Danger for Hire by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page B

to crack this case, Nancy Drew. And I don’t need any help from you!”
    As Nancy roared away, she shook her head in wonder. If Brenda truly wanted to catch the insider at Hayward Security, she wasn’t going to do it by tailing a detective.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Nancy drove directly to Hayward’s headquarters. Neil Masterson was in a good mood when she was shown into his office.
    They talked amiably for a few minutes. Then, having broken the ice, Nancy leaned back in her chair.
    â€œBy the way, I saw on your job application that you were in the army.”
    â€œSix years,” he said proudly.
    â€œDid you have any demolitions training while you were enlisted?” Nancy asked.
    â€œSome—why?” His tone grew cautious.
    â€œJust wondering. Tell me, do you watch the eleven o’clock news on TV?” she went on conversationally.
    â€œNo, my wife and I usually go to bed around ten.”
    Nancy said, “So you were at home with your wife last night?”
    â€œAll night. Why are you asking?” Neil was definitely suspicious now.
    â€œJust—”
    â€œWondering, yes, I know,” he finished. “Nancy, you’re checking on my whereabouts, aren’t you? Does this mean you suspect that I might be involved in the robberies?”
    â€œI have to cover all possibilities,” Nancy said hastily.
    â€œWhere I spend my free time is my business! I don’t owe an explanation to you or anyone else!” His face was red with anger. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to see some people.” Rising, he walked quickly out of his office.
    Nancy was stunned. Why was Neil acting so guilty? If anything, she was more suspicious of him now than before.
    Later that afternoon Cindy Larson arrived at Nancy’s house. She was carrying a file folder. Her face was flushed with excitement.
    â€œHi,” Nancy said, pulling a second chair over to her desk. “We’re going to write a profile of Stanley Loomis today,” Nancy announced.
    â€œGood. I’ve already begun his,” Cindy said.
    â€œYou have?”
    Cindy grinned. “He acted so suspicious on Saturday yelling at Tom over that loudspeaker and all, so today on the way over I stopped at the library and looked him up in Who’s Who in River Heights . The Chamber of Commerce publishes it. Then I searched the indexes for the city newspapers and found some real old articles about him.”
    â€œAnything interesting?” Nancy asked.
    â€œHe used to be a burglar,” Cindy announced.
    â€œWhat!”
    Cindy nodded. “That was a long time ago. He went to prison and reformed—or so he said. After his parole he went into the security business. He told his customers that he could protect them better than anyone else because he knew better than anyone else how to rob them!”
    â€œQuite a sales pitch,” Nancy said dryly. “Good work, Cindy.”
    Cindy beamed. “Anything else?”
    â€œWe need to write a profile on Tom’s vice-president, Neil Masterson,” Nancy said.
    â€œYou’re kidding! He lives across the street from me.” Cindy sat down. “Nancy, I can’t believe he’s a suspect. He’s so nice! I’ve even baby-sat his daughter, Tasha.”
    â€œEven so, we’re starting a profile,” Nancy said grimly. “Hold on! You say he lives right across the street?”
    â€œUh-huh.” Cindy looked troubled.
    â€œCan you see his garage and driveway clearly from your room?” Nancy asked.
    â€œYes.”
    Nancy tapped her pencil on her desktop. “Fantastic. Cindy, how would you like to do some surveillance?”
    â€œI—I guess so,” Cindy answered uncertainly.
    â€œGood. Watch his house tonight. If he leaves, jot down the time. Also write down the time when he returns. Don’t try to follow him anywhere, though. Just watch.”
    â€œWill this prove him