The Picture-Perfect Mystery by Carolyn Keene

Author:Carolyn Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

8

Starting Over

Nancy didn’t sleep well that night. Tossing and turning, she kept thinking about Clark Drummond’s story. If he didn’t plan the con himself—and Nancy wasn’t sure whether or not she believed that—then who did mastermind the plot to ruin Lila?

Could it have been Jennifer Williams, Lila’s chief rival? Or bitter Rodney? They seemed to be the most likely suspects at the moment. But, Nancy resolved, she wouldn’t forget about Clark Drummond. He certainly was someone to keep an eye on. And she still had to question Annette, too.

The next step, she decided just before she finally drifted off to sleep, was to pay a visit to Jennifer at the Red Door Gallery. Maybe she’d learn something useful. Yes, she’d stop by there tomorrow.

In the morning, Nancy drove across town to the Red Door Gallery. She pulled her sports car into the lot next to a modern brick-and-glass building with a brightly painted red front door. A one-stall garage, its door closed, stood next to the lot. Nancy noted that although the hour was early, half a dozen cars were parked in the lot already.

Impressive, Nancy thought. Evidently Jennifer was doing a good business. Could the rivalry between Jennifer and Lila be strong enough that Jennifer might want to destroy her competitor? Or at least eliminate her from the upcoming exhibition?

Nancy mused over the question as she walked up the sidewalk and opened the gallery’s red door.

Inside, Nancy found that this gallery was about the size of Lila Cramer’s but was very different in style. Instead of using antiques to create a quiet, restful atmosphere, as the Cramer Gallery did, the Red Door Gallery was decorated with starkly modern leather-and-chrome furniture. Several groups of people were browsing, looking at the works of art displayed on the wall, and making quiet conversation. Many of the paintings and sculptures were abstract pieces.

A heavyset woman with an attractive, friendly face and red hair approached Nancy.

“Hello,” she said. “May I help you?”

“Are you Jennifer Williams?” Nancy asked.

The woman laughed. “I wish I were—I can’t paint worth beans. No, I’m Cathy Stark. I work for Jennifer.”

Nancy held out her hand and introduced herself. “This is a lovely gallery,” she said. “It’s very different from the Cramer Gallery, isn’t it?”

Cathy’s smile faded. “Yes, yes, it is. Much different.” Then she added, “And much better, I think.”

Nancy nodded. “You certainly must be doing well. I’m impressed to see so many people here this morning.”

“We are doing very well,” Cathy said, and Nancy caught the note of pride in her voice. “Especially in the last year or so.” She looked questioningly at Nancy. “Do you know Lila Cramer, by any chance?”

“Actually, I’m a friend of Lee Ann’s, Lila’s daughter,” Nancy explained.

“I see,” Cathy said. “Lee Ann’s a sweet girl.”

Nancy studied Cathy’s wide face. The young woman had been careful not to say anything nice about Lila, and Nancy detected an air of rivalry. She wondered just how loyal Cathy was to Jennifer Williams. Loyal enough to want to see Lila fail?

“I’d like to see some of Ms.

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