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

Esme’s fame, then it’s a horrible price. I’m sure you all join me in wishing Esme only the best. Our thoughts are with you, Esme. We love you!”
    The audience burst out in another round of applause. As the show wrapped up, Esme’s smile was forced and strained. She stood with her arm around Giancarlo, waving to her loyal fans. “Thank you!” she cried. “Thank you for your support!”
    As soon as the cameras stopped filming, Giancarlo led Esme out of the studio. Nancy didn’t have a chance to go over what had just happened with the romance writer, but she could find Esme at the Barrington later if they needed to discuss the case. Meanwhile Nancy’s careful eye noticed that Kim Scott was nowhere to be seen. Had Esme’s assistant missed the taping entirely? Could she have made the call?
    Janine was talking to Emily Wells. Since the publicist was busy, Brenda rushed over to Nancy instead, and started throwing questions at her.
    â€œWhat do you know about that caller?” Brenda asked. “Is Esme being stalked? Is someone out to ruin her reputation or her career? Was that the same person who put the spider in Esme’s suitcase?”
    â€œHow did you find out about that, Brenda?” Nancy asked, her eyes narrowing on the reporter.
    Startled, Brenda’s eyes flitted around the room. “I don’t have to reveal my sources,” she said defensively.
    â€œBut you do need to have more than one to verify a story,” Bess reminded her. “I took a journalism class, too, you know.”
    â€œDid the same person who sent you to theBarrington tell you about the spider?” Nancy asked.
    â€œMaybe, maybe not,” Brenda replied. She flipped her notebook shut and scowled. “I can see you two aren’t going to be any help. I’ll have to get my information somewhere else.”
    â€œWhy don’t you try that source of yours?” Bess called out as Brenda walked away. Once the reporter was gone, she made a face. “She makes me so mad. Do you think the person harassing Esme is actually tipping off Brenda?”
    Nancy thought for a moment. “Possibly, except why would Brenda still have so many questions about that caller—unless the person harassing Esme is only tipping Brenda off partway. My guess is that Brenda knows less than we do; she’s simply more careless with what she does know. Come on,” Nancy went on, taking Bess’s arm. “I’ve got to call Sam to tell him what happened.”
    In the lobby of the building, Nancy spotted Pia Wieland coming from the ladies room, wearing her customary eyeglasses and big straw hat. She walked toward them, frowning, and said, “What a terrible thing! Don’t you just feel for Esme? Who could have done such a thing? Well, I must be going. See you girls later.”
    Nancy and Bess said goodbye to Pia. Then Nancy stepped over to the nearby bank of phones. She quickly dialed Sam’s number.
    â€œI’m hacking away, Nancy,” he told her.
    Sam had that wonderful low voice, Nancy thought. Why did it get to her so much?
    â€œDid you come up with anything?” Nancy asked, shielding her expression from Bess’s prying eyes.
    â€œSomething,” Sam confirmed. “Although it wasn’t what I expected.”
    â€œWhat?” Nancy asked, excited.
    â€œTodd Gilbert’s got a record,” Sam told her. “For battery. And that’s not all. Esme Moore once had a restraining order against him.”
    â€œYou’re kidding!” Nancy exclaimed.
    â€œWhat is it?” Bess asked.
    Nancy quickly told Bess what Sam had learned. Then she asked Sam, “Anything on the profile of our harasser?”
    â€œNothing yet,” said Sam. “From what I can tell, this software has a million bugs in it. The first bio it gave me was for a middle-aged woman. You don’t want to know the rest! But I’m going to run the notes