147 The Case of the Captured Queen by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene [Keene, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

8

Dance with Danger

“Who did this?” Nancy gasped, seeing the little hand-carved chariots.

“Goodness.” Hannah took a deep breath and turned away for a moment.

Nancy glanced up and spotted Brenda Carlton striding over. Donna’s scream had obviously alerted the nosy reporter that something was going on.

Thinking quickly, Nancy grabbed an abandoned tournament schedule from the closest chair and slid it under the soggy lunch sack to keep the bottom from tearing.

Donna already had herself composed, but Nancy thought Hannah still looked upset.

“What’s up?” Brenda asked. “Anything my readers would be interested in?” She almost stepped in the red splatter, but jumped away. “Ugh! What is that?”

“It’s just ketchup,” Nancy said casually, holding the wet bag away from her body. “I like a lot of ketchup on a cheeseburger. I’m afraid I’ve made a huge mess.” She let out a fake laugh.

Brenda grimaced. “That’s disgusting, Nancy Drew. How could you eat that?” She turned on her heel and strode off.

Nancy, Hannah, and the Winstons all looked at one another. “Everyone okay?” Nancy finally asked.

The other three nodded.

“Let’s get these pieces cleaned off.”

In the restroom, Nancy tore the sack apart carefully. “Here’s a note,” she said, holding up a red-stained slip of paper.

Just like the first one, it was written with cutout magazine letters:

Don’t defy me! Lose, or it will be a bloody mess!

Danitra almost gagged. “Is that real blood?”

“No,” Nancy said. “But it’s not ketchup, either. She dipped her finger into some of the goo and held it to her nose. “Smells like plastic,” she said. “I think it’s fake blood, like they use in movies. It wouldn’t be too hard for someone to find.”

She handed the four clean rooks to Donna. “This was a pretty grisly warning.”

• • •

That evening, after a subdued dinner, the two older girls decided that they would rather go to the dance than mope around at home.

The gathering was to take place in the Ambassador ballroom, which meant Nancy would have the opportunity to act on a plan she and George had worked out that afternoon. Since almost everyone associated with the tournament would be down in the ballroom dancing, the rooms upstairs would be empty—the perfect time to do some investigating.

After calling Bess and George, Nancy changed into a skirt, white turtleneck, and a rust-colored jacket.

“I love that jacket!” Danitra said when Nancy came downstairs. “It brings out the red in your hair.”

“Thanks. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”

Danitra shook her head. “If Anna’s not going to be there, I’d rather stay home with Hannah and watch a movie or something.”

“I’m glad you’re staying here,” Hannah said from her place on the couch. “I’d be too frightened to be by myself.”

Just then Donna came downstairs. She was wearing a pale yellow dress with matching flats. “Ready?”

“Absolutely,” Nancy replied. “The question is,” she added as they headed for the door, “is everyone ready for us?”

• • •

The Ambassador was a big, grand hotel. It was located on a prominent corner directly across the street from the convention center.

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