The Scratch on the Ming Vase by Caroline Stellings

Author:Caroline Stellings
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2012-08-21T04:00:00+00:00

“I hope you don’t mind stopping off here for a minute first,” said Nicki.

“This is a social visit,” Margo warned the nurses at the desk. “Don’t get any big ideas about putting me to work tonight.”

“I didn’t even recognize you without the stripes,” joked an older nurse.

“Nurse Cherry Ames, out on the town,” said another.

“I love Cherry Ames.” Margo swung her purse over her shoulder playfully.

“Who’s she?” asked Nicki.

“Oh, you know—Cherry Ames, from the series of books for girls. She’s like Nancy Drew, only a nurse. My grandmother gave me her set.”

“Right. They were in your bookcase.”

“I cherish them. Those books changed my life.”

Nicki started for Kahana’s room.

Margo clicked behind, her heels hitting the floor like it was a steel drum.

Nicki turned down the west corridor and immediately noticed the hall was completely empty. There was no guard at David Kahana’s door.

Where’s the guard?

Nicki picked up her pace. She grabbed the door handle and tugged until it opened.

Kahana was gone!

“Margo, he’s not here!” gasped Nicki.

“He was fine when I left here today,” said Margo. “Maybe they’ve just taken him—”

Nicki didn’t wait for her to finish the sentence. She wheeled around and ran back to the nurses’ station. Margo hurried behind.

From around the corner came Newman.

What’s he doing here? Nicki’s mind was racing. “Where’s Master Kahana?”

“I was just about to ask that myself,” said Newman.

“They’ve taken him upstairs for tests,” replied a nurse. “But it’s past visiting hours. You’ll all have to leave.”

Nicki let out a huge sigh of relief. “Are his guards with him?”

“Yes, of course,” declared the nurse.

Nicki thanked her and then confronted the hotel manager.

“Mr. Newman,” asked Nicki, “are you a friend of Mr. Kahana’s?”

“Mr. Kahana was a guest at my hotel.”

Your hotel? thought Nicki.

Newman directed his gaze squarely at Nicki. “Now I have a question for you. What are you doing here?” he asked. Before Nicki could answer, Margo jumped in.

“She’s going to be taking lessons from him. When he’s better. She’s learning self-defense.”

I wish she hadn’t said that, thought Nicki.

“Okay,” said the nurse, “everyone must leave now.”

They all strolled toward the elevator. Newman got on, but Nicki stopped Margo before she could enter.

“Wait, Margo,” she said, “I left my wallet in your locker!”

“Locker?”

The door shut on Newman.

“What are you talking about?” asked Margo.

“I want to speak to the nurse again.”

The girls headed back to the reception area.

“Excuse me,” said Nicki, “but that man who just left—Mr. Newman—does he come by here often? To ask about Mr. Kahana?”

“I’m sorry,” said the nurse. “I can’t give out that kind of information.” She returned to her desk.

“She can’t, but I will,” whispered Margo as they walked away. “I’ve seen him here quite a few times. And yes, he’s always inquiring about Mr. Kahana’s condition.”

“I thought so,” said Nicki.

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