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    Trouble in Tahiti
    Trouble in Tahiti
    Trouble in Tahiti
    Ebook126 pages1 hour

    Trouble in Tahiti

    By Carolyn Keene

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Nancy and her friend, Bree, discover that Tahiti is no paradise as they search for the truth behind the death of Bree’s mother in a freak accident five years ago.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon Pulse
    Release dateMay 27, 2014
    ISBN9781481424806
    Trouble in Tahiti
    Author

    Carolyn Keene

    Carolyn Keene is the author of the ever-popular Nancy Drew books.

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      Book preview

      Trouble in Tahiti - Carolyn Keene

      Chapter

      One

      NANCY DREW PEERED into the tennis court through the chain-link fence, feeling the warmth of Tahiti’s tropical sun on her face. Even though this was strictly a working vacation, she couldn’t help but look forward to returning to wintry River Heights with a golden tan.

      On the court two women volleyed back and forth. One, a pretty girl of nineteen with long, raven black hair, walloped the ball over the net with a sharp backhand.

      Her opponent, a stunningly beautiful blond woman, rushed forward but was a split second too late. The ball bounced twice on the clay.

      The black-haired girl grinned. That’s the game, Krissy.

      Pouting, the blonde shouldered her racket. Just wait till tomorrow, Bree Gordon.

      Nancy intercepted the black-haired girl at the gate. Bree? I’m Nancy Drew.

      Hi! Bree shook Nancy’s hand. You made it. Did you have a nice flight to Papeete?

      Nancy noticed how easily the difficult Tahitian word rolled off the girl’s lips: Pah-pee-ay-tee.

      A nice long flight. Nancy shook her head ruefully. Eight hours from L.A.!

      Bree nodded knowingly, then gestured at her companion. Let me introduce you. This is my father’s fiancée, Kristin Stromm. Krissy, this is Nancy Drew.

      As Nancy shook the blond woman’s hand, she thought with an inward smile how jealous her star-struck friend Bess Marvin would be. Kristin Stromm was one of the most popular actresses in Hollywood.

      Pleased to meet you. Kristin’s speech betrayed the soft tones of her native Sweden. Bree darling, I have to run. The masseur’s expecting me in ten minutes.

      Bree arched her brows. Okay. If I see Dad, I’ll tell him you’re in the body shop.

      Nancy noticed the mask of annoyance that suddenly descended upon the older woman’s face.

      Kristin frowned. Must you always have the last word?

      Hey, lighten up, Krissy. It was only a joke.

      I don’t think it was very amusing. Kristin pushed open the chain-link gate. Perhaps I ought to have a word with your father.

      Be my guest. Bree flashed a sassy smile. Haere maru.

      After the older woman strode away, Nancy said politely, Uh, perhaps I came at an awkward time.

      Bree’s expression was apologetic. Sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into anything. It’s just that sometimes things get a little tense between me and my future stepmother. She frowned, watching Kristin enter the lobby of the luxurious Hotel Taravao. I wish I knew what Dad sees in her.

      Nancy tactfully tried to change the subject. Bree, what was that you said a moment ago?

      "Haere maru. It’s Tahitian for ‘take it easy.’ Bree led Nancy through the hotel’s garden, alive with exotic flowers in bright colors. The language is practically second nature to me. I used to live here every summer when I was younger. And, of course, Tayo taught me a lot."

      Who’s Tayo? Nancy inquired.

      Tayo Kapali. Bree’s face clouded. He’s the reason I asked you to come.

      "What exactly is the problem? Let’s go over it once. Okay?"

      Bree nodded. At first I thought it was a joke. But when it happened three times . . . After taking a deep breath, Bree went on. Somebody keeps sending weird letters to my dorm.

      Could you describe the letters? Nancy asked, prompting her.

      They’re crazy! Bree’s pretty face tightened angrily. Always the same little remark. ‘You’d be surprised if you knew what I know about your mother’s death.’

      Nancy experienced a shiver of disgust. What a cruel thing to write. No wonder Bree was so upset.

      Anyway, the person’s dead wrong, Bree added. There was nothing suspicious about my mother’s death. If anything, it was the most publicized boating accident in the history of the Pacific.

      Nancy’s mind drifted back twenty-four hours to the time of the two phone calls she had received—one from an old client, Alice Faulkner, who was Bree’s godmother, the other from Bree herself. Mrs. Faulkner had given her a few of the details, but Nancy hadn’t needed much prompting to recall the accident that had claimed one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Was that five years ago?

