Nancy Clue Mysteries 2 - The Case of the Good-for-Nothing Girlfriend (13 page)

Minutes later the girls were back at the diner, seated around a large wooden table gaily outfitted with a red-checked tablecloth. While they waited for seven steak dinners with all the trimmings to be brought to their table, they fielded questions from the inquisitive reporter. One by one the girls introduced themselves, revealing nothing else. Everyone but Nancy, that is, who pretended to be too engrossed in the decor of the diner to pay attention to the conversation.

"I just love these horseshoe-shaped drink coasters, don't you?" Nancy exclaimed. "What a charming idea."

But Miss Gertz couldn't be ignored. "What's your name, dear?" she persisted.

"I'm...I'm...Miss Darcy New," Nancy said hesitantly. "Yes, Darcy New. From River ...er...dale. Yes. Riverdale ...er... California."

"What a pretty name!" Miss Gertz exclaimed. "Darcy. So unusual. Why, with your peaches-and-cream good looks and exotic name, you could be a movie star! I'll bet you are. I'll just bet. And you're in disguise. That's why you're wearing dark glasses. Am I right?"

Nancy nodded, then excused herself and raced for the ladies' lounge.

Midge dropped her voice to a dramatic whisper. "That is Darcy New, the movie star," Midge revealed. "But it's a secret. You see, Darcy New is the star of Twin Mountain's newest picture. It's called ...um...er...Chit Chat. It's just about to be released."

Miss Gertz's eyes grew wide with excitement. "I figured as much!" she cried. "Not much gets past old Gladys here. But why are you going to River Depths? And why on earth does Miss New have a nurse traveling with her?"

Midge thought quickly. Hadn't Nancy once mentioned an adventure at a sanitarium in River Depths? "Darcy New's on the verge of a nervous collapse," Midge said solemnly. "Surely you've heard of the world-renowned River Depths Sanitarium? Specializing in nervous disorders? All the really big actresses go there."

Miss Gertz nodded. "Of course," she whispered excitedly, her eyes all aglow. "That's why you have a nurse along!"

Midge nodded. "That's right. But you can't let Darcy know you know,"

Miss Gertz put one hand over her heart. "Cross my fingers," she whispered solemnly. Marty nodded.

"Good," Midge said. "If word leaked out about Darcy going to the sanitarium, why, there's no telling what might happen. She could go over the edge, and that would put an end to a brilliant movie career. Do you want that to happen?" Midge added dramatically.

"Oh, no," Cherry whispered, forgetting for a moment that Midge was making the whole thing up. "Poor Darcy!"

Midge shot her a dirty look and kicked her under the table. Fortunately, Miss Gertz didn't notice. She was so overcome by Midge's sad story, she had covered her mouth with her handkerchief.

"Your secret is safe with me," Miss Gertz gasped out.

When Nancy returned to the table, the reporter winked at Midge and put on a cheerful smile. "Dear, you're here just in time for the main course!" Miss Gertz cried as she spied a waitress carrying plates of steaming food their way. "Before the food gets here, would you be a dear and give me your autograph?

"Oh dear, where's my pen?" Miss Gertz cried as she turned her pocketbook upside down, searching for her writ ing tool. "Got it! Now, what can you write on? I know. Sign your name on this newspaper."

Cherry gasped when she saw what was in Miss Gertz's hand-a copy of the Wyoming Buffalo Bulletin! Miss Gertz noticed her keen interest in the newspaper.

"Isn't that a charming photograph of Nancy Clue on the front page?" Miss Gertz asked Cherry. "And inside is the most delicious recipe for rhubarb pie. I must remember to save it. I'm always meaning to save things and then I simply forget. Oh, well, that's what happens when you're a busy reporter and have to keep all sorts of information stored in one little brain."

"My mother has an excellent recipe for rhubarb pie," Cherry said helpfully.

"May I see the newspaper?" Nancy asked softly. She autographed the front page with her alias while quickly scanning the story about Hannah. Her face grew grim.

"I think that criminologist's theory about Hannah's wanting to be the dominant female in the household is an interesting one, don't you?" Miss Gertz asked Nancy. "It may help in her defense, but ultimately I think it's an open and shut case, what with the signed confession and possession of a fingerprint-laden murder weapon. Shall I order you another martini, dear?" she inquired when she saw how alarmed Nancy had become.

"I have to make a very important phone call!" Nancy cried. She jumped up from the table and headed for the telephone booth at the back of the restaurant.

"My, she's a flighty little thing, isn't she?" Miss Gertz commented. "Actresses are always so squeamish when it comes to murder."

"I have wonderful news!" Nancy announced gaily the minute they were safely in their room at the DoubleD Motor Lodge and away from the nosy reporters. "I called Chief Chumley and told him to let Hannah go!"

"What?" Midge cried. "You didn't tell him that you shot your father, did you?"

"I thought you had planned to wait until we got to River Depths so you could tell him in person and show him your father's letters," Velma chimed in.

"I was," Nancy replied. "But when Miss Gertz showed me that newspaper and I realized how strong the case is against Hannah, I decided I couldn't wait. And the Chief wasn't at all angry with me. Once I told him why I had done it, and where I had hidden the evidence proving Father's crimes, he promised to free Hannah immediately!"

Midge said nothing. She had the most awful sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I'm so relieved! " Nancy cried as she grabbed Cherry and danced her around the room. "I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Police Chief Chumley is my best friend in River Depths, besides Bess and George, that is. He'll take care of everything. Why, he's the most respected man in town. No one will question his decision to turn Hannah loose.

