Secrets Can Kill Read Online Free PDF

surprised she still wants Daryl,” Connie went on. “Carla’s only interested in one thing—money.”
    â€œWell, Daryl can’t be heading for the poor-house,”Nancy remarked. “Not if he drives around in a Porsche.”
    â€œIt is a little weird,” Connie agreed, “especially since his father lost practically all his money a few months ago in some big business fiasco. For a while the Grays were one of the richest families in Bedford, but now . . .”
    Connie’s voice trailed off as she shook her head in sympathy. Nancy was sympathetic, too, but she was also curious. Not about the Grays’ money problems—that was simply none of her business—but about what other tidbits of information Connie might have. She was something of a gossip, Nancy thought, and gossips could be a big help. Connie was chattering away again, pointing out various kids on the field, when Nancy noticed the bracelet on her right wrist. “That’s beautiful,” she said, touching it. “What is it, art deco?”
    â€œI . . . I don’t know,” Connie said nervously fingering the intricately patterned gold. “It was a present . . . I don’t know anything about jewelry.”
    â€œI love it. It looks like an antique,” Nancy told her. A little flattery never hurt when you wanted information, and besides, she really liked Connie. “So, tell me more about Bedford High,” she prompted. “Hey, I hear there’re some weird things going on—stuff getting stolen and lockers broken into.”
    â€œYou must mean the ‘phantom,’ ” Conniesaid, seeming relieved at the change in subject. “That’s what I call him, since no one knows who he is.”
    â€œGot any ideas?”
    â€œNo. And most kids don’t really care. I mean, it’s all so juvenile.”
    So much for inside information. Then Nancy had to sit on the hard bleachers for an hour as Connie proceeded to give her a detailed account of everyone’s love life, grades, family, and friends. Nancy learned a lot, but nothing that was going to help. One day down, she thought. How many more to go?
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    Nancy arrived at school the next day, determined to start putting the puzzle together, or at least to gather a few of the pieces.
    Instead of study hall she had gym during second period, and stretching her muscles and limbering up felt good. Maybe the exercise would limber her mind up, too, so she could solve the case.
    Two minutes into gym, though, her mind was on something else.
    â€œExcuse me,” a voice said.
    Nancy stopped in the middle of a sit-up and smiled at Carla Dalton, who was standing over her. Who knows, she thought, maybe a smile would help.
    â€œI’d really appreciate it,” Carla said, “if you’d keep your problems to yourself.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    Carla put a hand on her cocked hip. “I’m talking about the way you ran and tattled to Daryl yesterday,” she said nastily. “He chewed me out about it this morning. I mean, can’t you fight your own battles?”
    â€œLet’s get something straight,” Nancy said calmly. “I didn’t ‘tattle’ to Daryl. He asked me how I got lost, and I told him. I don’t want to fight with you, Carla,” she went on, “but since you asked, yes, I can fight my own battles—and I usually win.”
    Nancy went back to her sit-ups, still smiling, but inside she was seething. This is all I need, she thought, a cat fight.
    A few minutes later, though, she wondered just how petty the cat fight was going to be. It was her turn on the trampoline, and as she prepared to go into a high flip, she noticed that the girl spotting her had changed places—with Carla Dalton.
    It threw her concentration off. It shouldn’t have, but it did. And as she sprung high into the