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I’d be a total blimp, with all the sampling I’m supposed to bedoing. But I admit I’m looking forward to sampling these chocolates.”
    Brock set his glass down on a coffee table. “At least I would be, if I were hungrier. That dinner did me in. I wonder if—”
    â€œReady, Brock?” Samantha spoke up from behind him. She was wearing a red dress that set off her dark hair, which fell in pretty waves down her back. In her hands was a gleaming red box tied with a silver ribbon.
    â€œI sure am.” Brock was a little pale, but his voice was resolute as he followed Samantha to the fireplace. “Nice talking to you, Bess.”
    As the girls squeezed into a love seat near the fireplace, Samantha held the red box aloft. “Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. I’d like you to meet my mother’s newest candy—Silk and Cream Chocolates! They’re really something—made with pure Wisconsin cream and imported Belgian chocolate, from a recipe formulated by my mother. Tomorrow Silk and Cream Chocolates will hit the stores, but tonight our star taster will enjoy the very first bite!”
    Samantha handed the red box to Brock. “These are my own personal favorites—Lemon Mousse Truffles.”
    Brock pulled the ribbon open with a long, sweeping dramatic gesture. He reached in and lifted out a dark chocolate shaped like a heart.
    â€œThese look fabulous,” he said, then popped it into his mouth.
    Nancy saw a look of surprise cross Brock’sface, but all he said was “And they—uh—they taste fabulous, too!” He reached for another truffle, but Nancy noticed that he was wincing as he tried to chew it.
    â€œI don’t think he likes them,” George commented, sounding puzzled.
    Brock kept chewing. “I’ll hate myself tomorrow,” he said, “but—”
    Abruptly he stopped. His face registered shock, not surprise any longer, Nancy noticed. Clutching his stomach, he moaned. “Sam, there’s something wrong with these,” he managed to get out.
    There was a nervous titter from some of the guests.
    â€œOh, Brock, stop it,” Samantha laughed. Giving him a jovial punch in the shoulder, she added, “He’s such a kidder. Aren’t you, Brock?”
    Brock didn’t answer. He just fell forward, bent over double.
    Then, twisting in agony, he collapsed to the floor.

Chapter

Five
    N ANCY LEAPT to her feet and raced to him. “Brock, are you all right?” she asked urgently.
    The only answer was a dreadful moan.
    â€œBrock?” Samantha shouted in a panicked voice. “Brock?”
    Bending over, Nancy shook his shoulder. At her touch Brock fell onto his back.
    Bess screamed, and a chorus of gasps and cries rose from the other guests.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” shouted a woman wearing a press pass. She rushed forward—but stopped short when she saw Brock. His face was gray and flecked with sweat, and his lips were drawn back into a shocking grimace of agony. His blue eyes were bulging and staring, as if he couldn’t focus.
    â€œHelp me. Please!” he managed to gasp out.
    â€œIs there a doctor here?” someone called.
    â€œI’ll call an ambulance,” Jake Tagley spoke up in a take-charge tone. He dashed out the door.
    â€œBrock, can you hear me?” Nancy asked as calmly as she could. “We’re getting help.”
    Brock didn’t respond. Nancy checked his pulse. It was shallow, and his wrist was icy.
    Sobbing, Samantha threw herself down next to Brock. “Say something, Brock,” she begged. “I can’t believe this is happening!”
    Gripping both of his hands tightly, she stared up at Nancy. “He’s—he’s not going to die, is he?”
    But Nancy couldn’t answer.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Half an hour later an ambulance pulled away from Oakwood Inn, carrying Brock to the hospital. Samantha had