"He even scolded me for not calling him sooner," she chuckled. "He told me to take my time coming home, and not to tell anyone what I had told him. And he promised to call me here as soon as Hannah is free!

"Then he hung up rather abruptly. He was probably in a hurry to rush off and fix things," she reasoned. "So, you see, everything is fine. Hannah will be released right away, so it doesn't matter so much that we're stuck here for the night."

"How wonderful!" Cherry cried. "This calls for a celebration."

"I've already thought of that," Nancy declared. She pulled a bottle of champagne from her purse, got glasses from the washroom, and poured drinks all around.

"Bottoms up!" Nancy laughed as she raised her glass.

Midge left her drink untouched. She was frankly concerned that Nancy had acted in haste. "Still, that reporter practically pushed Nancy into it," she realized. Was Miss Gertz really as dumb as she seemed? Suddenly, Midge was too tired to care. She kicked off her penny loafers and plopped down on one of the two double beds in their room at the DoubleD Motor Lodge. This time they had been careful not to let the motel manager see her enter the room. Now all she wanted was to curl up next to her girl and fall asleep.

"I think I'll join you!" Cherry exclaimed, bouncing on the bed. She surveyed the rustic room, with its rough wood paneling and Western decor. "These lamps shaped like covered wagons are cute!" she cried.

Nancy drew the curtains, which were patterned with a handsome horse motif, took off her kerchief and dark glasses, and fluffed her trademark titian hair. "Phew! I didn't think we'd ever get rid of those nosy reporters," she exclaimed. "I was so excited after calling the Chief, I almost blurted out the whole story at the supper table," Nancy laughed. She refilled her glass.

"Miss Gertz would be aghast to know she just had supper with Nancy Clue," Cherry giggled.

"I can't believe they really thought I was a movie star," Nancy added. "Luckily, every year at Lake Winnebago Summer Camp I played Juliet to my chum George's Romeo, so I was able to come up with a convincing soliloquy," she grinned. "'Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?' " she intoned in a dramatic manner. She put her hand to her head, pretended to swoon, and collapsed on top of Cherry.

They were startled by a sudden knock at the door. "It's those two dames," Lauren whispered as she peeked through a part in the curtains.

Nancy raced to the bathroom to hide.

Cherry opened the door to find Miss Gertz and her friend Miss Mannish standing outside, attractively attired in matching bathing costumes. Miss Mannish had on a darling pair of beach clogs, while Miss Gertz was clad in casual straw san dais. With towels wrapped around their hair turban-style, they made a gay sight. "We're going to the pool for a late swim," Miss Gertz bubbled. "Care to join us?"

Cherry checked her sturdy nurse's watch. Only thirty minutes had passed since their meal of fried steak, mashed potatoes, salad, vegetable medley, biscuits and gravy, strawberry pie, milk, and coffee. "Why, you'll drown if you swim so soon after a large meal," she cautioned.

Miss Gertz thanked Cherry for her thoughtful advice.

Cherry beamed. More than anything, she liked helping others best. She graciously declined their invitation, feigning sleepiness. "I must get my beauty rest," she joked, faking a yawn.

Miss Gertz and her companion bade the girls a pleasant evening. "Remember to wait at least thirty more minutes before getting in the pool," Cherry leaned out the door to call after them. "And don't hesitate to come and get me if one of you should get cramped while swimming."

Midge pulled Cherry inside and closed the door. "Cherry, don't give those busybodies an excuse to come around," she cautioned. "I think they already know too much," she said.

"Midge, a nurse's vow is sacred," Cherry said. She put her hand over her heart and intoned:

" 'I solemnly pledge myself to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is mischievous or disagreeable and will not take or administer any harmful drug. With loyalty I will endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care. I will at all times put the needs of others first, as that is my solemn vow.'

"I took the Stencer Nursing School oath two years ago, and except for the night I killed that evil Father Helms in selfdefense, I've kept it," Cherry said proudly.

Nancy emerged from her hiding place in the bathroom, her hair neatly combed and her lipstick refreshed. "I'm going back to that jewelry store and sell some things," she declared.

"No, Nancy," Cherry protested. "Besides, it's closed by now."

"There must be someone I can call." Midge thought a minute and shook her head. "Everyone we know is broke," she remembered. "And those are our friends with jobs!"

"Well, if I'm not going to sell my jewels, then the only thing to do is sell my story to those reporters," Nancy said, a determined look in her blue eyes. "I know the Chief said to keep quiet, but I'm desperate!"

"What?" Cherry cried. "And have your most personal business splashed all over the front page of every newspaper in America? I should say not," Cherry declared. She had an idea. "Let's go through all our belongings carefully; perhaps we can scrape up enough to pay our motel bill and part of the auto bill. We could leave something as a deposit and promise to wire the money as soon as we get to River Depths," she suggested. She took off her sturdy nurse's watch. "This must have cost at least $5.99," she said. "That's something."

"We could cozy up to those reporters in the morning and get another free meal," Midge suggested. "Maybe the idea of interviewing a movie star over breakfast will appeal to them."

Nancy brightened. "Those are both fine ideas," she said, cheering up a little. She dumped the contents of her summer straw purse onto the bed and surveyed its contents with her keen detective's eye.

"Besides my clothes, I've got one tube of Passion Peach lipstick, a gold compact engraved with my initials-that might be worth something. One flashlight. My favorite magnifying glass. A fingerprinting kit. My jeweler's eyepiece. The bill from yesterday's auto repair. Eight crumpled dollar bills and...twenty-five ... thirty... thirty-five.. .forty-two cents."