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wall of the set,” Nancy replied.
    “Well, it proves the light was sabotaged. No doubt about it.”
    “This is just what I need,” Pappas muttered in frustration. “I don’t have enough problems without someone sabotaging my show!”
    “Mr. Pappas, who actually has access to this stage?” the chief wanted to know.
    “Well, the crew and the actors, of course. Nobody else, really. Maybe an occasional guest, but they all register at the front desk.”
    “Wasn’t there a tour group in here earlier today?” Nancy asked.
    Pappas snapped his fingers. “Right!”
    “And some of them were mad at Rory Danner, too,” Nancy said.
    “You don’t suppose some crazy fan could have—” Pappas shook his head.
    “There’re a lot of nuts out there, Mr. Pappas,” the chief said. “All it takes is one person who can’t tell fantasy from reality.”
    “That settles it!” Pappas exclaimed. “From now on this set is closed to anyone not directly involved in the show.” Yelling across the studio, Pappas repeated his order for everyone to hear. “That means no guests, no agents, no mothers, fathers, sisters, or brothers. I want this set sealed tighter than a pharaoh’s tomb!
    “Now, we’ll take a couple-hour break and then back to work. If you need anything, I’ll be in my office.”
    After Pappas walked away, Nancy turned toward Mattie.
    “Thank goodness he gave us a break,” she told Nancy. “I’ve got to go rest.” Rubbing her eyes, she added, “See you later. And thanks again for saving Rick’s life.” Flashing Nancy a grateful smile, Mattie walked off the set.
    Since the set was closed to guests, Nancy and Bess had to leave. Nancy began to make her way back toward Rick’s dressing room to collect Bess. But she soon realized she must have gone through the wrong door or made a wrong turn somewhere. One long corridor led to another, and for a moment Nancy didn’t know which way to turn. Then the sound of a door slowly opening caught her attention. Instinctively knowing that she shouldn’t be there, Nancy moved back into a recessed doorway and waited silently.
    Nancy could just see Lillian Weiss nervously looking both ways before stepping into the hall. Once the door was closed behind her, Lillian seemed to relax. Nancy’s heart was in her throat as she realized Lillian was heading straight for her. Nancy opened the door behind her and slammed it, making it sound as if she had just come through that door. She stepped out into the corridor.
    “Well, well,” Lillian said, greeting Nancy with a snarl. “Is our fair rescuer lost and helpless?”
    “Yes, I guess I am. I was looking for Rick’s dressing room, actually,” Nancy told her. Well, it was almost the truth.
    “Continue down this corridor and make your first left,” Lillian snapped. “And by the way, it was nice knowing you. I’m sure now that Pappas has closed the set, you won’t be around anymore. Too bad. I’m sure you were Rick’s favorite little bodyguard.” With a smug smile, Lillian continued down the hall and disappeared around a corner.
    The room that Lillian had come out of turned out to be the prop room. After making sure she was alone, Nancy ventured inside.
    At first she was overwhelmed by what she saw. The room was huge, with several long aisles. Stacked from floor to ceiling, making an incredible clutter, were thousands upon thousands of items—anything that could ever possibly be needed on the set of the show. As organized as the room seemed to be, with everything numbered and labeled, there was no way to keep it all neat. Dust covered some of the items that hadn’t been used recently, and Nancy felt her nose begin to itch.
    There seemed to be nobody there, but when Nancy sneezed, she heard a rustling in a far corner. A copy of the Daily News moved, and a grizzled head poked out from under it. The old man had a mop of unruly white hair flowing out from an ancient orange cap.
    “Who’s there?” a crackly voice called.