Very Deadly Yours Read Free Page B

ad. Lena Verle’s eyes flicked over the paragraph, but she made no move to take it.
    â€œHow should I know?” she answered tersely. “It could have been placed by anyone. I don’t keep track of the people who come in here.”
    â€œAre the ads placed in person or by mail?” asked Nancy.
    â€œBoth,” snapped Ms. Verle.
    â€œMaybe you could check your files to see if this one was mailed,” suggested Nancy. “We’d like to trace this person if we possibly can. He made some very unpleasant threats.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” said Ms. Verle, who didn’t sound sorry at all, “but that would violate confidentiality. And of course you realize I can’t possibly do that.”
    â€œBut the guy threatened to kill me!” protested Bess. “You can’t keep a person like that confidential!”
    â€œLook,” said Ms. Verle rapidly, “I’m not responsible for people who are desperate enough to answer these ads. I’m not paid to baby-sit people like you. It’s your own fault if—”
    â€œBut don’t you think it’s important for us to find this guy?” Nancy asked. “We wouldn’t have to bother you—we’d just like to take a look at your records.”
    â€œNo!” Lena cried.
    â€œWe’ll let ourselves out, Ms. Verle. Thank you so much for your time,” Nancy replied testily. She reached over and hit the elevator button with a decisive click.
    â€œI knew as soon as I saw her that she wouldn’t be any help,” Nancy said when the doors had closed. “But I kept hoping my hunch was wrong.”
    Bess was still sputtering. “I can’t believe that woman!” she fumed. “I bet she knows exactly who placed that ad. Well, I’m going to figure out some way to make her talk.”
    â€œIt’s not worth it,” Nancy said soothingly. “We’ll find our man without the help of Lena Verle.”
    â€œNancy, there is no way I can forget about a woman who called me desperate. And we still don’t know how to track down that guy.”
    â€œThat’s certainly true for now.” Nancy paused, thinking. “Look, I know some people who work here. I think our best bet would be to talk to the editor in chief. His name is Hank Whittaker. Since we’re on our way down to thelobby anyway, let’s just check with the receptionist to see if he’s in his office.”
    But he wasn’t. He was on vacation and not expected back for a week. “He did stop in briefly on his way to the airport this morning, but I guess you just missed him,” said the receptionist.
    â€œWell, who else can we talk to?” Bess asked Nancy.
    Nancy furrowed her brows. “There are a few reporters, and maybe a couple of editors—but I don’t think any of them would be as helpful as Mr. Whittaker,” she said. “I really think our best bet is to wait for him to come back. And for now, you should try to put all of this out of your mind.”
    â€œPut that guy out of my mind? When he tried to kill me?” Bess shrieked.
    â€œWell, that’s more pleasant than thinking about the creep, isn’t it?” Nancy replied.
    â€œYou have a point,” Bess said. “So let’s go get some ice cream. That should help me forget.”
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    After she had taken Bess home, Nancy drove out to the Bel Canto restaurant. Perhaps she’d be able to find a lead there. At the restaurant she asked to speak to the waitress who’d been on duty the night before.
    â€œSure, I noticed that couple,” the waitress told her. “I always notice couples who fight in public. She seemed nice, and he seemed like a real crank.”
    â€œYou didn’t try to stop him? This was a little more than a fight,” Nancy told her.
    â€œTo tell you the truth, I was embarrassed. I would have felt really stupid trying to break up