by Mabel Maney
"My mother has an excellent recipe for rhubarb pie," Cherry said helpfully.
"May I see the newspaper?" Nancy asked softly. She autographed the front page with her alias while quickly scanning the story about Hannah. Her face grew grim.
"I think that criminologist's theory about Hannah's wanting to be the dominant female in the household is an interesting one, don't you?" Miss Gertz asked Nancy. "It may help in her defense, but ultimately I think it's an open and shut case, what with the signed confession and possession of a fingerprint-laden murder weapon. Shall I order you another martini, dear?" she inquired when she saw how alarmed Nancy had become.
"I have to make a very important phone call!" Nancy cried. She jumped up from the table and headed for the telephone booth at the back of the restaurant.
"My, she's a flighty little thing, isn't she?" Miss Gertz commented. "Actresses are always so squeamish when it comes to murder."
* * *
CHAPTER 17
* * *
A Startling Confession
"I have wonderful news!" Nancy announced gaily the minute they were safely in their room at the DoubleD Motor Lodge and away from the nosy reporters. "I called Chief Chumley and told him to let Hannah go!"
"What?" Midge cried. "You didn't tell him that you shot your father, did you?"
"I thought you had planned to wait until we got to River Depths so you could tell him in person and show him your father's letters," Velma chimed in.
"I was," Nancy replied. "But when Miss Gertz showed me that newspaper and I realized how strong the case is against Hannah, I decided I couldn't wait. And the Chief wasn't at all angry with me. Once I told him why I had done it, and where I had hidden the evidence proving Father's crimes, he promised to free Hannah immediately!"
Midge said nothing. She had the most awful sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"I'm so relieved! " Nancy cried as she grabbed Cherry and danced her around the room. "I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. Police Chief Chumley is my best friend in River Depths, besides Bess and George, that is. He'll take care of everything. Why, he's the most respected man in town. No one will question his decision to turn Hannah loose.
"He even scolded me for not calling him sooner," she chuckled. "He told me to take my time coming home, and not to tell anyone what I had told him. And he promised to call me here as soon as Hannah is free!
"Then he hung up rather abruptly. He was probably in a hurry to rush off and fix things," she reasoned. "So, you see, everything is fine. Hannah will be released right away, so it doesn't matter so much that we're stuck here for the night."
"How wonderful!" Cherry cried. "This calls for a celebration."
"I've already thought of that," Nancy declared. She pulled a bottle of champagne from her purse, got glasses from the washroom, and poured drinks all around.
"Bottoms up!" Nancy laughed as she raised her glass.
Midge left her drink untouched. She was frankly concerned that Nancy had acted in haste. "Still, that reporter practically pushed Nancy into it," she realized. Was Miss Gertz really as dumb as she seemed? Suddenly, Midge was too tired to care. She kicked off her penny loafers and plopped down on one of the two double beds in their room at the DoubleD Motor Lodge. This time they had been careful not to let the motel manager see her enter the room. Now all she wanted was to curl up next to her girl and fall asleep.
"I think I'll join you!" Cherry exclaimed, bouncing on the bed. She surveyed the rustic room, with its rough wood paneling and Western decor. "These lamps shaped like covered wagons are cute!" she cried.
Nancy drew the curtains, which were patterned with a handsome horse motif, took off her kerchief and dark glasses, and fluffed her trademark titian hair. "Phew! I didn't think we'd ever get rid of those nosy reporters," she exclaimed. "I was so excited after calling the Chief, I almost blurted out the whole story at the supper table," Nancy laughed. She refilled her glass.
"Miss Gertz would be aghast to know she just had supper with Nancy Clue," Cherry giggled.
"I can't believe they really thought I was a movie star," Nancy added. "Luckily, every year at Lake Winnebago Summer Camp I played Juliet to my chum George's Romeo, so I was able to come up with a convincing soliloquy," she grinned. "'Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?' " she intoned in a dramatic manner. She put her hand to her head, pretended to swoon, and collapsed on top of Cherry.
They were startled by a sudden knock at the door. "It's those two dames," Lauren whispered as she peeked through a part in the curtains.
Nancy raced to the bathroom to hide.
