Carolyn Keene - Nancy Drew by The Twin Dilemma Read Free Book Online Page B

pleased to learn that he had returned from the business trip he had been on the day before, and was out doing some investigating on his own!
    “Did he leave a message for me?” she asked the receptionist, whose long, polished fingernails sifted through a basket of papers on her desk. “I’m afraid I don’t see anything marked for Nancy Drew,” she said, lifting her head in a smile. “Perhaps you ought to speak with Mr. Reese directly. He’s at Zanzibar’s.”
    The name didn’t sound familiar to the girls.
    “It’s a photographic studio,” the receptionist went on. “They do a lot of catalog work for major department stores.”
    “Okay,” Nancy said. “If by any chance Mr. Reese should return before we get there, will you tell him I’m looking for him?”
    “Will do.”
    The receptionist jotted down the address of the studio, which was located in the heart of the garment district. The buildings were gray and, apart from a sign that said Zanzibar‘s, the young detectives might have passed by without realizing what it was. The entrance was small, too. There were a few color advertisements from old store catalogs that hung on the wall, but no evidence of what lay beyond.
    Nancy led the way to a desk at the end of the hall, where a stubby woman was seated. She greeted the visitors pleasantly, but when Nancy mentioned the name Reese, the woman stiffened.
    “He is talking with one of our photographers,” she said, “and I’m sure they don’t wish to be disturbed.”
    “But Nancy is trying to help him investigate the thefts from the hotel last ni g ht,” Bess blurted out.
    The woman stared at Nancy. “You hardly look like a detective,” she said, as shouting voices broke through a far door.
    Nancy recognized Mr. Reese’s instantly. She strode past the receptionist with Bess and George close at her heels.
    “You can’t go in there!” the stubby woman cried, but the girls had already opened the door.
    “My models are getting paid plenty by the hour,” the photographer was barking at Mr. Reese, “and you’re taking both my time and theirs!”
    A young brunette, who was standing in front of a long sheet of seamless blue paper, moved out of the strong light that poured over her.
    “It’s getting too hot for me,” the detectives overheard her remark. The men, however, had missed the comment.
    “I am going to have you arrested, Mr. Vinton!” the fashion designer yelled.
    “Fine! Go ahead!”
    “Oh, Nancy, let’s get out of here,” Bess whispered.
    “And that includes your assistant!” Reese was pointing a threatening finger at a woman in slacks and a smock who was standing near the model. He charged angrily toward her. “What’s your name?” he growled, pushing aside one of the tall lights.
    It teetered, then crashed to the floor in splinters of glass!
    “Oh!” the woman cried as a chunk slid close to her foot. “You’re a madman! That’s what you are!”
    Reese boiled at the remark. “You haven’t seen anything yet!” he fired at her, shoving the young model out of the way and tearing the paper off a metal bar.
    “Mr. Reese! Please, Mr. Reese!” Nancy called from the doorway.
    But the man paid no attention. His face and neck were a blaze of red as he turned back to the photographer, who grabbed him firmly by the shoulders.
    “I am going to throw you out personally!” Vinton roared.
    “Stop him, somebody!” Bess trembled as Reese swung a fist at the man, just missing him.

    By now the noise had traveled through the whole studio, where, behind several closed doors, other photo sessions were being conducted. One after another, people infiltrated Mr. Vinton’s room and, at last, two men tackled Reese before he could land another swing.
    “I’ll send you a bill for this mess!” Mr. Vinton rasped loudly.
    “And I’ll see to it that you pay for every dress you filched!” the designer snapped, as Nancy stepped closer to interrupt.
    “Mr. Reese,” she said firmly, catching his