Recipe for Murder Read Online Free Page A

answered with a yawn. Then the door closed behind them.
    Nancy smiled. She wished either Bess or George would give up the idea of sleep and come talk to her. She wasn’t the least bit tired.
    She sat up for a while, reading. Her stomach started to rumble, and she was thirsty. Well, she decided, there had to be a soda machine nearby.
    Nancy stepped into the elevator and it sped to the ground floor. After finding a soda machine and drinking half a can, she still didn’t feel like returning to her room. Instead she wanderedaround the hotel lobby, thinking about the events of the day.
    When she noticed a sign pointing the way to the sun deck and pool, Nancy decided to head that way. It was too late for a swim, but maybe she’d be able to find a place to sit and think and watch the water.
    She was heading down the corridor marked Pool when she heard two men talking. Her heart beat faster. One of the voices belonged to Trent Richards!
    â€œI want a bigger piece of the pie,” he was saying coldly. “And don’t try any more stunts like that one today, or I’ll put you out of the way for good!”

Chapter

Four
    A BIGGER PIECE of the pie! Nancy ran on tiptoe to the corner of the hall, straining to hear more. Something really was going on! Trent Richards was in the thick of something sinister.
    The other man’s voice was indistinguishable. Did it have a French accent? Nancy leaned forward as far as she dared without stepping into the connecting hallway, but she couldn’t keep her heel from scraping against the wall.
    â€œWhat was that?” Trent demanded. “Someone’s there!”
    Sudden silence. Then footsteps quickly retreating. Nancy peeked around the corner, but all she saw was the exit door at the end of the hall slowly closing.
    She had to find out whom Trent was threatening!
    Nancy yanked open the door—and stopped short. Stairs led both up and down. She listened carefully and heard a door click softly shut in the basement.
    Nancy raced down the stairs and thrust open the door. She climbed up three steps and found herself outside in the warm night. There was no breeze, and the air was thick with humidity. Neither Trent Richards nor his companion was anywhere in sight.
    Nancy stood quietly in the shadows, listening for any hint of their voices, but her quarry was long gone.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    The classroom was full by the time Nancy slipped through the door the following day. She grabbed her apron and hat and found her place beside Ned.
    Nancy glanced around. “Hi. Is Richards back?”
    â€œNo one’s shown up yet.”
    At that moment the door opened and Jacques Bonet entered. “Looks as though I’m filling in for Chef Richards again today,” he said with a smile as he walked to the front.
    â€œWhat happened to Chef Richards?” Nancy asked. “Is he all right?”
    â€œHe’s fine. He just asked for a couple of days off. Now, I want everyone to make a white sauce, just as I did yesterday.”
    There was no time for further questions. Nancy would have to push the mystery aside for a while and concentrate on cooking.
    She and Ned were working together on one range top. While Nancy looked on, Ned measured off a square of butter and dropped it into the hot skillet. It started sizzling wildly and instantly turned brown.
    â€œQuick, get the skillet off the burner!” Nancy said.
    Ned slid it to one side, but it was too late. The smell of burned butter wafted up from the pan. “Great,” he said between his teeth.
    â€œCan I help?”
    Turning, Nancy saw Jacques Bonet’s handsome face within inches of hers. “Uh—yeah,” she said. “I guess.” She moved back and watched as Jacques helped Ned get started again. This time the butter melted slowly, but as Ned dumped the flour in, Bonet shook his head.
    â€œToo much flour,” the young chef told Ned. “Some people would try to add