Heart of Ice by Carolyn Keene

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

Chapter

Nine

AS THE DOORKNOB CONTINUED to turn, Nancy slid the plane ticket back onto the dresser, and Ned and she ducked behind the bed. At the exact moment they disappeared out of sight, the door to the hotel room opened.

Nancy’s heart pounded hard inside her chest. Had Lisa seen them? Was anything noticeably out of order? She was grateful that Lisa wasn’t a neatnik.

It seemed forever before Lisa retrieved whatever it was she’d come to fetch. No sooner was she out the door than the phone rang.

“What now?” Lisa grumbled as her footsteps came back toward the bedside table.

Thank goodness the phone was on the opposite side of the bed, Nancy thought, or they’d have been discovered. Her nerves were thoroughly on edge.

“Hello,” Lisa said, sounding anxious and irritated. “Yes, it’s me,” she continued. “Who else would it be? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

There were a few moments of silence as the person on the other end of the phone spoke.

“I have to go, or I’ll be late,” Nancy heard Lisa say finally. “I’ll call as soon as I have some news.” A moment later Lisa put the phone down and walked toward the door. She flipped the lights off. When Lisa closed the door, Nancy and Ned finally relaxed.

“That was too close,” Ned said, standing up and brushing off his pants.

“No kidding,” Nancy agreed, turning one light back on.

“Who do you suppose she was talking to?” Ned asked.

“I don’t know,” Nancy answered. “But I’ve got a hunch it’s got something to do with this case.”

After a last-minute check to be sure everything was as they had found it, Nancy turned out the light. Within fifteen minutes they’d arrived at the Loading Dock, where Alex had reserved a small room off the main dining area for the group.

Nancy and Ned were the last to arrive. Anne, Lisa, Eladio, and Tsu were already seated at the long, rectangular table, and Alex and Kara were arranging handouts on a small side table.

“How are you feeling?” Ned asked Tsu as he and Nancy approached the table.

“Not too bad,” Tsu answered, but Nancy noticed the pain in Tsu’s eyes. “The bad part is that I won’t be able to climb Rainier tomorrow,” Tsu added softly.

Of course, Nancy thought to herself. Tsu had been looking forward to getting her certification, and now that had been put on hold.

“I’m so sorry,” Nancy said.

Tsu sighed. “There’ll be other climbs, I know,” Tsu answered. “I just have to be patient.”

Scanning the table, Nancy saw that Lisa was next to Eladio near one end. She sat close to Lisa to keep an eye on her. Ned chose a seat across from Nancy.

Dinner was delicious. A salad of mixed greens was served with a wonderful blue cheese dressing, followed by a hearty vegetable soup. The main course was pasta with a red pepper and shrimp sauce, accompanied by crusty whole-grain bread.

Eladio chatted with Alex about a new line of climbing ropes. Alex was nodding, pretending to listen intently, but Nancy guessed he was only being polite.

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