Nancy Clue Mysteries 3 - A Ghost in the Closet

by Mabel Maney

  Cherry considered this. Jackie had a point. "It would be just like Mother to keep a stiff upper lip," Cherry agreed. She paused a moment in quiet contemplation. The words from her nursing school manual came back to her: Faith is a real remedy, good cheer is a powerful medicine, and confidence is part of the cure for every nervous patient who gets well.

  "So if Mother chooses to pretend she's at a resort, perhaps it's a good thing after all," Cherry decided aloud. Suddenly she had a grand thought. "I'll write back to Mother pretending I believe her little ruse. I'll ask her to describe the colorful people she has met and the nature hikes and other entertainments. That way, she'll write me cheery, therapeutic letters which will speed up her recovery. Then she'll regain her confidence and, in no time at all, be back to her normal contented self."

  "What about what your mother mentioned at the end of her letter?" Jackie blurted out. Would Cherry decide to go back to Seattle and resume her place on the Women's Psychiatric Ward, or worse, would she choose to settle in River Depths and play nurse to Nancy's detective? Jackie's heart was pounding with anticipation. What would Cherry do?

  "Oh, I think my woolen nurse's cape can stand another season's wear," Cherry assured her.

  "No, I mean about going back to Seattle," Jackie blushingly stammered.

  "When I arrived in River Depths, I wrote the hospital asking for a short leave of absence, at no pay of course," Cherry informed her. "I've got plenty of time."

  "But I don't," Jackie was tempted to cry out, forgetting for a moment Midge's helpful advice. Let Cherry come to you. She's stuck on you for sure, but she needs to get over Nancy first. Just give it time.

  "My vacation's up soon, and I'll have to return to San Francisco," Jackie explained in a calm voice that masked her thudding heart. If she left Cherry behind, she'd surely lose her to Nancy!

  Cherry looked at the downcast expression on Jackie's handsome face and suddenly realized the longer the goodlooking detective stayed in Illinois, the longer she was kept away from her vitally important police work. Cherry knew only too well that crime, like illness, accidents and disease, never took a holiday!

  "If only I could make up my mind," Cherry chided herself silently. "I know I have feelings for Jackie that lead me to suspect I'm in love with her, but what about Nancy and the night of passion we shared? I can't just turn my back on that without first thinking things through long and hard. Plus, Nancy really needs me now. Why, she's got so much to do, what with inheriting this house and selecting her fall wardrobe!"

  Cherry had realized just how much work it was to be Nancy when two days earlier, a dressmaker had wheeled in racks of the latest fall fashions. Nancy had spent the entire day running about the house in various stages of undress while she selected the outfits she would need for the coming year: pretty daytime frocks, sleek going-to-town suits, modest bathing costumes, vibrant ski togs, sophisticated evening sheaths and fancy off-the-shoulder gowns just right for a country club dance. The next day, Velma, Cherry and an exhausted Nancy had lain about the living room sipping refreshing iced tea and pouring over fashion magazines, selecting shoes and handbags, scarves and gloves to round out Nancy's new wardrobe.

  "I could be a real help to her here," Cherry told herself. "After all, I did take a vow to go wherever I'm needed most! "

  Jackie clutched her porcelain figure in her large, strong hands. She felt she couldn't wait one more minute to find out if Cherry shared her feelings! "Cherry, I've got to know. Will you-" Just then Nancy swept onto the porch carrying a tray loaded with all sorts of goodies, and wearing a black felt poodle skirt with white and pink appliques that showed off her trim waistline. Her pert bosom was covered with a snug white topper and on her petite feet were black patent leather slip-ons.

  "You look charming!" Cherry cried as Nancy set down the tray and spun about to unfurl the circumference of the fetching skirt. Nancy stopped twirling, however, when she got a look at the dog statue in Jackie's hands. A peevish look crossed her pretty face.

  "It's a swell gift, isn't it?" Jackie boasted, fingering the hand-painted figurine proudly. It would look fine sitting on the mantle in her small but cozy apartment. "Our apartment," she thought dreamily as she gazed at Cherry.

  Nancy gulped. She had assumed Cherry was purchasing the statue for a nurse chum. Her wide blue eyes narrowed in anger. "There's another skirt just like this one in cherry red lying on someone's bed," Nancy cried out in a forced cheery tone. She was talking to Cherry but glaring at Jackie.

