039 The Suspect Next Door Read Free Page A

boyfriend’s grasp and ran up on the porch.
    “I told you, no!” Nikki said forcefully.
    “Nikki! Wait!” the boy shouted, following her. He caught up to her and grabbed her wrist. Nancy and Ned couldn’t help hearing what they were saying.
    “Please!” the boy said. “Please take it!”
    “I told you I can’t!” Nancy could tell that Nikki was really upset.
    “But you’ve got to take it!” the boy insisted. “Please.”
    Nancy and Ned were embarrassed to be in on such a private moment. But there was really nowhere they could go without making the couple aware of their presence, and they didn’t want to interrupt.
    “Let me go! Please!” Nikki cried suddenly, pulling her hand out of the boy’s grasp. Ned had moved as if he were going to Nikki’s rescue, but Nancy put a hand on his knee to restrain him.Nancy didn’t feel right about nosing in on her neighbor’s business—unless Nikki needed help.
    The boy had let his arms drop to his sides. “Don’t you care if I live or die?” he demanded. “I’m telling you, Nikki, I can’t make it without you! Please.”
    “Oh, stop it! Stop it!” Nikki pleaded, “Dan, please! Leave me alone! I can’t stand it anymore! I wish you the best, I really do. But I just don’t want all this trouble.” Nikki ran for the door.
    This time Dan didn’t try to stop her. Instead, he shook his head and stared at the ground. “You don’t understand, Nikki.”
    “I guess I don’t, Dan. I’m sorry, I r-really am,” Nikki stammered, turning to face him. “But I just can’t handle all your problems.”
    Dan’s eyes opened wide. In the light of the Masterses’ porch, he looked more afraid than angry, but when he spoke, the anger was definitely there. “Why don’t you just admit it? You don’t care! You wouldn’t even care if I died!”
    Nancy knew Nikki’s face must be reddening. “Stop trying to make me feel guilty, Dan Taylor! Leave me alone!” she said firmly and coldly. “If you don’t I just might kill you myself!”

Chapter

Three
    N IKKI SLAMMED THE DOOR behind her as Dan Taylor skulked back to his car and drove off. Exchanging a look, Nancy and Ned put down their half-eaten slices of pizza and breathed out loud.
    “Whew.” Ned sighed. “What do you suppose that was all about?”
    Nancy thought for a second. “I don’t know, Ned,” she admitted, “but those two seem to have some serious problems. Do you think I should—”
    “Do I think you should get involved?” Ned finished for her. “Absolutely not.”
    “But Nikki’s my neighbor, Ned. I’ve knownher for a long time. She’s always been so levelheaded and sure of herself. I’ve never seen her upset like that.”
    “Come on, Nan,” Ned said with a sigh. “It’s young love. First-time romances are always stormy.”
    “I don’t know.” Nancy didn’t feel right about it. She knew Ned was probably right. Some young couples had fights every day. She and Ned had had a few spats during the first months they were together.
    But the exchange Nancy had overheard didn’t sound like a simple spat. Nancy couldn’t help worrying about Nikki. Something was really upsetting her. Maybe if Nikki had a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to . . .
    Nancy knew Nikki wasn’t prone to threatening people. Still, Nikki had sounded as if she meant it. Nancy decided that the next time she saw Nikki she’d find out if there was anything she could do to help her.
    • • •
    Kate Hayes was waiting anxiously when Nancy got to Vanities the next morning. “I’ve got to take care of things in my two other stores,” she explained quickly. “Fortunately, there haven’t been any thefts there. Here’s a list of my employees,” she said, handing Nancy a piece of yellow legal paper. “I’ll check in with you later. Meanwhile, Trisha will help you out.”
    Trisha nodded her assent. “Right, Ms. Hayes.Don’t worry. I’ll handle things here. And I’m sure Ms. Drew will hold up her