Read Online Island of Secrets by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online

after my mother,” Scott said softly.
    Nancy heard the note of sadness in his voice, but noticed that he seemed more relaxed than she expected, even friendly.
    â€œUh, would you like a soda or something?” Scott asked. “Have a seat.”
    â€œThanks, I’d love one,” Nancy said, sitting in one of the swivel chairs.
    Scott pulled a can out of the refrigerator, popped the top, and handed it to her. “What can I do for you?”
    â€œI’ve been wanting to talk to you,” Nancy said. “I saw your father leave as I was headed out here, so I thought this might be a good time. Do you expect him back soon?”
    â€œNo, he’s flying to Albany before the storm hits. He has a number of meetings scheduled for tomorrow.” Scott sounded wary. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
    â€œBarb Sommers is worried because the police think D. J. Divott killed Tom Haines,” Nancy began gently. “I promised her I’d ask around to see if anyone knows anything more about the murder.”
    â€œYou’re a detective, aren’t you?” Scott said. “I heard D.J. call you that at the construction site this afternoon.”
    â€œI’ve had some detective experience, but this is nothing official,” Nancy said casually, taking a sip of soda. “I’m just trying to help Barb out.”
    Scott sat down at the table, fingering a worn, folded sheet of paper he’d pulled from his pocket. “Why do you think I know anything about the murder?”
    â€œSomeone saw you leaving the Spotted Dog with Tom about nine o’clock on the night he was killed.” Nancy held her breath. Would Scott blow up?
    â€œOh, that.” To her relief, Scott didn’t seem upset. “I’ve already explained it to the police. We didn’t leave together. We just happened to go out the door at the same time. He asked me how the house was coming along, and I told him about a small problem we were having with the plumbing.”
    â€œBut I heard that you two rode off together,” Nancy said, wondering if Scott got the bruise on his cheek in a fight with Tom.
    â€œI followed him as far as the junction,” Scott said. “He turned toward town and I headed back here to the yacht.”
    It was a believable story, Nancy thought. Still, she detected a certain tension in Scott, especially when he talked about returning to the yacht. Shedecided not to press the point right then, especially since he had dropped his remote, superior air and was willing to talk to her.
    â€œDid you know Tom well?” Nancy asked.
    â€œNot really.” Scott toyed with the worn piece of paper. It had been folded and unfolded so many times the creases had worn through in spots. “He was just one of the construction workers. Once in a while I’d see him at the Spotted Dog.”
    â€œStill, the murder must have been quite a shock,” Nancy said.
    â€œYeah. Sure. It was.”
    Nancy heard the remoteness creeping back into his voice and decided it was time to change the subject. She took a sip of soda and leaned back in her chair. “How did you like your dinner at the Bell Buoy the other night? I thought the scampi was delicious.”
    â€œWere you there?” Scott said, surprised. “I didn’t notice you.”
    â€œWe were having dessert when you arrived,” Nancy said. “The food was great, and so was the service. Angelina Cassetti was our waitress.”
    â€œAngie?” Scott sat up straight. “I didn’t see her. She wasn’t supposed—”
    Nancy waited for him to finish, but he’d clamped his mouth shut. “Barb said you and Angie dated for a while.”
    â€œUh, yeah, we did.” A slow flush crept up his cheeks. “But we don’t now.”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” Nancy said. “I like her very much. She’s lovely.”
    â€œYes, she’s—very