Free Model Suspect 3 by Carolyn Keene Page B

at her own reflection in the mirror. I was half expecting her to say that she was going to leave the island, or at least that she wanted to call in the local authorities right away.
    “I don’t think you should tell anyone yet,” she said at last. “I mean, I already went the police route the first time around, back in New York. Both the NYPD and that private investigator I hired tried and failed to track down MrSilhouette’s identity before.” She turned to face me. “So at this point, Nancy, I’m thinking you’re my only hope.”
    What was I supposed to say to that? “Okay,” I replied. “You know I’ll do my best, Sydney. But this guy’s tricky, so it might not be a bad idea to bring in reinforcements, or—”
    “No,” she broke in grimly. “Like I said, you’re my only hope—or should I say my
last
hope. If you can’t track down this crazy MrSilhouette guy in this place, this little resort on an island with hardly anyone around, then I’ll just have to accept that it’s hopeless. That I really will be looking over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of that extra shadow behind me, for the rest of my life.” She turned to stare at herself in the mirror again, her expression somber. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that possibility today, actually, and I’ve reached a decision. If we don’t solve this thing before we all leave the island, I’m planning to leave Vic as soon as we get back to New York.”
    “What?” I squawked.
    She nodded. “MrSilhouette obviously doesn’t want to see me with anyone else. It seems like he’s willingto do anything to make sure of it. I love Vic way too much to put him in that kind of danger.”
    “Sydney, think about what you’re saying!” I exclaimed, horrified. “Vic loves you, too. And he’s used to doing dangerous stuff—just talk to him first, okay?”
    “I can’t. You’re right, he’ll think he can handle it.” Her lower lip quivered. “But how am I supposed to handle it when MrSilhouette finally succeeds one day and the love of my life ends up dead—because of me?”
    I wasn’t sure what to say to that. It was pretty obvious that Sydney’s mind was made up. That meant I really was the only hope for her and Vic’s future happiness. Talk about pressure!
    Sure, I knew I could go to the authorities myself with what I’d seen in that honeymoon cabin. But without Sydney backing me up, would they believe me? Would they take action? I had to wonder, based on the resort employee’s reaction when I’d told her about the pontoon shooting.
    Besides that, if a bunch of cops swarmed into the resort, what was to stop MrSilhouette from going back into hiding? That might fix things for the short term, but Sydney would know he wasn’t gone for good. That would almost guarantee that she’d follow through on her plans to leave Vic.
    She turned away from the mirror to face me. “So?” she said. “How about it, Nancy? Will you help me?”
    I took a deep breath, meeting her eye. “I’ll do my best.”
    “I can’t believe Syd’s really planning to leave Vic for his own safety.” Bess looked up from tucking some clothes into a drawer in our bungalow bedroom. “If it wasn’t so serious, I’d say that was totally romantic!”
    “Are you nuts?” George said, wandering into the room. “Syd and Vic are perfect for each other. We have to make sure it doesn’t come to that.”
    I was perched on the edge of my bed watching Bess unpack. It was late, but I was feeling far too antsy to sleep—or even unpack my own suitcase beyond pulling out a nightgown and my toothbrush.
    “So let’s go over the case,” I suggested. “Starting with Bo’s fall. I can’t help remembering that the whole climbing-the-waterfall thing was Butch’s idea.”
    Bess’s eyes widened. “You’re right! And he actually wanted Vic to be the one to climb up there.”
    “Butch,” George said. “
Bald
Butch. It all fits perfectly!”
    I nodded thoughtfully.