The Suspect Next Door Read online

  “Nancy! Nancy!” A familiar voice rang out as Nancy was fishing out her keys. Turning, she watched Nikki Masters run up the walk, waving a manila envelope in her hand. There was a worried look in Nikki’s soft blue eyes when she reached Nancy.

  “Hi, Nikki,” Nancy said, concerned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, Nancy. Everything’s wrong,” Nikki blurted out. “Look at this!” She handed Nancy the large manila envelope.

  Nancy reached in and pulled out a Native American-style turquoise-and-silver pendant necklace. On the back of the center stone was a large etched Z, almost like a lightning bolt. It was very similar to the mark she’d seen on the necklace in Vanities.

  “Nice,” Nancy murmured, turning the necklace and flashing it in the bright sunlight. “Why is it a problem?”

  “Oh, Nancy,” Nikki moaned. “My boyfriend gave it to me,” she said quickly, still trying to catch her breath. “My ex-boyfriend, I should say. I’m going to give it back to him, though.”

  “You mean Dan Taylor?” His name came back to Nancy from the fight she’d overheard the night before.

  Nikki looked at her curiously. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “I heard you arguing with him,” Nancy confessed. “Want to talk about it?”

  Nikki nodded her head and the two girls sat on the top step. “Oh, Nancy, love is so complicated. I mean, sometimes I get so angry with Dan I just want to kill him! And other times, all he has to do is look at me, and I melt.”

  “Sounds pretty intense, Nikki,” Nancy said sympathetically.

  “It is! I mean, Dan is a nice guy and all, but he’s got a lot of problems,” Nikki explained. “At first I thought I could help him, but then—I don’t know. I kind of felt like I was in over my head, you know? So I told him I thought we both needed a little time apart. That’s when he gave me this!” Nikki clutched the necklace in her slender fingers.

  “Well, if you don’t want to accept an expensive gift, you can always give it back to him,” Nancy advised.

  “It’s more than that,” Nikki explained. She looked at Nancy strangely. “I’m worried about Dan, Nancy. He doesn’t even have a job anymore.”

  “Does Dan have a lot of money saved up?” Nancy asked, her eyes fixed on the expensive necklace.

  “No!” Nikki proclaimed. “That’s what’s bothering me. Oh, Nancy, I hate to say this—but I think he stole it!”

  Chapter

  Four

  THE MINUTE Nikki said the necklace might be stolen, Nancy wondered if necklaces had been taken from Vanities.

  “Can I borrow this for a while?” she asked, fingering the smooth polished silver. “Maybe I can find out where Dan got it,” she explained.

  “Sure,” said Nikki. A tear spilled down her cheek. “Thanks.”

  “Come on, Nikki,” Nancy said, putting her arm around her distraught friend’s slender shoulders. “Just because you don’t see where Dan got the money doesn’t mean the necklace was stolen. Maybe his parents gave him money to buy you a gift.”

  Nikki ran a nervous hand through her blond hair and shook her head. “No way, Nancy. Dan’s parents don’t have much money. Not only that, they can’t stand me.”

  “Maybe you’d better start from the beginning,” Nancy told her, reaching out and touching her hand reassuringly.

  “Okay,” Nikki said, gulping back tears. “Let’s see, I met Dan at Frank’s one night last spring. He’d just moved to River Heights, and I thought he was wonderful. He was so good-looking, and he seemed so nice. I was thrilled when he asked me out.”

  Nancy nodded. Dan was really cute. Based on his looks alone, Nancy could understand why a girl would be attracted to him.

  “Anyway, we started going out, and it was fantastic. Dan is really special, Nancy. Honestly. He has big dreams, but he’s also sensitive and down-to-earth. He’s older than me—nineteen. But I figured that was okay. Until . . .”

  Nikki’s voice trailed off, and her blue eyes misted over. Nancy waited patiently for her to continue.

  “One day I was at a party at Jeremy Pratt’s house—or should I say, mansion. Jeremy made a crack about Dan being a compulsive liar.”

  “That’s a pretty heavy charge,” Nancy said. “What did he mean?”

