Nobody's Business Read Online Free

problem?” she asked Ned.
    â€œAndrew was really torn between Julie and his father, and he kept putting off moving. I think he’s really afraid to disobey his father. Mr. Lockwood’s a real dragon. Finally Julie just ran out of patience. She decided she’d rather break up with Andrew than wait any longer.”
    â€œI feel sorry for Andrew and Julie,” Bess said, sighing.
    â€œIt is too bad,” Nancy agreed, “but it could explain what’s going on at the inn. Julie might still be so resentful that she’s causing trouble just to get back at Andrew and his father.”
    â€œIt’s possible,” Ned said. “So that’s the story, Bess. I hope you’re not too disappointed.”
    â€œI’ll get over it,” Bess said cheerfully. “Besides, I happened to notice that Master Blaster’s really cute, too.”
    A waitress came to take their order, and soon the table was filled with steaming, cheesy enchiladas, crisp tacos, and rice and beans.
    As they ate, Nancy kept thinking about Andrew’s predicament. “No wonder Andrew keptmentioning how angry his father’s going to be,” she said aloud, nibbling on her taco. “It sounds as though Mr. Lockwood will have a fit if the inn isn’t a success.”
    â€œYou said it,” Ned agreed. “Andrew’s petrified. He’s almost used up all the money his father gave him for the renovation, and there’s still a ton of work to be done. Plasterboard, floors, fixtures. If anything else goes wrong, he’ll be a nervous wreck.”
    â€œMaybe we can help,” Nancy offered. “I mean, if we can figure out who’s behind the pranks, that will be one less thing for him to worry about.”
    Ned was about to object, but then he leaned over to kiss Nancy on the cheek. “So much for taking a break from detecting,” he joked. “I bet Andrew would appreciate your help.”
    Tapping the table with her fingernail, Nancy said, “Too bad we can’t go back for another look right now. It’d be easier to check out the place without everyone else there, but it’s probably locked, right?”
    Ned pulled a key from his pocket. “Not to me,” he announced. “Andrew gave me this. It’s for the back door, so I can get in when he’s not there.”
    After dinner Nancy, Ned, and Bess drove back to the inn and let themselves in the back door. It was the same one Julie had escaped through, Nancy realized. The long hallway was even darkerthan it had been earlier, and Nancy couldn’t find a light switch. She fumbled in her purse for her penlight but couldn’t find it.
    â€œUh-oh,” Bess said as the three of them felt their way down the pitch-black corridor. “This place is even creepier at night than in the daytime.”
    At last they reached the door to the ballroom. After quietly opening it, they stepped into the cavernous room, which was already glowing from the shafts of moonlight slanting in through the windows. The dark shadows of sawhorses and ladders made irregular shapes on the floor.
    â€œAha! Here it is,” Nancy crowed, finally finding her penlight in her purse. Flicking it on, she said, “Let’s start at the front entrance.”
    Shining the small, powerful beam, she led the way out of the ballroom and down the main hall. As they stepped into the lobby, she shone her penlight over the sawdust-covered floor, then raised it higher.
    Nancy tensed as her beam barely caught a strange swinging movement over their heads.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Bess asked nervously as a faint, creaking noise sounded.
    Nancy swept the beam of light toward the ceiling—and her mouth fell open in silent horror.
    Hanging from the rafters in a noose was a limp, lifeless body!

Chapter

Three
    B ESS GAVE A piercing scream. “He’s dead!”
    Nancy felt stiff with fear, but she forced herself to shine the