Read Online Perfect Plot by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

up to the second floor—”
    â€œâ€Šâ€˜R.M. room,’ ” Nancy read, squinting at the faint printing. “Rue Morgue—Maxine’s room!”
    George let out a low whistle. “So, our guess must be right. That mysterious voice last night was Maxine’s.”
    Nancy nodded her agreement. “Which means, if we can find out who stole the figurines, there’s a good chance we’ll have found Maxine’s murderer at the same time.”
    â€œLet’s think about everyone’s alibi,” George said. “What are the important times again?”
    Nancy’s brow furrowed as she thought back. “According to Kate and the professor, the figures went back into the safe at noon,” she said. “And at eight they were gone. The study was empty, and maybe locked, from noon to one-thirty. It was unlocked from one-thirty on, but Kate was in and out a lot. From about five until we got together before dinner, Maxine was in there alone.”
    â€œSo unless the figurines were stolen by Kate or Maxine, they were probably taken between noon and one-thirty,” George said. “Do you remember where people said they were during those times?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Nancy admitted. “Maybe we’d better talk to everyone again and try to pin down where they were.”
    As they came out of the library, Nancy sawPatrick at one of the doors down the hall. He had his back to her, and he seemed to be fiddling with the lock. Just as she and George drew near, he straightened up and the door swung open.
    â€œHi,” Nancy called.
    Patrick stiffened, pulling the door quickly closed again. He turned and gave them a dazzling smile. “Hello,” he said, slipping a large key into his pocket. “Did you hear about Erika?” he asked.
    â€œWe were with her when the police took her in for questioning,” George replied. Nodding toward the door, she said, “That’s the display room, isn’t it?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Patrick said.
    â€œI didn’t really get a chance to inspect the displays last night,” George said. “Do you think we could take a peek?”
    â€œMaybe later,” he said with another big smile. “I was just locking up.”
    He shook the door handle, to make sure it was closed. Then he took the key from his pocket and turned it in the lock.
    â€œWe’re still checking into the theft of the figures,” Nancy told him. “Can you tell us where you were yesterday, from noon on?”
    â€œLet me see. Julian and I got together with Kate at about twelve-fifteen to work out the details of some of the staged crimes for the weekend. We did that until about two. After thatI was alone for a while. At about four Professor Coining and I had a cup of tea together, and I stayed with him until Bill and you came a little before five. From then on, I was with someone every moment until Kate and I went to get the figures from the safe.”
    Nancy said, “Thanks, Patrick.”
    As they moved away, George whispered, “He lied to us, Nancy! He wasn’t closing that room, he was opening it.”
    â€œI noticed,” Nancy whispered back. “I wonder why?”
    The girls peered into an empty living room before continuing on to the sun room. Professor Coining was there, stretched out on a chaise longue. An open book was resting on his stomach, his eyes closed.
    â€œProfessor Coining,” Nancy said softly.
    He awoke with a start, and his eyes darted around the sun room. “Hmm? Yes, what is it?”
    Nancy asked her question. The professor told her that he had eaten a sandwich with Kate and Maxine from noon to twelve-thirty. He had walked Bill to his car at around one and had had tea with Patrick at four. “In other words, young lady, you could drive a truck through the holes in my alibi,” he concluded with a chuckle.
    After tracking down Julian, Kate,