Recipe for Murder by Carolyn Keene

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

Chapter

Ten

NANCY STOOD IN numb horror by Paul Slesak’s desk. Her mind was racing, but she couldn’t think of one excuse for being in the office.

The door swung silently inward, and there stood Jacques Bonet.

Nancy’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Jacques,” she said.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked.

“I was—well—” Nancy took a deep breath. “I was looking for Bess’s wallet,” she improvised. “She left it in the classroom, and I told her I’d come back to look for it.”

Bonet’s mouth curved. “An excuse to do a little spying?”

Nancy blushed. “Actually I’d hoped to run into Chef Slesak,” she lied. “I wanted to ask him some questions.”

Jacques consulted his watch. “I’m looking for him too. I thought he was going to be working late tonight.”

Nancy’s heart nearly stopped. What if Slesak had found her first? Was Ned still following him, or had he given up by now?

“Speaking of late, would you look at the time?” Nancy said in mock surprise. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“How did you get in here? The security guard locks the doors at night.”

“Oh, I’ve been here awhile. Listen, I’ve got to get back, Jacques. I haven’t had dinner yet, and I’m starved.”

“What a coincidence. I haven’t eaten yet either.” Jacques regarded her thoughtfully. “Have dinner with me and I won’t tell Paul I caught you in his office.”

“I think that’s blackmail.”

He shrugged and smiled. “Whatever works. I still haven’t had a chance to take you to Très Bon.”

Nancy wasn’t sure what to do. Still, the evening might not be a total waste if she played her cards right. “Okay, give me twenty minutes to get ready,” she finally said.

“Done,” Jacques said, and they walked out to his expensive-looking sports car.

Ned was going to hit the roof, Nancy thought glumly to herself. How would she be able to explain this date to him?

As Nancy was finishing dressing, the connecting door to George and Bess’s room opened.

“Nancy!” George said. “Where have you been? And where are you going?”

“Jacques caught me in Paul Slesak’s office, and I had to lie my way out of it. He told me that if I had dinner with him, he wouldn’t tell Slesak I’d been in his office.” Nancy sighed. “I just couldn’t say no.”

George shook her head. “I don’t like that guy. What about Ned?”

“Ned doesn’t know. But I’ll call his room.”

Nancy dialed swiftly, but there was no answer—and no time to find Ned. “I wish I knew where he was.”

“Probably looking for you,” George said darkly.

Nancy winced. “I asked him to follow Paul Slesak. You don’t think he got into any trouble, do you?”

“Look, I saw Ned earlier for a second. He was fine, but he was worried about you. Go on your date. I’ll handle it on this end. Just be careful, okay?”

Nancy kept looking for some sign of Ned as she walked through the lobby, but he was nowhere. Jacques was waiting outside the door. He winked and waved when he saw Nancy, then held the car door for her as she climbed inside.

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