think weâve got the how and why of this case. We just need the who.â
âNancyââ Susan began, looking worried. But before she could finish, the door to the kitchen swung open, and Peter stood there with a smile.
âYou did sneak in here!â he exclaimed toNancy. âLori told me I could find you in the kitchen.â Fiddling with the red rose he held in his hands, Peter said, âThe band took a break.â
âI heard,â Nancy said.
âWant to see the stars with me?â Peter asked. âIâm told thereâs a deck on the roof here.â
âThere is a deck,â Nancy said. âBut I thought you were supposed to look at stars last night.â
Peter laughed, stepping close to Nancy, and said in a hushed voice, âHow could you leave me alone with her?â
âFran?â
âShe had some not so great things to say about you,â Peter said. âSheâs jealous.â
Nancy shook her head. âI donât understand Fran Kelly,â she said.
Peter put a hand on Nancyâs elbow and, looking over at Susan, smiled and said, âExcuse us, please. I want to show your cousin the universe.â
As they headed to the rooftop deck, Nancy was relieved to see other people on their way up there. In the twilight she looked out over San Diego. âNo stars yet,â she said to Peter.
âFine with me,â Peter said, standing close to Nancy and looking at her rather than the sky. Across the deck, another couple were embracing.
For a moment Nancy looked at Peter and thought how good a hug would feel. But it wasnât Peter she wanted to hold her and she knew it.
âYouâre so lovely,â Peter said and gently laid his hand on hers. âLori was right.â
Looking down at the hand that rested on her own, Nancy felt her heart stop. She would recognize it anywhere, even in the darkness. A large ring with a ruby red stone, and the Greek letters, Sigma Kappa.
Chapter
Fifteen
H ER PULSE RACING , Nancy pulled her hand out from under Peterâs. This guy is dangerous, she thought, glancing at the shaky white wooden railing. Strong and dangerous, and he tried to hurt me once before.
âHow about I get us some punch, and weâll meet in my room?â Nancy asked, knowing sheâd need help to take on Peter. Help from both Susan and Ira.
âIâd love it.â Peter smiled.
âItâs on the second floor, right across from the shower room. It says âSusan Victorâ on the door.â
âGreat,â Peter said. âIâll be there, waiting.â
Iâll bet, Nancy thought. She raced down the stairs to find Susan. After looking around for a moment, Nancy found Susan and Ira on the crowded dance floor. Acting as though she was there to party, Nancy approached her friends and began to dance with them.
âMeet me in five minutes,â Nancy mouthed quietly, trying to be understood but not overheard. âUpstairs in your room.â Above the sound of the music, Susan asked, âWhatâs up?â
âIâve got someone up there, and I might need protection,â Nancy explained. âFive minutes,â she repeated. âBut donât come in right away. Just be there if I need youâplease,â Nancy said as she headed for the punch bowl.
Lori greeted her there, with a smile. âYou and Peter are hitting it off, I see,â she said happily.
âHe is cute, I have to admit,â Nancy said as she poured two cups of the sweet punch. âHow did you know weâd like each other?â
âI just knew it,â Lori said, and Nancy excused herself.
Upstairs, Peter stood with both hands in his pockets looking at the underwater photographs that had been taken by Rina. Swinging around as he heard Nancy approach, he accepted one of the glasses from her.
âHow come the most interesting girl in the sorority is only here for a week?â he
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