Diamond Deceit (9 page)

“Oh, no—I don't think I could afford one,” Nancy said quickly. With a quick goodbye she and George left.

As soon as they were outside, Nancy turned to George and said, “Well, it doesn't look as if Baxter or Rachel sent the clock—unless he was lying about having others there.”

“And I don't see how we can get a look at his stockroom,” George added. “He keeps a pretty close eye on things.”

“He and Rachel both seemed surprised about Joanna Burton's death,” Nancy added, her brow furrowed. “My instincts tell me neither of them did it—unless they're very good liars.”

“But something funny was going on, don't you think?” George asked. “Rachel was sure acting guilty of
something.”

“Maybe she's just a nervous person,” Nancy said with a shrug. “Come on. Let's go see if Bess got back to the café.”

Just before they crossed the street to the restaurant Nancy glanced toward Cheung's Original Designs.

“That's funny. The sign on the door says Closed,” Nancy said.

“Why would she close her store in the middle of the day?” George asked, following Nancy's gaze.

Nancy frowned. “I don't know, but I'm definitely going to ask her the next time I see her.”

Continuing across the street, Nancy and George crossed into Ted's restaurant. Bess was sitting at a table near the door, eating a chicken salad platter. As soon as she saw Nancy and George, she grinned and waved.

“Did you find out anything about the necklace this morning when you talked to Joanna Burton?” Bess asked. “Okay, what I really want to
know is what's she like? And what is her house like?”

Obviously Bess didn't know what had happened to the actress. When Nancy told her, Bess's expression changed to one of horror.

“Oh, no! I had no idea. No wonder Marcia's so upset!” Bess exclaimed.

“You've seen Marcia?” George asked.

Bess nodded. “She and Len came by to ask if we'd accept a delivery because they had to be out of the shop for a while. Come on and sit down. Are you guys hungry?”

Nancy and George shook their heads. “Did Marcia and Len say where they were going?” Nancy asked.

“No,” Bess replied. She looked up at Nancy with curious blue eyes. “Why? What's going on?”

Nancy and George quickly filled Bess in on all that had happened that morning. “And we just found out that the truck that nearly ran us off the road is Len's truck. That could tie him to the scene of Joanna Burton's murder,” Nancy finished.

“Do you honestly think Len is the one who killed her?” she asked in a whisper. “Maybe Marcia found out, and that's why she acted so weird when you tried to talk to her before.”

“Maybe,” Nancy said. “We do have to talk to them both.” She sighed, then said, “Since they're not around I might as well call the car dealership in Monterey and check out Cy Baxter's alibi.”

“Hey, I've got an idea,” Bess said brightly. “Let's just drive over there. There's a lot to see in Monterey, and we haven't had a chance to do any sightseeing yet.”

George shot a look at the kitchen. “Do you think Ted will let you come with us?” she asked sarcastically.

“What do you mean,
let
me come with you? I'm all finished for the day. Why would he care?” Bess asked. “I even got everything set up for tomorrow so I can take the whole day off.”

Nancy asked Bess, “Did Ted mention that we stopped by this morning?”

“No,” Bess said. “I wondered where you were.”

George glanced briefly around the restaurant before fixing her cousin with a sober gaze. “Bess, did you notice that Ted isn't very excited about us being here? He doesn't seem to like it when you go anyplace with us,” she said.

“That's crazy!” Bess said defensively. “He couldn't wait to meet you two.”

“Then why does he think of something else for you to do every time we plan to do something together?” George asked.

Bess stabbed a piece of chicken with her fork. “I have a job now, and that job has certain responsibilities. Ted is my boss, George.” Bess was starting to sound irritated.

“George didn't mean to put down your job,
Bess,” Nancy said quickly. “We're both really glad that you like your work. It's just—”

Nancy broke off as a hand clamped down on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Stephanie Cooke standing there. The agent was dressed in a white leather jumpsuit studded with sequins. Her red hair was hanging loose down her back in long waves. She seemed to have recovered completely from the morning's disaster.

“I hope you don't mind if I disturb you,” Stephanie said. Without waiting for Nancy to answer, she sat down in the only empty chair. “I heard you tell the police detective you were staying at the Provence Inn. The woman at the desk said she thought you might be here.”

Leaning forward conspiratorially, Stephanie said in a low voice, “I have a business deal I'd like to discuss with you. It could be very exciting.

“Morgan introduced you as a detective, and I find that so fascinating,” Stephanie went on. “I made a few calls to Hollywood.”

“Yes?” Nancy prompted, wishing Stephanie would get to the point.

“Anyway, I know some people who are very interested in using some of your stories for films.” Stephanie folded her arms across her chest, beaming at Nancy.

“Oh, no,” Nancy said quickly. “Something like that could only get in the way of my work.”

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. “But, Nancy,
just think of the opportunities this would open up,” she said. “You wouldn't have to bother with being a detective any longer.”

“Nancy likes what she does, and she's good at it,” Bess said indignantly. George nodded her agreement.

“Well, if you're sure you're not interested—”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Nancy said quickly.

Stephanie didn't show any signs of leaving. “What do you think about Joanna?” she asked, changing the subject.

“What do you mean?” George wanted to know.

“Do you have any ideas about what happened to her or to the diamonds?” Stephanie asked.

Why was Stephanie asking
her
this? Nancy wondered. “I really don't know,” she answered. “Perhaps you should talk to Detective Bommarito.”

Keeping her gaze fixed on Nancy, she said, “Surely you have some theory. Haven't you had a case like this before?” she pressed.

