Read Online 039 The Suspect Next Door by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

agreed. “She told us she could handle it, but we’re not so sure.”
    “Handle what? I don’t understand.” Nancy looked from one of them to the other. Was something going on between Nikki and Dan right this very minute?
    “He wanted to talk to her in private. They’reout back, on the patio,” Robin explained. “Alone. They’re having another ‘last conversation.’ I swear, that Dan is the most persistent person in the entire universe.”
    “And creepy, too,” Lacey shuddered. “But Nikki has a soft spot for him. I think she just feels sorry for him. Still, I think we should get her. They’ve been out there a long time.”
    “Give them a little more time,” Robin said, overruling her. “Maybe she’s letting him down easy—I hope.”
    Nancy checked her watch. 9:55. “Okay.” She nodded. “At ten, we go out and get her. I have a few things I want to talk to Dan about, too.”
    “If you want my opinion,” Robin said, cocking her pretty head to one side, “he’s got a lot of nerve just showing up here. Jeremy can’t stand him, and Dan knows it. It’s a good thing Jeremy was out when Dan got here or there would have been real trouble.”
    “Okay, let’s go get her,” Lacey said, getting up after a few minutes. “I think Dan’s had more than enough time alone with Nikki.”
    Nancy followed Robin and Lacey to the beveled-glass French doors that led outside. The three of them stepped out onto a large slate terrace overhung by an awning and lighted by lanterns. A set of slate steps led down to the backyard. A grove of maple trees offered shade from the moonlight.
    The girls looked around for Nikki and Dan, but the terrace seemed deserted. They split up and strolled to opposite ends of the terrace and then out into the garden.
    “They’ve gone,” Robin announced when the three met back at the terrace steps.
    “I know,” Nancy agreed, a worried look clouding her pretty face.
    Suddenly a strident voice came from right behind them. “Looking for the loving couple?”
    Nancy spun around and saw a stunning girl with dark features and a sly smile that seemed to say, “I have a secret.”
    “Brittany!” Lacey cried. “You nearly scared us to death!”
    “You scare easily, don’t you?” Brittany said.
    “You were out here, spying on their whole conversation, weren’t you?” Robin demanded hotly.
    “I was minding my own business, as usual,” Brittany protested. “Which is more than I can say for you.”
    “Never mind that, Brittany Tate, tell us where Nikki is!” Robin looked as though she were about to kill the girl.
    “Oh, wouldn’t you love to know,” Brittany purred. Then she snickered softly.
    Nancy stepped up to her. She looked Brittany right in the eye, throwing her off balance. “Yes, Brittany, we do want to know. And I want you totell us right now. If you don’t, I’ll personally hold you responsible for any trouble.”
    Brittany’s jaw dropped open. “You’re Nancy Drew, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, now where’s Nikki?” Nancy demanded.
    Brittany frowned and puckered her lips. “Okay, okay,” she said, backing down. “She went with Dan for a ride in his car. I heard him begging her to go, and she said yes.”
    “When?” Robin asked breathlessly.
    “Oh,” Brittany drawled, “just a few minutes ago. Hey, where are you going?”
    Nancy, Robin, and Lacey were already halfway around the house on their way to the circular driveway.
    “Too late,” Nancy groaned when they got there. Dan’s car was already gone. “Oh brother,” she said under her breath. “I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit.”
    Dejected, the three girls headed back to the Pratts’ front door.
    “Where could they have gone?” Nancy asked Robin and Lacey as they stood on the steps. “Do they have a special place where they used to go?”
    “Not that I know of,” Robin answered.
    “Sometimes they went to the mall, but it’s closed by now,” added Lacey.
    Jay was standing alone in