  "A poodle skirt for me?" Cherry flushed excitedly. "Oh, Nancy, you shouldn't have! Why, they're so expensive!" She kicked up her heels and raced upstairs, secretly relieved that her conversation with Jackie had come to an end, at least for now. Cherry had the feeling that Jackie was about to ask her a very important question, the kind of question a girl dreamt of, only Cherry wasn't sure what her answer would be!

  "When will you be sure?" she leaned in close to the mirror and asked the girl in the darling new outfit peering back at her. All Cherry knew was that each time Jackie looked at her, she lost her ability to think clearly. "But is it true love?" Cherry wondered, "or merely a hormonal surge coursing through my body, and impairing my ability to think straight? And when, oh, when will I know for sure?"

  * * *

  CHAPTER 6

  * * *

  Thwarted Again!

  "You're looking mighty chipper this morning!" Cherry announced as Nancy came into the kitchen clad in a darling sports outfit consisting of lightweight cotton plaid pedal pushers and a crisp white blouse with a Peter Pan collar. Her trademark titian hair had been brushed until it shone and the charms on her gold bracelet, one for each mystery she had solved, jangled cheerfully on her wrist. In one hand was a picnic hamper and in the other a soft blanket. "Are you going on a picnic?" Cherry wondered.

  "We're going on a picnic," Nancy grinned. "We're going back to Lake Merrimen!"

  Cherry smiled. Only moments before, she had been sitting alone and confused at the kitchen table. Why, a trip to the lake and a yummy outdoor meal was exactly what she needed! "I'll make sure everyone's up and dressed in casual clothes in no time at all," she promised. Before she could see the enraged look on Nancy's face, Cherry had raced out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

  "Darn and double darn!" Nancy cried as she hurled her picnic hamper across the linoleum floor. She slammed out the door, saw the morning edition of The River Depths Defender on the porch and gave it a good kick. She flopped on the porch swing, and only then did she notice that the front page was carrying a familiar story.

  "Hmmn," Nancy thought as she bent to pick up the paper.

  POODLES SAVED FROM PERIL!

  River Depths, Illinois-A fiendish dognapper struck yesterday at the Lake Merrimen Dog Show, but was thwarted when well-known detectives and Illinois residents Frank Hardly and Nancy Clue moved quickly and saved the day. The culprit, however, escaped and may continue to plague the Central Illinois area as he has for the past two months.

  Nancy gave a little start, then remembered her own Gogo was upstairs asleep on the foot of her bed.

  "It's a horrible crime," Nancy sighed as she threw the paper down next to her. Normally, the inquisitive girl would have jumped on the case, but at the moment, she had little patience for sleuthing; the police would have to tackle this one without her. She had her own precarious predicament to resolve.

  Meanwhile, clad in crisp summer lightweight frocks, Velma and Cherry were in the kitchen, preparing delicious food meant to be eaten out-of-doors and chatting happily about the fun day ahead. "Twenty sandwiches should be enough for the five of us, don't you think?" Cherry asked as she placed the last cold meat sandwich in the hamper next to the celery sticks, deviled eggs and molasses cookies.

  "I think four is Midge's limit," Velma grinned. "Speaking of my husband, where is she?"

  "I imagine she and Jackie snuck out for a smoke," Cherry tattled, surveying their fare. "Now all we need is fruit and we've got a well-rounded meal
."

  "I'll get some cling peaches from the pantry," Velma offered. When she opened the door to the walk-in closet at the far end of the kitchen, she was surprised to find Midge and Jackie inside with their heads together.

  "What are you two scheming about?" Velma teased.

  The girls jumped apart. "We're talking about the poodlenapping incident that happened yesterday," Midge said innocently.

  "Sure," Velma twitched her lips. "More likely, you're talking about the poodle skirt incident of yesterday," she countered.

  Midge gave Jackie a little wink; Jackie grinned and left the pantry.

  "Midge, do you remember what you promised me?" Velma warned in a low tone as she searched the shelves for peaches.

  "To love, honor and obey?" Midge answered slyly.

  Velma frowned. She put her hands on her curvy hips and mustered her best glare. "You promised not to interfere with other people's love lives," she reminded her.