      Yeah. Bree pushed open the hotel’s glass doors. "My parents owned a boat back then. The Southwind, a custom-built motor sailer. She went down in a tropical storm with my mother aboard. There was a crewman aboard, too, a guy named Pierre Panchaud." Bree swallowed hard. Unhappy memories brought tears to her brown eyes.

      How did it happen? Nancy asked softly.

      "The Southwind lost her anchor during the storm and drifted into the main shipping channel. A tramp freighter rammed her. M-Mother died in the wreck. Bree hastily wiped at her eye. The local maritime board investigation declared it a simple, unavoidable accident. She took a deep breath. Gosh, look at me. You’d think I’d be over it by now."

      You never really get over a tragedy like that, Bree. Nancy touched the girl’s shoulder sympathetically. I know. I lost my mother when I was three.

      I’m sorry, Bree murmured.

      Nancy changed the subject as Bree led her past a bank of public elevators to a smaller one marked Private. Let’s concentrate on this letter writer. Tell me, where were the anonymous letters mailed from?

      "That’s what’s really strange. They all came from Tahiti. Bree halted at the door to the elevator and slipped a key out of her pocket. After unlocking the door, she continued. I haven’t been here in four years. All my old friends are grown up and gone. Nobody even knew I was going to UCLA."

      Where does Tayo come into it? Nancy asked, searching for any connection.

      "Tayo used to be the Southwind’s chief mate. He taught me to scuba dive. The girls stepped inside, and Bree pushed the only button. Tayo knows practically everybody on the island. I figured he could help me track down the weirdo. A worried look crossed her face. But I can’t find Tayo anywhere. He didn’t return my calls, and no one I asked had seen him. When I went to his house, it was all boarded up, as if he’d left a long time ago. I started to investigate myself, but I got a creepy feeling, as if somebody was watching me. I got scared."

      The elevator doors opened suddenly, exposing a plush penthouse suite. Tropical plants hung from metal flowerpots. Stylish teak furniture filled the room. Huge windows offered panoramic views of Papeete’s sky-blue harbor and the jungly neighboring island of Moorea.

      Bree, could I have a look at one of those letters? Nancy asked.

      Sure. This way. Bree beckoned with her hand.

      Nancy followed her into a spacious bedroom. A four-poster bed, covered with a lightweight quilt, dominated the peach-colored room. An empty plastic shoe tree stood beside the highly polished dresser.

      Bree opened the dresser’s top drawer and pulled out three air mail envelopes.

      Here. Except for Auntie Alice, I haven’t told anyone about them. Bree handed them to Nancy, then seated herself on the bed. I didn’t want to upset Dad and Krissy, especially with their wedding coming up.

      Nancy flipped through them, noting the Tahiti postmarks and French stamps. Then she withdrew one of the letters and unfolded it.

      The paper was lined notebook stuff, available in any stationery store. It was the rigid lettering that perked Nancy’s interest. She frowned thoughtfully.

      What is it? asked Bree.

      Whoever wrote these took the trouble to disguise their handwriting. The letters are formed with a pen and ruler. There’s no way a handwriting expert could even tell who wrote them, Nancy said, her mind racing.

      Bree’s face fell. Then they’re no help.

      Actually, they’re a big help. Nancy’s dimpled smile came quick to reassure Bree. They tell me that the writer is someone you know. He or she was afraid you’d recognize the handwriting. That explains the ruler.

      Turning to return the letters to Bree, Nancy spied a sudden movement underneath the bedspread. She froze. Something narrow was gliding along, moving steadily toward Bree.

      Nancy thrust out her hand. Don’t move!

      The girl blinked. What?

      Keep still, Nancy whispered, rounding the edge of the bed. Her hand gripped the coverlet. When I throw this back, hop off the bed—fast!

      Puzzled, Bree nodded.

      Nancy whispered, One—two—

      Three! Heart thumping, Nancy ripped the coverlet away. A hiss filled the air.

      A gleaming black snake lay on the mattress. Bree gasped and leaped off the bed.

      Baring its fangs, the snake rose on its coils, ready to strike.

      And Nancy was standing right in front of it!

      Chapter

      Two

      HISSSSS! FANGS DRIPPING VENOM, the snake weaved from side to side.

      Nancy swallowed hard. Slowly she moved her head to the left. The snake’s wedge-shaped head darted in that direction. Seeing her chance, Nancy lashed out with her other hand and seized the deadly serpent right behind its head.

      A deft flick of her wrist sent it hurtling into the corner. The snake rolled on the rug, stunned. Nancy grabbed the shoe

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