Carolyn Keene - Nancy Drew Read Online Free

observed.
    “Or a bus,” George said, directing everyone’s attention to a man in a driver’s uniform.
    He pushed his way through the crowd, waving his hands and talking at the same time. The hubbub dissipated as the group huddled around him.
    “I don’t see Jacqueline anywhere,” Bess commented.
    “She could’ve met someone and left,” Nancy said, and hurried toward one of the desk clerks, asking if he knew where the stunning, black-haired woman had gone.
    “I haven’t seen her at all,” the young man replied, “and from your description, I’m sure I’d remember her.”
    Then, on a sudden thought, she approached the bus driver. He had been outside the hotel when Jacqueline left, if, in fact, she had. But to Nancy’s chagrin, the man said he had not seen her, either.
    “Let’s go back to the ballroom,” Nancy said. “I’m sure Aunt Eloise is wondering what has happened to us.”
    As the trio weaved between tables, several patrons stopped Nancy, complimenting her performance and the gowns she had worn.
    “Absolutely exquisite,” someone said from behind, causing Nancy to turn toward the dance floor. “Miss Drew?” The young man who spoke stepped closer, aligning himself under the soft light of a chandelier.
    Nancy judged him to be in his thirties, despite the deep lines under his gray eyes. “Did you say something?” Nancy asked.
    “I was just about to invite you to dance,” came the unexpected reply.
    The orchestra was switching tempos and Nancy nodded. She followed the stranger to the center of the floor where several other couples were trying unsuccessfully to keep from bumping into each other.
    “I don’t know your name,” the young detective said as the two began to dance.
    “It’s Chris,” he said. “Chris Chavez. You took Jacqueline Henri’s place on the program, didn’t you?”
    “Mm-hmm,” Nancy replied casually. “Do you know her?”
    “Doesn’t everyone?”
    “I guess so.”
    Chris swirled her away from him, but held her hand firmly, drawing her back.
    “Do you do a lot of modeling?” he inquired.
    “As a matter of fact,” Nancy said, “this is the first time I’ve done anything like this. I’ve modeled before, but not on this scale.”
    “That’s really hard to believe. You looked so professional up on that runway,” Chris went on. Despite the dim light, he could see the blush in Nancy’s cheeks. “I hope I’m not embarrassing you,” he said.
    “Oh, no,” the girl said, starting to giggle. “I was just thinking how happy it would make our housekeeper if I changed careers.”
    Her dance partner appeared bewildered. “What’s your current occupation?” he asked as the music finished at last.
    “I’m a detective,” Nancy said. Now it was her turn to watch for a change of expression, but to her surprise, there was none. Chris made no comment. Instead, he trailed her to the table where Bess and George sat with Aunt Eloise and Marjorie Tyson, and Nancy introduced him to her friends.
    “Not the Chris Chavez.” Marjorie grinned. “The photographer?”
    Chris nodded. “And I’d like to take a picture of Nancy in that gorgeous gown she wore earlier.”
    “Well, I’m sure that can be arranged,” Aunt Eloise said enthusiastically.
    Bess, meanwhile, tugged on Nancy’s arm. “George and I were wondering where you went,” she whispered. “We didn’t realize you had met such a handsome man. Does he have a couple of friends?”
    “I don’t know. Shall I ask?” Nancy replied.
    The blond girl giggled while the young photographer jotted down his phone number and handed it to Nancy. “I’ll be at the studio tomorrow, so let me know if you can come by,” he said, then walked off quickly.
    “What will Ned think when he sees you on the cover of some famous magazine—and photographed by the world-famous Chris Chavez?” George teased Nancy.
    “Ned Nickerson,” Nancy replied, referring to her boyfriend from Emerson College, “won’t think anything