The Stolen Bones (14 page)

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “It’s possible that someone
did
set Portia up. But who, and why? And how can I even figure out the answers to any of these questions when I know nothing about the pageant itself?”

I drove a bit, and suddenly became aware of a change in Bess’s expression. She was staring at me, grinning. When I turned and looked at her at a stoplight, she looked like she was about to explode—like Christmas, her birthday, and a half-off sale at Macy’s had all arrived on the same day, right then.

“Nancy,”
she said. “You know what you have to do?”

I shook my head. “What?”

Bess bounced up and down in her seat, fishing a pamphlet out of her purse. “You have to compete for Miss Pretty Face!”

She handed me the pamphlet. In the few seconds before the light changed, I read:

Are you the next Miss Pretty Face River Heights? All young women aged 16-18 are invited to join our pageant! Compete for scholarships, endorsements, and the opportunity to represent the best in your generation!

“You have got,” I said, pulling away as the light changed, “to be kidding.”

“Nancy, it’s perfect! You qualify, and you’re adorable! Plus it would get you right into the middle of things—meeting all the pageant bigwigs, figuring out who had the most to gain!”

I bit my lip.

“You
know
it makes sense,” Bess argued. “I could help you, be your fashion coach. I’m sure George would help too. It’s a great opportunity! Maybe you’d even win!”

I shuddered. “Nancy Drew, Pageant Girl?”

Bess rolled her eyes. “Don’t be a snob, Nancy. Come on.”

I sighed, pulling up to Bess’s house. I’m about the least pageanty person in the universe. I hardly ever wear makeup, and I doubt “snooping” counts toward
the talent competition. I tried to picture myself up on a stage—huge hair, sparkly dress, blinding smile, crying demurely as a tiara was placed on my head.

Not that I’d
ever
win.

I looked at Bess, who was looking at me with that excited, expectant look. If this was Christmas morning, I had become Bess’s Santa Claus.

“All right,” I said, covering my ears to block out Bess’s shriek of joy. “I’ll do it.”