Stalk, Don't Run by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

little talk.”
    “What?” Bess said. “You scheduled us more than a week ago!”
    “I know,” Amy said, smiling slyly. “But I’ve changed my mind. Mandy, Mallory, and Mia Casabian will speak to the campers.”
    I stared at her, too stunned to say anything.
    “Yes,” Amy went on. “Mia will talk about the importance of school. Mandy and Mallory will share their healthy grooming habits.”
    “You call wearing tons of makeup healthy grooming?” George asked.
    Before Amy could argue, I said, “We can come another day.”
    And Bess added, “But Maggie’s counting on us to be there.”
    “No, no, don’t bother. The more Maggie sees you, the more homesick she’ll get. Have a nice day,” Amy said, and huffed off.
    We stood in front of the office, shocked.
    “Maggie was right,” Bess said. “It’s as if Amy Paloma is an entirely different person.”
    I hadn’t thought about the yellow sunburst tattoo on Amy’s ankle—until now.
    “You guys,” I said slowly. “When we were here last week, I noticed something weird about Amy. She had a tattoo on her ankle.”
    “Lots of people have tattoos,” George said.
    “This was a yellow sunburst tattoo,” I told her. “Like the logo from Roland’s Renewal Retreat and Spa.”
    “What are you saying?” Bess whispered. “You don’t think Amy had anything to do with Roland’s cult, do you?” She sat down on the office porch.
    “We know nothing about her—other than this camp. She could have been his follower at one time,” I said. “Maybe that’s why she’s acting so strange. Maybe his brainwashing hasn’t worn off yet.”
    “I don’t buy it, Nancy. I can’t imagine Amy belonging to Roland’s cult,” Bess said. “The tat’s probably a coincidence.”
    “I guess,” I said—maybe I was overthinking it. A person didn’t have to belong to a cult to act weird. Just then my phone signaled a new text. It was from Ned. My heart felt heavy as I read the message out loud: “ ‘Nancy, we have to talk.’ ”
    I still wasn’t happy about Ned kayaking with Mia, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, I never passed up dinner at Mamacita’s, my favorite Mexican restaurant.
    “Honest, Nancy,” Ned said while I dipped another nacho chip in mango salsa. “I was just doing Deirdre a favor.”
    “Kayaking with a famous TV star?” I said. “I’m sure she had to twist your arm for that.”
    “Deirdre said it was research for the show they were pitching,” Ned said. “To see how the sisters got along with average guys. Like me.”
    I raised an eyebrow as I crunched into my chip. I didn’t consider Ned average, and I’m sure Deirdre didn’t either.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were going?” I asked.
    “Deirdre didn’t ask me until this morning,” Ned said. “I knew you went to Safer’s early, so I figured I’d tell you about it later.”
    “Did you have a good time?” I asked, twirling the straw in my soda.
    Ned shrugged and said, “Well . . . It was kind of neat hanging out with a TV star. Mia seemed like she was pretty smart, and really nice, too—”
    “Sorry I asked,” I cut in. I was about to reach for another chip when Ned grabbed my hand.
    “I’m sorry you were hurt, Nancy,” he said. “I’m also sorry about the interview in the Bugle . Printing a last-minute article about the sisters was my dad’s idea to increase readership, not mine.”
    “So?” I said. “Did the Bugle sell out?”
    Ned cast his eyes downward as he said, “Kind of, but it’s no excuse for not giving you, Bess, and George a heads-up.”
    I had to finally smile at Ned. He really did feel bad about the article and about Mia. I was about to accept his apology when Deirdre Shannon marched straight up to our table. “Nancy,” she said, grabbing one of the chips, “what did you do with Mia?”
    “Deirdre!” Ned said. “We’re having dinner here.”
    “What do you mean, what did I do with Mia? Is something wrong?” I