Never Say Die by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page B

said.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Ned asked her.
    Nancy parked near the front office. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
    Climbing out, she walked over to the first row of parked cars. One by one, she placed her hand on the hoods.
    Ned joined her. “I get it. You’re feeling for warm engines.”
    â€œUh-huh. If someone wanted to tamper with George’s bike, it would probably be someone who’s staying here. I want to see if any of these cars have been driven recently.”
    Down the row she went, pausing at each hood. The parking spaces were numbered, and Nancy noticed that each number corresponded to the room closest to it.
    â€œThis one’s warm,” Ned said. His hand was on the hood of a subcompact.
    Nancy felt it. “Yes, but not warm enough. That car was really going fast when it hit the road. That engine was hot!”
    Finally, Nancy jerked her hand back sharply from a sizzling hood. Stepping back, she surveyed the car. It was a station wagon. Black lettering decorated its doors, and a dog cage filled the rear compartment. It was Debbi Howe’s car!
    â€œRoom one fifty-five,” Ned said.
    The door was right in front of them. The windows were dark. Marching up to the door, Nancy rapped loudly. A muffled voice answered from inside, and a minute later the door swung open.
    Debbi was wearing a blue cotton nightgown, and she looked at Nancy and Ned sleepily. But her nightgown wasn’t wrinkled, and Nancy noticed her hair wasn’t tousled, either.
    â€œWhat do you two want?” Debbi asked.
    â€œWe want to talk to you.”
    â€œForget it. I’m going back to sleep.”
    â€œReally?” Nancy couldn’t keep the impatience from her voice. “If you were asleep, just who was driving your car?”
    Debbi scowled at her. “What is this, some kind of joke?”
    â€œNo,” Nancy said. “The hood of your car is red hot. It’s been driven recently.”
    â€œSo? What if it was?”
    Nancy narrowed her eyes. “Someone tried to run George Fayne down tonight.”
    â€œLook, smarty,” Debbi hissed. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but whatever it is, I don’t like it. Why don’t you just get lost?”
    â€œNot until I get some answers.” The door was closing, but Nancy stopped it with her foot. “Were you or weren’t you in the parking lot of Big Top Burgers tonight?”
    â€œI wasn’t.”
    Nancy pressed her point. “Then how did your car engine get so hot?”
    â€œLook, if you must know, I drove over to Riley City to see some friends,” Debbi confessed. “I just got back.”
    That would explain where her car had been, but was she telling the truth? “You can prove you were there?” Nancy asked.
    â€œYes. But why should I?”
    â€œBecause—” Nancy stopped, not sure what to say next.
    â€œBecause you think I was somewhere else, right? Well, let me tell you something. I don’t care what you think. You’re not the police. If you were, I’d prove to you that I was in Riley City. But you’re not, so leave me alone!”
    With that, she started to shut the door again, but once more Nancy stopped her.
    â€œLook, Debbi,” she said angrily, “someone tried to run George down tonight. At the very least, I think you know who it was.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œSo, I suggest you confess. If you’re honest now, things will be easier later. But if you lie—”
    â€œThen what?”
    â€œI mean it, Debbi.”
    â€œGood for you,” she said. “Now, get this—I didn’t try to run down your friend. But maybe she’d better watch out from now on,” Debbi added. “If the opportunity presents itself, I just might try to hurt her.”
    This time when Debbi slammed her door, Nancy didn’t stop her.
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    When Nancy arrived home later,