  Midge arched one brow and leaned against a shelf. "Don't get that tone of voice with me, Miss Velma Pierce," she grumbled. They had all been up late socializing, and Midge was in no mood for a fight, let alone a picnic! All Midge was doing was helping out a buddy, and if Velma didn't see how truly made for each other Jackie and Cherry, were, well-

  "Exactly what tone is that?" Velma demanded to know, her green eyes ablaze with anger.

  "That I'm-right-and-you-know-it tone!" Midge snapped back.

  Velma stood on tiptoe, put her arms around Midge's neck and pulled her close. "Let's not fight, honey," she whispered as she planted little kisses on her girlfriend's neck. Midge moaned and snuggled close.

  "You spend entirely too much time thinking about Cherry and Nancy and Jackie," Velma chided her, adding, with a smile, "when you could be thinking about me."

  "I'm glad we're an old married couple," Midge smiled. She gave Velma a soft, slow kiss and ran her hands up and down her curvy figure.

  Midge unzipped Velma's summer frock and caressed her smooth back. Velma blushed as Midge pulled down the top of her dress to reveal her soft shoulders and bountiful bosom. "What if someone comes in here?" Velma moaned as she let her frock slide to the floor, standing unclothed except for a nylon half slip and a cream-colored lacy bra.

  Midge kicked the door shut. The latch clicked into place. She dropped to her knees, pushed up Velma's slip and began mouthing the soft flesh of Velma's inner thighs. "I think of you all the time, Velma," she sighed. "Some days it's all I can do to walk and talk in your presence," she laughed ruefully as she slowly pulled down Velma's panties. A minute later Velma forgot all about their angry exchange.

  There was a timid knock at the door.

  "Velma, Midge, are you in there? We're ready to leave." It was Cherry and she was sounding frankly frazzled.

  "Woyhl ae hrfg ix a mutnim," Midge cried, her voice all muffled.

  "What?" Cherry cried. "Midge, I can't understand a thing you're saying."

  "We'll be out in a minute," Midge repeated. She waited for the sound of receding footsteps, but none came.

  "Why don't you go ahead and we'll catch up," Velma suggested.

  "But you don't know where we're going," Cherry was quick to point out.

  "Leave us a map!" Midge moaned.

  "Oh, if you only knew what was going on out here!" Cherry cried, sounding on the edge of hysteria. "George's jalopy won't start and Jackie says she's not riding in Nancy's car with just the three of us, so if you don't go, Jackie won't go, and I'm not sure I really want to be alone with Nancy, and if you don't go and Jackie doesn't go and I don't go, Nancy will have to go alone and she'll be awfully disappointed and besides, we've got a whole hamper of food that will spoil! I know you two are busy smooching in there but could you please come out right now!" she pleaded with all her might.

  Midge groaned. "The next time I stick my nose in other people's romances will you please remind me of this moment?" she begged her girlfriend as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve and got to her feet.

  Velma slipped into her panties. There was nothing she needed to say. This time, Midge had learned her lesson for sure!

  * * *

  CHAPTER 7

  * * *

  A Surefire Scheme

  Big rain drops splashed down on the girls as they motored ahead in Nancy's shiny craft, the Swift Sleuth, through the white-capped waters of Lake Merrimen toward the rocky spire jutting out of the middle of the deep lake. The small island was only twenty feet in diameter, but afforded visitors a clear panorama of the full splendor of the lake. Nancy was eager to show Cherry every bit of the lovely landscape, knowing how the girl adored nature and all its breathtaking views.

  "Drat!" Nancy cried aloud. "I can't believe we've hit bad weather. Just an hour ago, the sky was clear and the clouds were big and white and puffy. Why, there wasn't a nimbostratus for miles!" They had missed their chance to boat in calm waters all because they couldn't agree on the seating arrangement in the car!

  "How disappointing," Nancy wailed. "This day is not turning out at all the way I had planned!"

  Cherry covered her hairdo with a portable rain bonnet, and Midge constructed a hasty umbrella for Velma from that day's newspaper. "Shouldn't we turn back?" Jackie wondered when she realized Cherry was beginning to shiver.

  "We're almost there," Nancy insisted as she tied her chiffon scarf tighter around her hair, and put on some speed. She handed her binoculars to Cherry and said, "Take a look. Isn't it a charming little island?"

