Stalk, Don't Run (14 page)

“Alice Bothwell, Private Investigator,” Alice said thoughtfully. “I guess I could be mayor of Malachite Beach
and
a detective someday.”

“With a little multitasking,” I added.

“Now do you believe us about the monster of Camp Athena?” Maggie asked.

“He was a monster, all right,” I said with a shudder.

“And guess what, you guys?” George told the girls. “You’re finally going home.”

“Home?” Maggie said.

“Too bad,” Alice said with a grin. “We were just starting to have fun!”

“So what did happen to the Casabian sisters?” Ned asked, pushing his recorder closer to Bess, George, and me.

It was only two days after Roland’s capture. My two friends and I sat in Sylvio’s, being interviewed for the second time by Ned.

“Before I answer that question,” I teased, “do you promise our interview will appear in the
Bugle
this time?”

“Page four!” Ned said with a nod.

“And you promise not to replace it at the last minute with any Hollywood gossip?” Bess asked.

“I promise, I promise!” Ned laughed.

“In that case, Nancy,” George said, “spill.”

“Okay, here goes,” I said. “The Casabian sisters left River Heights one at time and for different reasons. That’s what they said when we spoke to them on the phone the other day.”

“What kind of reasons?” Ned asked.

“Well,” I said sprinkling oregano on my slice, “Mia totally hated the idea of another reality show. Mandy hated working real jobs like the one she got at Safer’s Cheese Shop.”

“And Mallory?” Ned asked.

“That’s easy,” George blurted. “She hated Deirdre Shannon.”

“Don’t quote her on that,” I said quickly.

“How’s this for a happy ending?” Bess said, twirling the straw in her lemonade. “Now all three sisters are home where they belong.”

“That must be Malachite Beach,” Ned said.

“Nope,” I said. “Alice went home to Malachite Beach. Mandy, Mallory, and Mia are in Ohio.”

“Ohio?” Ned asked.

“Where their parents and brother still live,” I said. “I guess they finally realized their true reality.”

“Wow,” Ned said. “Didn’t they tell one another where they were going? I mean, from what I heard, they didn’t even pack their bags.”

“It was part of their plan,” I said.

“As in secret plan?” Ned asked, his eyebrows flying up. “This is getting good!”

I nodded. “They didn’t want anyone here—especially Deirdre—to try to stop them,” I said. “So they each disappeared without a trace. Mallory knew all along, but she ‘played’ us, just like the ‘reality’ actress she is.”

“They said they had meant to call us from Ohio,” George said. “Unfortunately, they didn’t call fast enough.”

That was for sure. I shivered, remembering being framed for the disappearance of the sisters and coming within inches of death at the hands of Roland.

“Are you guys worried?” Ned asked.

“Worried about what?” I asked.

“About Roland escaping again,” Ned said.

I looked at Bess and George before all three of us shook our heads.

“No,” I told Ned. “Roland—or Marty Malone—has never dealt with River Heights justice before.”

“Can you elaborate on that?” Ned asked.

“Sure,” I said. “River Heights may be considered rinky-dink to someone from Malachite, but we have the best police, the best lawyers—”

“And the best girl detectives,” George said. She grinned as she picked up another slice. “And you can quote me on
that
.”