False Moves Read Online Free Page A

Ned was going to go watch Belinda jump around a dance studio in some skintight leotard. If only he’d stay with her. Suddenly she had an almost irresistible urge to slide her arms around Ned’s neck and kiss him, just the way Belinda had.
    Ned went to the door, then turned back to face Nancy. “Be careful,” he said, real concern in his dark eyes. Then he hurried out of the reception room.
    Nancy took a deep breath and swallowed hard. It was so confusing being with Ned. He still cared about her, that much she knew. But it was Belinda he loved, and that hurt very badly. Nancy’s only consolation was Brad. Without him, she knew she’d feel completely alone.
    Nancy smoothed her sweater and forced herself to smile at the secretary. Okay, time to turn off the feelings and become Nancy Drew, detective.She pushed open the door to James Ellsworth’s office and stepped inside.
    The distinguished older man dressed in a perfectly tailored blue pin-striped suit was sitting behind a massive, carved oak desk. A silver pen set was placed at his right hand with a panel of telephone lines. Heavy drapes framed a perfect view of the Chicago skyline.
    â€œMs. Drew, I’m pleased you could come,” James Ellsworth said, standing up behind his desk and extending his hand to Nancy.
    â€œI’m glad to be here. This case sounds fascinating. And, of course, I’d like to help.” She shook the managing director’s hand and sat down opposite his desk on a soft white couch.
    â€œThe police have given us clearance to have private detectives work on the case, and the Raja family demands that we do. Even though you’re very young, you have quite a reputation and we’ve all heard glowing reports about your work. So, we’re very happy to have you here.”
    â€œThanks,” Nancy said, smiling. She ran a hand through her hair. “Please tell me what really happened last night. I saw the TV broadcast and I’ve heard the radio reports, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.”
    â€œWell,” James Ellsworth said, seated again in his cushioned swivel chair, “everything was going just fine until the theater went dark after the dance featuring Katya, Belinda, and Andre. Butthen the lights didn’t come back on again for the curtain calls. The police found a device on the light-board that kept the lights out for a few minutes when everything went dark. Anyway, Katya said someone ran up to her in the dark and grabbed her. She felt the person tear the diamond pin from her costume and then she fainted.”
    At least, that’s what she says, Nancy added to herself. She hated to think that the great Katya Alexandrovna might be involved in the theft. But Nancy had been fooled once before by someone who had faked a series of murder attempts against her own life, and she wasn’t about to be fooled again. “What about the Raja diamond?” she continued. “How did it get to Chicago, and who do you think might have stolen it?”
    James Ellsworth drew in a deep breath. “I’m afraid it’s my fault CBT brought the diamond here. I was the one who contacted the Raja family and arranged to borrow the jewel for the new pas de trois.” Then he added almost to himself, “It was great publicity, except that now it has backfired. With the new concert hall closed, the company’s going to lose a lot of money. The old theater seats so many fewer than the new one.”
    â€œWell, it’s pretty clear why someone would steal a million-dollar diamond,” Nancy said. “But who had the opportunity to do it?”
    â€œColby Baxter thinks it was one of the dancers on the stage at the time. He’s not letting eitherBelinda or Andre dance. Of course, he insists that Katya continue to perform. He seems to think she’s the only one around here who can do a decent pirouette.” There was an edge to his voice as if he disliked