Hotline to Danger by Carolyn Keene Page B

George scoffed. “Kyle’s really serious when it comes to his career. Besides, you were the one who said you should date other people.”
    â€œTrue.”
    â€œHey, there’s a phone booth.” George pointed at a gas station. Nancy flicked on her turn signal.
    â€œAfter you call, why don’t we look for a place to grab a burger?” Bess suggested. “My stomach is telling me it’s lunchtime.”
    â€œIt’s a deal.” Nancy parked, then jumped outof the car. She dialed B.D.’s number at the police station. He answered right away, and she told him about the Mercedes.
    When Nancy got back into the car, Bess and George looked at her expectantly.
    â€œB.D. says he’ll have someone do more checking into Mrs. Thackett’s alibi. If the police find out she was lying, they can get a warrant to search her garage. He also said he has two officers combing the area around Billie’s apartment. So far there’s no sign of Rachel.”
    George sighed. “Let’s just hope Tony has good news.”
    After they picked up lunch from a drive-in, Nancy drove to the teen center. When they entered the hotline office, Tony looked up from a psychology text he was reading.
    â€œExam tomorrow,” he told them as he shut the book. “Usually, the machine is on from twelve to three, but since I’m hanging around anyway, I thought I’d answer calls. It’s been pretty quiet, though.”
    â€œDid Rachel call this morning?” Nancy asked.
    He shook his head. “Sorry.”
    â€œNo word from Rachel?” came a voice from the doorway. It was Mr. A. His face was flushed from the climb up the steps, and he was clutching a file folder stuffed with papers.
    Nancy shook her head. “No. And nothing about the money we found hidden on the third floor.”
    â€œWell, keep me posted.” He started to go, then hesitated. “Nancy, may I speak with you for a second?”
    â€œSure.” Nancy joined him in the hallway.
    â€œI’ve been trying to remember anything Paul might have done or said that might help with the case,” he said, his voice low. “And I recall about a week or so ago, Paul was telling me more about meeting Rachel at the community college. Apparently, she had told him her mom had lots of money, but she didn’t care about it.”
    â€œI figured Mrs. Thackett was pretty wealthy,” Nancy commented.
    The teen center director looked at her sharply and went on. “A few days later, when we were working in the office, Paul mentioned that he wanted to go to the University of Illinois next year, but that the tuition was too high. Then he jokingly said, ‘But now that I’ve got Rachel, I don’t have to worry about money anymore.’ ”
    Nancy’s eyes widened. “Thanks, Mr. A. Maybe that explains where the five thousand came from.”
    â€œAnytime.” He patted her arm, then went down the stairs. Still standing in the middle of the hall, Nancy pondered what he had told her.
    Would Rachel have given Paul the money? And if she had access to that much cash, why not rent her own apartment?
    It didn’t make sense, she decided. Still, shetucked the information away as she returned to the hotline office.
    â€œHow about lunch? Everything’s getting cold,” Bess said, opening one of the bags and pulling out several wrapped burgers. “Tony? We got one for you. And french fries, too.”
    â€œGreat. Thanks,” Tony said, reaching for the food.
    Sitting on the edge of the desk, Nancy unwrapped her burger. For the next ten minutes, they ate while they discussed the case. Then the phone rang. Nancy grabbed for it, hoping it was Rachel, but it was B.D.
    â€œI’m down at the community theater,” he told her. “And guess what. It didn’t take long before I found an usher who saw Mrs. Thackett sneak out an exit about nine-thirty on Monday