  Cherry peered at the rocky mound. "Nancy, now that we're closer, I can see that those buoys surrounding Treasure Island are covered with signs," Cherry noticed. "Keep Out By Order of Judge Meeks," she read. Just then, the boat was hit with a rush of cold air-a sure sign that a thunderstorm was not far off!

  "We really should go back," Cherry urged. "Storms are the most dangerous of all weather phenomena, and a small boat in choppy water is no place for five girls in lightweight summer clothes!"

  After a flash of lightning to the west, Nancy began counting. "Onethousand-and-one, onethousand-and-two, onethousand-and-" but before she could go any further, they heard a clap of thunder. "Light travels at about one hundred eighty-six thousand miles per second and sound at about one thousand one hundred feet per second," Nancy figured aloud. "So if I'm calculating correctly, this storm is less than a mile away!" She quickly turned the craft around and sped for shore.

  Nancy kept the boat on an even keel and they made it to the dock just as mighty bolts of lightning began striking down on the lake.

  "To the car," Cherry cried, knowing that the metal body would shield them from danger. They hopped inside Nancy's convertible and put up the top just as it began to rain in earnest.

  "I can't believe this is happening," Nancy grumbled as she used her hankie to dry her new cotton navy dotted-swiss culottes, which showed off her blue eyes to their best advantage. In her white straw purse was her yellow polished cotton swimsuit with its built-in panty and bra, but it would see no wear today. "Another chance for romance ruined; another outfit mussed beyond repair!" she thought in distress.

  Nancy had to blink fast to keep hot tears from spilling down her cheeks. Luckily she was wearing her new smart Caribbean-style sunglasses with dark green lenses that hid her teary eyes.

  Nancy started the car and headed for home. That afternoon had been a disaster, romantically speaking, but the day wasn't over! She schemed as she steered the car over the damp streets, occasionally glancing in the rear view mirror, which gave her an excellent view of the back seat. Somehow, in their mad scramble to get to safety, Jackie and Cherry had ended up alone in the back seat! Nancy almost ran off the road when she saw Jackie lean over and whisper something in Cherry's ear.

  "Oops!" Nancy cried as she hurriedly straightened the wheel. "I must have hit a wet patch," she explained. She gripped the wheel and made herself concentrate on the road ahead. "As soon as I get Cherry alone, I'll ask her to spend the evening with me. I just know if I can get her away from Jack
ie long enough, I can make her fall for me again!"

  * * *

  CHAPTER 8

  * * *

  A Romantic Rendezvous

  "-then we'll be served the most delicious meal consisting of pioneer stew, soup, green salad with special dressing, homemade hot rolls and boysenberry jam, sherbet appetizer, green vegetable and coffee, baked or French fried potatoes," Nancy told Cherry excitedly. "And after supper, we'll gather round the camp fire and sing old pioneer songs with Bud and his guitar or sit in covered wagons and listen to tales of long ago as told by old-timers!" Nancy's eyes sparkled in excitement as she described the delightful evening ahead. She knew, too, exactly what she would wear-a bewitching new rayon crepe paisley print pouf skirt paired with an off-the-shoulder blouse and sophisticated flats. A velvet ribbon in her pert ponytail would complete the picture.

  "It sounds like a magical evening," Cherry admitted, then added ruefully, "but I'm afraid I'm all booked up for tonight."

  Nancy was stunned, but before she could say anything the doorbell rang. "Flowers for a Miss Cherry Aimless," the lad said as Nancy flung open the front door.

  "I'm a Miss Cherry Aimless; they must be for me!" Cherry exclaimed. "Golly, no one's ever sent me flowers before," she cried as she raced to the door to accept the square white box. She was so excited she almost forgot to tip the delivery fellow!

  Cherry put the box on the coffee table and, with shaky hands, opened the lid. Inside was one perfect white gardenia and a little card.

  To the greatest girl ever. See you at seven. J.

  "This is my first corsage!" Cherry cried aloud, but she was talking to herself for Nancy had fled the room. Cherry was too starry-eyed to notice. Why, when Jackie had asked her to accompany her out this evening, Cherry had assumed she would merely throw a sweater over her day frock and stroll to a nearby diner for a hamburger and a thick shake, perhaps to be followed by a picture show. Now she knew why Jackie had spent the supper hour tinkering with George's old jalopy-they were going on a car date!