Dance Till You Die by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

homes to change clothes and grab a bite of breakfast. Then they drove directly to the Kragen quarry.
    Although it was Saturday, the quarry was in full operation. The quarry site was an open granite pit set in the midst of some rolling hills about ten miles east of River Heights.
    As they turned into the parking lot, Nancy and George were startled by the rumbling of an underground blast, which was followed by ground tremors.
    â€œThis must be what an earthquake feels like,” Nancy said, stopping the car. The girls could see a mushroom cloud of dust and debris rising from the huge granite pit.
    â€œIt would take a lot of dynamite to blast through all that solid rock,” George said, taking in her surroundings.
    Nancy nodded. “These guys must really know how to deal with explosives,” she commented.
    Nancy and George got out of the car and headed toward a trailer that was being used as an office. It was set about twenty yards back from the edge of the quarry. A sign on the trailer said: KRAGEN QUARRY—DANGER—EXPLOSIVES—VISITORS MUST BE ESCORTED.
    â€œHey, you there!” An older man came running across the parking lot toward Nancy and George. He had a big stomach and curly hair that was beginning to turn gray underneath his yellow hard hat. He was an older version of Tom Kragen. “You looking for somebody?” he asked.
    â€œAre you Mr. Kragen?” Nancy inquired. When the man nodded, she added, “We’re looking for your son, Tom.”
    Mr. Kragen became unexpectedly pleased. “Well, now,” he said with a smile. “You must be Bess Marvin. Tom’s told me a lot about you.”
    â€œNo, I’m not Bess,” Nancy said, taken aback. “I’m Nancy Drew, a friend of hers. But I need to talk to Tom about Bess.”
    â€œOh.” Mr. Kragen’s face fell slightly. “Sorry about the mix-up. Tom told me he was dating a beautiful blond lassie named Bess, and you certainly fit the bill. You’ll find Tom in the office over yonder,” he said, waving his hand toward the trailer. “Grab a couple of hard hats if you’re going to be here more than a few minutes,” he added.
    â€œWhy do you think Tom Kragen lied to his father about being involved with Bess?” George whispered as they climbed two stairs up to the office door. “That’s really weird.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Nancy replied. “But he definitely has some explaining to do.”
    Tom Kragen was sitting behind a desk, surrounded by piles of paperwork. In a business setting, he looked much older than he had at the club the night before.
    â€œHello there. Can I help you?” Tom pushed his glasses farther up on his nose as he greeted them. The thick glasses magnified his pale green eyes, making them appear larger than normal. He was wearing a light blue shirt and running shoes. “I remember you,” he said slowly. “You two were with Bess at the Razor’s Edge last night. Have a seat.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Nancy said, taking a chair. “I’m Nancy Drew, and this is George Fayne.”
    â€œIs Bess here, too?” Nancy detected a note of anxiety in Tom’s voice. She shook her head.
    â€œBess is the person I came here to talk about.” She told him how Bess had been abducted the night before. Tom acted shocked.
    â€œWho do you think did it?” he asked, adjusting his glasses again.
    â€œThat’s what we’re trying to find out,” Nancy said. “You were taking pictures at the club last night, weren’t you?”
    â€œYes.” Tom nodded. “In fact, I know I have afew shots of Bess. She looked so great in that mermaid outfit.”
    â€œDid you notice anything unusual, or see anyone who looked out of place?” Nancy asked.
    Tom shook his head. “I was too busy taking pictures to notice, I’m afraid.”
    â€œHave the pictures been developed yet?