False Moves (3 page)

N
ANCY BREATHED MORE
easily as soon as Ned pulled the car up in front of the massive white-stone building, which still housed CBT's offices, rehearsal studios, shops, and original theater.

The ride into the city with Ned and Belinda had been horrendous. Nancy knew it wasn't her own feelings that made her think that Belinda was snobby and self-centered. The dancer really was those things. And she hadn't shed any light on the Raja diamond theft, either.

Nancy glanced at Ned. Belinda was super-sweet to him, but Nancy knew it was all an act. How could he be taken in by it? How could he like this
conceited girl? Except for her looks, Nancy couldn't imagine what Ned saw in Belinda.

Nancy got out of the backseat, and Ned and Belinda followed her as they all walked into the CBT building.

“Well, here we are,” Ned said. Tall, sculpted marble columns supported the high ceiling, and a wide, majestic flight of stairs led up to the second floor offices. A huge painting of a famous CBT dancer was hung on one wall.

“Ever since I've been coming to CBT performances, I've loved this place,” Nancy commented. “But I've never seen anything but the lobby and the theater. What else is on this floor?”

“Just dressing rooms and backstage. The dance studios, costume storage room, costume shop, and the administrative offices are on the second floor. The whole third floor is for scenery construction and storage. There's a back stairway over there.” Ned pointed behind them.

“Whom do I see to get started on the case?” Nancy wanted to know.

“James Ellsworth, CBT's managing director. He's friendly with Belinda, and I've gotten to know him recently. I called him early this morning and said you might be coming in.”

Nancy unbuttoned her jacket and pulled it off. So Ned had told the managing director about her before he'd even asked her to investigate the crime. He had been so sure she'd say yes.

Nancy turned toward Belinda. “What's Mr. Ellsworth like?” she asked. “I should have a little background on him before we meet.”

Belinda shrugged as if the subject didn't interest her much. “He's a nice guy. We get along pretty well. Of course, some people in the company don't like him. For instance, our artistic director, Colby Baxter. Those two have been feuding for years. Personally, I'm not all that fond of Colby. He's the one who won't let me dance until the diamond's found.”

“That must be really hard on you,” Nancy answered, trying to sound sympathetic. “And how does James Ellsworth feel about Colby Baxter?”

Belinda threw Nancy one of her all-too-sweet smiles. “You don't need to hear all this from me. The people in this company love to gossip almost as much as they love to dance. Just ask a few of the corps dancers, and they'll tell you the whole story.”

Nancy's expression tightened. Great! Belinda was about as talkative as a brick wall. How was she going to get clues to the mystery if the dancer didn't open up to her?

Ned glanced quickly at Nancy. “Come on,” he said, trying to smooth over the tense moment. “I'll take you to meet Mr. Ellsworth.”

“Okay,” Nancy said, feeling annoyed.

Belinda stepped closer to Ned. “I'm going to get
ready for ballet class before rehearsal. Why don't you come up later and watch?” She slipped her hands behind Ned's neck and planted a kiss on his lips, then she let a finger run slowly down his shoulder. “See you in a bit.” She turned and ran lightly up the staircase.

Nancy caught her breath. It hurt to see another girl kiss Ned. It hurt a lot.

Ned glanced at Nancy, looking a little uncomfortable himself. Then he reached for her arm and guided her up the steps.

“When I talked to Mr. Ellsworth this morning,” Ned commented, “he seemed happy to have you on the case. He figured, the more people working on it, the better. Especially after I told him what a great detective you are.”

Nancy frowned. Go ahead, Ned, flatter me. It won't make the hurt go away.

“Anyway, Ellsworth is the money brain at CBT. He does all the fund-raising and he keeps the company in pointe shoes and costumes. It was his idea to create a ballet to use the Raja diamond. All done for publicity. He makes no decisions about the actual dancing.”

“Who takes care of that?”

“That's the artistic director, Colby Baxter,” Ned explained. “The dancers say both Baxter and Ellsworth are great at what they do, but they can't stand each other. A couple of times they've practically punched each other out,” he finished.