  “That’s what I wanted to know! He told me about how Dan had lied to get a job. Dan told the owner of some fancy store he knew the Pratts from the country club, and he was Jeremy’s best friend. Jeremy was furious about that.”

  “Could it have been a misunderstanding of some kind?” Nancy asked.

  “That’s what I thought,” Nikki said, shaking her head sadly. “But when I asked Dan about it, he froze up, and I could tell Jeremy’s story was all true! Then I started thinking about other things he’d told me, about the places he said he’d traveled to, and the money he had. Oh, Nancy, it was all a pack of lies!”

  “That’s terrible, Nikki,” Nancy murmured. “But if he felt he had to lie, he must have been awfully insecure about something.”

  “I know! I told Dan he didn’t have to pretend with me, that I liked him for himself. But it was like he couldn’t stop. Then I found out he’d lost his job—for lying! And I thought that was it. Jeremy was right. This guy is really messed up.”

  “What do your friends think about him?” Nancy asked.

  Nikki rolled her blue eyes. “Robin and Lacey told me I was crazy to go out with him. They said I should drop him.”

  “Sounds like good advice, Nikki,” Nancy suggested gently.

  “But it isn’t that easy, Nancy. I love Dan. I really love him. Lacey and Robin don’t know him like I do. Yes, he’s got problems, but he’s not really bad or crazy or anything.”

  Nikki couldn’t stop the tears that started spilling down her cheeks. Nancy bit her lip and decided not to offer any more opinions until she’d heard everything. Instead, she gave Nikki a tissue from her purse.

  “I did try to break up with him, Nancy,” Nikki managed to say through her tears. “But I guess I wasn’t forceful enough. Dan told me we were meant for each other, and I should give him another chance.”

  “And did you?”

  “Yes, but nothing changed. Even though he kept telling me his whole life was going to change soon. It didn’t. He’s so secretive I can’t help feeling that everything he’s telling me is a cover-up for something else.”

  “I can’t tell you what to do about Dan, Nikki,” Nancy said softly. “If I were you, I wouldn’t assume he stole anything. But it’s never a good idea, when you’re trying to break up with a guy, to take gifts from him. Other than that, what can I say? Relationships are hard, sometimes they don’t work out. But you’ll survive. There’ll be other guys. I hope that doesn’t sound too uncaring. I’m just looking out for your feelings.”

  “I know you are, Nancy,” Nikki said, letting her shoulders drop. “And I know I should break up with him. It’s just that I feel like I’m letting him down when he needs me the most.”

  “Nikki, it sounds like he needs help, but maybe you’re not the one to give it. Have you tried talking to his parents?”

  “I tried, Nancy,” Nikki moaned. “They deny everything. To them, Dan has no problems whatsoever, other than me!”

  Nancy was quiet, trying to think of what else she could say to comfort her friend.

  “Oh! I forgot about the letter.” Nikki pulled a piece of paper out of the manila envelope she was still holding. “Here. Read this.”

  Nancy read the note.

  Nikki, this necklace reminded me of you. Soon our troubles will be over, and you’ll have lots more gifts. But remember, my life is my gift to you. Please don’t break up with me, Nikki. Without you, my life is over.

  Yours forever,

  Dan.

  A cold shiver made its way up Nancy’s spine. “Nikki,” she said softly, “if I were you, I’d break it off with Dan. The sooner the better.”

  • • •

  “Right on time.” Checking her watch, Trisha Rapp pressed the code t
o open the door for Nancy.

  “Everything okay?” Nancy asked as she stepped in and looked around the empty store.

  “No more thefts, if that’s what you mean,” Trisha answered, giving Nancy a hard look.

  Nancy held up the necklace she’d gotten from Nikki and showed it to Trisha. “Have you ever seen this before?” she asked.

  A shadow crossed Trisha’s face and disappeared just as quickly. “No,” she said with a casual smile. “Ms. Hayes doesn’t go for that look. She likes more modern styles. Now, if you want to take a look at those books . . .” she said as she led Nancy back to her office.

  Disappointed, Nancy slipped the necklace into her pocket and followed Trisha into the office. She made herself comfortable in the office chair next to the desk.

  “How long have you worked here, Trisha?” Nancy asked casually.

