Authors: Carolyn Keene

Update On Crime (15 page)

Chapter

Seventeen

I
CAN'T BELIEVE
I'm finally getting to meet Hal Taylor,” Bess said as she walked with Nancy into the Channel 9 lobby the following afternoon. Several people were decorating the lobby with garlands and Christmas decorations. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood.

The night before, the police had arrived quickly to round up Bill Steghorn and Kurt Milhaus. They had arrested Steve Gilbert and Clay Jurgenson at their homes soon after.

Now that the case was solved, Nancy was ready to relax and enjoy the Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, Ned had returned to Emerson that morning for his final exams, but he would be back before Christmas.

Nancy grinned at Bess. “I'm afraid your timing's pretty lousy with Hal, Bess,” she said. “It looks like he and Marilyn may get back together.”

As if to confirm her words, Hal walked into the lobby and over to Marilyn, who was hanging an ornament on the tree.

“Let's forget our breakup ever happened,” Nancy heard Hal saying to Marilyn. Marilyn responded by circling Hal's neck in a gentle embrace. Then Hal looked up and spotted Nancy standing nearby.

“Nancy!” he called waving to her. He was holding up a videotape. “After the police came last night I stayed up until all hours recutting the bribery story. This one could win me an awardâa powerful local corruption story with a socko endingâMilhaus, Steghorn, Gilbert, and Jurgenson in jail! It's going to air tonight instead of Monday.”

“I'm glad it worked out, Hal,” Nancy said as she and Bess joined the co-anchors. “Hal, Marilyn, I'd like you to meet my friend Bess Marvin.”

“I really admire your work, Hal,” Bess said enthusiastically.

“Well, thank you very much,” Hal said, turning his famous smile on her.

Marilyn tugged at Hal's sleeve. “Remember, it's time for your interview, Hal,” she said.

Hal leaned over and whispered in Nancy's ear. “I think Marilyn and I are back on track,” he
said. “Nearly getting killed last night made me rethink my priorities in a big wayâespecially where Marilyn is concerned.”

For the first time since they'd met each other, Marilyn smiled at Nancy. “Hal told me everything you did to track down the attacker. I can't believe Bill Steghorn was behind it all along,” she said. “During the past few months I thought of him as a friend, but now I realize my mistake.” She shuddered. “Whoever would have thought he was such a creep!”

“You could clear up one thing for me, Marilyn,” Nancy said. “Why did you have that meeting with Steve Gilbert last week?”

Marilyn looked sheepishly from Nancy to Hal. “I never kept that meeting,” she said. “I got so crazy with jealousy that I was thinking of trying to scoop Hal on his own story. But at the last minute I couldn't go through with it.” She gently cupped Hal's chin with her hand. “From now on, we'll concentrate on supporting each other's work, not competing.”

“Everything should go back to normal around here now,” Hal added. “Marilyn's decided to stay at the station, and we've made a pact to help each other professionally.”

Nancy felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned to see Otto Liski standing there.

“I heard I missed all the excitement yesterday,” he said. “See what happens when the producer takes a night off once a year?” he joked. Liski gave her a hug. “Anyway, we all owe you a
lot of thanks, Nancy,” he said. “You've got a great career waiting for you in television, if you ever want it.”

Standing behind him was Gary Krieger. “Don't encourage her, LiskiâI don't need the competition!” he joked. “Seriously, Nancy, you'd make a great reporter.”

Nancy smiled at the two men. “Thanks, but I'll stick with detective work for now,” she said.

“Nancy!”

Nancy turned at the sound of the familiar, grating voice. It was Brenda Carlton. Notebook in hand, she was staring at Hal Taylor.

“I promised you your exclusive interview, Brenda, and here he is,” Nancy said. “Hal will fill you in with all the details about Gilbert's arrest.”

Nancy had barely introduced Brenda to Hal and Marilyn, when the reporter elbowed her aside. “I understand you helped capture Bill Steghorn and the others,” Brenda said to Hal.

“Nancy's the one who really saved the dayâand my lifeâ” Hal began, but Brenda interrupted him.

“Oh, but, Hal, I'd much rather hear about
you,”
she gushed. “Tell me all about the experience you've just been through.”

Nancy caught Bess's eye. The two of them smiled knowingly as they listened to Brenda's interview. Brenda was definitely up to her old
tricks again. It was clear that Hal Taylor, not Nancy Drew, would be the hero in tomorrow's newspaper!

Nancy linked arms with Bess, and the two friends walked out together into the bright winter sunlight.

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.