Shadow of a Doubt Read Online Free Page B

“Looks like you put on the brakes just in time.”
    Nancy smiled and said, “Looks like it.” She moved slowly toward the elevator and popped in just as the first detective moved through the doorway.
    As Nancy walked out the front door, her attention was drawn to a loud argument between a lone police officer and a girl and boy. They were standing just to the right of the entrance to Gleason’s building.
    Nancy skipped down the steps and stopped abruptly. She bent down and pretended to retie her left shoelace.
    She listened as a pretty girl with long auburn hair, just about her age, spoke with the police officer. With the girl was a slightly older boy, also good-looking, dressed in an auto mechanic’s uniform that didn’t hide the fact that he was in great shape.
    â€œI don’t believe it,” the girl was saying. “It’s not possible. He couldn’t have— Oh, Chris, why is this happening to us now?” She started to cry, and the boy put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her close.
    â€œI think we’d better leave, Kate. You’re not in any condition to answer questions,” he said firmly.
    â€œBut I have to make them understand,” the girl said tearfully. “I talked to him just a few days ago. He was happier than I can remember him being in a long time.”
    â€œYou don’t think your father could have killed himself?” the police officer asked her gently.
    Nancy stood up and bent down again, pretending her other shoelace needed retying. These must be Robert Gleason’s kids, she thought.
    â€œThat’s exactly what I’m saying,” the girl answered.
    â€œDo you have any kind of proof?” the officer asked, pulling out his pad and pencil.
    â€œWhat kind of proof can you give thatsomeone didn’t kill himself? He was happy, that’s all, and I know he wouldn’t take his life,” Kate answered.
    â€œKate,” the boy said, quietly admonishing her. “I think the best thing would be for us to go home and let the police get on with their investigation.”
    As she watched the girl wipe the tears from her eyes, Nancy thought about what she had said. Apparently, Kate Gleason thought her father had been murdered. If she had a reason for thinking so, Nancy wanted to know what it was.
    Nancy watched as the officer folded his notepad and slipped it into his back pocket. “Let me know if you want to make a statement,” he said. Then he walked off a few feet to stand guard at the front entrance.
    As soon as the boy and Kate moved off, Nancy approached them. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help overhearing.” Nancy turned to the boy and saw he was really good looking, with clear green eyes and thick, wavy brown hair.
    â€œI’m really sorry about what happened,” she went on. “But from what I heard you say, you think maybe your father didn’t kill himself?”
    The boy seemed to be ready to answer Nancy, but the girl turned on her.
    â€œEven if we thought our father was killed,why should we tell you?” she asked. “Who are you, anyway?”
    Nancy tried to be as kind as possible. “Actually, I might be able to help you. My name is Nancy Drew, and I’m a private detective.”
    The girl came rushing at Nancy, screaming. “Nancy Drew! As far as I’m concerned, your father is responsible for everything that’s happened. Carson Drew has my father’s blood on his hands, and he’s going to pay!”

Chapter

Five
    H OLD IT , K ATE !” The boy moved between Nancy and Kate.
    â€œWhy should I?” Kate shouted. “What right does she have to be here, talking to us?”
    Nancy found herself reeling from what Kate Gleason had said. The girl actually thought her father was to blame for Robert Gleason’s death!
    â€œYou should think about what you’re doing,” the boy told her. Nancy heard the hint of anger in his