Read Online Illusions of Evil by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page B

they got back into the Mustang.
    Nancy sighed and started the ignition. “Let’s hope so.”
    â€œI just have one favor to ask,” said George.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œCan we take the parkway back to River Heights?” George asked. “I think I’ve had enough adventure for one day!”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    At eight o’clock that night Nancy bounded down the carpeted stairs of her house to answer the doorbell. Her father had gone straight from his office to his dinner appointment, so Nancy was home alone.
    When she reached the foyer, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and nodded in approval at her flowing scoop-necked dress. Her friend Bess Marvin had helped her pick it out. Its ivory- and rose-colored flowers against an emerald green background set off her reddish blond hair perfectly. She smoothed the dress over her hips, then threw open the door to Ned, leaning casually against the frame.
    â€œWhat a babe!” he exclaimed to tease her, then stepped over the threshold and put his arms around her. He tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes. “I’ve been waiting for this all day!”
    He kissed her lips gently, and Nancy caught the lapel of his jacket between her thumb and forefinger. “You don’t look so bad yourself—for a guy with a dent in his head,” she joked back.
    Ned was wearing a trim dark blue suit, a white shirt, and an expensive Italian tie Nancy’s father had given him for Christmas. His broad shoulders filled out the jacket perfectly, and the colors of the tie set off his deep brown eyes.
    â€œThanks a lot,” he replied good-naturedly.
    Nancy reached up and touched the bandage on his forehead. “Actually, this makes you look evenmore handsome—kind of like a pirate. Do you feel okay?” she asked.
    â€œGood as new,” he replied, then grabbed her hand. “Come on, Nan. We’ve got reservations at eight-thirty, and I don’t want them to give our table away to somebody else.”
    Nancy reached back to the coatrack beside the door for her wrap, then locked the door and went down the walk arm in arm with Ned.
    On the way to Finian’s, Nancy told her boyfriend about what had happened that day. When she got to the part about being run off River Bluff Road, Ned’s brow furrowed.
    â€œI want you to be careful,” he said. “This case is getting dangerous.”
    Nancy sighed. “I know. I keep thinking about the knife I saw in Grigov’s hand when I was talking to Adriana in her dressing room last night.”
    Ned widened his eyes. “He had a knife?”
    â€œDidn’t I tell you?” Nancy said. “He’s a professional knife thrower. His stage name is Sabre the Blademaster.”
    â€œOh, boy!” Ned exclaimed. “I thought he was kind of weird when I met him. Possessive of Adriana, you know?”
    Nancy frowned. “There’s definitely something between the two of them, but I haven’t had a chance to ask Adriana about it. Even though she doesn’t seem to take him completely seriously, I get the feeling that they’re romantically involved.But it could be a touchy subject, if you know what I mean.”
    Ned nodded. “So, besides Grigov, who are your suspects now?” he wanted to know. “Freda Clarke?”
    â€œI guess I’ve got to keep her on the list, even though I doubt she’d do anything illegal. I’m not so sure about her fiancé, Vince Garraty, though,” Nancy said. “He was definitely hostile when I met him at Freda’s house. And then there’s Benny Gotnick.”
    â€œIt’s pretty interesting that Benny works for Vince, wouldn’t you say?” Ned asked.
    â€œNo kidding,” Nancy agreed. “I’m going back to his place tomorrow. If he’s not there, I’ll check out the premises.”
    â€œBreaking and entering again?” Ned teased