Czytaj książkę: «A Ghost In The Closet»

—— CHAPTER 1 ——
“Stop, Thief!”

“I’m sorry, son, you’ll have to let me examine the contents of your pockets before I can let you in the auditorium,” a man in a trim blue uniform ordered as he kept his eyes on the crowd and grabbed hold of Midge Fontaine’s arm, preventing her from entering the Lake Merrimen Auditorium, a civic center in the heart of the bustling resort town that had been host to many an exciting event, from square dances to pie contests, but none so thrilling as the annual Dog Show.

Midge squirmed out of the man’s grasp and resolutely crossed her arms over her strong chest. “No one goes through my pockets,” she cried angrily, thinking to herself, “except for my girlfriend Velma!”

“If I don’t search you, you can’t go inside,” the officer shot back as he studied Midge’s trouser pockets suspiciously.

Girl detective Nancy Clue pushed past her chum. “Officer, what’s the problem?” she asked politely.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Nancy Clue!” the man exclaimed as he recognized the famous girl sleuth known far and wide for her keen detective work and fashionable outfits. Today, Nancy was attired in a darling blue and white checkered raincoat and matching hat, and had navy blue rubber boots on her petite feet.

“Here on a case, eh, Miss Clue?” the man smiled knowingly.

“That’s right, officer,” Nancy played along. If truth be told, she and her chums, the newly-wed Midge Fontaine and Velma Pierce, and her own date, Cherry Aimless, Registered Nurse, were there for a frolicsome day amid canine competition and not hot on the trail of a new mystery.

“We’re going to miss the beginning of the Obedience Trials,” Midge groaned as she peeked inside and saw that, although it was still early on a rainy Saturday morning, the civic center was already teeming with dog lovers dressed in snappy sports outfits, anxious to partake of the festivities promised for that day. “If we don’t hurry there’s not going to be any place left to sit,” she pointed out. The annual canine contest was one of the most eagerly anticipated affairs in the gay resort town, coming as it did in the middle of a typically quiet Illinois summer, and no one was as pleased to see the sights as Midge Fontaine, a dog lover through and through.

A shock of recognition crossed the officer’s face as he got a closer look at Midge. She was a muscular girl with close-cropped blond hair and a strong jaw, which at that moment was set in a scowl. “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you straight off, Frank,” the man waved them through, adding, “Chief O’Malley sure will be glad to know his favorite boy detective is back in town.”

“Thanks,” Midge replied with a grin. Since she and her chums had arrived in the small Midwestern town of River Depths ten days ago to help girl detective Nancy Clue solve the baffling mystery of The Case of the Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend, the handsome girl had been mistaken over and over again for a boy. And not just any fellow, but the celebrated detective Frank Hardly, a clean-cut lad with a sensible nature and a keen eye whose daring exploits had made him as much a household name as his feminine counterpart, Nancy Clue. The two sleuths were in fact old chums who had solved many a mystery together.

On Midge’s first day in River Depths, a townswoman had taken one look at her muscular build and masculine appearance and announced to all concerned that Frank Hardly, who had been vacationing in Europe with his brother Joe, was back in town. Midge had done nothing to correct the woman’s mistaken impression, and had in fact enjoyed the little charade.

“Being Frank is fun,” Midge thought as she and her group hastily strode past the guard and lost themselves in the crowd. “Why are they searching people at the door?” Midge wondered aloud. She had never been to a dog show with so much security!

“Myra Meeks is exhibiting her prize-winning poodle today,” Nancy said with a chuckle, “and her husband, Judge Meeks, has probably called in the police to make sure her Precious isn’t stolen.”

At the mention of the town’s meanest matron, Midge made a face. Since their arrival in Illinois, the girls had had many an unpleasant encounter with the worrisome woman. “I hope we don’t run into her today,” Midge groaned. She checked her watch. “Let’s catch the end of the Obedience Trials,” she suggested.

“I know you’re in a hurry, Midge, but first I simply must powder my nose,” Cherry insisted.

While her girlish chums ducked into the ladies’ lounge, Midge waited nearby with her face buried in the dog show program.

Five minutes later Midge checked her watch and frowned. The Parade of Hounds would begin soon, followed by the Toy Dogs Procession in which miniature animals were wheeled around the center ring on specially built carts.

“Honey, we’re going to miss the best parts,” Midge pleaded through the cheery pink door of the lounge, but there was no reply. “They’re probably doing their hair,” she realized. She ran a hand through her own short, masculine hairstyle, which required little more than a quick combing and an application of hair preparation.