  “Let’s see. It must be six months. I got the job the first week I arrived in River Heights.”

  “Uh-huh. You like it here?”

  Trisha made a face. “Well, it’s kind of ‘smallsville,’ if you know what I mean. It’s a little too quiet for me. No offense—I know it’s your hometown—but I’m used to a little more action. I’m more of a big-town person.”

  Nancy didn’t appreciate Trisha’s attitude, but she didn’t say anything. “What’s your opinion of Kate Hayes?” she asked instead.

  Trisha hesitated. “You want my honest opinion?” she asked. Without waiting for Nancy to answer, she said, “She’s nice enough, I guess. But she’s a lousy judge of character.”

  Nancy cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean by that?” she asked.

  “See for yourself” was Trisha’s only answer. “Here are the employee records. And here’s the code so you can lock up when you’re through. Destroy the paper after you’ve memorized it, okay?”

  “Yup.” Nancy waved as Trisha strolled out the door. Committing the five-digit code to memory, she stuffed the paper in her jeans pocket.

  Through the open office door, Nancy heard Trisha leaving. Then an unearthly quiet descended on the room. She looked up at the camera overhead. It was quietly filming everything that happened in the office. She reached for the inventory list and got to work.

  According to the list, there was no way to tell when any items had been stolen. The list simply recorded their purchase and noted the date they were received at the store. A later note, penciled in by Trisha, indicated what was missing.

  Nancy pushed the inventory list aside and reached for the employee records. The first thing she noticed was that Trisha Rapp, with six months’ service, was the longest-term employee at the store. Her out-of-state references from Colorado were all excellent.

  Max Hudson and Tony Selby, on the other hand, had less than sterling recommendations. Max’s former employer noted he had a tendency to show up at work late. And Tony’s record indicated he could be hard to get along with and had an aggressive personality.

  Apparently, Kate Hayes had hired them in spite of their lackluster pasts. So Trisha was right. Either Ms. Hayes had flaws in her judgment or something else was going on.

  It was no surprise to Nancy that Charlene Rice had never held a job before. Her inexperience explained her lack of confidence.

  Checking her watch, Nancy let out a sigh. It was almost time to meet Bess and George. The three of them were going to the movies. Ned was busy with his family that night, so the girls had corralled her into going with them.

  Nancy finished up by turning to the last page of employee records. There she found a complete list of the people who’d worked for the store in the past. She ran her eyes down the list and got ready to close the book.

  Then she stopped short.

  Her breath caught in her throat. She had to stare at the name for a full ten seconds before she could really believe it. But there it was: Employed April 13 through June 30.

  Dan Taylor!

  Chapter

  Five

  NANCY SAT STARING at Dan’s name as thoughts and images raced through her head. The silver-and-turquoise necklace with the designer’s initial Z on the back. Dan lying to get a job. Trisha Rapp saying how hard it was to find good help and that Kate Hayes had lousy judgment in people.

  Dan Taylor. All the pieces fit, Nancy realized. His bizarre behavior, his desperation, his lying, and showing up with an expensive gift when he didn’t have a job. Dan had to be mixed up in the thefts!

  Then Nancy looked at the dates again. Dan was employed from April 13 until June 30. According to the police reports, the thefts hadn’t started until July.

  Of course, Nancy thought, he could have learned the electronic security codes while he was employed at Vanities.

  Assuming that was true, though, how could he have continued stealing from the store? Trisha told Nancy they’d changed the code after the very first theft. Nancy made a note to double-check.

  Leaning back in Trisha’s chair, Nancy couldn’t help feeling unsettled. She hated to think Nikki was involved with someone who might be a thief!

  Nancy took a last glance at the inventory sheets. The missing items included jewelry and belts, but none of the descriptions seemed to match the necklace Nancy had taken from Nikki.

  Putting the books back in order, she grabbed her handbag and went to the front of the store. Bess and George would be waiting for her.

  Well, Nancy thought as she locked up, at least she had a lead now.

  The Dan Taylor coincidence couldn’t just be a dead end. Could it?

