False Notes Read Online Free Page B

practicing twenty-four seven.”
    “Maybe.” I stared at the screen. “It’s just a little weird, that’s all.”
    Bess narrowed her blue eyes at me. “Nancy, I know that look,” she said. “You’re coming up with a theory, aren’t you? Come on, spill it.”
    I smiled. Bess was right—I was starting to think I might know why the Simmonses had looked so upset earlier. But I wasn’t quite ready to share yet.
    “In a minute,” I told my friends. “First, let’s take a little ride over to the Simmons house, okay?”
    Bess and George exchanged a perplexed glance. Then they both sighed.
    “All right, come on,” Bess said. “I’ll drive.”
    Soon we were cruising down a pleasant, tree-lined residential block in the eastern section of River Heights. The streetlights had just come on, even though dusk had barely thickened the shadows beneath the shrubs and playsets in the neatly tended yards. I pointed to a green-shuttered white clapboard house about halfway down the block.
    “That’s their house,” I said. “I sold raffle tickets door-to-door a couple of years ago for the hospital fundraiser, and I remember talking to Mr. Simmons in front of his house. He bought five tickets.”
    George leaned forward from the backseat of the car to give me a funny look. “You know, sometimes it’s downright scary the way your mind files things away, Nancy.”
    Bess idled at the curb in front of the house. “Well?” she said. “What do you want to do now? Should I park?”
    I bit my lip, not quite sure how to proceed now that we were there. I stared at the house. There were two cars in the driveway, and several lights were on inside. Through the large picture window to the left of the front door, I could see a grand piano.
    “No, just wait here a sec,” I said, reaching for the door handle. “I want to check on something.”
    I hopped out of the car before my friends could ask any more questions. The theory that had been forming in my mind still hadn’t totally jelled yet, but my sixth sense was tingling like crazy.
    Not knowing exactly what I was going to say, I moved up the front walk and rapped on the door. A moment later I heard footsteps inside, and Heather Simmons answered.
    She gasped at me and looked very startled. Eventhough we’d never actually met, she obviously recognized me. “Nancy Drew!” she blurted out. “Did your father—” She gulped, clearly struggling to regain her composure. “I mean, hello. Please come in. What can I do for you this evening?”
    I pasted a friendly smile on my face as I stepped into the foyer. “Sorry to bother you this late, Mrs. Simmons,” I said. “I’m just out reminding people that the River Heights Animal Shelter will be doing a pet adopt-a-thon next weekend at Bluff View Park. There will be games and door prizes and all sorts of fun stuff. I hope you and your family will come out and support us.”
    That was all true enough. I volunteered once a month at the shelter, and we were all excited about the event. But even while I was talking, I was shooting curious glances around at the inside of the house. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was looking for—any clue, any small hint that might confirm my growing suspicions. My gaze darted over the half-open coat closet in the foyer, the large arched entryway into the living room, the dark-colored grand piano in front of the window, the last rays of sunlight gleaming on the slightly grayish keyboard.…
    “Oh!” Heather Simmons blinked, seeming distracted. “Well, thank you, Nancy. I’m sure we’ll try to make it if we can.”
    “That’s… great.” I was suddenly distracted myself. I had just spotted it—the clue I needed. “Um, okay, then. I’d better be going,” I added. “Thanks for your support.”
    Mrs. Simmons looked a little confused at my abrupt farewell, but she didn’t seem eager to change my mind about leaving. As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, I sprinted for Bess’s car. I flung the