025 Rich and Dangerous Read Online Free PDF Page A

pitcher—” George laughed.
    “But it’s not, repeat, not, the Plaza.” Besssighed. “I’m overcome with jealousy just thinking about your staying here.”
    “Oh gosh, it really is great to see you!” Nancy couldn’t help feeling better. After all the weird things she’d been finding out about the Amberly party, Bess and George were just what she needed—nice normal friends!
    “So, what’s happening around the Big Apple, Nan? Any interesting guys?” With Bess, it was always the same question: Where are the boys?
    “Come on now, Bess,” chided George, “Nancy’s got a boyfriend, remember.”
    “Oh, don’t be so serious, George. After all, Nancy’s allowed to look,” Bess said, defending herself.
    Nancy smiled. “Well, as a matter of fact, there is a pretty cute guy staying in the suite right next to ours.”
    “Oh?” said Bess, throwing her arm around her friend’s shoulder as they walked through the lobby. “Is that cute as in blond—or dark?”
    “Dark,” murmured Nancy. “And cute doesn’t really say it. Incredibly handsome is more like it.”
    “But there’s something about him you don’t trust,” George said. “You’re frowning.”
    Nancy smiled—she could never hide anything from George. “Am I frowning? Well, I’m not sure about the guy, but the main thing is, something very weird is going on in that suite where he’s staying.”
    “Uh-huh—and?”
    “It’s his aunt—she’s one of the Amberly family. You know, of Boston?”
    Two blank stares met her gaze. “Tell us all about it over some shopping,” said Bess, tugging at her arm. “You could use some new clothes, girl. After all, you’re staying at the Plaza!”
    “Hey! What are you doing? I was right in the middle of something—”
    Nancy knew it was no use. Sarah and Maximilian were long gone; she’d never catch up to them now. And George and Bess were right there.
    • • •
    “So what do you think?” Nancy was browsing through the racks at Saks, one of New York’s poshest department stores, but her mind was on Sarah Amberly. She’d told Bess and George everything that had happened in the suite next door.
    “Isn’t it creepy?” she asked. “I’m really worried about Sarah Amberly. All around her things are so weird—hateful notes, stealing, pills placed out of her reach . . . What do you two think? Any brilliant ideas?”
    Bess shot Nancy a quick look and said, “/think that peach outfit you just flipped by is the ultimate, and if you’re really serious about getting yourself something incredible to wear, you’ve got to try it on.”
    With a sigh, George took Nancy by the shoulder.“Okay, Drew—I’m going to break it to you gently. You really need a vacation.”
    “Huh?” Nancy frowned.
    “She’s right, Nancy,” Bess put in. “We’ve decided you’re taking things too seriously. You came to New York to have a good time, remember? And now you’re all wound up about this Amberly thing. I mean, there doesn’t always have to be a mystery going on. Maybe you’re reading things into this that really aren’t there.”
    Surprised by Bess’s opinion, Nancy turned to George.
    “It’s true, Nancy,” George said softly. “You know, you don’t want to go off the deep end over every little thing.” It wasn’t often George would say something like that, so Nancy had to listen.
    “But there is something going on here—I can just feel it,” Nancy protested.
    Bess looked skeptical. “Even if there is, what’s the difference? When are you going to take some time for yourself and have a little fun?”
    “I have tons of fun!” Nancy argued, a little too fiercely. But then she had to wonder if George and Bess weren’t telling her the truth the way nobody else would. Maybe she was taking life too seriously these days.
    “Size six! Perfect. And only a million dollars!” Bess said, fingering the label of the peach ensemble. The three girls caught one another’s eyes and cracked