Cold as Ice

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Authors: Carolyn Keene
evening?”
    â€œI’m not sure,” Nancy said, grabbing her coat. “We’re going out to dinner, but I don’t know what’s on after that.”
    Nancy was about to ask Susan if she wanted to join them when she remembered the run-in between Rob and Susan’s new boyfriend earlier that afternoon.
    As if Susan had read her thoughts, she said, “Urn, Nancy, about that fight this afternoon . . . I’m sorry if Greg was rude. He’s not such a bad guy, really, but he’s never really liked Rob very much.”
    That was the understatement of the year, Nancy thought to herself. The question was, did Greg hate Rob enough to set him up for the jewel theft? “At least they didn’t actually throw any punches,” Nancy said. “Listen, I have to run—”
    â€œOkay. You have your key. Have fun.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    On the way to the restaurant, Nancy told the others about what had happened at the shed. “Anyway,” she concluded, “one of the officers is going to come see me sometime tomorrow. Maybe I’ll finally be able to convince them that Rob is being framed.”
    â€œI sure hope so,” Rob said.
    â€œHey,” Ned said. “You never told us what the police asked you at the library.”
    Rob shrugged. “The same old stuff. They kept telling me they think I stole the jewels, and I kept telling them I didn’t.”
    La Fleur-de-Lis was just a block from the edge of campus. Jerry gave his name to the headwaiter, who said in an accented voice, “Would you mind waiting a few moments, Monsieur McEntee? Your table is almost ready.” He showed them to a curved bench in a little alcove. A low wall topped by potted plants separated it from the dining room, which was decorated to look like a small French inn.
    Nancy sat down on the bench. On the other side of the low wall, just behind her head, two men were speaking, and she was distracted by their conversation. One of the voices sounded familiar, but Nancy couldn’t quite place it.
    â€œWe’d like to make a major move into sporting goods,” the familiar voice was saying. “It’s a good fit with our other activities.”
    â€œI don’t know,” the other man said. “I know my customers. One of the reasons they come to my store is that I know them and their kids. They’re willing to pay a premium for personal attention, and they’ll go elsewhere if they don’tget it. I just can’t become part of a chain.” The man sounded unhappy and defensive.
    â€œLook,” the first man said, “you know what happens to people who stand in the way of progress. They get flattened. Of course, I might consider calling the deal off, if someone comes through with something.”
    â€œHey, Nancy.” She blinked as Jerry tapped her on the arm. “Are you still with us? You can forget about those stolen jewels for one evening, can’t you?”
    â€œAnd one morning,” Ned added. “Don’t forget we’ve got a skating date first thing tomorrow.”
    â€œOh, I remember,” Nancy assured him.
    â€œYou’ll have a lot of fun,” Bess said with a grin. “You’ll be freezing your nose and toes down at the lake, while we’re suffering through a warm, delicious breakfast.”
    Nancy groaned dramatically, then became silent as she realized that the conversation behind her had taken a very interesting turn. The men were now talking about the jewel theft!
    â€œA terrible thing,” the one with the familiar voice was saying. “I’m happy, of course, that I didn’t lose anything, but it’s a blow to the museum’s reputation. If the jewels aren’t recovered immediately, the museum won’t attract other traveling exhibitions.”
    Just as Nancy realized whose voice she was listening to, the headwaiter reappeared. “Monsieur McEntee?” he

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