The Case of the Not-So-Nice Nurse by Mabel Maney

Author:Mabel Maney [Maney, Mabel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Pulp
ISBN: 9781573441650
Publisher: Cleis Press
Published: 2005-12-10T06:00:00+00:00

A quick survey of the tiny room failed to turn up any more clues. As they headed back to the entryway, the last match fluttered, and then went out. And try as they might, they couldn't find the secret button that opened the passageway. "That darn escape button was right here a minute ago," Midge scowled.

"We're trapped!" Cherry cried.

"Be calm," Jackie said in a soothing voice.

"But I can't breathe," Cherry said, clutching her throat. She was beginning to feel dizzy.

"Don't be silly, Cherry," Midge teased. "People have been living here-there's obviously plenty of air."

Cherry blushed and realized that Midge was right. She was thankful that the darkness hid her embarrassment.

"Where's that kid?" Midge wanted to know. She started banging on the wall for Lauren. They could hear her muffled voice coming from the other side of the wall.

"Lauren, let us out," they called.

"Grh mun thk?" Lauren mumbled.

"Darn it, Lauren, swallow the darn cookie and listen!" Midge was really annoyed this time.

The girl did as she was told. "How do I get you out?" she called.

"It's a book on the third ...no, fourth shelf. In the middle. Just take it off the shelf," Midge replied.

"What's it about?" Lauren wanted to know.

"I'll tell you later," cried an exasperated Midge. "I am never having children," she added under her breath.

They could hear the girl rummaging all willy-nilly through the shelves. A moment later the door swung open. Lauren smirked at the trapped trio, her arms folded over her baggy overalls. "Aren't you going to thank me?" she wanted to know.

Midge just glowered at the girl.

Cherry tried to smooth things over and offered to help Lauren put the books back. "And neatly," she added, remembering that her aunt was particular about her precious books.

"Time for a private conference, girls," Jackie said, motioning Midge and Cherry into the bedroom next door. Lauren protested at being left behind, but, as Cherry was quick to point out, she hadn't finished putting back all the books.

They left a grumbling Lauren to her task and went into the bedroom. Jackie settled in a comfortable mossy green chintz chair, pulled out her notepad and started to write.

"What's up, officer?" Midge asked.

Jackie shook her head. "Nothing adds up," she said. "I hate to admit it, but I'm stumped! Somehow all these disappearances are connected, but I fail to see how. Cherry, Midge, is there something you haven't told me?"

Cherry flung herself on Aunt Gert's chenille-covered bed. "I don't know what else to tell you; all I know is that because of me, first Velma was kidnapped, and now Aunt Gert's disappeared." She started to cry. "I'm not only a terrible detective, I'm a danger to my friends!"

Midge found a handkerchief in the top drawer of the mahogany dressing table and handed it to the bereft nurse. Cherry dried her eyes. She noticed the monogram "C.M." on one corner of the lace-edged hankie. "Why, these aren't Aunt Gert's initials," she thought. "Where have I seen this before?"

Midge sat on the bed next to Cherry, looking pensive.

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