039 The Suspect Next Door (2 page)

N
ANCY WATCHED
as the owner of Vanities marched to the phone and dialed what she knew was the number for the police. Trisha slipped her clipboard behind the cash register and busied herself with a waiting customer.

Charlene Rice, the salesgirl-cashier, gave Nancy and her friends a helpless shrug. “Sorry about all this,” she began awkwardly. “We’ve been having a few problems around here lately.”

When the store owner hung up the phone, Nancy approached her. “Excuse me,” she began. “My name’s Nancy Drew. These are my friends, George Fayne and Bess Mary—”

“Nancy Drew!” the owner interrupted, her
eyes widening. “The detective? Yes, now that I look at you, I do recognize you from the newspapers. I’m Kate Hayes,” she added, offering her hand to Nancy. “I’m the owner of this store.”

“If there’s any way I can help, Ms. Hayes, I’d be happy to.”

Ms. Hayes seemed surprised. “You really mean that?” she asked. When Nancy nodded, she went on. “Because I’ve called the police in every time this has happened, and they keep telling me there’s not much they can do. There’s never any sign of a forced entry; nothing shows up on the film from the security cameras. They say it’s obviously an inside job and tell me to keep an eye on my staff!”

Ms. Hayes gestured around her. The store was busy, with about a dozen customers being waited on. Looking back at Nancy, Ms. Hayes said, “I’m a businesswoman. I can’t stand around here spying on my own employees. It’s impossible. I have two other stores to look after. I can’t just fire everybody, either. That would mean hurting a lot of innocent people. I just don’t know where to turn! This theft is the fourth in just six weeks, and—”

“Ms. Hayes,” Nancy broke in.

“Please, call me Kate.”

“All right, then, Kate. I think we should continue this conversation in private—considering the circumstances.” Nancy held up a hand and exchanged a knowing look with Bess and George.

Kate Hayes looked around again, more warily this time. “Mmmm, I suppose you’re right. Trisha!”

Trisha immediately excused herself from her customer and hurried over to Ms. Hayes’s side.

“Trisha Rapp, this is Nancy Drew. Trisha’s our store manager, Nancy, and a very good one, too. She’s the one who first brought the thefts to my attention. Trisha will be able to give you any facts and figures you need.”

Trisha glanced at Nancy, then at her employer. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Is she a police officer?”

“Trisha, Nancy is a well-known detective here in River Heights. I’ve asked her to help us investigate our theft problem and put an end to this nonsense before it puts an end to Vanities.”

“I see.” Trisha chewed her lip thoughtfully.

“We need all the help we can get around here,” Ms. Hayes added with a shake of her head. “Oh!” she continued, “these are Nancy’s friends, er—”

“Bess Marvin.”

“George Fayne.” The two girls gave identical nods.

“Bess and George,” Ms. Hayes finished. Then she turned to Nancy. “Trisha’s new to River Heights, Nancy. What’s it been, Trisha, six months?” Trisha nodded. “So you’ll forgive her if she’s never heard of you.”

Nancy laughed, holding out her hand to Trisha.
“I’m looking forward to working with you. Maybe together we’ll get to the bottom of all this.”

“Yes. That would be nice.” Trisha shook Nancy’s hand but seemed distracted. “Are the police coming?” Trisha asked her employer.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Ms. Hayes moaned, “they’ll be here any minute. We’d better close early tonight, Trisha. We can’t have customers here with the police.”

Kate Hayes seemed distinctly frustrated. “I’d better get on the phone to report this to my insurance company, too. I may have a hard time trying to convince them not to cancel our policy,” she said. “Can you girls handle the police if they show up while I’m still on the phone?”

“Sure thing, Ms. Hayes.” Trisha nodded.

Nancy checked her watch. It was five o’clock, and she was supposed to meet Ned at a quarter to six. Oh, well. She’d been late before. Thank goodness Ned was so understanding.

• • •

“You’re so bubbly tonight, Nan,” Ned said, gazing into her eyes as they stood on the sidewalk, pulling on their jackets. “There’s a special gleam in your eyes. Was it the movie, or is it just being with me?”

“Actually, it’s neither,” Nancy said, laughing. “I’m on a new case.”

