The next big hurdle for Nancy and Tom was Molly. Their instincts were leading them to Jeremy. His connection to Dr. Donaldson had moved him to the top of the suspects list. But of course, they had no real proof of anything against Jeremy. If Molly could help by talking to Jeremy, they might learn more and be able to make a solid connection to the strange injury Heidi Moore had suffered.

Molly's morning class schedule gave Tom and Nancy a chance to think things through. After getting in some phone time back to their respective offices, the two met at the motel's beach-side courtyard. They were both dressed in shorts and sweatshirts for the five mile run they had planned. They headed north, away from the crowd and the wharf. Tom took the early lead as if to say he could outrun Nancy if really he wanted to. Twenty minutes later the pace was too much for him. Nancy noticed that she was doing all the talking over the last mile and Tom was breathing pretty hard. They stopped to rest near a clump of large Pacific coast beach rocks.

Nancy: There was a time when you would have run me into the ground on this little jaunt.

Tom: There was a time I would have carried you. Time won't stand still.

Nancy: Seems like yesterday we were just kids jumping up to be held by Uncle Tom.

Tom: Both you and Molly will never be anything but kids as far as I'm concerned.

Nancy: I'm worried about her, you know.

Tom: That makes two of us. Problem is, she's about as stubborn as you are. Do you think we can make her listen to us?

Nancy: I doubt it. Seems like Molly has had some practice defending herself against criticisms of Jeremy. I don't think we're going to be able to break through that crust.

Tom: Let's lay it out for her and see how she reacts. Maybe she'll surprise us.

Nancy: What will surprise me is if you can make it back to the motel. Come on, I'll race you.

Nancy took off back down the beach and taunted Tom as he got back into his running and breathing grind. They had half an hour before Molly was to join them. Nancy set the pace and kept Tom on a steady speed.

There was just enough time for a quick shower before Molly picked them up. When she did, they drove south to the Rusty Pelican for lunch. The outdoor porch provided the privacy and relaxed atmosphere that Nancy hoped would help soothe her kid sister. The waitress seated the trio and took their order. Tom and Nancy looked at each other wondering which of them would take the lead. To their mutual surprise, it was Molly.

Molly: Listen, something pretty weird happened last night. I almost called you Nancy, but it just seemed too late by the time I gave up trying to talk to my friends about it.

Nancy: What happened? Are you all right?

Molly: I'm just worried cause it's making me think about Jeremy. I'm not sure I know who he is anymore. And now, I'm starting to think I never did know him.

Tom: Did he pull some stunt at the meeting last night?

Molly: He built up the meeting more than he ever has before. They played music and acted all important and everything. I don't know what happened... One minute everybody seemed normal, like they were getting into the show. But then, it was like I didn't even know those people. It really scared me. Some of my other friends were weirded out too. So it's not just me.

Nancy: Molly, slow down. We can see you're upset, but you're not telling us anything. Just tell us what Jeremy did.

Molly: Somehow he got them all to break up their relationships. Anybody who wasn't dating another Ethernaut had to break it off right then and there. It was like they were in some kind of trance! They just walked up to the stage, picked up a phone and did it. Then, they all told us the same reason for it. They said they'd been planning to do it for weeks. Jeremy just went on and on about how much stronger the club was going be because of their sacrifice. I can't stand thinking about him.

Tom: All of them defended it the same way?

Molly: Yes! Even my friend Susan. She's engaged or was engaged. She's been planning her wedding for two years. It's all she talked about. She wasn't planning to break up, but even she said she was. It was like they were hypnotized by him. He's a monster! I hate him!

Nancy: Molly, we need to tell you what we've found out so far. Then we're going to talk to Spike. I want you to tell him about what happened at the meeting last night, okay?

Molly: You think it was weird, don't you?

Tom: Molly, it's more than weird. It's horrible. Don't let anyone tell you any different.

Nancy told Molly about the trail Spike had followed to Dr. Donaldson. Then she told her about how they found out Jeremy was working for the professor and that's where the newest surprise came out. Molly had never heard of Donaldson or that Jeremy was working a part-time job.

Molly: Why would Jeremy Jones have a job? It doesn't make any sense. You don't think he's making payments on that Porsche by helping out in this guy's lab do you?

Tom: I didn't think of that. He doesn't need the money, does he?

Molly: He's got more money than he knows what to do with. And he's had it so long he's bored by it. It never even occurs to him spend money!

Nancy: Then he's just working at the lab to stay close to Dr. Donaldson's research.

Molly: What does he hope to do with it?

Tom: That's what we have to figure out next. Unfortunately, we're going to have to get him to tell us.

Molly: How are we going to do that?

When both Nancy and Tom looked at Molly without saying a word, she knew she had her answer.



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