Read Online 038 The Final Scene by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

at her side. “That girl’s life could depend on it!”

Chapter

Ten
    N ANCY’S HEART LEAPT into her throat. They were talking about Bess. One look at George told Nancy that her friend knew the same thing.
    She stepped forward between Brady and Deirdre. “What is it, Deirdre?” she asked, glancing from her to Brady and back at Deirdre. “What did you want to tell me?”
    Deirdre looked at Nancy, then at Brady, and then down at the floor. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears.
    “I . . . I mean we . . . ” she murmured.
    “Deirdre, think about what you’re doing,” Brady warned. Nancy saw he was holding on to Deirdre’s hand tightly.
    “Brady,” George said with a shaky voice. “If you know anything that might help us find Bess, please let Deirdre tell us.”
    Brady looked as tormented as Deirdre. “Don’t you think we’d tell you where Bess was if we knew?”
    “I don’t know,” George said. “Would you?”
    “Of course we would,” Deirdre said.
    “But you do know something,” Nancy insisted. They were close to finding out the truth. Now wasn’t the time to go easy.
    Deirdre opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes locked on something over Nancy’s shoulder and she quickly swallowed her words. Deirdre and Brady looked like children who had been caught in some mischief. Nancy turned to see Simon Mueller hurrying into the alcove.
    When he saw Nancy and George talking to his stars, his face flushed red.
    “What’s going on here?” Simon demanded, giving Nancy a dark look. Then he turned to Deirdre and Brady. “I’ve been looking all over for you two. The limo’s waiting to take you dancing and—”
    “Simon, I’m exhausted,” Deirdre said. “I’m just not up for going out.”
    “But the reporters are waiting at the club. I’ve got it all arranged.”
    “So, unarrange it!” she snapped. “I’m tired, and I’m going to bed. Good night.” The tears in Deirdre’s eyes spilled down her cheeks as she turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving everyone silent in her wake.
    “Well!” Simon said with a snort. “That’s gratitude for you. What got into her?” he asked Brady.
    “She’s tired, Simon, and worried,” Brady said. His usually expressive eyes were empty, drained of emotion. “This thing is taking a toll on all of us.”
    “What are you talking about?” Simon demanded. Then he caught a glimpse of the glare Nancy was giving him. She found it hard to hide her distaste for the man.
    “Oh, you mean the kidnapping,” Simon said nonchalantly. “Sure, it’s a rotten thing to have happen, but we’ve done what we could—offering the reward and all. Take it easy and realize why you’re here. You’re a star, Armstrong. This kidnapping doesn’t involve you.”
    “I was there when he grabbed her! I could have stopped the whole thing. That makes meinvolved, Simon. Why do you have to be such an insensitive jerk?” Brady whirled around and stomped out.
    “You kids have forgotten who you’re talking to!” Simon bellowed, following Brady. “I put you on top and I can bring you down!”
    Nancy watched as a photographer who was wandering around the lobby took the opportunity to snap some shots of a very angry Simon Mueller.
    “I wonder what Deirdre wanted to tell us?” George mused.
    “I don’t know,” Nancy said, “but whatever it was, Brady didn’t want her to say it. Why don’t you stay here. Keep an eye on Deirdre, Brady, and Simon. Try to get Deirdre alone. She’s dying to tell us something. Pretty soon she’ll get up the nerve.”
    “Gotcha. What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going back to the theater,” Nancy said. “I want to see if there’s any news.” Actually, she was hoping Nicholas would be there, picketing. She wanted to talk to him, but she wasn’t sure if she should tell George. Better to keep it to herself, she thought.
    As Nancy headed back to the theater she felt a rising tide of panic. Nothing in the case was breaking, and