Free Diamond Deceit by Carolyn Keene Page B

beautiful cuckoo clock,” Nancy commented, pausing to look at it.
    Cy Baxter nodded approvingly at the clock. “Isn’t it? I have a man in Switzerland who makes them to order for me. That one is just for display,” he told her. “Would you like to order one? It takes about four weeks.”
    â€œOh, 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.”
    â€œAnd I don’t see how we can get a look at his stockroom,” George added. “He keeps a pretty close eye on things.”
    â€œHe 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.”
    â€œBut something funny was going on, don’t you think?” George asked. “Rachel was sure acting guilty of something.”
    â€œMaybe 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.
    â€œThat’s funny. The sign on the door says Closed,” Nancy said.
    â€œWhy 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.
    â€œDid you find out anything about the necklace this morning when you talked to Joanna Burton?” Bess asked. “Okay, what I really want toknow 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.
    â€œOh, no! I had no idea. No wonder Marcia’s so upset!” Bess exclaimed.
    â€œYou’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.
    â€œNo,” 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.
    â€œDo 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.”
    â€œMaybe,” 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.”
    â€œHey, 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.
    â€œWhat 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