Danger on Parade by Carolyn Keene

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

Chapter

Eight

YOU’RE KIDDING!” Bess exclaimed. She sniffed the two fragrances. “They really do smell exactly the same,” she agreed.

“Yes, but that doesn’t seem like enough to prove that he stole Mitchell’s scent,” Eloise pointed out.

Her aunt had a point, Nancy realized. Looking back in the drawer, she saw a sheet of paper with several formulas written on it. Next to the formulas labeled #3, there was an asterisk and the word Forever, followed by a question mark.

“Here’s our proof!” Nancy exclaimed. She pointed to the #3 label on the test tube she was holding, then showed Bess and her aunt the matching formula on the sheet.

“Plus Louis’s handkerchief was found at the warehouse,” Bess added excitedly. “That must be why he broke into the lab, to steal the formula!”

Nancy’s aunt still didn’t look convinced. “I think you should be sure before you go accusing the owner of one of the biggest department stores in New York. Why don’t you ask Jules if this formula is an exact match of the formula for the perfume?

“Good idea,” Nancy agreed. “We still don’t know if Louis is connected to the sabotage, either.”

While Bess and Eloise finished searching the office, Nancy tiptoed out to the reception area and made a copy of the formulas on the photocopy machine behind the receptionist’s desk.

When Nancy returned, she could see that her aunt appeared nervous. “We’ve been here an awfully long time,” Eloise said. “Shouldn’t we—”

Her hand flew to her mouth as the doorknob to the office rattled. “Oh, my!” she whispered. A moment later they all heard the sound of a key being inserted in the lock.

“Hide!” Nancy whispered urgently.

Eloise and Bess dashed for the closet while Nancy ducked under the desk. Nancy’s heart pounded in her chest as the door opened. Then a voice muttered, “Uh-oh, forgot the vacuum cleaner.”

Nancy let out a sigh of relief as the door closed again and the person’s footsteps receded down the hallway. “It was the cleaning lady,” she whispered to Bess and her aunt. “Let’s get out of here before she comes back.”

They quickly returned the test tubes and formulas to Louis Clark’s desk drawer. Then, slipping the copy of the formulas in her pocket, Nancy led the way back out to the housewares department. A muffled announcement told them that Clark’s was about to close, so the three blended in with the crowd exiting the store.

“My, that was a close one!” Nancy’s aunt said once they were out on the street. “I don’t know about you two, but all of this excitement has made me hungry again.”

Bess pointed to Los Amigos restaurant down the street. “How about Mexican?” she suggested. “I want nachos, tacos, the works.”

Nancy grinned at her friend. Bess was cheerful and hungry—she seemed to be back to her old self. Things were definitely looking up!

• • •

“It’s too bad Eloise decided not to come to the club with us,” Bess said as she and Nancy entered Inverted later that night.

“I guess the club scene just isn’t for her,” Nancy said, speaking loudly to be heard above the pulsing rock music.

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