Free Dangerous Relations by Carolyn Keene

hugged Bess. Then she stood up. “It’s almost two—I’d better go. By the way,” she added, smiling, “there’s an engagement party tonight for Hayden and me. Eduardo will use any excuse to throw a party. He’s a good guy. But he’s really down over his stolen motorcycle, and I’m hoping the party will take his mind off it. You’ll all come, won’t you?”
    â€œWe never miss a party,” Bess assured Natalia as they followed her to the tent.
    Inside, Nancy nearly butted noses with a woman who had a huge snake coiled around her upper body. “Excuse me,” Nancy said, backing away.
    In the tent, workers were busy leading show dogs, carrying props, and checking cables, ropes, and wires.
    Natalia shot off to join Hayden, Katrina, and some other performers who were waiting on the bleachers. “Why didn’t you tell her about Vera’s real name?” George asked quietly.
    â€œFinding out you don’t even know your mother’s real name isn’t all that pleasant,” Nancy answered. “There’s the rehearsal, then the party tonight. I’d hate to upset her right now.”
    Just then Morgan York shouted into a megaphone, “Attention, please! We’ve got sound problems here, so listen up!”
    As the noise leveled off, Morgan rushed through a roll call. Only one man failed toanswer. Morgan frowned, made a note on the paper on her clipboard, then continued. “Mr. Keiser will say a few words first. Then we’ll bring the animals in and practice the walk-around.”
    So Keiser would be occupied for a while. Nancy knew there would never be a better time to check the typewriter in his office. She beckoned for her friends to follow and ducked out.
    â€œThis is only going to take a second,” Nancy tried to reassure Bess as she approached Keiser’s office, credit card in hand. “Stand outside and warn George if anyone comes toward the arena.”
    â€œI’ll knock if anyone does,” George said, stationing herself outside Keiser’s door as Nancy let herself into his office.
    Nancy closed the door and crossed to Keiser’s desk. She moved a stack of papers off the old standard typewriter, rolled in her postcard, and typed several letters, including the letter /. The nerve endings in her fingers tingled. The letter was raised half a line! A perfect match!
    Hearing something bump against the wall that separated Keiser’s office from the prop room, Nancy jerked to attention. Her pulse surged as George knocked on the door. She raced to the window and slid it up.
    The screen was stuck! It must have been painted over, she thought.
    George’s second, more urgent knock sent Nancy hurrying across the office to hide in the first tall cabinet. Then came footsteps. Her heartpounded as she hid behind a sequined jacket. The dusty smell of it made her nose itch. Oh, no! she thought. She was going to sneeze. She covered her nose with both hands. But it was no use. The sneeze exploded.
    Marshall Keiser’s bellow rang out. “I hear you in there! What do you think you’re doing?”

Chapter

Ten
    N ANCY CRINGED . Marshall Keiser had said no more questions. Breaking into his office had to be ten times worse. Pulse racing, she waited tensely for him to throw the cabinet door open.
    But the door remained closed. Nancy listened hard. She heard voices coming from the prop room. Keiser was still bellowing—but not at her!
    Relief rushed through her. The cabinet door creaked as she opened it. Wincing, she tiptoed soundlessly to the office door and opened it, checked to make sure there was no one in sight, and slipped out.
    George had crossed the corridor so as not to give Nancy away. She was studying the circus posters. Her feeling of relief was obvious on her face as she turned and saw Nancy. In silent agreement, they raced out the front door.
    â€œWhere is he? I thought for sure he’d catch