“Velma, let’s go,” she cried. Golly, they were missing the opening remarks from experts in the field. As a devoted dog lover, Midge knew there were one hundred and twenty breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, and the stories of these dogs were filled with heroism and humor, delightful anecdotes and high adventure—and she didn’t want to miss one little bit!

Midge felt a sudden tug at her elbow. “Pardon me, young man,” a soft voice said politely. Midge whirled around to find a slender elderly woman dressed in an impeccably tailored lightweight navy blue suit with a prim lace collar and starched white cuffs standing behind her. Tucked under each arm was a miniature teacup poodle the exact color of her nicely coifed gray hair. The woman peered at Midge through horn-rimmed glasses, with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Er—I’m just waiting for my wife,” Midge explained weakly. “She and her friends went in to fix their hair.” Midge was telling the truth, for just last week in a touching ceremony sure to be remembered by all, she and her longtime love Velma had been united in marriage.

The woman smiled sympathetically, then nodded at the program in Midge’s hand and said, “Would you be a dear and tell me where the petite poodles are being housed? I have a program in my purse,” she went on, indicating the worn yet still good black clutch under one arm, “but my hands are too full to retrieve it. I do so want to win this year,” she confided as Midge leafed through her program detailing the 1959 Lake Merrimen Dog Show. “If I can only keep Pierre and Patsy calm until show time, one of them is sure to win Best of Show in their breed!” The woman’s friendly brown eyes lit up in delight as she dreamt of the shiny trophy awaiting the top pet poodle.

Midge thought that the handsome pets were sure to impress the judges, and told her so. The woman flushed with excitement at the kind words. “I’m Miss Penelope Parsnips, but everyone calls me Miss Pansy,” she offered. “It’s an old family nickname,” she explained. “I’m the local librarian, and while you could say books are my business, poodles are my passion!”

“I’m—” Midge began, but the excited woman cut her off. “Oh, everyone knows who you are,” Miss Pansy cried in delight. “I’ve heard about you and your brother and your expert detective work on many occasions, Frank Hardly. Your father, the world-famous detective Fennel P. Hardly, must be awfully proud that his sons are following in his footsteps to such great acclaim!”

Midge had to grin. These Hardly boys sure had a reputation!

After ascertaining the location of the event, Miss Pansy bade Midge a fond farewell. “I hope your wife comes out soon before you miss any more of today’s excitement,” she cried. “Be sure to come see us perform in the Pageant of Poodles.”

Midge took the pencil she had tucked behind her ear and made a bold check next to the one o’clock show. In the margin, she wrote the names Pierre and Patsy. Midge’s keen eye told her Miss Pansy’s pet poodles were top notch.

“One sees more poodles in dog acts than all other breeds combined,” Midge was fascinated to read as she browsed through her catalog. A feminine giggle interrupted her. It was her girlfriend, the vivacious Velma Pierce, and she had brushed her short, dark curly locks until they shone. Right behind her was Nancy, who had shed her raincoat to reveal a crisp shirtwaist cinched with a slender belt, in the prettiest blue that set off her shiny titian locks to their best advantage, and her date Cherry, similarly attired in a smart shirtwaist of the palest yellow and carrying a white patent-leather clutch purse.

Midge sighed with relief and jammed her program into the back pocket of her rumpled men’s trousers. She did her best to look annoyed.

“I’m sorry we took so long,” Velma exclaimed as she gave her patient girlfriend a kiss. Midge’s frown immediately turned into a big grin.

“I’m afraid it’s all my fault,” Cherry admitted. “While I was powdering my nose I noticed a girl wearing the cute cornflower blue uniform of a Veterinarian Nurse, and I just had to ask her a few pertinent questions about her exciting profession.” If truth be told, the conversation had done Cherry a world of good. Although she was greatly enjoying her stay in this lovely Midwestern town, she had to admit she was a little lonesome for the hustle and bustle of the big city hospital that had, until three weeks ago, been her whole world.

Until her recent adventure brought her to Illinois, Nurse Cherry Aimless had been a happily overworked Ward Nurse specializing in women with nervous disorders at Seattle General Hospital. During a visit to San Francisco to see her Aunt Gertrude, she had been caught up in the exciting Case of the Not-So-Nice Nurse, where she had met her longtime idol, detective Nancy Clue, and Midge and Velma, too! That simple vacation had turned into the adventure of a lifetime, for not only had Cherry helped rescue a convent of kidnapped nuns, she had also fallen deeply and truly in love with her favorite girl detective!

