Choosing Sides Read Online Free Page B

Gleason’s campaign gave Brenda thescoop. It’s possible that Gleason doesn’t know anything about it. Anyway,” she continued, “at least we have a lead. Ned said he was going to be working on Gleason’s campaign today. After we talk to Brenda’s father, I’m going to go over to Gleason’s headquarters and see what I can find out.”
    â€œWhat should I do?” Bess asked.
    Nancy thought for a moment. “Maybe you should go back to Caroline’s office and tell her and Hector about this lead. I’ll drop you off and meet you back there when I’m finished.”
    â€œSure,” Bess agreed. Her blue eyes sparkled as she added, “Besides, Kyle said he was going to be around this afternoon.”
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    Half an hour later, Nancy pulled her Mustang to a halt in front of the downtown storefront where Patrick Gleason had his campaign office. She got out of her car and peered through the huge plate-glass windows plastered with Gleason posters.
    The place seemed just as chaotic as Caroline’s headquarters. Nancy didn’t spot Ned, but it looked as if half of Emerson College had volunteered to help.
    Nancy felt a little nervous as she stepped inside. What if someone recognized her as a volunteer for Caroline Hill’s campaign?
    â€œHi!” Two lanky guys about Nancy’s age greeted her immediately. Their button-downshirts were covered with “Gleason for Mayor” buttons. “Are you here to volunteer for the campaign?” one guy asked.
    â€œUh, no,” Nancy replied. “I’m here to see Ned Nickerson.”
    â€œHe’s over there, answering phones.” The other guy pointed across the room to a corner that hadn’t been visible from the window. Ned had a telephone receiver to his ear. He looked so preoccupied that Nancy hesitated to interrupt him.
    She was crossing toward him, when a door opened at the rear of the office and a man wearing a suit walked out. He was over six feet tall, lean and handsome, with a short, thick shock of dark hair that gave him a boyish air. Nancy recognized Patrick Gleason from his posters. He headed toward the water fountain near Nancy and stooped to get a drink.
    Taking a deep breath, Nancy strode over to the candidate. “Hello, Mr. Gleason,” she began in a cheerful, brisk voice, “I’m Nancy Drew, Ned Nickerson’s girlfriend.”
    Patrick Gleason spun around, and a dazzling smile flashed across his face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nancy,” he said, shaking her hand firmly. “Ned’s talked a lot about you. He mentioned that you’re working for Caroline Hill,” Gleason added with a note of amusement. “That must make for interesting dinner conversation.”
    â€œIt does.” Nancy took a deep breath before adding, “Particularly with the ridiculous allegationagainst Caroline Hill that was in Today’s Times this morning. You wouldn’t happen to know who gave that story to the paper, would you?”
    Gleason’s smile faded. He took Nancy’s arm and ushered her into his office. “Are you accusing me of planting stories about my opponent?” he demanded, shutting the door.
    Nancy swept her eyes over the clutter on Gleason’s desk. She didn’t see anything to indicate that he had provided Brenda with the story. “I have reason to believe that someone from this—”
    Her words were cut short when Gleason’s intercom was buzzed, and a voice said, “Brodsky from the Morning Record is on line three.”
    â€œSorry,” Patrick Gleason told Nancy, but his expression was more relieved than apologetic. He opened the door again and gestured the way out. “We’ll talk again, I’m sure.”
    â€œJust let me—” Nancy began, but Gleason was already on the phone.
    Sighing, she stepped out of his office. As she was heading over to Ned, a voice