The Case of the Artful Crime Read Free Page B

likely suspect. She’d had the opportunity. But did she have a motive? Nancy decided to find out more about Loreen that evening.
    By five o’clock Nancy was driving back to the Arizona House in her blue Mustang. She wore a pair of tapered black pants, as Shawn had requested, and a deep blue T-shirt.
    The Arizona House was on the outskirts of River Heights in an extremely wealthy area. In this part of town, mansions were set far back from the winding country roads. The restaurant itself was at the end of a narrow, wooded road.
    Once again Nancy pulled into the lot and went in the front door. This time the restaurant had an entirely different atmosphere. It was cool and quiet. The only sound was the clinking of glass and silverware as the tables were set for dinner in the empty dining room.
    â€œNancy!” Shawn greeted her, stepping out from the lounge. “I was just getting these things from the storeroom for you.” He handed her three cellophane bags. In them were the fringed denim shirt, the bandanna, and the apron worn by the Arizona House waiters. “You can put these on in the ladies room downstairs,” he said, directing Nancy to a set of narrow steps to the right of the coat-room.
    She had just finished dressing when Loreen walked into the large, well-lit room. Surprise filled the redhead’s face. Her expression quickly changed to a look of unmistakable irritation. “Who hired you?” she asked.
    â€œShawn did. This afternoon,” Nancy replied.
    â€œWhy wasn’t I informed?” The waitress frowned.
    â€œI really don’t know,” Nancy said as sweetly as she could manage.
    Loreen’s green eyes narrowed as she gave Nancy the once-over. “Weren’t you here at lunch today?” she asked.
    â€œYes,” Nancy said, nodding. “I mentioned that I was looking for a job, and Shawn hired me on the spot. Wasn’t that nice of him?”
    â€œReal nice,” Loreen replied sarcastically. “That Shawn is one super-duper guy. I think I’ll go talk to Mr. Wonderful about you right now,” she added as she slammed the door.
    Nancy was about to follow her when she bumped into Bess. “What did you say to her?” Bess asked. “She was breathing fire.”
    â€œShe’s not too happy I was hired,” Nancy replied.
    â€œI guess not. She usually hires and fires the waiting staff,” Bess said with a shrug. “Loreen’s sort of the manager around here.”
    â€œI’d better go upstairs and see what’s happening,” Nancy said, slipping through the door. At the top of the stairs, Nancy looked around for Loreen, but the head waitress was gone.
    â€œOkay, Nancy,” Shawn said, looking up from the reservation book. “Ready for the grand tour?”
    â€œDid you talk to Loreen?” Nancy asked.
    â€œDon’t worry about her,” Shawn said. “Sometimes she forgets who’s the boss around here. I told her that I’d decided to train an extra waitress in case we need help serving the upcoming summer crowd. Everybody on the staff wants some time off over the next few months.”
    â€œDid that explanation cool her down?” Nancy asked.
    â€œShe went off in a huff,” Shawn said, “but she’ll get over it.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell her the truth?” Nancy asked.
    An uncomfortable look came over Shawn’s face. “The fewer people who know why you’re here, the better,” he said.
    Nancy had to agree with that. “Do you think Loreen could be the one causing the trouble?” she pressed.
    â€œI don’t want to think so,” Shawn said. “But I suppose anything is possible.”
    â€œDoes she have a reason to wish you harm?”
    â€œNo,” Shawn said decisively. “Absolutely not.”
    Nancy followed Shawn through the restaurant as he introduced her to the waiting staff and the busboys and girls. In the lounge,