Nancy smiled. “Sounds like some pair! I'll have to keep an eye on both of them.”

“Could be explosive,” Ned said, smiling, too.

He led Nancy into a large reception room. James Ellsworth's personal secretary took their jackets and said they could leave them with her for the rest of the day. Then she buzzed the managing director to announce them. “He's expecting you,” she said after a moment. “Go right in.”

“Okay,” Ned told Nancy, “you're on your own now. I want to check out that ballet class.”

“Sure,” Nancy managed to say. So Ned was going to go watch Belinda jump around a dance studio in some skintight leotard. If only he'd stay with her. Suddenly she had an almost irresistible urge to slide her arms around Ned's neck and kiss him, just the way Belinda had.

Ned went to the door, then turned back to face Nancy. “Be careful,” he said, real concern in his dark eyes. Then he hurried out of the reception room.

Nancy took a deep breath and swallowed hard. It was so confusing being with Ned. He still cared about her, that much she knew. But it was Belinda he loved, and that hurt very badly. Nancy's only consolation was Brad. Without him, she knew she'd feel completely alone.

Nancy smoothed her sweater and forced herself to smile at the secretary. Okay, time to turn off the feelings and become Nancy Drew, detective.
She pushed open the door to James Ellsworth's office and stepped inside.

The distinguished older man dressed in a perfectly tailored blue pin-striped suit was sitting behind a massive, carved oak desk. A silver pen set was placed at his right hand with a panel of telephone lines. Heavy drapes framed a perfect view of the Chicago skyline.

“Ms. Drew, I'm pleased you could come,” James Ellsworth said, standing up behind his desk and extending his hand to Nancy.

“I'm glad to be here. This case sounds fascinating. And, of course, I'd like to help.” She shook the managing director's hand and sat down opposite his desk on a soft white couch.

“The police have given us clearance to have private detectives work on the case, and the Raja family demands that we do. Even though you're very young, you have quite a reputation and we've all heard glowing reports about your work. So, we're very happy to have you here.”

“Thanks,” Nancy said, smiling. She ran a hand through her hair. “Please tell me what really happened last night. I saw the TV broadcast and I've heard the radio reports, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.”

“Well,” James Ellsworth said, seated again in his cushioned swivel chair, “everything was going just fine until the theater went dark after the dance featuring Katya, Belinda, and Andre. But
then the lights didn't come back on again for the curtain calls. The police found a device on the light-board that kept the lights out for a few minutes when everything went dark. Anyway, Katya said someone ran up to her in the dark and grabbed her. She felt the person tear the diamond pin from her costume and then she fainted.”

At least, that's what she says, Nancy added to herself. She hated to think that the great Katya Alexandrovna might be involved in the theft. But Nancy had been fooled once before by someone who had faked a series of murder attempts against her own life, and she wasn't about to be fooled again. “What about the Raja diamond?” she continued. “How did it get to Chicago, and who do you think might have stolen it?”

James Ellsworth drew in a deep breath. “I'm afraid it's my fault CBT brought the diamond here. I was the one who contacted the Raja family and arranged to borrow the jewel for the new pas de trois.” Then he added almost to himself, “It was great publicity, except that now it has backfired. With the new concert hall closed, the company's going to lose a lot of money. The old theater seats so many fewer than the new one.”

“Well, it's pretty clear why someone would steal a million-dollar diamond,” Nancy said. “But who had the opportunity to do it?”

“Colby Baxter thinks it was one of the dancers on the stage at the time. He's not letting either
Belinda or Andre dance. Of course, he insists that Katya continue to perform. He seems to think she's the only one around here who can do a decent pirouette.” There was an edge to his voice as if he disliked both Colby and Katya.

“She's a very special dancer,” Nancy commented.

“She's not as special as she once was,” James said bluntly. “Personally, I think it's time to get some new and younger dancers out front. People like to see new talent, which means we sell more tickets, which is what a company is really about—tickets and money.” He leaned toward Nancy, his eyes intent on her face.

