Love Notes by Carolyn Keene

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

Chapter

Nine

NANCY FROZE WHEN SHE heard Ted’s name mentioned. The voice sounded familiar, and by leaning out and peeking around the side of the booth, she could see that it belonged to Maura MacDonald.

Just as Nancy was wondering how to approach the pianist, Maura and her friend stood up and moved toward the door. Nancy followed the two girls out of the restaurant while Bess paid for their drinks.

“Maura,” Nancy called as they emerged into the sunshine.

Startled, the pianist turned back to Nancy. “Oh, hello,” she said.

“Hi,” Nancy said. “Can I talk to you for a few minutes?”

The pianist shrugged. “Why not?” she said.

“I heard you discussing something that interests me, and I wanted to ask you about it,” Nancy began.

Maura and her friend exchanged a tension-filled look. Nancy decided to try to ease the atmosphere by introducing herself to Maura’s friend.

“We haven’t met. I’m Nancy Drew, and this is my friend Bess Marvin,” she added as Bess joined them.

Maura’s companion was a tall girl with a friendly smile. “I’m Abby Fisher,” she said pleasantly.

“Abby’s a pianist, too,” Maura said. “She’s here to keep me company until the final performances on Monday.”

This gave Nancy the opening she needed to bring up what she had overheard.

“I didn’t mean to listen in, but your voice carried. What did you mean about Ted and Curt Lucas not getting along?” she asked.

Maura shrugged. “It’s no secret. Curt Lucas was the judge of a California competition a couple of years ago, and Ted came in second. He was furious and blamed it on Lucas.”

“How do you know this?” Nancy asked.

“Everyone knows,” Abby said. “It’s just one of those stories that gets around. You know how these things happen. You have a private conversation with someone, and the next day the whole world seems to know about it.”

“Ted was complaining about Lucas being on the panel from the first night we got here,” Maura said. “And now that Lucas has been replaced by Grace Hammel, I’m sure Ted’s doubly pleased.”

“Why?” Nancy asked, her pulse quickening. “What’s Ted’s connection to Grace Hammel?”

“She’s a good friend of Ted’s teacher,” Maura said. “It’s an incredibly lucky break.”

“His teacher taught at Grace Hammel’s music school for a couple of years before she went out on her own,” Abby explained.

“Of course one judge doesn’t decide who wins,” Maura added. “But a judge with a strong opinion can influence the other judges.”

“How many judges are there?” Nancy asked.

“Three,” Maura said. “Why are you so interested?”

Nancy shrugged. “I was looking forward to seeing Lucas in action, and I’m sorry he dropped out of the judging,” she said cautiously. “I thought you might know the real reason he left.” Noting Maura’s puzzled expression, she added quickly, “I mean, what his other commitments might be.”

“I have no idea. I haven’t heard anything about it at all,” Maura replied. “Have you, Abby?” she asked, turning to her friend.

Abby shook her head. “Not a word, I’m afraid.”

“Well, like I said, everyone’s sorry about it, except for Ted,” Maura said.

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