Fatal Ransom Read Free Page A

It might save both of us a lot of time and trouble.”
    Monica glared at her. “All I’ve got to say is this: it’s just one more thing that crazy kid has done to mess everything up for Lance. Poor Lance is losing his shirt on his new project, and now he’s going to have to pay ransom for that no-good brat who’s part of the problem at the mall!”
    Lance’s face was crimson. “Monica, please. Try to control yourself. Nancy doesn’t want to hear this.”
    But Lance was wrong. Nancy did want to hear it.
    â€œWhat do you mean he’s part of the problem at the mall?” Nancy asked.
    â€œDo you know the new Woodland Mall?” Lance asked. Nancy nodded. “Then you know that we’re having trouble renting some of the shops, and most people think that it’s because of the punks that are hanging out there. And Hal does hang out there . . .”
    â€œI see. Well, will there be a problem coming up with the ransom money—if we have to go that far?” she asked.
    Lance shook his head. “No. As I said, we are having trouble with the mall project, but Colson Enterprises is still sound. And I think things will turn around once the mall is fully leased. That’s the only problem right now.”
    â€œNo, our problem right now is that kid and the kids he hangs out with,” said Monica. “We didn’t have problems until he started acting up.
    Lance gave Monica a disapproving look. “Don’t you have something to take care of upstairs?” he asked.
    Monica’s eyes swept Nancy’s face coldly. “Yes,” she said thoughtfully. “I think I do.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Lance said once she had left the room. “Monica and Hal have never gotten along.
    â€œI have to admit, all this guardian stuff came as a big shock to me,” he went on. “I had my own construction business before my brother died. It was small, but I was doing pretty well. I had to sell my business so I could devote all my time to Colson Enterprises. You know—keep the business running so Hal would have something to take over one of these days.”
    â€œThat must have been a real sacrifice—especially when you had to start a new life so suddenly,” Nancy said. She was starting to admire Lance Colson more and more.
    â€œMonica and I used to have time for each other. But since I moved in here and took over Colson Enterprises—well, I just haven’t had much time to be with her, I guess I’m not the greatest company these days, and she resents it.”
    â€œResents” would be putting it mildly, Nancy thought, still a little chilled by Monica’s parting glance. But all she said was, “I think I understand.”
    She stood up. “If you could provide me with a good photograph of Hal, I can get out of your way and get started solving this case.”
    Lance picked up a small photo from a table next to the den entrance. “I thought you might want this, so I had it ready for you.”
    â€œSomeone who thinks like a detective,” Nancy said, smiling. “We’re going to make agreat team. One more thing,” she added as she started walking to the front door, “what kind of car does Hal drive?”
    â€œA new white Mercedes convertible.”
    Nancy jotted it down in the little notebook she always took with her. “What’s the license plate number?”
    â€œHAL,” Lance answered.
    â€œThat should be easy enough,” Nancy said. “I’ll get right on it.”
    She reached for the door handle, but Lance got there before her. “I really appreciate your help on this, Nancy,” he said warmly.
    He opened the door—and then froze.
    He and Nancy were face-to-face with a teenage girl. She had orange spiked hair on the left side of her head and shoulder-length purple hair on the right. And she looked furious.
    The girl stared past Nancy at