Read Online Danger on Parade by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

to clear her friend, but she decided to hold off telling Jill about her suspicions of Mr. Langley. After all, he was Jill’s boss and the owner of Mitchell’s. Without solid proof, Nancy couldn’t expect Jill to believe the theory that he was the saboteur.
    â€œIs there anything we can do to help?” Nancy offered. “We’re supposed to meet Aunt Eloise for tea, but we have a few more minutes.”
    â€œGo on ahead. I wish I could do the same,” Jill said wearily.
    The girls decided to walk the half-dozen blocks to the café where they were meeting Nancy’s aunt. They had gone only a few blocks when Nancy grabbed Bess’s arm.
    â€œHey, that’s Jill’s friend Aileen,” Nancy said, pointing to the other side of the street. “She wasat the warehouse yesterday, covering the parade for the TV station she works for.”
    A camera crew was assembled in front of a small brownstone building. On one side of it was a skyscraper and on the other side was a large empty lot. Aileen stood in front of the camera, speaking into a microphone.
    â€œLet’s see what she’s reporting about,” Bess said.
    The two girls waited for the light to change, then crossed the avenue and joined the small crowd that had gathered. A small group of people walked in a circle, carrying signs protesting the demolition of the historic building, where a famous writer had lived. As Nancy and Bess listened to Aileen’s report, they learned that the building was to be demolished Thanksgiving Day, and another skyscraper was scheduled to go up on the brownstone lot and the empty lots adjoining it.
    â€œYikes!” Nancy whispered, glancing at her watch. “We’re already fifteen minutes late meeting Aunt Eloise!”
    They didn’t want to disrupt Aileen’s report, so they moved quietly away and hurried the last few blocks to the café. Eloise was waiting at a table by the window. She waved when she saw them approaching.
    â€œMmm, it smells great in here,” Bess said as she and Nancy sat down. The aromas of freshcoffee and baked goods wafted through the tiny café, and a delicious-looking array of pastries and cakes was arranged in the glass counter against the wall.
    Eloise’s expectant gaze flitted back and forth between Nancy and Bess. “Okay, tell me everything,” she said. “Why did you want me to bring Bess’s sales receipt? I can feel it in my bones that something is going on.”
    Nancy and Bess quickly told Eloise all that had happened, stopping only to order three teas and some puffy pastries with whipped cream and chocolate. While Nancy’s aunt listened, she reached into her purse and pulled out a white charge receipt. Nancy leaned forward to examine it.
    â€œBess, your signature is a carbon!” she said excitedly. Seeing Bess’s confused expression, she explained, “The saleswoman said that your copy of the receipt should have your original signature on it, remember? Well, the salesperson’s writing is original, but since your signature is a carbon copy, I bet that someone stuck something else on top of this and that’s what you actually signed.”
    Bess’s blue eyes widened. “That could have been the receipt for the costumes!” she exclaimed.
    â€œSo someone really is trying to set up Bess,” Eloise said, taking a sip of her tea. “And from what you’ve told me so far, your suspects seem to be Louis Clark and Howard Langley.”
    Nancy frowned. “They’re not exactly the easiest people to investigate.” She sat up abruptly as a thought occurred to her. “Hey, don’t most offices close at five o’clock?” she asked.
    â€œYeah,” Bess replied. “So?”
    â€œSo, it’s after five now. But most department stores stay open until at least six,” Nancy said.
    Eloise stared at Nancy. “You’re not thinking what I think