Fatal Ransom by Carolyn Keene

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

Chapter

Nine

NANCY REACTED SWIFTLY. As Monica came toward her, she spun around and kicked the poker out of Monica’s hand. It flew through the air, landing with a clatter across the room.

But that didn’t stop Monica. Her eyes filled with murderous rage, she picked up a huge, ornate vase from an end table and hurled it at Nancy. Luckily, she missed—and the vase sailed onto the arm of the sofa behind Nancy. It teetered precariously for a second, then toppled safely over onto the sofa cushion. Nancy picked it up and walked over and replaced it on the end table.

“Monica! Are you crazy?” yelled Lance. “That’s a Tang vase!”

“Not to mention the fact that she tried to kill me,” said Nancy dryly.

Monica stared at Lance and Nancy, her jaw working. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Then she rushed upstairs and they heard the sound of running feet overhead, a door slamming—and then silence.

“That’s the bathroom she ran into!” said Lance. “There are all kinds of pills and razors in there—and the window is right over a brick patio!”

Nancy was already halfway up the stairs.

“That door,” said Lance as he raced up behind her. “The one down those little steps.”

They stopped outside the door. There was complete silence inside.

“Monica?” Nancy called cautiously. She tried the doorknob, but it was locked.

“Monica! Are you in there?” Lance shouted. More silence.

“Can you break down the door?” Nancy whispered.

“Monica, I’m worried about you! If you don’t open the door, I’m going to break the door down!” said Lance.

“I’m going to call the police,” Nancy said.

“No! Don’t! We don’t want them in on this, remember? She’s pulled this kind of stunt before. Monica,” he said, raising his voice again, “I’m going to count to three. If you don’t open the door, I promise I’m going to break it down. One . . . two . . . three!”

Nothing happened.

“Okay,” Lance said grimly. He rammed his shoulder against the door. And again. The door shook slightly on its hinges, but it stayed put.

“Once more,” Nancy said. “It’s about to give.”

“So’s my shoulder,” grunted Lance, but he tried once more. That time the door burst open, and the two of them ran in—to an empty bathroom.

“Oh, no!” gasped Nancy. She raced to the window and looked down, dreading the sight that awaited her.

But there was no one on the patio. And no sign of anyone having jumped.

“What’s going on here?” Nancy asked.

Then she saw Monica. She was standing on the ledge outside the window, just a few feet out of reach. Her eyes were wild, and she was poised to jump.

“Don’t try to stop me!” she said.

Lance had rushed to Nancy’s side. “Monica, come in, you idiot! Stop making a scene!” he shouted. No one’s going to hurt you! Don’t be ridiculous!” He turned to Nancy and said, “She’s just doing it to get attention. She won’t jump or anything.”

“I know,” Nancy whispered back to him. “But this isn’t the way to get her back inside!”

“Monica,” she said out loud, “I’m sorry if I upset you.

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