Nancy studied his expression. She knew Colby Baxter and the dancers who made up CBT wouldn't agree with him. For them, dancing itself was the priority, not how much money each performance made.

The managing director frowned. “But what does Colby care about CBT's budget? Nothing! All he talks about is the artistry of dancing, and then he asks for another ten thousand dollars for new costumes. Let me tell you, Ms. Drew, this company would be in a complete mess without me.”

Nancy had to smile. Actually, CBT's biggest problem right then was the missing Raja diamond pin. Since it had been James Ellsworth's idea to borrow it in the first place, some people might say
it was really
his
fault—even if he had had nothing to do with the robbery.

Nancy couldn't count him out as a suspect in the crime. He could have planned the whole theft and hired someone in the company to snatch it from Katya. Nancy had to look at all the possibilities.

“Well, the main thing right now is to catch the jewel thief,” Nancy said. “And that's exactly what I intend to do.”

“Good,” James Ellsworth exclaimed. “You should look into Colby Baxter as a suspect.”

“Right now, Mr. Ellsworth,
everyone
is a suspect,” Nancy said meaningfully. “Is there anyone you can think of from outside the company who might have planned the robbery or stolen the gem?” she wanted to know.

The managing director pursed his lips. “Ana Lokhar was keeping a pretty careful eye on the jewel. She's the Raja family's representative here,” he explained. “She was responsible for all the arrangements for the diamond. She's highly trusted by the family, but I think she's shrewd enough to have pulled off something like this.”

I have the feeling that you are, too, Nancy added silently. But all she said was, “I'll check her out and Colby Baxter, too. Of course, I'll investigate everyone else, too.”

“Fine.”

“Tell me, Mr. Ellsworth, how are the police conducting the investigation?” Nancy asked.

“They're sure the diamond is still in the new concert hall. They searched everyone who was backstage last night, but no one had the gem, so they figure the thief hid it somewhere and will come back to retrieve it.”

“Then they're concentrating on the new hall rather than this building?”

“Right.”

“But what if the police are wrong and the thief managed to get the diamond past them? My best chance is to look for clues right here,” said Nancy.

“Excellent. The police can keep things under control at the new theater and you can be responsible for what happens here. You've got your run of the building, Ms. Drew. Anyplace you want to search is all right with me.” He glanced at his watch, and Nancy knew he was trying to tell her it was time to go. “Well, can I help you with anything else?”

“Not at the moment,” Nancy said as she stood up to leave. “If I need to ask you any more questions, I'll let you know.”

“Thanks again for investigating the case for us,” the managing director said. He pushed himself out of his chair. “We can use all the help we can get.” He laughed ruefully. “Come on, I'll walk you down to the lobby.”

Together, Nancy and the older man walked out of the office and down the wide, carpeted stairway. But as they reached the bottom step, a
well-built, red-haired man in sweat clothes came rushing up to them. From the expression on his face, Nancy could see that he was furious.

“Ellsworth, this whole scandal is your fault,” the man yelled.

Nancy watched James Ellsworth's face grow tense. “Calm down, Baxter,” he said. “Why don't you talk sense instead of getting hysterical.”

“We're in the middle of a crisis and you tell me to calm down!” the artistic director continued yelling. “Don't you understand what kind of trouble this company is in because of your stupid publicity stunt?”

“Of course I understand. I'm the one who has to pay all the bills.”

“Money,” Colby Baxter scoffed. “That's all you can think of. What about the morale of the dancers? They're so depressed that half of them looked like zombies in class today.”

“That's the least of our problems. I have the Chicago police on my back and the Raja family threatening to sue, so I can't worry about a few temperamental artists.”

Colby's face turned an even darker shade of scarlet. “No, you never do worry about us, do you? As long as the ticket sales stay high, you don't give a hoot about this company! It's a good thing I'm around to maintain CBT's quality.”

James flashed Colby a malicious grin. “Well, you won't be around for long. After this season,
you're out of here. And I'm sure I won't be the only person to heave a huge sigh of relief!”