Without a Trace by Carolyn Keene Read Free Book Online Page A

say you’re going to a party this weekend? Anything fun I should know about?”
    Ned shrugged. “Sorry, Deirdre, it’s not really that kind of party,” he said politely. “It’s just a get-together for some of Nancy’s new neighbors.”
    “Oh.” Deirdre looked decidedly disinterested. Then her expression brightened. “Wait, you’re not talking about the new French girl I’ve been hearing so much about, are you?”
    “Simone is French, yes,” I said. “What have you been hearing?” Normally I don’t like to listen to Deirdre’s gossip, since it’s usually either completely trivial or wildly inaccurate. But she does know a lot of people, and once in a while she actually turns up some useful information. A good detective has to look for clues wherever she can find them.
    Generic Boyfriend #37 cleared his throat. “I think there’s a free table over there, Deirdre,” he said.
    “In a minute,” Deirdre replied with impatience, not even bothering to glance in his direction. She leanedon the table, so close to Ned that the filmy sleeve of her silk blouse brushed his arm. “Well, this is just a rumor of course,” she said eagerly, lowering her voice slightly. “But I heard that the reason she left France was because the government kicked her out for being mentally unstable and a danger to the public good.”
    “What?” I said skeptically. “I haven’t heard of anything like that.”
    Deirdre shrugged and flipped her dark curls behind her shoulder. “Believe it or not, there are a few things in the world even you haven’t heard of, Nancy Drew,” she said. “Anyway, you asked what I’d heard and I’m telling you. What do you want from me?”
    “Fine, okay, go on,” I said soothingly, hoping to avoid a patent Deirdre Shannon public meltdown. In addition to her other charming qualities, she has a temper like an overcaffeinated Chihuahua. “Anything else?”
    “Oh, I don’t know.” Deirdre seemed to be losing interest. “There was something about the Russian Mafia, but I think that was just speculation.”
    As opposed to the rest of your meticulously verified facts, I thought, though I didn’t say it aloud. Deirdre doesn’t deal too well with sarcasm.
    “Deirdre,” Generic Boyfriend #37 broke in again, sounding more impatient this time. “Come on, aren’t we going to sit down? I’m starving.”
    Deirdre blew out a loud sigh and rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever,” she snapped. “Let’s go sit down.” With one last smile for Ned, she tossed her hair and turned away.
    As soon as Deirdre and her date were seated well out of earshot, Ned grinned at me. “Good to see that her long, unbroken record of useless and petty gossip still stands,” he joked.
    “Yep. Along with her long, unbroken crush on you,” I teased.
    Ned pretended to flex his biceps. “Hey, what can I say? I’m just that irresistible,” he teased back.
    I giggled. Deirdre has had a monster crush on Ned since we were all in junior high. It’s become sort of a running joke among my friends.
    Then my expression sobered. “You don’t think there could really be any truth to what she said, do you?”
    “You mean about the Russian Mafia?” Ned said, taking a sip of his water. “I don’t know, but what difference does it make, unless they’ve moved their headquarters to River Heights and put out a hit on all the city’s zucchini?”
    “No, not that part. The other stuff. About Simone being mentally unstable. Not that I think she really would have been kicked out of France for that, but—”
    “But you’re wondering if there’s a kernel of truth in the story,” Ned finished for me.
    I smiled at him. “Exactly. I mean, Simone is so sweet, I hate to think badly of her. But maybe I should keep an extra close eye on her at that party.”
    That reminded me that I still hadn’t told him about the party. I filled him in, and he promised to come with me. Then, as we spotted Susie Lin heading our way with a trayful of