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watched his performance in silence. Now she commented, “Ramsay seems to hold a real grudge against Cheryl. She told me they had a brief romance that didn’t work out. And from what we know at this point, Ramsay could have been behind any of the incidents.”
    â€œNo one with his looks could do anything like that,” Bess said emphatically.
    George rolled her eyes.
    â€œThe problem with this case,” Nancy went on, “is that I have too many suspects. Besides Helga and Marta, there’s Barbara, for instance. She mayhave been at the track this morning because she got an anonymous tip, as she said. But she and her friend Steve could have put up that trip wire.”
    â€œYou mean, if there’s no news, make some?” George said.
    â€œI’ve heard of that happening. Hurting someone just to make a hot story is pretty extreme,” Nancy agreed, “but that means Eric’s also in the running as a suspect.”
    As the girls were waiting for the next shot-putter, Cheryl and Willy walked over to them. “Hi,” Cheryl said to Nancy. “I was looking for you. Willy and I both have some time before our next events, so we’re going for a swim. Want to come along?”
    Nancy quickly scanned the field. She had been keeping an eye out for Marta since the opening parade but hadn’t seen her anywhere. “Okay,” Nancy agreed. Whether Cheryl was a potential victim or a potential suspect, Nancy thought she should stay close to her. She turned to George and Bess. “What about you two? Feel like a swim?”
    George shook her head. “I don’t have a suit with me,” she said.
    â€œAnd I’m going to watch my houseguest, Marie-Laure, in the high jump,” said Bess.
    â€œAll right,” said Nancy. “I’ll look for you after our swim.”
    As they walked toward the gym, Willy told Cheryl, “Annelise said she would meet us at the pool, but I do not think she will swim.”
    â€œWhy not?” asked Cheryl.
    Willy shrugged. “I do not know. I believe she was once a competitive swimmer, but something happened and she gave it up.”
    â€œI wonder why?” Cheryl said. “I can’t imagine giving up running.”
    Eric caught up with them just outside the gym. “Mind if I come along?” he asked.
    â€œIf you want to,” Cheryl replied with a shrug.
    Nancy and Cheryl changed into their suits in the locker room, and Nancy led the way to the indoor pool. A dozen or so athletes were already taking advantage of the chance for a swim. Willy was standing near the entrance, talking to Annelise. He waved to Cheryl, who smiled and waved back. Then, suddenly, her smile froze on her face.
    Nancy followed Cheryl’s gaze. Marta and Helga were standing at one end of the pool.
    The stony expression still on her face, Cheryl walked slowly to the opposite end of the pool from where Helga and Marta were. Nancy followed her. Cheryl pulled off her sweatshirt and dropped it, along with her towel, on one of the benches. She paced off six feet from the end ofthe pool, took a couple of deep breaths, then sprinted forward and launched herself into the air in a perfect racing dive.
    At that instant, every light in the pool room went out. A moment later, Nancy heard Cheryl’s cry, followed by a loud splash.

9
Lights Out!
    â€œCheryl!” Willy was shouting in the suddenly blackened pool room. At first the only answer was more splashing sounds. Then the other athletes began calling out to one another, some in languages Nancy couldn’t understand.
    Nancy knew she had to turn the lights back on—fast. She tried to visualize the layout of the room. The light switches were probably near the double doors that led to the locker rooms. She made her way carefully along the wall to the left, moved forward until she reached a corner, then turned right. All the while, frantic splashing echoed in the darkness.
    Finally, Nancy