Read Online Diamond Deceit by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

the kitchen,” George commented.
    Just then the door to the kitchen opened and Ted emerged, a welcoming smile on his face. As soon as he recognized Nancy and George his smile faded.
    â€œHi,” Nancy said brightly, ignoring his unfriendly expression.
    â€œUh, hi. Did you find anything out at Joanna Burton’s this morning?” he asked. His question was polite enough, but Nancy knew he wasn’t happy to see her and George.
    Nancy smiled at him and said, “I thought we could fill you and Bess in at the same time. Is she here?”
    â€œBess is busy,” he said curtly.
    â€œCome on, you’re the boss. Tell her she can take a break,” George teased.
    Ted just glowered at George. “She’s not here right now,” he told her. “She went to get stuff for a new dessert she wants to try.”
    What was with this guy? Nancy wondered. He was acting as if it were a crime even to ask about Bess. “So I guess that means she’s not going to be able to go sightseeing with us this afternoon?” Nancy asked.
    â€œBess and I have a business to run,” Ted said. “She said to tell you that she’ll catch up with you when she has time.” With that he disappeared back into the kitchen.
    George turned to Nancy, angry red spots coloring her cheeks. “She’ll catch up with us when she has time?” George said, keeping her voice low. “Bess asked us to come here. She’s hardly had time to say hi since we arrived.”
    â€œI doubt that’s the exact message she left for us,” Nancy said, frowning. “I have a feeling Ted interpreted it more harshly.”
    â€œHe isn’t exactly Mr. Charming, is he?” George muttered. “Suddenly I’m not hungry. Let’s get out of here.”
    Nancy nodded. “We can grab a slice of pizza orsomething. And then let’s go over to Cy Baxter’s.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Baxter’s Fine Jewelry seemed to be deserted when Nancy and George entered the shop forty-five minutes later.
    â€œWhere is everyone?” George murmured, stepping up to the counter.
    Nancy shrugged and started toward the doorway that led to the back. From the doorway she caught sight of the assistant, who was studying a piece of jewelry on the table in front of her. She was so intent on her work that she didn’t appear to hear Nancy and George at all.
    Nancy held a finger up to her lips for silence, then stepped a little closer. She was trying to get a better look at the piece of jewelry. Could it be Marcia Cheung’s charm bracelet?
    As Nancy shifted her weight a floorboard let out a loud creak. The woman’s head jerked up, and she gasped when she saw Nancy in the doorway. A split-second later she swept the piece of jewelry into a drawer. The jingly sound Nancy heard immediately made her think it was a charm bracelet.
    â€œCan I help you?” she asked nervously. She hurried over to the doorway.”
    Nancy turned as the front door opened again and Cy Baxter strode into the shop. His eyes landed on Nancy and George and flickered with recognition.
    â€œRachel, why is there a customer in the workroom?” Baxter asked. Nancy wasn’t actually in the workroom, but he obviously wasn’t pleased to see her in the doorway.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mr. Baxter,” Rachel said. “I didn’t hear her come in until just now.”
    Smiling at Nancy and George, Cy said, “So, have you decided to have me design your bracelet?” he asked.
    It took Nancy a moment to remember what he was talking about. She’d almost forgotten that she’d pretended to be a customer during her last visit. This time she decided not to play games.
    â€œMr. Baxter, I’m investigating your claims about Joanna Burton’s diamond necklace for Marcia Cheung,” Nancy told him.
    Cy Baxter’s smile faded. “I don’t have to answer any of your questions,” he