Cherry opened the door to find Miss Gertz and her friend Miss Mannish standing outside, attractively attired in matching bathing costumes. Miss Mannish had on a darling pair of beach clogs, while Miss Gertz was clad in casual straw san dais. With towels wrapped around their hair turban-style, they made a gay sight. "We're going to the pool for a late swim," Miss Gertz bubbled. "Care to join us?"
Cherry checked her sturdy nurse's watch. Only thirty minutes had passed since their meal of fried steak, mashed potatoes, salad, vegetable medley, biscuits and gravy, strawberry pie, milk, and coffee. "Why, you'll drown if you swim so soon after a large meal," she cautioned.
Miss Gertz thanked Cherry for her thoughtful advice.
Cherry beamed. More than anything, she liked helping others best. She graciously declined their invitation, feigning sleepiness. "I must get my beauty rest," she joked, faking a yawn.
Miss Gertz and her companion bade the girls a pleasant evening. "Remember to wait at least thirty more minutes before getting in the pool," Cherry leaned out the door to call after them. "And don't hesitate to come and get me if one of you should get cramped while swimming."
Midge pulled Cherry inside and closed the door. "Cherry, don't give those busybodies an excuse to come around," she cautioned. "I think they already know too much," she said.
"Midge, a nurse's vow is sacred," Cherry said. She put her hand over her heart and intoned:
" 'I solemnly pledge myself to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is mischievous or disagreeable and will not take or administer any harmful drug. With loyalty I will endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care. I will at all times put the needs of others first, as that is my solemn vow.'
"I took the Stencer Nursing School oath two years ago, and except for the night I killed that evil Father Helms in selfdefense, I've kept it," Cherry said proudly.
Nancy emerged from her hiding place in the bathroom, her hair neatly combed and her lipstick refreshed. "I'm going back to that jewelry store and sell some things," she declared.
"No, Nancy," Cherry protested. "Besides, it's closed by now."
"There must be someone I can call." Midge thought a minute and shook her head. "Everyone we know is broke," she remembered. "And those are our friends with jobs!"
"Well, if I'm not going to sell my jewels, then the only thing to do is sell my story to those reporters," Nancy said, a determined look in her blue eyes. "I know the Chief said to keep quiet, but I'm desperate!"
"What?" Cherry cried. "And have your most personal business splashed all over the front page of every newspaper in America? I should say not," Cherry declared. She had an idea. "Let's go through all our belongings carefully; perhaps we can scrape up enough to pay our motel bill and part of the auto bill. We could leave something as a deposit and promise to wire the money as soon as we get to River Depths," she suggested. She took off her sturdy nurse's watch. "This must have cost at least $5.99," she said. "That's something."
"We could cozy up to those reporters in the morning and get another free meal," Midge suggested. "Maybe the idea of interviewing a movie star over breakfast will appeal to them."
Nancy brightened. "Those are both fine ideas," she said, cheering up a little. She dumped the contents of her summer straw purse onto the bed and su
rveyed its contents with her keen detective's eye.
"Besides my clothes, I've got one tube of Passion Peach lipstick, a gold compact engraved with my initials-that might be worth something. One flashlight. My favorite magnifying glass. A fingerprinting kit. My jeweler's eyepiece. The bill from yesterday's auto repair. Eight crumpled dollar bills and...twenty-five ... thirty... thirty-five.. .forty-two cents."
She next emptied her jewelry box onto the bed. She held up her sparkling emerald pendant and earring set. "These were my coming-out present from Great Uncle Cedwick Clue, the industrialist and railroad magnate. I'll bet we'd get a pretty penny for them. Just as a last resort," she added quickly when she saw the frown on Cherry's face.
Her late great-uncle, a lifelong bachelor with exquisite taste in clothing, had been particularly fond of his great-niece and showered her with many lovely things, including frocks and shoes it had been his pleasure to select.
The thought of parting with Uncle Cedwick's gems brought tears to her eyes. Still, she would do whatever she had to do to get home to Hannah. "I may very well have to sell these come morning," Nancy realized. She separated her truly good pieces from her costume accessories, wrapped the genuine gems in a clean handkerchief, and put the bundle on the bedside table. "Later I'll polish each piece; that way, I'm sure to get more for them," she schemed, taking care not to let Cherry see what she was doing.
