Nancy Clue Mysteries 1 - The Case of the Not-So-Nice Nurse by Mabel Maney

"Maybe along the way I'll figure out why this book is so important," she mumbled.
    "Let's get your car gassed up while Tom stays here and waits for Betty. Meet us at the diner on the corner of Fifth and Main as soon as you can," she instructed Tom.
    Twenty minutes later, Cherry and Midge had been joined by Tom and Betty, as well as Tom's roommate, Monty. Between bites of perfectly scrambled eggs and tasty toast, they excitedly explained everything to Betty.
    Betty sat quietly while everyone had their say. When she did speak, she exuded confidence and authority. Cherry felt better already, knowing that Betty was on their side.
    "The first thing to do is find out who owns the car that Velma was taken away in," Betty said.
    The group perked up.
    "But it's probably been stolen, so the information won't be all that useful to us."
    Everyone slumped with disappointment.
    "The good news is that Velma's pretty tough. She can take care of herself," Midge piped up.
    "Velma's tough?" asked Cherry, trying to picture the petite woman with the girlish giggle doing tough-girl kinds of things.
    "The stories I could tell you..." Midge leaned toward Cherry.
    "We'll have story time later, girls," Betty said. "Here's the plan." She lowered her voice. "You girls go to San Francisco. When you get there, look up my friend, Officer Jackie Jones. She works out of the Castro Street station. Make sure to tell her you're a friend of Betty's. I'll do my best to get in touch with her before you get there, but it may be tough. There's a big case brewing in the city, and all the cops have been called in to solve it.
    "What happened?" Cherry asked, fascinated.
    "Someone's snatched a whole convent of nuns," Betty said darkly. "The entire order of The Sisters of Mercy has suddenly disappeared!"
    "Golly, why would anyone kidnap nuns?" Cherry slapped her hand on her forehead. "What's this world coming to?"
    Midge abruptly jumped up from the table. "I'll be right back," she said. But several minutes passed, and Midge hadn't returned. Cherry looked around the restaurant and spied Midge pacing in the corner. She was on the telephone, but she wasn't talking. "She's trying to get in touch with someone," Cherry thought. "I wonder who?"
    Midge put down the telephone receiver and came back to the table. "I'm sorry," she said. "Where were you, Betty?"
    "I was just about to say that I can post someone at your house in case anyone shows up or calls, if that's okay with you." Midge nodded her approval. "We'll keep in touch by telephone."
    "I want to go to San Francisco, too," said Tom, eagerly.
    "Tom, you have the most important job of all," Midge said, solemnly.
    Tom brightened. "What's my assignment?"
    "Your job, Tom, is to babysit the kids!"
    "What!" exclaimed Monty. "A dog on my beautiful new white carpet?"
    "No," said Midge. "Six dogs. Six dogs, a cat, one rabbit, one guinea pig, a bird and a turtle. The mice can take care of themselves."
    Monty put his head on the table and pretended to cry. Tom put his arm around his chum and tried to comfort him.
    "It's okay. We'll just cover the whole house in plastic. It will be just like your mother's!"
    "Oh, golly, could it get any worse?" Monty groaned.
    Everyone laughed, even Monty.

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CHAPTER 10
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San Francisco Bound

    Midge insisted on driving the first leg of the journey. "I'm too tense to sleep," she said as she took the wheel. Cherry quickly fell asleep in the seat next to her, using Midge's leather jacket as a pillow. When she awoke, Midge was singing along softly to a country western station between puffs on a cigarette. She noticed Cherry was awake and grinned. "I guess I shouldn't be smoking in front of a nurse. It is a filthy habit."
    Cherry said nothing, but opened the window to clear the car.
    "I read you," sighed Midge as she stubbed out her cigarette in the already overflowing ashtray. "I only smoke when I'm nervous. Or when Velma's family visits. Or after sex."
    Cherry blushed at the confession, making Midge