Read 025 Rich and Dangerous for Free Online

kind of confused irritation passed over Sarah’s face.
    “Why, the perpetrators! These three!” He was still waving his pistol at them.
    “Oh, dear me, no,” Sarah answered with a small laugh. “Not now or later. This young lady,” she said, indicating Nancy, “was sent to me by an authority higher than hotel security. She is my protectress, and I have already given her permission to visit my suite at any time. Besides, she is a guest at this hotel.”
    Joe Ritter frowned. Nancy could tell he was thinking that Sarah Amberly was slightly crazy. “Yes, but your ring,” he countered gingerly. “It is missing, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, yes. But I’m quite sure I know who has it, and I’d prefer to handle it myself. You and your assistant are free to go now.”
    Detective Ritter stared blankly at Sarah for a minute before he headed for the door. “Come on,Felske,” he muttered, shooting Nancy an angry look.
    When they were gone, Sarah gave Nancy a warm smile. “Nancy, who are your friends?”
    “This is Bess Marvin and George Fayne—my two best friends from back home.”
    “How do you do, girls? Will you promise to come back another time when I can be more hospitable? I’m afraid that ruby means a great deal to me, and I want to organize my thoughts so I can get it back—if it’s not too late.”
    Nancy met the older woman’s eyes with a sympathetic frown. “Sarah, maybe my friends and I can help you get your ring back,” she offered gently. “I know how much it means to you.”
    “Oh, no. No, dear. But thank you for the offer. It’s a family matter, that’s all,” she replied with as much dignity as she could muster. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
    “Of course,” Bess said, and George nodded.
    “I’m so sorry for the intrusion, Sarah,” Nancy apologized. “I hope you don’t mind my coming into the suite that way—”
    Sarah Amberly reached out and took Nancy’s hand. She pressed it warmly. “There is no need to apologize, Nancy. I trust your judgment, and I assure you, you are always welcome in here, my dear. After all, we were fated to be friends, weren’t we? However, I am greatly distressed by this latest piece of mischief.” With that, herthoughts seemed to turn inward. Nancy knew it was time to leave.
    “Well, if you need anything, remember I’m right next door,” Nancy said, touching Sarah’s bony shoulder gently before she left.
    Stepping outside, the girls were surprised to find a smoldering Joe Ritter waiting for them. He looked at Nancy with a scowl that could break a mirror. “Listen, I’m letting you go this time. But don’t try anything funny from here on in— understand?”
    Nancy’s eyes met his, but he glanced away. Sure, things looked suspicious to Ritter. But there was no way she was going to convince him of her innocent intentions. He’d never believe her. “Let’s go,” she said to her friends.
    None of the girls said a word as Nancy led them back to her suite; they were still too shaken to speak. But once they made it safely inside, Bess started to giggle. Soon Nancy and George were smiling, and then all three of them burst out laughing as the humor of the situation struck them.
    Sprawled around the luxurious suite, they recalled the details of their near arrest and broke up completely.
    “Hey! Let’s call room service and order a cake with a file baked inside. We may need it,” Bess said, cracking herself up.
    “I guess we really did look guilty, didn’t we?” George commented.
    “Honestly, we did,” Nancy said. “He was right to stop us—maybe his methods were a little too harsh, though.”
    “Come on, Nan,” Bess said. “Let’s not get all serious.”
    “Well, some things are serious, Bess,” Nancy said. “Whether you believe it or not.”
    “You know what I think is serious?” Bess was no longer laughing. “The last time you came to New York and you almost got killed. Just be sure to be careful—okay?”
    Silence fell for a long