Midge next emptied her small, beat-up leather valise onto the bed. "One tee-shirt, my leather jacket, a pair of government-issue handcuffs, an ace bandage, and a can of Butch Wax." A quick search of her pockets revealed one worn fivedollar bill, two dimes, and a rumpled man's white cotton handkerchief smeared with lipstick.
Cherry giggled when she saw the soiled handkerchief. "Midge, I didn't know you wore lipstick," she teased.
"Only inadvertently," Midge explained, a grin lighting up her handsome face.
"Let's see what I've got in the bank," Velma said, reaching into her bra for her folding money. "Unfortunately, it's not much," she sighed, producing four one-dollar bills. She shook out her purse. Two lipsticks, a cake of black eyeliner, a small tin of eye shadow, a small vial of luscious smelling perfume, and a compact tumbled out.
Cherry dumped the contents of her purse on the bed. "I don't think I have any money left," she said. "But it's worth a look. Goodness, my purse is a mess!" she cried, as she sifted through the jumble of objects that had come pouring out of the smart patent-leather bag.
Lauren immediately pounced on a small, red vinyl zippered case. "This looks keen-what is it?"
"That's my sewing kit," Cherry explained. "Phew! I thought I had lost it yesterday after I finished sewing a rip in Velma's blouse. Midge, I don't know if you realize it, but you've lost a button," she told her chum. "Luckily, this kit has white and black thread, a little scissors, a seam-ripper, and a jar of shirt buttons. I'll fix it later. And here's my trusty Girl Scout compass! " Cherry cried in delight, picking up a little leather case and snapping it open. "I always keep it in my purse, just in case I get lost or someone asks me directions.
"I've got a spool of dental floss and a whole bag of travel toothbrushes. I purchased five of them yesterday in case any of you lose yours. So don't be shy!" she cautioned them. "Dental hygiene is an important key to good health!" she cried, staring directly at Lauren.
"Let's see what else I have," she said. "I've got a glasses repair kit; I don't wear them but so many people do. Here's the stylish manicure kit my mother gave me for Christmas. It's got everything you need for a professional manicure, all contained in this nifty brown leather-look case. If anyone wants to borrow it, you may. Just warn me, so I can sterilize it later," Cherry added. "Oh, look!" she cried, holding up a can of White-ola Shoe Polish. "Nurses must look their best at all times; it inspires confidence and trust in our patients," she declared. "That's why I always carry a bottle of all-purpose stain remover, too, which has come in handy many a time in the last two weeks.
"Here are my stamps in case I ever get any time to write to my nurse chums," she sighed. "I promised practically every nurse I know a postcard from San Francisco, and I've been so busy I haven't had time to send even one to my roommate, Nurse Cassie Case, an attractive girl with a winning smile and a ready grin."
"What's this?" Lauren asked, picking up a small pink plastic envelope the size of a comb.
"That's my collapsible plastic rain bonnet. See?" Cherry took the bonnet out of its cover and showed Lauren how it unfolded to make a nifty full-size hairdo shield.
"What's in your firstaid kit?" Lauren wondered, quickly bored with the rain bonnet.
Cherry opened the white metal travel kit with its striking red cross emblazoned on the front. "Here's my lightweight cartrip uniform and a spare nurse's cap in case I'm called to duty. This is my snake-bite kit," she said, opening a cardboard box to reveal razor blades and a pamphlet describing the deadly vipers. "According to my Nurse's Guide to Snakes, there are many different kinds of deadly reptiles in Wyoming," Cherry shivered.
"Lauren, don't open that package of wooden tongue blades! " Cherry cried, snatching the paper package away from the young girl just in the nick of time. "They're sterile! And put down my blood-transfusion kit!" she cried, taking two small plastic bags that resembled deflated hot-water bottles away from Lauren. Attached to each was a slender rubber hose.
"These are not toys," Cherry admonished her. "This is specialized equipment that could save numerous lives! Nurses aren't required to carry blood-transfusion kits, but I always do," Cherry explained. "In case we come across a highway accident, I want to be fully prepared.
