Tina's Secret

Nancy was astonished and disturbed. What had come over the child to upset her so dreadfully?

Tina, meanwhile, was watching the teenager's expression with almost tearful anxiety. " What are you going to do, Nancy? " she asked, clasping and unclasping her hands distractedly.

Nancy said gently, " I found this in the shrubbery at Grimsby Mansion, and I thought I recognized it. Isn't this the opal pendant that your grandma wore in the painting? "

" Yes, oh yes, it's Grandmas! But what are you going to do with it? " Tina persisted fearfully.

" Return it, of course. Surely, that's the right thing to do, isn't it, if you find something that belongs to someone else? "

But the little girl only trembled and choked back sobs as she struggled to express herself. " Nancy, " she gulped, " would you please give it to me so I can take it upstairs right now and put it back in the drawer where it belongs? " Tina’s voice broke with emotion. " And would you please, please not say anything to Grandpa about it? Oh, please! " she begged with tears in her eyes.

Nancy hesitated uncertainly. " Tina, " she pleaded, " can't you tell me why you're so upset? " As the little girl shook her head, Nancy went on, " Then can't you at least tell me how the opal got to Grimsby Mansion? "

Tina gave another vigorous shake of her head, her golden locks swinging from side to side.

" Where is your grandpa, honey? " Nancy asked after a moment.

" In the library talking on the phone. But please don't tell him, Nancy! "

Suddenly, the detective came to a decision. Handing the opal pendant to Tina, she said, " All right, dear. You go on upstairs and put this away right now."

The little girl's tearful expression gave way to a grateful smile. Without another word, she turned and scampered off with the necklace.

Did I do the right thing? Nancy wondered. Oh

dear! I just hope this may help me win Tina’s trust and confidence.

She was just walking to her car as the little girl came running out of the house again.

" Oh, don't go! " Tina seized Nancy's hand. " I want to thank you."

" Maybe someday you'll be able to trust me enough to tell me about it."

Tina nodded solemnly, looking much calmer now.

" I have to go, " Nancy said with a smile. " But I'll be back tomorrow morning to do the last TV commercial. See you then, dear." She waved goodbye.

As she was driving home, Nancy remembered that Hannah Gruen had asked her to bring back some shampoo. So she stopped at a drugstore in town and went in. While she was looking over the various brands on the shelves, trying to find the one Hannah preferred, Nancy heard a faintly familiar voice raised in protest.

" I tell you I must have this refilled! It isn't as though I didn't have a prescription."

Looking up, she saw a tall, black-haired woman standing at the drug counter. As the woman went on speaking in a fretful, demanding fashion, she was interrupted by the patient voice of the pharmacist.

" I'm really sorry, ma'am, but I'm only allowed to give you one refill on this prescription, and you've used that. What I can do is call your doctor and see if he’ll allow another refill—although it may take me some time to get through to him. It often does, if they're busy seeing patients."

" Hmm, very well, " the customer agreed grudgingly. " I certainly hope you can do something. I've been having such trouble sleeping these last few nights! I'll drop in later to pick it up."

As she turned away toward the door, Nancy recognized her with a slight start. The woman was Velma Deene!

A sudden thought struck the youth sleuth. Was it possible that some of the woman's sleeping pills had been used by the thief to sedate Alf Sanchez on the night that Shooting Star was stolen?

Velma Deene walked out without noticing Nancy, who purchased the bottle of shampoo she had chosen and left the store.

Soon after the Drews had finished a quiet Sunday dinner, Bess, George, and then Ned dropped over. They listened to records for a while and chatted. Then Nancy brought them up to date on the Shooting Star mystery, including her morning glimpse of Velma Deene. In doing so, she mentioned the fleeting thought that had passed through her mind.

" It wouldn't surprise me a bit to find out she was mixed up in something like that, " George declared. " If you ask me, that woman's capable of anything! "

" She's certainly very unpleasant, " Bess said. " I think it's strange that someone like her should be running an art gallery."

" Why, Bess? " Ned asked, smiling.

" Well, people who appreciate beauty are more sensitive than her type, I think." Bess added shyly. But that's just a personal feeling."

That evening Hannah Gruen went off to visit a friend, while Nancy and her father spent the time catching up on their reading.

On Monday morning, Nancy awoke with a sense of excitement. Not only was this the day for shooting the last TV commercial, but she had a feeling that something significant was going to happen.

Nancy laughed at herself as she set out for Rainbow Ranch. Whatever happens, let's hope it's good, and not something like my car breaking down! she thought.

Tina was waiting for her as she drove up and parked. The little girl seemed in high spirits. She took Nancy's hand and chattered, " Those TV people just came a little while ago. Mr. Traynor's chosen the horse that you're going to be on. Its Firebird. She's my mother's horse, and she's so beautiful! She's trained to do just about everything. I bet Mr. Traynor chose Firebird because she's red and your hair is, too! "

Nancy chuckled. " Perhaps so, dear. I'd better go join them. Are you coming? ''

Tina shook her head. " I'm going over to sit by the brook where I usually do." And she ran off.

On her way to the stables, Nancy met Roger Harlow. After greeting him, she said, " Tina tells me I'm to ride your daughter's horse this morning. I hope that's all right."

" Of course, it is, " he said and laughed. " She'd be glad to have someone like you take Firebird out every day. Has Tina gone inside? "

" No, she's over there by the brook, all set to watch the filming."

Mr. Harlow said earnestly, " Nancy, she's almost her old self again, and I know I have you to thank for it. I'm very grateful! "

Nancy smiled at him. " I'm glad if I've been able to help a little."

As she walked away, however, Nancy reflected that Tina evidently still didn't trust her enough to confide in her.

Tony was especially pleased with the filming that morning. " Nancy, with you on that beautiful red horse—well, it just makes a stunning picture! " He shook his head. " I don't know how you did it, but each new commercial seems to turn out better than the last one! "

The crew quickly packed up and prepared to return to New York in his station wagon. Tony turned to his model with a parting remark. " Young lady, if you ever decide you'd like a career in this field, just give me a call and it's yours! "

Nancy smiled and thanked him warmly. " It's kind of you to say so, but I don't think that's where my real interests lie. If I ever change my mind, though, I'll remember what you said."

She waved as the TV group drove off. Afterwards, Nancy continued to ride Firebird for a while since the filly seemed to enjoy the exercise. Finally she dismounted and walked the beautiful horse to the stables where she turned her over to a groom.

Coming out, she found Tina waiting for her, obviously seeking her company. The little girl was bouncing a large, orange-and-yellow-striped beach ball. " Would you like to play catch with me? " she asked shyly.

" Oh yes, I'd love to, dear, " Nancy replied.

They crossed the brook, heading toward a hilly meadow with plenty of room in which to play. Tina was very agile, and the game got wilder and wilder. She dashed about with her golden hair flying.

Finally, in running after the ball, which had gotten past her, Tina stumbled and lost her footing. The next moment, she was tumbling down a rough slope toward a marshy pond!