The Deadliest Dare Read Online Free PDF

out the scarf he'd found near the Hickerson Mansion the night before. "At the dance I saw this absolutely terrific girl. It took me quite a while to work up the nerve, but I finally asked her to dance."
    "You don't strike me as someone who's especially shy."
    "Not usually, perhaps," Joe said. "But when I met this girl — well, I don't know. I could hardly say two words to her. Then things became a bit complicated. I don't know how to explain — she left before I could get her name. All that she left behind was — well, it was this scarf."
    "That's a charming story," said the clerk, smiling. "And I don't know if it's struck you, but your story is quite close to that of Cinderella."
    "Why, no," said Joe, blinking, "that hadn't occurred to me, ma'am. Now that you mention it, though, I do see some similarities." He held up the scarf, "I noticed the label here—since she bought this at Chez Maurice, I'm really hoping you'll have some record of who she is."
    The woman took the scarf from him, then examined the distinctive Chez Maurice label. "Yes, it is one of ours," she said, spreading the silken square out on the counter. "Ordinarily, we don't give out the names of our customers, but..."
    "It would mean so much to me."
    "Very well, let me find our record books from about three months ago. We sold out our supply of these rather quickly and weren't able to order more." Crossing to a small antique desk, she slid open a drawer and lifted out a thick leather-bound volume. "There are some shops that use computers, but Chez Maurice's doesn't believe in them."
    Joe came over to the desk. "I hope you can help me find her."
    "Well, let's see now." She started flipping through the pages. "Here's one—and another — two more." She began writing names in pencil on a sheet of lavender paper. "Here's one—and another. That's the lot, I believe." She closed the record book, returned it to the drawer. Then she brought the list up close to her face. "How old is she?"
    "Urn?"
    "The young lady—how old is she?"
    "Oh, she's—about my age."
    The plump clerk crossed off two of the names. "I assumed as much," she told him. "That leaves four. I happen to know two of these young girls personally. What color hair does your girl have?"
    "Color hair?"
    "Yes."
    Joe looked up at the pale green ceiling. "Well, actually, ma'am, it's a shade I find difficult to describe," he said finally. "The truth is, last night at the club almost feels like a dream. I — I can't exactly recall every detail. All I remember is gazing into her sparkling eyes. ..."
    The saleswoman sighed and handed Joe the list. "You'll no doubt find she's one of these four. But, whatever you do, young man, don't mention that Chez Maurice helped your little romantic quest in any way."
    "No, certainly not. I — Aha!"
    "How's that?"
    "Nothing." He folded the slip and dropped it in his shirt pocket. "As soon as I locate her, I'll be rushing right back here to buy her a present."
    Joe hurried out of the shop, went back across the street, and sat on the white bench. He'd just recognized the third name on the list — Jeanne Sinclair. She lived here in Kirkland, had very wealthy parents, and went to an exclusive private school. Over the last couple of months, Joe had met her several times. And each time he'd met her, she'd been with Biff Hooper.
    Joe was betting Jeanne was the one who'd left the scarf and envelope for them to find. And that meant she was the girl who'd phoned the warning last night.
    He walked over to an outdoor phone stand, took out the local directory, and looked up the Sinclair address.
    "Now to drop in on Jeanne," he said to himself as he started for his van, "and ask her if she's lost a scarf recently."
    A high stone wall surrounded the huge Sinclair estate. But as Joe drove up, he saw that the wrought-iron gate was open.
    Joe slowed as he turned onto the curving driveway that circled through what had to be an acre of perfectly manicured lawn.
    The house was a white