  • • •

  “Well, there you are! We’d about given up on you,” Bess scolded, her pretty face a comic mask of annoyance. “Come on, the movie starts in ten minutes.”

  Nancy glanced down at Bess’s and George’s empty checkered plates. They were at Chomper’s, the mall’s best burger restaurant. “But I haven’t even eaten yet,” she protested.

  “Well, we waited and waited, but then we figured you forgot and ate dinner on your own,” George said, shrugging and counting out change or the tip.

  “Sorry, guys,” Nancy offered. “I got caught up on some paperwork. The case is jumping.”

  “Tell us on the way to the Sixplex,” Bess said, hurrying her.

  “Hold on, let me get something to take out. Waiter!” A young waiter approached Nancy. She quickly ordered a roast beef sandwich to go.

  Bess tapped her foot impatiently. “Honestly, Nan. If I miss one second of Rob Tower’s face on that screen, we’re staying to see it again. You know I’m totally in love with him.”

  “Getting carried away, are we, Bess?” George teased, poking her cousin playfully.

  “All set,” said Nancy a couple of minutes later as she grabbed her sandwich from the waiter and handed him the correct change. “Let’s go.”

  As the three half walked, half ran down the promenade, Bess told them everything she’d heard about the movie they were going to see.

  “He’s so dreamy! And the pool scenes are supposed to be incredible. Nan? Nancy Drew, are you listening to me at all?” Bess asked petulantly.

  Nancy’s gaze was fixed straight ahead. There, across the lobby of the Sixplex, waiting at the entrance to one of the other movies, stood Charlene Rice. “Huh? Oh, yes, I’m listening. Something about a pool scene?”

  “You’re the worst, Nancy!” Bess giggled. “But I bet you pay attention when the movie’s on!”

  As they stood in line, Nancy tried to keep an eye on Charlene, but the crowds soon obscured her view.

  “Three, please,” said George. Nancy handed her friend the money for her ticket and glanced toward the back of the line. There was Max Hudson. He was biting his lip and looking about him anxiously.

  “Listen, you guys,” she told Bess and George quietly. “Charlene, the salesgirl from Vanities, and a guy are here. I want to keep an eye on them. I’ll meet you inside, okay?”

  “Nothing doing!” Bess whispered loudly. “Nancy, you promised me you’d check out Rob Tower.”

  “I know, b
ut this case is important.” Nancy searched around for some sight of Charlene. She couldn’t spot her.

  “Nan,” George broke in. “It’s Friday night. The crooks aren’t likely to risk another theft so soon, are they?”

  “Probably not,” Nancy admitted. “Still, I feel silly going to the movies in the middle of a case.”

  “You won’t feel silly when you see Rob Tower. I promise,” Bess said, grabbing her arm and pulling her inside.

  • • •

  When they emerged from the movie, Bess was too enrapt to even speak. Nancy glanced around, hoping to see Charlene and Max. Neither was near.

  “It was probably just a coincidence they were here,” George said.

  “I guess you’re right,” Nancy said. “But there’ve been an awful lot of coincidences lately. Speaking of which—” Nancy could hardly believe her eyes.

  Trisha Rapp was coming out of theater number four with a tall, burly man in a cowboy hat. The two were talking.

  The man might have been about thirty, but he looked older because of the scowl on his face. Probably he didn’t like the movie, Nancy guessed, wondering whether he was Trisha’s boyfriend. If he was—judging by the cowboy hat—he was probably from out of town.

  Trisha’s green eyes flickered in Nancy’s direction, but the second they made contact, Trisha turned away. Grabbing her escort’s arm, she steered him off in the opposite direction. It might have been innocent enough, but Nancy couldn’t shake the feeling that Trisha was avoiding her.

  “Wasn’t that Trisha, the manager of Vanities?” George asked, curious.

  “Uh-huh. Another of my suspects. I think she was trying to avoid us.”

  They strolled down the promenade toward the parking lot as Nancy filled them in on all the details of the case. She also told them about Dan and Nikki’s romance.

  Then Bess and George piled into Bess’s car and drove off, while Nancy jumped into her Mustang and headed home. The movie had been fun, but her mind was still very much on Dan Taylor and the problems at Vanities.