Only days later, the chums had been swept up in their most recent mystery, the dramatic Case of the Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend, which had proven to be their scariest adventure ever! Helpful housekeeper Hannah Gruel, who had been like a mother to Nancy Clue since the death of her real mother many years ago, had been charged with killing Nancy’s father, famous attorney Carson Clue!

“Thank goodness that’s all over,” Cherry sighed in relief. “Has it just been a week since Nancy faced a certain jail sentence by bravely admitting that it was she who had murdered her father, only to be exonerated at the very last minute when Carson Clue’s true nature was finally revealed?” Cherry wondered to herself. Why, if public sentiment hadn’t been behind her, Nancy could very well be in prison this minute, Cherry realized with alarm as she clutched her chum’s slender, white cotton-gloved hand.

Who would have guessed that just days before, the charmingly outfitted girl at Cherry’s side had been locked in a damp, drab jail cell? Luckily, once the truth about her father had been revealed and people could see that Nancy had had no choice but to shoot him, the good citizens of River Depths had demanded she be let go and that all charges be dropped.

Nancy smiled and gave Cherry’s hand a little squeeze. “Lucky for us, everything’s back to normal,” that confident squeeze said.

Cherry felt a sudden stab of guilt. All week she had been trying to get her feelings straight about Nancy. When they first met in San Francisco, they fell instantly and truly in love. But after two glorious weeks, their romance had soured, and Cherry had been forced to take a good long look at her idol. Not liking all she saw, the gentle nurse had since demurred whenever the subject of love came up. Cherry knew that since Nancy’s release from prison, she had done all she could to rekindle their earlier love, but there was just one thing standing in the way.

“A great, big good-looking girl with bulging biceps and the warmest smile I’ve ever seen,” Cherry thought dreamily. San Francisco Detective Jackie Jones, a calm, capable girl with rich brown skin and large black eyes, had shown up at Nancy’s door to help her chums solve their last case, and had stolen Cherry’s heart in the process. “Maybe I was never really in love with Nancy to begin with,” Cherry thought. “Could it be that I’m really, truly in love with Jackie, and my feelings for Nancy were merely a girl’s first crush?” Still, Cherry felt a little tingle when she gazed at her attractive titian-haired chum, who had stooped to pet a frisky Scottish terrier, a plucky little breed whose independent spirit and reckless courage had long held it in good stead with the dog-loving public.

“Nancy has been awfully sweet to me since she was released from prison. And who could blame her for acting a little short-tempered during her murder trial?” Cherry asked herself. “After all, she was under an awful strain.” The more Cherry pondered this, the more sense it made. Could it be her feelings for Jackie, a top notch detective with a steady gaze and a confident manner, were merely the admiration of one dedicated professional for another?

Cherry blushed. She always blushed when she thought of the strong, cocksure detective who had an uncanny habit of showing up just when Cherry needed her most. “Time will tell. Just be patient, and you’ll see who’s the right girl for you,” Velma’s sensible words rang in Cherry’s ears. Since meeting the older, more sophisticated Velma Pierce, Cherry had, again and again, turned to her for guidance on matters of the heart, as well as for fashion and hairstyle tips.

“After ten years with Midge, Velma must know everything there is to know about romance,” Cherry realized. She snuck a peek at her favorite couple, who were standing arm in arm whilst poring over the fascinating program. She was thrilled to see them happy and smiling again. Midge and Velma were true and devoted lovers, but a silly misunderstanding last week had almost pulled them asunder! Luckily, love had prevailed, and the two were wed in a lovely ceremony in Nancy’s living room, attended by all of River Depth society.

Cherry puzzled her pretty brow. There was one thing she still didn’t understand. If Midge was masquerading as Frank Hardly, and had married Velma while in disguise, was Velma Mrs. Midge Fontaine, or really Mrs. Frank Hardly? “Maybe now isn’t the best time to bring that up,” Cherry decided. “Since everyone’s having such a swell time.”

The chums had kept a low profile for days, waiting for the news to blow over that it had been Nancy who had murdered her father. “Not that it’s been a dull period in the least,” Cherry murmured to herself. Why, the house had been a whirlwind of activity!

Shortly after Nancy’s release from jail, the president of the River Depths Bank had arrived with a briefcase stuffed with stocks and bonds and insurance policies for Nancy to peruse. There were numerous financial decisions for River Depth’s newest heiress to mull over, for besides inheriting the comfortable three-story brick house and her father’s considerable bank account, Nancy had come into a large trust left to her by her late mother, Rebecca Clue. Why, the interest alone would keep Nancy in fashionable frocks and necessary accessories for the rest of her days!

