Let's Talk Terror by Carolyn Keene
Following Lieutenant Dunne and the others up out of the tunnel, Nancy watched a still tearful Marcy fall into Susan’s arms.
“If it weren’t for Nancy and George, Susan,” she said, gulping back tears, “I wouldn’t have made it!”
• • •
“Dinner at Belmondo’s. Wow!” George said, standing in Susan’s entry hall.
“I have Marcy’s publicity shot and a pen all ready,” Nancy said, patting her shoulder bag. “Tonight we’ll get that autograph for Bess.”
During the day Nancy and her friends had run errands, and had even managed to go jogging along Lake Michigan before returning to Susan’s apartment to change for the evening. A phone message from Lieutenant Dunne had informed them that the fingerprints on the marker had been identified as Jack’s.
Now Susan stood behind Nancy and George, smoothing her glossy black hair. “Marcy is incredibly grateful, and so are the Sterns,” she said.
“Well, I have no problem being treated to dinner,” Nancy said cheerfully. “Everybody ready?”
The girls stepped out of the apartment and walked to Susan’s car. “It’s not far,” Susan told them, getting in and starting the engine.
Soon Nancy and the others were entering a futuristic skyscraper to ride an elevator to the very top. Emerging from the elevator, they found themselves in an elegant restaurant with an ultramodern decor in ivory and black, with soft lighting.
“This is definitely my kind of place,” George said, smiling.
“We’re with the Marcy Robbins party,” Nancy told the maitre d’, who had stepped over to seat them.
“Yes, miss,” he answered politely. “Right this way. They’re in the Sun Room.”
He led Nancy and her friends to a glassed-in enclosure that looked out on the whole city. Chicago’s millions of lights glittered like jewels.
“Nancy!” Marcy called, standing and waving as soon as she caught sight of her. “Susan! George!”
Beaming, the talk show host greeted them all with kisses. To Nancy’s surprise, Vic Molina stood beside her. He, too, greeted the girls with a warm kiss on the cheek.
“Marcy told me everything,” he said appreciatively. “Thank goodness for you—all three of you.”
Nancy’s face must have shown surprise, because Marcy let out a laugh. “You’re wondering what Vic is doing here? Well, guess what? We’re dating again!”
Vic put his arm around Marcy’s waist and pulled her gently toward him. “She was kind enough to forgive me for being such a jerk,” he said.
Marcy smiled happily and explained, “This whole incident has really helped me to put things in perspective. It’s time to get my priorities straight. Career is important, but so are the people you love.”
“But you’re suing her,” George blurted out to Vic.
“I was,” he said. “But not anymore. I’ve dropped all claims against the show. But one of these days, if they’re ever available, I’ll team up with the Sterns on another project. I like the way they work.” He smiled at them all. “See, nearly losing Marcy made me realize how much I really care about her.”
“Speaking of the show—any news?” Susan asked with a hint of trepidation.
“Didn’t I tell you? The insurance company reinstated the policy once Jack and Karen were arrested. So we start taping again next week. And guess what else? We’ve been extended another twenty-six weeks! The network wanted to cash in on all the publicity we’ve been getting.”
“Marcy, that’s fantastic!” Susan cried happily, giving her a hug.
“Congratulations, Marcy,” Nancy chimed in. “That’s great news.”
“Want to hear something even wilder?” Marcy asked with a mischievous grin. “Guess who called me today, wanting to be a guest on the show again? Samantha Savage!”
“You’re kidding!” George gasped.
“Isn’t it incredible?” Marcy said with a giggle. “She said she never realized that having an image problem would be so good for her image! She said, ‘I’m writing new music about it now. Music that’ll really knock people’s socks off—music with real, meaningful words.’ ” Everyone laughed at Marcy’s dead-on impression of Samantha Savage.
“I think everyone in America will be watching when you two get together again,” Nancy said as she and the others sat down at the table.
“Well,” Marcy bubbled, “they’re all invited to tune in.”
“Before I forget, Marcy,” Nancy said. “Would you sign this photo for my friend Bess?”
“With pleasure,” Marcy said, taking the photo and signing it with a flourish. “And now can I have your autograph?”
“Mine?” Nancy asked, taken aback.
“Sure! You’re a celebrity as far as I’m concerned,” Marcy told her. “Besides, thanks to you, the hottest talk show on TV is alive and talking!”
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Simon Pulse
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
Copyright © 1993 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
ISBN: 978-0-6717-9478-1 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-4814-3864-3 (eBook)
NANCY DREW and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
THE NANCY DREW FILES is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Carolyn Keene, Let's Talk Terror