Sisters in Crime by Carolyn Keene Page B

asked flirtatiously.
    â€œWell, at least we met,” Nancy said warmly, and closed the door behind her, being careful not to lock it.
    â€œAnd how come I’m so lucky,” Peter asked, taking the glass from her hand and placing it on the desk next to his, “to be able to have an evening with her?”
    Hearing footsteps outside the door, Nancy knew that Susan and Ira were there already. She felt much safer.
    Safe enough to say, “That’s a lot of questions. Let me ask you one, too, okay?”
    â€œWhatever you like, good-looking.”
    â€œHow come a Zeta Psi wears a Sigma Kappa ring?” Nancy asked curiously.
    â€œSentimental reasons,” Peter said, fingering the ruby-red stone. “My uncle Joe gave it to me. Anything else you want to know about me?” Peter asked, opening his arms toward Nancy.
    â€œThere is one more thing,” Nancy said sweetly. “Do you always beat up your potential dates before you get to know them?”
    â€œWhat?” Peter asked, his eyebrows raised, a slight smile on his face as though Nancy had told him a joke. “Beat up who?”
    â€œMe, for one,” Nancy said, and now there was no sweetness in her voice, just harshness.
    â€œI have no idea what you’re talking about,” Peter said incredulously, his arms dropping to his sides. “I never saw you before an hour ago.”
    â€œI have evidence, Peter, so you may as well forget the lies,” Nancy claimed, resting one hand on her hip. “And, I have a deal to offer you. I won’t report you to the police if you tell me what that business on the beach was about.”
    â€œYou’re a little crazy, lady,” Peter said with a forced smile, “if you think that I ever beat you up. What ‘evidence’?” he asked sarcastically.
    â€œThe ring, Peter,” Nancy said, looking at him directly. “Uncle Joe’s Sigma Kappa ring.”
    Peter’s strong hand swung out and grabbed Nancy’s arm. Then she called out “NOW!” and Ira and Susan flung open the door to the room.
    Peter instantly dropped his grip on Nancy’s arm and jumped back.
    â€œMy friends,” Nancy said, standing up straight. “They also know that it was you who gave me a swollen face.”
    â€œI think we ought to call the police, Nancy,” Susan said, walking to the wall phone.
    â€œStop her!” Peter yelled to Ira.
    As Susan froze, Peter barked, “What do you want to know, Nancy Drew?”
    â€œI want to know why you did it,” Nancy demanded.
    â€œI don’t know why,” Peter said, glaring at the three of them. “And that’s the truth.”
    â€œWhat do you mean,” Ira asked angrily, “that you don’t know why?”
    â€œI mean,” Peter answered, “that I was doing afavor for a friend. I owed him one. But why he wanted me to stage an attack on Nancy and Lori I have no idea.” Hesitating, Peter added, “And I didn’t ask.”
    â€œWho’s the friend?” Nancy asked.
    Peter silently looked down. Nancy knew that he didn’t want to squeal. She casually motioned to Susan to pick up the phone.
    â€œNo!” Peter yelled, putting out a hand to stop Susan. “It’s Mike.”
    â€œLori’s boyfriend?” Nancy asked.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHe wanted me and Lori beaten up?” Nancy asked, surprised.
    â€œNice relationship they must have,” Ira said.
    Peter turned to Ira and explained, “I was supposed to scare Nancy, not hurt her, and Mike said he’d do the same to Lori. I thought it was a joke between them or something—I don’t know. But then Mike let Lori go and slugged Nancy.” Looking at Nancy, Peter claimed, “It wasn’t my fault.”
    It looked to Nancy as though she was going to have to hold Ira back to prevent him from slugging Peter. “Not your fault?” he mimicked, his hands balled into