Kiss and Tell by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online

the book painted him in a bad light. But would he go so far as to threaten Esme’s life?
    Meanwhile, Kim Scott had the means to put the spider in Esme’s suitcase. There appeared to be more than a little tension between Kim and Esme, but was that enough for Kim to go after her boss? Or was she working with someone else, someone like Todd?
    And then there was Janine. The publicist had access to the press room, and also had a key to Esme’s hotel room. She might have gone up to the room and put the spider in Esme’s suitcase.
    By the time she pulled into her driveway, Nancy was so keyed up she didn’t feel like sitting around and waiting for Sam to call. After saying hello to Hannah and pouring herself a glass of juice, Nancy sat down in her father’s study and plotted her strategy. It wasn’t too late to make some phone calls to New York. Nancy quickly put in a call to Janine at the Barrington, and five minutes later she had the numbers for Esme’s publisher, editor, and agent in New York.
    Conrad O’Brien, Esme’s editor, was actually on his way to River Heights to attend the masquerade ball that evening, but his assistant was able to answer some of Nancy’s questions. Apparently, along with the notes there had also been a series of phone calls made by someone using avoice disguiser. The caller warned that Esme’s life would be in danger if she went ahead with the book. Susan Segal, Esme’s agent, was able to give Nancy an even better lead. Although she hadn’t gotten any phone calls, she had noticed that the notes began to arrive around the time that Kim Scott had called Susan, asking if she would represent her work.
    â€œKim is a writer?” Nancy asked, perplexed.
    â€œOf course,” Susan Segal told her. “That’s why Kim went to work for Esme in the first place. Esme promised to help her with her career, but Esme didn’t know that Kim wasn’t very good. She’s done what she can to help, but I think Kim holds it against her that she hasn’t been able to do more.”
    Nancy thanked the woman, and after hanging up the phone, it rang almost immediately. It was Sam. “I hear there’s a hot party at the Barrington tonight,” he said.
    Nancy laughed. “Who told you that?”
    â€œNever mind,” he said. “Since I’m invited and you’re invited, how about going together?”
    â€œAs in a date?” Nancy asked.
    â€œWell, actually, yes,” Sam said.
    Nancy was surprised to find herself blushing, and she was suddenly aware of what a nice voice Sam had: low and intense. “My friend Bess is going, too,” Nancy reminded him.
    â€œI’ll pick you both up,” Sam said. “I don’t mind the company.”
    â€œI just got off the phone with Esme’s agent.” Nancy then proceeded to explain what she had learned from Susan Segal.
    â€œIt looks like we’ve got a solid lead there,” Sam agreed. “Let’s keep our eyes on Kim Scott.”
    â€œDid you get anywhere with the notes?” Nancy asked.
    â€œI’ve scanned them all into our computers,” Sam told her. “We’ve got some great new software that can analyze the threats to determine if they were all made by the same person. If so, the program can also give us a tentative make-up on that person.”
    â€œThat’s neat,” Nancy said.
    â€œThe computer is running through the threats now,” said Sam. “It should take until tomorrow morning before we have anything solid. Meanwhile, when and where should I pick you up?”
    Nancy gave Sam her address and reminded him it was a costume ball. “I have just the thing,” Sam told her. “See you at eight?”
    â€œSounds great,” Nancy said.
    As soon as she hung up, Nancy thought about Ned for an instant. Then she had a strange sensation, and she realized with a start what it was: guilt! She felt guilty