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mere race car driver.”
    Joanna rolled her eyes. “They’re just jealous because your life is a zillion times more exciting than theirs,” she told Sam.
    â€œThat’s because I’m marrying you,” he said, placing a kiss on Joanna’s cheek.
    Seeing them together, Nancy was glad Sam and Joanna had decided to go ahead with the wedding, despite the missing gown.
    â€œYou two need to give me some help,” she told the couple. “Is there anyone you can think ofwho might want to get back at you by stealing Joanna’s gown?”
    Sam checked with Joanna, then shrugged. “No one that I can think of. I pride myself on not having any enemies. In my business, you have to be a good sport.”
    Just then Max announced that dinner was served. Bess and Nancy followed the couple through the richly decorated apartment to the dining room, where savory smells filled the air. Mr. Rockwell joined them.
    First the maid brought out a green salad. The main course was sole stuffed with crabmeat. Joanna and Sam entertained the other three with humorous stories of their endless wedding preparations while they ate.
    â€œI bet you’ll be relieved when it’s all over,” Nancy said. “Are you going on a honeymoon?”
    Joanna’s smile faded and Nancy knew she’d touched on a delicate subject.
    â€œWell . . .” Joanna hesitated. “We might spend a few days in Florida.”
    â€œFlorida!” Mr. Rockwell huffed. “You mean you’re going to hang around at some racetrack while Sam wastes his time with a bunch of grease monkeys!”
    Sam tossed his napkin on the table, but before he could object, Joanna said, “Daddy, Sam agreed to drive at Daytona long before our wedding plans were set. We’ll go on our honeymoon later.”
    The subject was dropped when a servant appeared with a tray of fruit and pastries. As they finished dessert, Nancy couldn’t help thinking there was much more to the Rockwell family than met the eye.
    She still was focused on the Rockwells and their problems when she unlocked the door of her aunt’s apartment.
    Nancy took in the light blue comforters on the freshly made beds in the guest room and sighed. “It’s been a long day,” she told Bess.
    â€œCan you believe Joanna’s father wanted to cancel the wedding?” Bess said as she hung her clothes in the closet and pulled on a nightgown.
    Nancy nodded. “I thought it was strange, too. If he was really determined to stop the wedding, Michael Rockwell could easily have hired someone to steal the gown.”
    â€œWhat about the stolen designs?” Bess asked as she flopped back on her bed. “If they are connected to the dress, why would Mr. Rockwell steal Beau’s designs and sell them to Budget Fashions?”
    â€œGood question,” Nancy agreed. “First thing tomorrow I’m going to call my father and ask him to check out Michael Rockwell.”
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    Early the next day the girls were in the kitchen making breakfast when Nancy remembered “Fashion Flash.” “Let’s see what Delia Rogers has to say about the stolen gown,” Nancy said asshe switched on the small television in the kitchen.
    â€œThat’s right,” Bess said. She stifled a yawn as she poured two glasses of juice.
    Nancy turned to the right station to find a critic reviewing a new film. She was buttering her toast when she heard a new voice. “This is Delia Rogers with ‘Fashion Flash.’ ”
    â€œThere’s Delia,” Bess said. The girls climbed onto stools at the kitchen counter to watch the program.
    â€œToday’s fashion news is loaded with glamour and intrigue,” Delia said, cheerfully smiling at the camera. “Our crew was on the scene at designer Beau Winston’s studio yesterday when we came upon unhappy heiress Joanna Rockwell and detective Nancy