Read Online Kiss and Tell by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

intended to passthe note to Kim? And why did Giancarlo care so much about the fact that Esme was rude to Kim in the first place?
    Bess was scribbling away in her notepad, and only raised her eyes when Giancarlo opened the door to the studio and ushered them both inside. There, Esme was sitting, all glamour and radiance in a fitted black velvet dress with gold and red trim. Her trademark pearls were at her ears, and a triple strand of pearls dangled around her neck. Her rich, dark hair was pulled back in a fashionable chignon, revealing her long, graceful neck. Giancarlo went immediately to his wife, took her in his arms, and kissed her passionately, much to the delight of the audience and Emily Wells, the show’s host.
    â€œPeople, people,” she cried over the sound of applause, “we’re about to start. Let’s keep it down until the cameras are rolling, okay?”
    Nancy and Bess took seats next to Janine. As the publicist leaned forward to greet them, Nancy was surprised to see Brenda Carlton seated on the other side of Janine.
    â€œHi, Nancy,” she said, waving smugly. “Hi, Bess!”
    â€œGreat,” said Bess under her breath. “Who invited the world’s biggest big mouth?”
    â€œI have one guess,” Nancy whispered into Bess’s ear. “And I’m sitting right next to her.”
    The show started taping, and even Nancy found herself caught up in the excitement. Members of the audience stood and thanked Esme forthe thrill and excitement her books had brought to their lives. One by one, Esme answered their questions: Yes, she tries to write as much as possible from direct experience. No, she never had a steamy affair with Prince Haroun. As for the rumor that she was once secretly married to the famous recluse Ted Stephens, Esme had only one reply. “You’ll just have to buy my autobiography,” she said, her green eyes sparkling mischievously, “and read about it there!”
    After a short break Emily Wells began fielding phone calls on the air from their listening audience. Esme had taken two or three calls, all flattering and full of requests that Esme verify some bit of rumor or gossip. Then a caller came on the line whose voice sounded strange and distorted, and Nancy’s ears pricked up. Unless she was wrong, the caller was using a voice disguiser.
    â€œAdmit it, Esme,” the caller pressed, “you haven’t really done all those things you claim. You’ve never been to Nepal or the Middle East. I’ll bet you never even met Ted Stephens. In fact, I think everything about you is a lie.”
    â€œHold on!” Emily Wells shouted, her face red with anger. “What right do you have to insult our guest like that?”
    â€œYeah, who are you?” an audience member cried out.
    â€œI’m a friend,” the caller announced in the same creepy electronic voice. “A friend of the Black Widow.”
    Both Nancy and Bess gasped. Their harasser was on the line! From the pallor of Esme’s face, Nancy saw that the romance writer had come to the same conclusion.
    â€œWhy don’t you tell us who you are?” Nancy cried out. “What kind of coward hides behind a mask?”
    â€œI’ll reveal myself soon enough,” the caller said. Then, with a dull hum, the line went dead.

Chapter

Eight
    T HE TALK SHOW AUDIENCE reacted in an uproar. Emily Wells quickly cut to a commercial, while Esme, her face white and her hands trembling, fell into Giancarlo’s arms. Beyond Janine, Bren-da was furiously scribbling away. In frustration, Nancy realized that once again they were powerless to stop whoever was harassing Esme.
    â€œMaybe the person will call back,” Bess said hopefully.
    â€œI doubt it,” said Nancy.
    By now, the show was back on the air. Emily Wells addressed the camera and spoke earnestly. “Harassment of the kind we just witnessed is terrible. If this is the price of