Ned’s eyes widened, and he drew in a deep breath. “Oh, so that’s it!” he said brightly. “Well,
I suppose that’s better than your being in love with someone else.”

“One guy is enough for me,” Nancy said sweetly. She knew Ned was joking to cover his concern for her safety. Lots of times, her cases were dangerous. She knew Ned worried about her when he was away at school, unable to help. And here he was, leaving next week just as a new case was beginning.

“It’s just some store thefts, Ned. Nothing heavy. I’m going to try to wind it up this week. In fact, so we could have more time together, I could use some help—”

“Did I hear you say ‘help’? Sergeant Nickerson of the Yukon at your service, ma’am!” He paused to salute. “When do I start?”

“I’ll let you know,” Nancy answered. “But it’s nice to know my Mountie is still available.”

“Which store is it?” Ned asked as they headed for his car.

“A store in the mall called Vanities,” she answered. “They’ve been robbed several times in the past month and a half. The police seem reluctant to get involved.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Well, it looks like an inside job. No sign of a break-in—somebody knows all about the store’s security. Maybe the police figure it’s a scam of some kind. At any rate, so far they’ve left it up to the insurance company.”

Ned reached around Nancy’s waist as they continued down the street.

“Sounds pretty tame, actually,” Ned said, trying to look hopeful. “How are you going to proceed?”

“Tomorrow morning I’ll go over all the store’s records and interview the employees. Nothing earth-shattering.” Nancy smiled up at him. “I can handle that by myself, but if I need you—”

“I’m all yours.” Ned hugged her close to him.

The street was dark now, and many of the shops were closed for the night. Ned’s car was parked at the near corner. Ned turned to Nancy and asked, “Want to go for pizza? Old movies make me hungry.”

“You bet,” Nancy smiled. “Frank’s is open. Why don’t we walk? It’s only two blocks.”

Turning the corner, they strolled down to the popular teen hangout. The sound of a current top-ten hit filtered out of the restaurant and into the street. Even though it was past ten-thirty, the place was still hopping. In fact, every seat was taken.

“What do you say we just get a couple of slices to go and eat them on my porch?” Nancy suggested softly.

“Fine with me,” he replied, kissing the side of her head. “Sounds kind of romantic, actually. Pizza on the Porch for Two.” With a wink at Nancy, he turned and placed their order.

• • •

Nancy and Ned set up their late-night picnic on a wicker table on Nancy’s front porch.

“Pizza, a full moon, and you,” Ned said, and sighed. “I love it. Come here and sit down,” he said, patting the spot next to him on the love seat.

“Last time we spent an evening on the porch, we were up talking till two in the morning,” she recalled.

“Not just talking,” Ned reminded her, kissing her tenderly on her lips.

“Mmmm,” Nancy breathed. “You Royal Mounted Police are all so romantic. And you also know how to make a girl hungry. Where’s the pizza? I’m starving.”

“Hey, I was just getting started over here!” Ned said, holding out her slice and a napkin. “Do you mean to say pizza is more important to you than me?”

“A girl’s got to eat,” Nancy said with a shrug and a laugh. “Besides, there’s nothing like food to make a person feel romantic.”

“Is that so?” said Ned, arching his eyebrows. “Well, then.” Brushing his hands together, he reached for his slice. “Let me at it.” Ned folded his pizza wedge, winked at Nancy, and took a big bite.

As they ate Nancy watched a beat-up old car stop in front of the house next door. Nancy recognized Nikki Masters and her boyfriend as they got out of the car. “Remember those two
from the park?” Nancy whispered to Ned, throwing him a knowing look.

Ned nodded. He and Nancy munched quietly, watching the young couple as they strolled up to the Masterses’ house and said their good-nights. The boy had his arm around Nikki, and he leaned his head very close to hers.

“Love springs eternal,” Ned said in a soft whisper.

Nancy was about to answer when, suddenly, Nikki wrenched free from her boyfriend’s grasp and ran up on the porch.

“I told you, no!” Nikki said forcefully.

“Nikki! Wait!” the boy shouted, following her. He caught up to her and grabbed her wrist. Nancy and Ned couldn’t help hearing what they were saying.

“Please!” the boy said. “Please take it!”

