Read Online The Scratch on the Ming Vase by Caroline Stellings - Free Book Online

today,” said Margo. “Maybe they’ve just taken him—”
    Nicki didn’t wait for her to finish the sentence. She wheeled around and ran back to the nurses’ station. Margo hurried behind.
    From around the corner came Newman.
    What’s he doing here? Nicki’s mind was racing. “Where’s Master Kahana?”
    â€œI was just about to ask that myself,” said Newman.
    â€œThey’ve taken him upstairs for tests,” replied a nurse. “But it’s past visiting hours. You’ll all have to leave.”
    Nicki let out a huge sigh of relief. “Are his guards with him?”
    â€œYes, of course,” declared the nurse.
    Nicki thanked her and then confronted the hotel manager.
    â€œMr. Newman,” asked Nicki, “are you a friend of Mr. Kahana’s?”
    â€œMr. Kahana was a guest at my hotel.”
    Your hotel? thought Nicki.
    Newman directed his gaze squarely at Nicki. “Now I have a question for you. What are you doing here?” he asked. Before Nicki could answer, Margo jumped in.
    â€œShe’s going to be taking lessons from him. When he’s better. She’s learning self-defense.”
    I wish she hadn’t said that , thought Nicki.
    â€œOkay,” said the nurse, “everyone must leave now.”
    They all strolled toward the elevator. Newman got on, but Nicki stopped Margo before she could enter.
    â€œWait, Margo,” she said, “I left my wallet in your locker!”
    â€œLocker?”
    The door shut on Newman.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” asked Margo.
    â€œI want to speak to the nurse again.”
    The girls headed back to the reception area.
    â€œExcuse me,” said Nicki, “but that man who just left—Mr. Newman—does he come by here often? To ask about Mr. Kahana?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” said the nurse. “I can’t give out that kind of information.” She returned to her desk.
    â€œShe can’t, but I will,” whispered Margo as they walked away. “I’ve seen him here quite a few times. And yes, he’s always inquiring about Mr. Kahana’s condition.”
    â€œI thought so,” said Nicki.

Chapter Fourteen

    â€œMargo,” said Nicki, raising her voice so she could be heard over the music, “this is T’ai Soong and his friend, Duncan MacDonald.”
    â€œMac,” replied the engineering student. He smiled at Margo and, wasting no time, asked her to dance.
    T’ai showed Nicki to their table. “You look nice,” he said.
    â€œI feel ridiculous,” she replied. “Anyway, Mac seems to be in a better mood tonight.”
    â€œYeah, I guess. Still not the guy I grew up with though. Believe it or not, he used to be a lot of fun.”
    â€œHe’s changed.”
    â€œOh, for sure. Like today—he got rid of his cell phone. And when I asked him why, he said they’re too easily tapped into.” T’ai rolled his eyes. “He told me that with the right equipment, it’s possible to remotely activate the microphone, even when a call is not being made, to listen to nearby conversations.”
    â€œI guess he’d know.”
    â€œRight, but when I joked with him and asked him what he had to hide, he got furious.” T’ai shrugged. “It’s as if he’s lost his sense of humor.”
    Mac and Margo appeared behind T’ai.
    â€œWho’s lost their sense of humor?”
    â€œYou.”
    â€œYou’re a jerk.” Mac took Margo by the arm, then turned to Nicki. “Your friend is a terrific dancer,” he said, leading her back to the floor.
    â€œSee what I mean?” said T’ai. Then he looked at Nicki. “I’m sorry. Did you want to dance?”
    â€œNot really. It’s not my thing,” she replied. “You don’t have to sit here with me, though. I’m happy to watch.”
    â€œI don’t feel like dancing