In Search of The Black Rose by Carolyn Keene

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

9

Black as Night

Nancy tried to keep her voice calm. “Nice ring, Tony,” she said. “Where’d it come from?”

“I don’t know for certain,” Tony admitted. “I’ve had it since I was a little boy, but I only started wearing it lately. It was too big for my finger before.”

Was it just a coincidence that Tony had a black rose on his ring? Nancy wondered. Or was he personally connected to this case in some way?

And if he was, why hadn’t he told the girls?

“Did you realize that it’s a black rose?” Nancy asked, watching his face for his reaction.

Tony’s dark eyes grew startled. “A black rose?” He looked down at his ring. “Why, so it is! I hadn’t even noticed. Well, there’s another one for your contest.”

His surprise seems genuine, Nancy thought. Or is he just a good actor?

“This ring has always meant a great deal to me,” Tony said, studying it as he leaned against the pillar. “It came from my mother. She died when I was four.”

Nancy’s heart stirred. “I’m sorry,” she said. “My mother died when I was little, too.”

Tony looked up and gave her a sympathetic gaze. “Then you understand,” he said. “My father—well, let’s simply say he’s reserved. He hardly ever talked about Mum after she died. One day I found her jewel case in a drawer. One of the things I found inside was this ring, so I put it on. When my father saw it, he was absolutely furious at first.”

“Maybe you stirred up painful memories for him,” Nancy said.

“I didn’t mean to,” Tony said. “All I wanted was to learn about my mother. At any rate, when he calmed down, he said I could keep the ring—that my mother had saved it for me. I assume it came from her family.”

“May I see it?” Nancy asked in a casual tone.

“Sure,” Tony said. He slid the ring off his finger and handed it to her.

After studying the ring’s face, Nancy slid a finger behind it, feeling for a secret compartment. But the gold setting was smooth and solid.

“It’s certainly handsome,” Nancy said, handing it back. “It must be very special to you. I know I treasure everything I have that came from my mom.”

Tony gave her a warm smile. “Can I walk you somewhere? Are you eating dinner here in the hall again tonight?”

“No, we were only invited for yesterday evening,” Nancy said.

“Too bad,” Tony said. “Last night you got an arrow for dessert. Who knows what you’d get tonight?” With a cheerful wave, he strolled off across the quad.

Nancy watched him go with a puzzled frown. Tony now knew she was a detective, thanks to Miss Innes. And he knew that she and her friends were looking for black roses, though he still didn’t know why. How much more should she let him know?

Nancy had a nagging feeling that Tony had a secret. What could it be?

• • •

“I’ll have the spaghetti with grilled shrimp,” Mr. Drew told the waitress at dinner that night.

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