When Nancy had begged Cherry to be her date for the show, Jackie had suddenly announced that she had official work to do, strapped on her gun and left the house. Cherry was frankly relieved that she didn’t have to choose between two escorts for that day!

“Although Jackie is missing all the fun,” Cherry thought woefully as she followed the others through the crowd to the center arena where the Parade of Hounds was underway. Soon Cherry forgot all about her troubled romances as many delightful dogs, led by a handsome bloodhound, paraded about in a large circle.

“These can’t all be hounds,” Cherry exclaimed to Midge. “They look nothing alike.” As she said this, she noticed a burly man clad in a tight-fitting shiny black suit prick up his ears and tilt his head so as to hear Midge’s response. Cherry was glad she wasn’t the only uninformed one in the crowd!

Midge quickly explained that all sorts of contrary-appearing dogs, from the merry beagle to the regal Afghan, were hounds. “There are two classifications of hounds: coursing hounds, which use their eyesight for tracking, and tracking hounds, which rely on their acute sense of smell,” Midge explained earnestly, adding, “Dogs have a sense of smell three hundred times that of humans.”

“Bloodhounds are often used by the police to solve crimes,” Nancy interjected. “I had one with me when I cracked The Case of the Fetid Footwear.”

“Goodness!” Cherry exclaimed. Before she could hear any more about Nancy’s exciting case, a roar went up from the crowd. It was the Cavalcade of Collies! The crowd applauded in approval as the majestic looking, thick-coated herding dogs rounded up sheep, jumped over barriers, and saved a small boy from a simulated swimming accident. Cherry was not at all surprised to learn that the plucky dogs had long been used to aid mankind during times of national emergency.

“Aren’t they the cleverest dogs you’ve ever seen?” Cherry cried to Nancy as she jumped to her feet and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt in preparation for a trip to the cafeteria.

“And so loyal, too,” Nancy exclaimed. “Why, they’re practically famous for their dutiful obedience to their masters!” Nancy put one arm on Cherry’s shoulder and looked her straight in the eye. “Loyalty has always been one of my favorite characteristics in a girlfriend,” she confided. “Don’t you think it’s one of the most important virtues ever?”

Cherry gulped. “Goodness, I’m starved!” she cried. “Is anyone else hungry?”

As they consumed a yummy luncheon of ham salad sandwiches, cabbage slaw and fruit compote, Midge happily read aloud more interesting things about the delightful dogs. She had taken copious notes in her program during the trials and declared herself quite taken with the handsome beasts. Next the girls browsed at a nearby booth offering good bargains on necessary items. Nancy purchased a cute tartan collar for her terrier, Gogo, and Midge picked up a handsome braided red leather collar and leash set for her own dog, Eleanor, a black and white cocker spaniel left at home in Warm Springs, Oregon with close chums.

“Attention ladies and gentlemen!” a voice blared out over the loudspeaker. “The Wiener Dog Races will begin in four minutes’ time in Exhibition Hall C, followed shortly thereafter by the Pageant of Poodles in Exhibition Hall D!”

“I met two poodles who are going to compete,” Midge told her chums. “I promised their owner we’d be there to cheer them on.”

Cherry had to smile. Tough, sarcastic Midge always became a puddle when it came to pooches! The happy group was eagerly making its way down the long corridor connecting the exhibition halls when suddenly a tall, thin man in a dark-colored trenchcoat with an upturned collar stepped right in their path.

“Hey!” Midge cried as the man took an umbrella from under his arm and thoughtlessly shook it out, spraying the hapless girls with rain water before disappearing into the sea of dog lovers. “What the—!” she added as she felt someone jostle her from behind. Midge turned around to find a burly man in a shiny, tight-fitting black sharkskin suit behind her.

“Sorry, sonny,” he grumbled as he slipped something into his jacket pocket and walked briskly away. Midge checked her pocket and was relieved to find her wallet still there.

“How discourteous that trenchcoat-clad man is!” Cherry exclaimed, realizing that he had gotten water on her new ballerina flats. Not only that, he had left a puddle that could prove dangerous on the slick, tile flooring! Cherry opened her purse and whipped out a clean handkerchief so she could mop up the mess, but stopped when she spied the look of astonishment on Midge’s face. By now, Midge had had time to check all her pockets, and had discovered a queer thing.

“That man in the black suit stole my program!” Midge gasped angrily.