SHAKESPEARE’ SECRET by Elise Broach Page A

alone.”
    â€œWhat are you so mad about?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œOh, come on. You’ve been in a bad mood since yesterday. What’s the matter? Is it Danny?” Beatrice stripped, pulled on the shorts, and tried to see herself in the dresser mirror.
    â€œNo,” Hero said firmly. “Danny’s a jerk.”
    â€œNo way. Danny’s great. And he’s totally into you.”
    Hero rolled over to see Beatrice’s face, certain she was teasing. But Beatrice was absorbed in the contents of the dresser drawer, sorting through Hero’s clothes for other possibilities.
    â€œWhat about these black ones? Can I borrow these?”
    â€œI guess. But you’re wrong about Danny. He’s a jerk, and if you see him at school, you can tell him that from me.”
    â€œSure, like I’d ever do that.” Beatrice snorted. She glanced up. “Hey, you can tell him yourself. He’s standing in the driveway.”
    â€œWhat?” Hero bolted upright and looked out the window. There was Danny Cordova, skateboard in hand, walking toward the house. She groaned. “Oh, geez. What does he want now? Triss, you go. Tell him I’m not here.”
    â€œHe’ll never believe that. It’s not even ten o’clock. Where would you be?”
    â€œTell him I’m at church.”
    Beatrice laughed loudly. “Really?”
    â€œJust do it. I don’t want to talk to him.”
    Beatrice shook her head and shoved Hero affectionately. “You’re crazy, you know that? But okay, I’ll tell him.” She pulled on Hero’s black shorts and a T-shirt, ran her fingers through her hair, then trotted down the stairs.
    Hero heard her open the front door and call to Danny. She walked quickly to the landing, straining to hear what they were saying. She thought she heard Danny laugh. Beatrice wasn’t closing the door to come back upstairs; she was standing outside, talking tohim. Making him laugh. Hero fidgeted, leaning over the banister. She couldn’t see anything, but there was no sign of the conversation ending, just the faint back-and-forth of their voices. What could they be talking about? Was he telling Beatrice about Mrs. Roth? About the diamond? In a flood of panic, Hero ran downstairs.
    Danny and Beatrice were standing in the front yard. They both looked at her in surprise.
    â€œHow was church?” Danny asked, a slow grin lighting his face.
    â€œFine, thanks,” Hero answered coldly.
    â€œI didn’t know you went to church.” He was still smiling, waiting for her reaction.
    Hero glared at him. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
    He kept smiling. “Whatever.”
    Beatrice stretched. “I’m going to get some breakfast. See you later, Danny.” Shooting a quick glance at Hero, she crossed the yard and went inside.
    Danny pushed the skateboard with his foot, sending it careening across the driveway. It thudded softly against Mrs. Roth’s fence. “So, are you going to talk to Miriam?”
    Hero glared at him. “I already did.”
    â€œDid you ask about Mr. Murphy? Why she never told us she used to be married to him?”
    Hero shrugged, looking at Mrs. Roth’s house. She didn’t answer.
    â€œOh, come on, Netherfield. What’s up with you? You’re acting like such a ... girl.”
    In spite of herself, Hero almost smiled.
    â€œWhat did she say?” Danny asked again.
    Hero relented. “It didn’t go very well. We kind of got in a fight.”
    Danny looked at her in amazement. “Really? I would’ve liked to see that. I can’t picture Miriam yelling at anybody.”
    Hero sighed. “She didn’t yell. It was mostly me.”
    â€œOh, okay. That I can picture.”
    Hero frowned at him, but he only laughed. “I gotta go. Ben’s waiting for me.” He kicked the skateboard in front of him and pushed off, gliding to the