Designs in Crime by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

into the quiet loading dock area. In five lunging steps she was up the ramp and facing a narrow door. It wasn’t locked. She slipped inside, finding herself in a dimly lit stairwell—the fire stairs.
    Mimi’s studio is on the second and third floors, she reminded herself. Her pulse raced at the thrill of being inside. She climbed a few steps.
    Then Nancy felt a hand close over her shoulder. Another gripped her upper arm and yanked her back down the stairs.

Chapter

Six
    S TRUGGLING TO STAY on her feet, Nancy stumbled down to the landing. The quick descent sent her twisting around, and suddenly she was face-to-face with the burly guard from the lobby.
    â€œNot so fast,” he growled like a bulldog ready to attack. “Hey—you’re the girl from before.” He darted a look up the stairs, then added, “Where’s your friend?”
    â€œShe’s waiting outside,” Nancy answered.
    â€œWell, if you’re lying, she won’t get far. Nobody ever does.” He released Nancy and put his hands on his hips. “So you’re a design student? Let’s see your student ID.”
    â€œI—I didn’t bring it with me,” Nancy said, clutching the shoulder bag that hung at her side.
    â€œYeah, sure.” The guard screwed up his face ashe assessed her, then pointed her toward a door. Nancy went through the door first and found that she was back in the lobby. From that angle, she could see the half-dozen monitors concealed behind the guard’s station.
    â€œI don’t know what you kids think you’ll find up there,” the guard said, “but you’re not going to score any points with Ms. Piazza by sneaking into her studio. Next time you won’t get off so easily,” he warned as he escorted Nancy to the front door.
    When Nancy emerged through the main entrance, Bess was waiting there. She did a double take. “What happened?” she asked.
    â€œI got snagged,” Nancy said, explaining how she’d run into the guard. “I didn’t realize they had surveillance cameras everywhere.”
    â€œThat place is guarded like a fortress,” Bess said. “What next?”
    â€œWe can walk over to Beau’s studio,” Nancy said, heading down Seventh Avenue. “It’s only four blocks from here.”
    â€œSo I guess Mimi Piazza is a dead end,” Bess said, turning her head to watch as a man rolled a rack of plaid jumpers in plastic bags past them.
    â€œNot yet,” Nancy said, weaving through a group of men who were loading bolts of fabric into a truck. “I’m more determined than ever to check out Mimi Piazza. I just have to figure out how to get close to her.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    When Nancy and Bess arrived at Beau’s studio, they found the designer in his office, reviewing sketches with Angel Ortiz. Eager for an update on the case, Beau sent Angel off and closed the door. “Any new developments?” Beau asked the girls.
    Nancy told him about her thwarted attempt to sneak into Mimi’s studio.
    â€œKicked out?” Beau winced. “Sorry, Nancy. I could have told you that would happen if I’d known your plan. Nobody gets past the security guards in Mimi’s building.”
    â€œBut there’s got to be some way to find out what’s going on at Mimi’s studio,” she said.
    â€œHer show is on Thursday,” Beau said. “Mimi always presents her new line at her studio. She’s afraid to let her collection leave the building.”
    â€œThen we’ll go to her show,” Bess suggested.
    â€œThe only problem is, you need to get on the guest list,” Beau pointed out, “and that’s impossible unless you’re a buyer, a magazine editor, or a celebrity.”
    â€œCould Jill get us in?” Bess asked.
    â€œShe’s in Tokyo,” Nancy reminded her.
    Beau shook his head. “If you think security was tight