Free Danger on Parade by Carolyn Keene Page B

with police security for the parade.”
    It was difficult to hear him with the music blaring, so Nancy leaned closer. “Mmm, nice cologne,” she commented.
    â€œThanks. You’re getting a preview,” Neil explained, grinning at her. “It’s Forever Male, Mitchell’s exclusive cologne. It goes on the market next month, along with the women’s perfume. I’m one of the few people to be wearing it already.”
    â€œThat’s right. Jules mentioned a cologne when he gave us a tour of the cosmetics lab yesterday,” Nancy said. “Oh—before I forget . . .” She reached into her bag and pulled out Neil’s Mitchell’s ID card. “You left this at Kim and Karen’s Grill today.”
    Neil looked surprised as he took the card from her. “I was wondering where this went,” he told her. “Thanks.”
    â€œHow did you get along without it?” Nancy asked. “Don’t you need it to get around the store?”
    â€œI got a replacement,” he replied, his gaze sweeping over the dance floor below. Nancy noticed him frown as he focused on something.
    Looking down, she saw that Bess was talking to Greg Willow. He had an uncomfortable expression on his face, and he kept glancing nervously around the club.
    â€œI really don’t think our grand marshal should be involved with Bess,” Neil said.
    Nancy felt herself bristle. “If you’re talking about the sabotage, Bess is not guilty,” she insisted. “Can’t you see that someone is setting her up—”
    Her voice trailed off as she glanced down at the dance floor again. Greg was gesturing angrily at Bess now—it was obvious that he was yelling at her. For a moment Bess just stared at him, red-faced. Then she abruptly turned away and hurried toward the club’s exit.
    â€œOh, no!” Nancy didn’t even bother to say goodbye to the others. She grabbed her purse and raced down the stairs after Bess. She caught up with her at the coat check.
    â€œBess! What happened?” Nancy asked.
    Tears were streaming down Bess’s face. “Greg t-told me that he can’t see m-me anymore because no one thinks the grand marshal of the parade should be seen with the lead sabotage suspect!”
    â€œThat’s awful!” Nancy said. She grabbed their coats as they were handed over, tipped the woman, then hurried from the club with Bess. Within moments, they had hailed a cab, and Nancy gave the driver her aunt’s address.
    Nancy put her arm around Bess’s shoulders. “I know it must be hard to have Greg treat you so terribly,” Nancy said. “First thing tomorrow I’mgoing to call Jules and find out if the formula we found in Louis Clark’s office really is for Forever. If it is, that’s a good start to proving to everyone that you’re innocent.”
    Bess nodded, but she still didn’t look very hopeful. For the rest of the ride back to Eloise’s apartment, she remained silent. Once Nancy let them in the front door with her key, Bess headed straight for the bedroom.
    â€œYou girls are home early,” Eloise said, stepping out of her bedroom in her nightgown and robe. “Bess, Greg just called.”
    Bess’s mouth dropped open in amazement. “He did?”
    Eloise nodded. “He said he wants to meet you, alone, at the parade studio, so you can talk things over and clear everything up.”
    â€œThe parade studio?” Nancy echoed, frowning. “But he was just at Inverted. That’s nowhere near Brooklyn.”
    â€œI’m sure he said the parade studio,” Eloise insisted. “It does seem rather strange, though.”
    Bess was already hurrying back toward the door. “Maybe it’s not so strange,” she said. “Maybe he thought of something that might lead to the real culprit,” she said excitedly. “Yes, that must be it. I’ve got to