“I told you I can’t!” Nancy could tell that Nikki was really upset.

“But you’ve got to take it!” the boy insisted. “Please.”

Nancy and Ned were embarrassed to be in on such a private moment. But there was really nowhere they could go without making the couple aware of their presence, and they didn’t want to interrupt.

“Let me go! Please!” Nikki cried suddenly, pulling her hand out of the boy’s grasp. Ned had moved as if he were going to Nikki’s rescue, but Nancy put a hand on his knee to restrain him.
Nancy didn’t feel right about nosing in on her neighbor’s business—unless Nikki needed help.

The boy had let his arms drop to his sides. “Don’t you care if I live or die?” he demanded. “I’m telling you, Nikki, I can’t make it without you! Please.”

“Oh, stop it! Stop it!” Nikki pleaded, “Dan, please! Leave me alone! I can’t stand it anymore! I wish you the best, I really do. But I just don’t want all this trouble.” Nikki ran for the door.

This time Dan didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he shook his head and stared at the ground. “You don’t understand, Nikki.”

“I guess I don’t, Dan. I’m sorry, I r-really am,” Nikki stammered, turning to face him. “But I just can’t handle all your problems.”

Dan’s eyes opened wide. In the light of the Masterses’ porch, he looked more afraid than angry, but when he spoke, the anger was definitely there. “Why don’t you just admit it? You don’t care! You wouldn’t even care if I died!”

Nancy knew Nikki’s face must be reddening. “Stop trying to make me feel guilty, Dan Taylor! Leave me alone!” she said firmly and coldly. “If you don’t I just might kill you myself!”

N
IKKI SLAMMED THE DOOR
behind her as Dan Taylor skulked back to his car and drove off. Exchanging a look, Nancy and Ned put down their half-eaten slices of pizza and breathed out loud.

“Whew.” Ned sighed. “What do you suppose that was all about?”

Nancy thought for a second. “I don’t know, Ned,” she admitted, “but those two seem to have some serious problems. Do you think I should—”

“Do I think you should get involved?” Ned finished for her. “Absolutely not.”

“But Nikki’s my neighbor, Ned. I’ve known
her for a long time. She’s always been so levelheaded and sure of herself. I’ve never seen her upset like that.”

“Come on, Nan,” Ned said with a sigh. “It’s young love. First-time romances are always stormy.”

“I don’t know.” Nancy didn’t feel right about it. She knew Ned was probably right. Some young couples had fights every day. She and Ned had had a few spats during the first months they were together.

But the exchange Nancy had overheard didn’t sound like a simple spat. Nancy couldn’t help worrying about Nikki. Something was really upsetting her. Maybe if Nikki had a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to . . .

Nancy knew Nikki wasn’t prone to threatening people. Still, Nikki had
sounded
as if she
meant
it. Nancy decided that the next time she saw Nikki she’d find out if there was anything she could do to help her.

• • •

Kate Hayes was waiting anxiously when Nancy got to Vanities the next morning. “I’ve got to take care of things in my two other stores,” she explained quickly. “Fortunately, there haven’t been any thefts there. Here’s a list of my employees,” she said, handing Nancy a piece of yellow legal paper. “I’ll check in with you later. Meanwhile, Trisha will help you out.”

Trisha nodded her assent. “Right, Ms. Hayes.
Don’t worry. I’ll handle things here. And I’m sure Ms. Drew will hold up her end.”

“Please call me Nancy,” Nancy corrected her when Kate Hayes had gone.

“Sure,” Trisha said, barely managing a smile. “Well, what do you want to start with? I’ve got a lot of work to do back in the stockroom, so—”

Nancy noticed that the minute Kate Hayes left the store, Trisha’s eager attitude dropped away. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just tag along with you, to get a feel for the place,” Nancy said.

“That’s up to you,” Trisha said with a shrug, leading her back through the door to the stockroom.

“What kind of security system do you have here?” Nancy asked.

“Oh, Vanities is well-protected,” Trisha answered, pointing to electronic devices spaced along the walls up near the ceiling. “We have a supersophisticated alarm system, complete with video cameras. There are magnetic tags on most of the merchandise and electronic locks with codes on the front door and the door to the loading area in back.”