Read Close Encounters (Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective Book 21) for Free Online Page B

the stiff latches to open. Indeed, it was empty. “And it’s for an old 1920s Underwood.”
    “Like the one Ned found at the university flea market!” I decided I had to have the case. Fortunately, because it was in bad shape, it was cheap.
    We brought the case and Bess’s alien souvenirs up to the counter. Ellie had already put Bess’s bracelet in a little plastic bag, but even before we paid for it, Bess took it out of the bag and slipped it on. “I’ll take it like this,” she said.
    “Was it the UFO sightings that brought you girls here?” Ellie asked as she wrapped Bess’s items.
    “No way,” I answered as I pulled out my wallet. “We came to visit a friend.”
    “Maybe you know her,” Bess said. “She’s my Aunt Louise’s friend from cooking school. Her name’s Winifred, and she—”
    Before Bess could finish the sentence, Ellie froze and looked shocked. “You’re friends of Winifred’s?”
    “Sure,” Bess said, sounding confused. “We just met her, but—”
    “Whatever,” Ellie said. She practically threw Bess’s package at her. Shoving my change into my hand, she stalked out from behind the display case.
    “I think it’s time you left now. Any friend of Winifred Armond’s is not welcome in my shop or home.”
    She jerked the door open and, with an overblown dramatic gesture, motioned for us to leave.
    After a moment’s hesitation Bess grabbed her purchases and scurried out the door.
    Ellie tapped her foot, waiting for me to follow. Her message might as well have been written on a flashing neon sign: GET LOST—OR ELSE.
    Or else what, though? I had no idea. I only knew I felt insulted. I had half a mind to storm out without the typewriter case. I was also tempted to throw it at her.
    Instead, thinking of how much Ned would love the case, I picked it up, and with all the dignity I could muster, stormed out after Bess.
    Bess climbed into the passenger side of my car and slammed the door hard. I was right behind her, slipping into the driver’s seat. “What was that about?” she asked.
    “I have no idea!” I said as I reached around and placed the typewriter case onto the backseat. Then I remembered exactly where I’d seen Eleanor Dorian’s face before. My anger instantly melted away. “Or maybe I do, Bess. . . .”
    I turned to face her. “Remember the photo in the café—the one over Winnie’s framed good-luck dollar bill?”
    “What of it?” Bess said. “I didn’t really look at it.”
    “I did.” I had to smile. “Winnie’s old business partner.” I nodded back toward the shop as I turned the key in the ignition. “That’s her. Ellie is Winnie’s cousin.”
    As I pulled out onto the road, I watched out of the corner of my eye as Bess’s lips formed a silent “Oh.”
    “So we wandered into what is essentially the camp of the enemy,” I said.
    “Huh,” Bess said. “It kind of takes the sting out of it—in a way. It wasn’t personal. Eleanor just doesn’t want to have anything to do with Winnie, or with anyone connected with Winnie.”
    “What in the world happened between those two women to make Eleanor so bitter, though?” I asked.
    “Maybe it’s a family feud,” Bess suggested.
    It was at that moment I checked my rearview mirror. “Bess, we’re being followed.”

7
Dognapped
    B ess craned her neck so she could see who was following us. “It’s a white van. And it belongs to . . .”
    “ Reel TV !” I chimed in.
    I laughed along with Bess, but inwardly I wondered—was Izzy’s crew already following us, without our knowing it? The possibility vaguely annoyed me. Izzy had given me the impression we’d check in with the production company at their base before the filming started.
    On the other hand maybe the Reel TV van wasn’t tailing us at all. They just happened to be behind us on the same road, headed for the same destination at the very same time.
    I’m not so hot on coincidences—so to be safe, I decided to try to lose them. Just