“Every case is different,” Nancy said, not wanting to discuss her ideas with Stephanie.

Just then Ted approached the table carrying a tray with three servings of a chocolate dessert on it. “I thought you might like to try Bess's specialty for today, French silk pie.”

Now that Bess was there, Ted was acting really nice to Nancy and George. What was his story?

“Um, that looks great, Ted,” George said. “Thanks a lot.”

Ted smiled at Stephanie. “I'm sorry, I didn't see you sitting here before. Would you like to order something?”

The agent glanced quickly around the table, gauging the others' expressions. To Nancy's relief, she said, “I think my business here is finished.” She pointed to an empty table near the jukebox. “I would like to order some lunch, though. Please send a waitress and a menu over there.”

Before Stephanie moved to her table she turned to Nancy and said, “Keep my offer in mind, okay? And give me a call if you change your mind.”

Bess shook her head, following Stephanie with her eyes. “Wow, she really comes on strong,” she whispered.

“I'll say. She sure made a quick comeback from this morning,” George added. “She's already making calls trying to put together a movie deal for you, Nancy, right after the death of a supposedly close friend of hers.”

“Maybe that's the way she deals with being upset—throwing herself into her work,” Ted put in, tucking the empty tray under one arm.

“Maybe,” Nancy said. “Or maybe Cy Baxter was right and Stephanie wasn't as good a friend of Joanna Burton's as she claimed.” She took a
bite of her French silk pie. “Mmm. This is delicious, Bess!”

Bess beamed at the compliment. Turning to Ted, she said, “I'm taking Nancy and George to Monterey this afternoon to have a look around.”

Ted immediately frowned.

“I'm all finished with today's baking, and I even have raspberry tarts ready for tomorrow,” Bess told him. “There's no reason for me to stay unless you don't think you can put the tarts away when they cool.” She grinned up at him flirtatiously.

At first Nancy couldn't read Ted's expression. He seemed to be struggling with some emotion. Then finally he smiled back at Bess and said, “No problem. I can handle that. Have a great time.” He bent to kiss Bess on the cheek, then started back toward the kitchen.

The phone at the back of the café rang just as Ted reached the kitchen doors. Stepping over to the extension, he picked up the receiver. He spoke into it briefly, then cupped a hand over the mouthpiece.

“Nancy, it's for you,” he called out.

“Maybe it's Marcia,” Nancy said hopefully, getting to her feet and hurrying to the phone. “Hello?” she said into the receiver.

“I need to meet with you,” said a low, husky voice Nancy didn't recognize. “I have important information about the case you're investigating.”

The person sounded nervous, even panicked. “Meet where?” Nancy asked. “Who is this?”

“On the beach, as soon as you can get there,” the voice said. “Be sure to come alone.”

Nancy racked her brain, trying to think who the caller could be. “How will I know who you are?” she asked.

“I'll know you.” There was a click, and the line went dead.

Nancy slowly hung up the phone. Going back to her table, she quickly told Bess and George about the anonymous call. “The voice was disguised,” she finished. “I couldn't tell who it was.”

“You're not going, are you?” Bess asked, twisting her blond hair nervously in her fingers.

“Of course I'm going.”

“Then we're going with you,” George said firmly.

Nancy shook her head. “The caller specifically said for me to come alone,” she said. “If you guys show up, the person probably won't approach me.

“You don't know what this person has planned for you,” Bess objected. “Remember what happened to Joanna Burton,” she added grimly.

Despite her friends' objections, Nancy convinced them that she should go alone. As she rose to leave she said, “Okay, so I'll meet you back at the Provence Inn after I'm done. And then we can head to Monterey.”

Outside the day had turned foggy and the air was damp and heavy. Nancy walked quickly—she didn't want to risk missing the person who had called.

There were very few people at the beach. The fog must have driven them away, Nancy reasoned. The water was gray, and big waves slammed relentlessly onto the beach.

Nancy quickly made her way down one of the stairways to the hard-packed sand. She began to stroll casually but kept a sharp lookout.

She had gone a few hundred yards when she noticed some large rocks jutting out of the sand. They rose up the sandy hill to the level of the road above, which was edged by a stone wall. “I guess I'll climb up on one and wait there to make contact with the caller,” Nancy murmured to herself.

It took only a minute or so to clamber up the rocky incline. When she came to a flat area about halfway up she stopped and sat down. As she looked out at the water she suddenly found herself thinking of Ned. This would be the perfect place to watch the sun set with him, she thought to herself.

The sound of pebbles rolling down from above startled Nancy out of her daydream. She brushed them aside and glanced up at the rocky ledge.

She didn't see anything. Then a loud scraping noise triggered an alarm in her mind. A huge
boulder in the wall directly above her was teetering precariously.

Nancy gasped and jumped to her feet. Before she could move away the boulder pulled loose and began rolling down the incline. In a moment it was going to crash right over her!

F
IRST PANIC GRIPPED
Nancy, but then her reflexes took over. She jumped to the side, hoping her feet would find a stable surface to land on.

No sooner did she leave her perch than the boulder crashed down on the very surface where she'd been sitting. It rolled off the opposite side and continued harmlessly down the hill.

“Phew! That was a close—” Nancy then felt loose stones shifting beneath her feet.

“Whoa!” She flung her arms out wildly, trying to maintain her balance, but it was too late. Her feet slipped out from under her, and she slid down the rocks to the beach.

Nancy remained motionless for a few moments, trying to catch her breath. Her whole body ached. There were scratches on her legs,
and her jacket was ripped at one elbow. After a while she slowly climbed to her feet.