"This is a rectal thermometer, Lauren," she said, showing her a glass tube encased in protective plastic. "It's been a godsend in the medical world. Its accuracy can't be beat." Lauren's brown eyes grew big with wonder. Cherry could see she had really made an impression on the girl.
"What else do you have in there, Cherry?" Midge wanted to know.
Cherry was pleased that all her chums were paying close attention to her little lecture. She felt downright important as she explained all the items in her well-stocked firstaid kit. "Here's an ice bag, good for bringing down high temperatures or providing cooling relief for a headache."
"Or a hangover," Midge half joked, looking Nancy's way.
Cherry frowned and ignored her. "Here's a pad of paper and pencil for making patient notes, sterile gauze and tape, an assortment of bandages, bottles of tannic acid, a small supply of rubbing alcohol in case anyone wants a refreshing rubdown later," she looked longingly at Nancy, who was too absorbed in her own thoughts to notice. Cherry continued her inventory. "I've got milk of magnesia for stomach upsets, mercurochrome for cleaning scrapes, spirits of ammonia for fainting spells, table salt and baking soda used in treating shock and as a protectant against radiation, too, and water purification pills.
"This is a bar of strong soap for scrubbing one's hands squeaky-clean," Cherry pointed out, holding up a small, paper-wrapped rectangular bar. "A good scrubbing, and then on with the rubber gloves, and you're ready for any physical examination! "
She showed them a little plastic kit containing a vial filled with clear fluid, and six small, sharp syringes. "This is precious bee-sting serum," Cherry said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the hearty bee, who works so hard to pollinate our beautiful flowers, but one prick to an allergic person could spell certain death!"
"Oh!" the girls chorused.
"What's this?" Midge wondered, picking up a small vial of pink pills.
"That's Valium, Midge. It works wonders!" Cherry replied. She smiled when she saw Midge's eyes light up. "Sorry, Midge, I can only dispense this under the instructions of a doctor," she warned.
"Shouldn't these be in your sewing kit?" Lauren asked, pointing to a small packet of needles. "Those are for closing a deep gash," Cherry explained. "Oh!" she cried when she came across a stray razor blade. "This should really be in my snake bite kit," Cherry mused. "In case someone is bitten, I'd use this blade to
make a series of shallow cuts in their skin and suck on the wound for at least 30 minutes," she explained.
"Nursing is really keen!" Lauren cried.
Cherry beamed with pride. She took pleasure in her profession, with its many selfless acts. She hoped that she could lead many young girls into her rewarding way of life. Maybe Lauren would be one of them!
Nancy sifted through the objects on the bed. "If we need to operate, we're in luck," she joked. "But we still need money. Lauren, what's in your purse?"
Lauren scowled. "I wouldn't be caught dead carrying a purse," she said scornfully, "especially with this cool pocket in the front of my overalls." She leaned over the bed and a handful of objects spilled out.
"This is our last chance to find something," Nancy said as she eagerly looked through Lauren's collection of assorted junk. "A slingshot. Marbles. Notebook and pencils. Two miniature plastic dogs-a collie and a boxer, I believe. One... two... three..." Nancy counted under her breath. "Seventy-seven cents. A crumpled pack of cigarettes-same brand Midge smokes. Matchbooks from every diner and soda shop we've been to. Plus three stainless-steel butter knives."
"You're not smoking, are you?" Cherry gasped. "Smoking is a disgusting habit that causes your teeth to yellow, not to mention the damage it does to fine fabrics." Although she was directing her comments to Lauren, she was glaring at Midge. "And why on earth do you have these knives?" Cherry picked up a utensil and examined it closely. "Why, these are from the diner where we had supper tonight. Lauren! You're smoking and stealing? What next? Mayhem and murder? Young lady, you are going to march right back to that diner and return these," Cherry commanded.
"Yeah, and exchange them for real silver ones we can sell," Midge joked. Midge quit kidding around when she saw the expression on Cherry's face. She could tell she was in for a scolding, too.
But before Cherry could light into Midge, Nancy noticed a bulge in Lauren's front pocket. "What's that?" she asked. Lauren took out a dull brownish yellow rock three inches in diameter. "That looks like gold!" Cherry cried in delight, momentarily diverted.
