Read Online 04 Once Upon a Thriller by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

of recognition. “Hey, you’re the person who was asking me and my friends Carly and Rachel all about the bookstore.”
    â€œThat’s right. I’m Nancy Drew. I’m writing an article about the recent crimes in Avondale and have been interviewing Mr. Tate about the theft of the statue,” I explained.
    â€œWell, my uncle C is totally clueless about it,” she said. “But I think someone is definitely lifting their ideas from Lacey O’Brien’s books—just like I said the other day. And my friends and I think it might even be Lacey O’Brien.”
    I might not have thought Mandy knew what she was talking about the other day, but right now we were on the same page.

CHAPTER NINE

Framed
    I RAN OUTSIDE AND CALLED George, quickly updating her on what I had discovered. “What do you think?” I asked.
    â€œI don’t buy it,” George said. “It’s just too, I don’t know . . . convenient.”
    I agreed. I didn’t actually believe Lacey had stolen the statue either, but clearly she had to be considered a suspect.
    George continued, “Since the statue was just on loan to the gallery, Lacey doesn’t have a real motive for stealing.”
    â€œYou’re right,” I said. “The motive question is definitely a problem. But that doesn’t change the fact that she had ample opportunity.”
    â€œBut it’s all so obvious,” George replied. “It’s almost as if someone chose stealing the sculpture because it would make Lacey a prime suspect.”
    â€œExactly! Lacey’s being framed, just like the character Lucy Luckstone in her novel Framed .”
    â€œThat makes sense,” George answered. “Kind of. Do you think she’s also being set up with the fire? Who would want to frame her, Nancy?”
    I kept walking down the street and noticed the Avondale Library. I sat down on a bench in front to continue our conversation.
    â€œI understand those crimes could be connected to Lacey and her books, but what about the intruder at our cabin, and the canoe, and me almost being run over?” I asked her.
    Nothing answered me.
    â€œHello? George? Are you still there?” I asked.
    George spoke. “Nancy, when were you almost run over? Are you okay? See what happens when Bess and I aren’t around to chaperone you?”
    Oh no . . . I’d never told them about my near accident. “I’m fine. Really. But because of it, I’m hoping to get a face-to-face meeting with Lacey O’Brien.”
    George laughed a bit on the other end of the phone. “Only you, Nancy, only you could have that happen. But nice work. If you need us to come back to Avondale, just say the word.”
    We hung up, and I walked back to my car. Instead of first calling Lacey, I decided to drive right to her house. Maybe by surprising her I would get more information. Or perhaps a confession?
    I used my phone’s GPS to navigate from town back to Moon Lake and 34 Crescent Lane. Lacey and Richard’s cabin was set back from the road, covered, it seemed, by giant oaks and pine trees. I pulled into the long driveway and in two minutes was knocking briskly on the front door.
    Within seconds, Cecilia Brown—aka Lacey O’Brien—flung open the door and greeted me by grabbing both of my hands tightly in hers and squeezing them, hard.
    â€œPlease tell me you’re still feeling okay, dear,” she gushed as she swiftly pulled me into the house.
    â€œOf course!” I replied. “I’m feeling just fine. Honest.”
    Her cheeks reddened, and she looked down at her feet in what seemed to be embarrassment.
    â€œI’m afraid I owe you an apology,” she said softly. “I know who you are.”
    Wow. Did she know I was writing an article? And that I suspected her of staging her crimes from her books?
    She continued, “I recognize you from the lake on