A Talent for Murder by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Chapter

Ten

TINA LOOKED fearfully back over her shoulder. “I’d better go,” she said.

“Did anyone else hear this?” Nancy asked.

Tina shook her head. “It’s his word against mine. He’ll deny saying anything to me at all.” She looked from Ned to Nancy and back. “By the way, what are you guys doing here?”

Ned spoke up quickly. “Marty wants to talk. He probably wants me to join his agency.”

Tina’s eyes narrowed. “Well, just watch out. You can’t trust him.”

“Tina, one more question—” Nancy began, but the redhead retreated.

“I can’t stay,” Tina insisted. “It’s too risky. If Marty sees us together, I’m dead meat. I’m leaving.” She turned on her heel and walked away, not looking back.

“How did Marty know Tina went to the police?” Nancy asked. “Is there a leak in the department?”

“Who else knew she was going?” Ned asked.

Nancy considered the question. “You and me, Evan . . . and Jane.”

“Jane?” Ned looked skeptical. “Don’t tell me you suspect Jane?”

“I don’t know,” Nancy admitted. “But think about the insurance money she would have collected if the agency had been a total loss—which it would have been if we hadn’t stopped by. And her reaction to the fire was awfully low-key.”

“I see what you mean,” Ned said thoughtfully.

“It’s something to keep in mind,” Nancy said as she pushed open the door marked Top Flight Artists.

From the layout of the building, Nancy guessed that the agency’s suite had recently been an apartment. The flowered wallpaper and heavy drapes in the front room were holdovers from when it had been used as a living room.

The receptionist, a tall, big-boned blond woman with Nordic looks, took Ned’s name and buzzed Marty’s office. Seconds later, a short, thin man with a deep tan and curly black hair emerged from a door behind the receptionist’s desk. His metal-framed aviator-style glasses were tinted amber, and he wore faded jeans cinched by a wide belt with a silver buckle.

“Ned!” he exclaimed, flashing a smile. “Marty Prince. It’s good of you to come on such short notice. I’ve heard great things about you.” He saw Nancy. “And who’s this lovely redhead?”

“Nancy Drew,” Ned supplied. “She’s visiting San Francisco with me, so she came along.”

“Fine, no problem. Come right this way and let’s talk.” Marty wheeled toward his office door, calling back to the receptionist, “Claire, no calls and no interruptions.”

He opened his door and gestured for Nancy and Ned to precede him. Marty’s office was small and neat. Instead of a desk, he used an antique table with claw feet. The wall was hung with signed photos of Marty being hugged by other people, presumably actors. Nancy peered at the pictures and recognized a few faces, but none were major stars.

Marty nodded at the photos. “From my Hollywood days,” he explained. “I worked at an agency in Tinseltown before I moved here.” Turning away from the pictures, he surveyed Ned and clapped his hands. “I see what the fuss was about. You have the look, Ned. And it’s unique, you’re not just a copy of some other guy.

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