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in shape for the women’s race next month.”
    â€œIt’s not going to help,” came a voice from behind them.
    George turned around quickly. Erik was standing behind them, smirking. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you that it’s not polite to eavesdrop?” she said.
    But her sharp retort didn’t faze him.
    â€œI get some of my best information from eavesdropping,” he said. “And you won’t have to worry about the race next month. I don’t think you’ll be competing in it.” His voice took on a false-solicitous tone as he continued. “Knees that have been damaged have a way of giving out unexpectedly. I predict that you’ll be headed for the infirmary before this recreational run is over!”

Chapter

Four
    G EORGE’S DARK EYES flashed with anger. “I have no intention of spending time in the infirmary,” she snapped at Erik. “And I have every intention of winning this race.”
    â€œWe’ll see,” Erik replied. He turned and walked over to his bike. “Let’s go, everybody,” he yelled at the rest of the group.
    â€œHe—he’s insufferable!” George sputtered, swinging up onto her bike.
    Nancy watched as George pedaled furiously to catch up with Erik. Then she turned to Ned, who had walked up beside her and overheard Erik’s remark. “I’m worried about George,” Nancy said. “That thing Erik said sounded like a threat to me. You don’t think he’d do anything to hurt her, do you?”
    Ned shook his head. “Erik is famous for hisbad attitude,” he said. “It’s just something you learn to ignore if you’re around him much. And what could he do to hurt her? He can’t lie about who wins with five witnesses riding along behind.”
    â€œI guess you’re right,” Nancy said, but she wasn’t convinced.
    Erik and George had ridden about a quarter mile ahead of the other cyclists on the first segment of the route, and they were pulling ahead again. Kendra was sticking close to CJ, who, although an experienced cyclist, was riding at a leisurely pace. Every so often Nancy would notice the small dark-haired girl engage him in conversation, and once, when she stopped to check a tire, she asked for his help, which he willingly gave.
    Jennifer, riding behind Kendra and CJ, had been noticeably quiet. Nancy pulled up alongside her.
    â€œYou said you’re from New York State, right? I hear there are some great bike trails there,” Nancy said.
    â€œSome,” Jennifer replied. Her eyes met Nancy’s briefly. Then she pedaled harder and pulled away from the group, avoiding further conversation.
    When they reached a picnic area around noon, they were all ready for a rest and some food. The roadside stop was rustic and somewhat neglected, with tall grass growing up around the legsof the wooden tables and benches, and deep ruts in the gravel parking area in front. Tall pine trees ringed the picnic site, and in a nearby clearing was a weathered seesaw and swing set.
    â€œBike racks are on the other side of the rest rooms,” Erik yelled as the five slower cyclists pulled into the gravel parking lot. “Lock ’em up!”
    George, who had been carrying one of the lunch boxes in her pannier, had already claimed a picnic table and was laying out the food that the Emerson cafeteria had prepared for them. The picnic area was deserted, except for their group and a family with two little boys. The children were playing on the seesaw.
    â€œThis seat taken?” CJ asked George, as he lifted one long leg over the bench. He sat down beside her without waiting for an answer and reached for a ham and cheese sandwich. Kendra raised an eyebrow and sat down on the other side of the table beside Nancy and Ned.
    CJ pushed his blond hair back from his forehead and grinned at George. “You’re giving him a good run for his money,” CJ