Sleepover Sleuths Read Free Page B

into the room. Trina’s eyes widened when Madison told her about the missing doll.
    â€œLook everywhere,” Deirdre instructed. “If you find Hollywood Heather, yell out at the top of your lungs!”
    The girls searched the room for Hollywood Heather. They looked under tables, behind bookcases—even under sleeping bags. Nancy was about to look near the windows when she saw Cassidy. The little girl sat on top of her sleeping bag. She clutched a yellow and red backpack. The outside flap had a picture of the cartoon character Artie the Aardvark on it.
    Why isn’t she looking for the doll?
Nancy wondered.
    â€œTell your mom and dad, Deirdre,” Kendra said. “Maybe they can help us look.”
    â€œI can’t!” Deirdre said. “I promised I’d take extra good care of Hollywood Heather.”
    â€œIt’s just a doll,” Trina said.
    â€œJust a doll?” Deirdre gasped. “Is the Statue of Liberty just a statue? Is the Great Wall of China just a wall? Is Johnny Appleseed just an apple?”
    â€œHe’s not an apple,” Andrea said slowly. “I think he planted apple trees or something.”
    â€œWhatever!” Deirdre cried.
    The girls looked for Hollywood Heather for half an hour. But she was nowhere to be found.

    â€œIf anyone in this room took Hollywood Heather,” Deirdre said, “tell me now.”
    The room was silent. Then Mrs. Shannon opened the basement door at the top of the stairs and called, “Girls! Breakfast is ready!”
    They quietly climbed the stairs. Cassidy was still holding her Artie the Aardvark backpack.
    Why is she bringing her backpack to breakfast?
Nancy wondered.
    Upstairs everyone sat down at the Shannons’ dining-room table. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon served scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast. Nancy looked around the table as she ate. Deirdre was picking at her eggs with her fork. Her best friend Madison was pretty quiet too.
    As Nancy reached for the strawberry jam, she noticed that Cassidy was leaning over her backpack as she ate.
    â€œBess, George,” Nancy whispered. “Do you think maybe Cassidy took Hollywood Heather?”
    â€œWhy do you say that?” Bess asked.
    â€œCassidy won’t let go of her backpack,” Nancy said quietly. “And she is sort of a—”
    â€œPest,” George finished.
    After breakfast the girls went to the basement to collect their gear.
    â€œMadison,” Deirdre asked her best friend. “Can you stay and help me look for Hollywood Heather?”
    â€œCan’t!” Madison said quickly. “I have to go home and clean my room.”
    Deirdre frowned as Madison left the basement. When most of the other girls were gone, she looked sadder than ever.
    â€œDon’t worry, Deirdre,” Nancy said. “Maybe the person who took Hollywood Heather will give her back soon.”
    â€œSure!” Bess said cheerily. “Nancy even thinks she knows who took her.”
    â€œBess!” Nancy hissed.
    â€œPlease tell me, Nancy!” Deirdre said, shaking Nancy’s arm. “Who do you think took Hollywood Heather?”
    â€œI don’t know for sure,” Nancy said. “So I don’t want to say anything.”
    Deirdre looked disappointed. Suddenly her eyes lit up.
    â€œI have a superific idea!” Deirdre said. “Why don’t
you
find the person who took Hollywood Heather?”
    â€œMe?” Nancy asked.
    â€œYou found the hidden goody bag,” Deirdre said.
    â€œAnd you’re great at guessing things, Nancy,” George said. “You always guess the school lunch.”
    â€œYou even guessed Marshmallow’s name!” Bess said.
    â€œYes,” Nancy said. “But—”
    â€œCome on, Nancy,” George urged. “Don’t you want to solve a real-life mystery?”
    â€œYou can be like—a detective!” Bess said.
    A detective? I am pretty good at finding