shed a little light on what happened to Mr. Turner, they would be close to the walkway.” The other two agreed.

“Let’s hope nothing had been picked up since then,” Nancy sighed. “I really don’t want to go through any trash.”

Afternoon slowly crept into evening and the sun was beginning to disappear beyond the distant hills to the West. The three had walked along practically every man-made trail and had yet to find a single clue when, as if on cue, a slight breeze caused the fluttering of something unnatural to the surroundings in which it rested.

“Look, there!” Nancy pointed off to the distance and ran towards its location.

Beth and Janet followed close behind and stopped alongside Nancy. Nancy bent down to pick it up and hurried to make its contents out. It was a folded piece of paper, wrinkled as if meant to have been crumpled but had somehow found its way to a more orderly presentation. Was someone trying to hide something or merely throw it away?

“It looks like a piece of trash, Nancy,” Beth commented.

“Maybe,” Nancy replied. “Maybe it’s something else.”

As soon as Nancy opened it she knew she had something interesting in her hands. It was a letter. And it looked pretty fresh, too. The condition of the paper and the ink that was set on it were still crisp and very legible. It hadn’t rained for a few days or so now and there was no smudging or running of any word or character. The other two leaned in closer.

“A letter,” Janet commented.

“What’s it say,” Beth added.

Nancy read:

“What do you think it means?” Nancy addressed the others.

“Well,” Janet added. “I find it very strange that it was typed. It’s almost like the person who wrote the note didn’t want anyone to identify them by their hand writing.”

“Genius,” Nancy commented. “But what do you think they mean by ‘payment for the job’?”

“I don’t know, Nanc,” Beth replied. “I gotta be honest, I am intrigued now as well. I can see how you could enjoy that book.” Beth pointed to the second mystery that was sticking out of Nancy’s purse.

“Is there something like this in that book?”

“I’m not really sure, Beth. To be honest, I really don’t think there is.”

“Then why bring the book?”

“Well, Beth, since the book brought me here, in addition to the news report, of course, I thought it may end up helping us out further, in case we get stuck.”

Beth nodded and took another look at the letter for the next clue.

Underneath the tree that touches the sun from valley.

Nancy, right with Beth, read the line.

“Valley,” Nancy repeated. “Valley.”

The three looked around. Venture Park held no valley inside it. There were considerable dips in its contours, sure, but there were no valleys. Then Janet shot to life, nearly scaring the two out of their wits.

“I think I’ve got it.”

“Yes,” the two replied. “What is it?”

“Well, valley could be anything, right?”

“Well, I suppose so,” Nancy replied.

“What about Valley Pharmacy and Malts?”

“Genius,” Nancy cried out, commending Janet. “Brilliant,” Beth added.

“But what about the sun, look.” Janet pointed to a slender peak of orange light gracefully slipped below the hill line, painting the sky in a panorama of reds, oranges, purples and blues.

“Well, I can’t wait until tomorrow. This clue is just too tempting!” Nancy started walking towards the speculation and the two followed.

“But if it’s too dark,” Beth raised her voice as she spoke to reach Nancy, “then how can we find any more clues?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Nancy called back. “I’m sure we’ll be able to handle it.”

The three had caught up and were almost to the Valley Pharmacy and Malts when they finally took the time out to catch their breaths.

“Well, here we are,” Beth puffed. “Now what are we looking for?”

The three looked along the skyline, which now nearly blended in with the hilltops of Venture Park.

“There!” Janet pointed to the top of the crest where a tree, higher and more prominent than the others, stood out from the rest.

“I’m not sure if that’s the one,” Janet added. “There are quite a few trees up there. But for the sake of time and from what the letter stated, that’s our best bet.”

“We’d better hurry then,” Nancy replied.

“Well, what about light?” Beth sounded concerned.

“We should have a flashlight in the car, Beth,” Janet informed.

“Well, what about our safety?”

“Don’t worry, Beth. It’s around seven right now and, since Mr. Turner’s disappearance, there has been police patrolling the area.” Nancy put her hand on Beth’s shoulder.

“Besides, there are three of us and the park isn’t closed for another two hours.”

Beth sighed and let out a reassuring acknowledgment.

“Well then, let’s get to it.” Beth looked at the tree once more.

“We can take that trail there. It leads right to it.” Janet pointed once again as she informed the rest. The three then set off, first to Beth’s car to grab the flashlight, and then to the tree, which awaited their arrival.