Island of Secrets Read Online Free

was about to help when the doctor she’d seen at the grave site appeared and bent over the older woman.
    Jim returned to Nancy’s side. “I’m sure she’ll be fine once we get her home. But would you mind taking a rain check on that cup of coffee?”
    â€œSure. I should be getting back anyway. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, turning away.
    Outside the station, Nancy collected Angie’s moped, then slowly rode it into town. She left the moped in Angie’s garage, along with a note of thanks, and walked on to the cottage.
    Hannah was in the kitchen mixing a pitcher oficed tea when Nancy arrived. “I walked down to the grocery store, but I only bought a few things. I thought we could eat out tonight—” Noticing Nancy’s expression, she interrupted herself. “What’s the matter?”
    Nancy told her about the death of Sarah’s nephew.
    â€œI’ve got to go to her. Can you call a cab?” Hannah untied her apron. “Sarah lives off Corn Neck Road. Oh, poor dear, I know she was worried about him. She told me all about him, how he’d lost his parents and everything. She said he’d been gone since Friday night.”
    â€œDid she report him missing to the police?” Nancy asked, looking up taxicabs in the phone book.
    â€œNo. According to Sarah, he was a moody boy. He stayed with her, but he’d often go off for days at a time without a word.”
    Nancy wasn’t surprised that Hannah knew so much about Tom, although she’d only met his aunt that morning. Total strangers often opened up to Hannah, sensing they could tell her anything. Nancy dialed the cab company and minutes later Hannah was off to comfort her new friend.
    After that, Nancy called Barb. “I’m okay, Nancy, but I went over to talk to D. J. Divott and I’m really worried about him. He’s awfully upset about Tom’s death. They’ve been best friends since they were little kids.”
    â€œIs there anything I can do to help?”
    â€œThanks, but not now.” Barb sighed. “I’d planned to take you to the Spotted Dog tonight. . . .”
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Nancy said.
    â€œWait, I have an idea for tomorrow,” Barb said. “I always swim two miles when I finish work. Why don’t you come to the beach with me tomorrow afternoon? We can lie in the sun and pretend this  . . . murder never happened.”
    â€œGood idea.” Nancy arranged to pick Barb up at her apartment the next day and hung up, then sank into a rocking chair on the porch.
    Hannah returned at six and reported that Sarah’s living room was full of friends who had come over to keep her company. She and Nancy decided to fix a simple supper of soup and sandwiches. A game of gin helped keep Nancy’s mind off the murder during the evening, but as she fell asleep that night, she couldn’t forget the image of Tom Haines’s body buried in that lonely spot.
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    Right after breakfast Nancy and Hannah walked into town to the moped rental shop. Nancy rented a blue moped and was surprised when Hannah chose a bright red one. The shop owner suggested they practice in the large parking lot before going out on the road.
    They donned their helmets and Nancy showed Hannah how to turn on the motor. She pointedto the right handlebar grip. “Think of that as your gas pedal. Turn it toward you, gently, like this, to give it a little gas.”
    Hannah twisted the grip and the motor roared. She jumped at the sound and let go of the handle. The engine automatically slowed.
    â€œNot too much,” Nancy said. Hannah tried again and the engine rose to a purr. “That’s it. The levers on the handlebars are the brakes. When you want to slow down, release the gas and squeeze them.”
    â€œIt seems easy,” Hannah exclaimed. “It’s just like riding a bike, without