“No. I was just talking to Devon on the other line. Any news?”
Nancy filled Marisa in on what had happened.
“Bess said you were a good detective, but I had no idea….”
“The case isn’t solved yet,” Nancy said. “And I’d like to keep working on it a little longer.”
“That’s great!” Marisa exclaimed. “I really want to clear Eric’s name completely. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
“Thanks,” Nancy said. “Could you answer one question for me? Are Eric’s parents rich?”
“Not especially,” Marisa said. “But if you’re wondering about his financial resources, Eric’s terrific with money.”
“I remember he said he’s minoring in business. That makes sense.”
They chatted for a few more minutes. “I’d better go study,” Marisa finally said. “Thanks for calling, Nancy.”
“I’ll talk to you soon,” Nancy said. She hung up the phone.
That night, Nancy read the counterfeiting chapter from her library book before going to sleep. She spent the night dreaming about money—piles and piles of money.
Nancy was awakened at seven the next morning by the ringing telephone. “Hello?” she mumbled.
“Nan? Did I wake you?”
“Hi, Bess.” Nancy propped her pillow behind her and sat up. “It’s okay. What are you doing up at this hour?”
Bess sighed. “Casey woke me up at two. And at four. And at six. I finally gave up on sleep.”
“How’s the housebreaking going?”
Bess cleared her throat. “Don’t ask. Would you like to come over?”
“May I take my shower first?” Nancy asked.
“Oh—sure. Sorry. And, Nan?”
Nancy smiled. “Yes?”
“You might want to wear a different pair of shoes today. I read a few more chapters of my dog-training book. Apparently, dogs like to repeat accidents in the same spot.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Nancy said with a chuckle. “I’ll see you in a little while.”
After breakfast Hannah packed up a basket of blueberry muffins for Nancy to take to Bess.
“Thanks, Hannah.” Nancy rinsed her cereal bowl and put it in the dishwasher. “Bess loves your muffins as much as I do.”
Hannah handed Nancy another small bundle tied with a red ribbon. “These are dog biscuits for Casey. I couldn’t find a recipe, so I’m afraid they’re store-bought.”
Nancy laughed. “That was very thoughtful of you. Something tells me Casey’s going to be a spoiled puppy.”
When Nancy arrived at Bess’s house, the Marvins were eating breakfast. Casey sat on Bess’s lap.
“She doesn’t have her own chair?” Nancy asked.
“Very funny,” Bess said. “She kept whining, so I finally had to pick her up.”
Nancy set Hannah’s muffins on the table, out of Casey’s reach. Bess peeked into the basket. “Hannah’s muffins. Yum.” She pulled Casey away from the table. “You have your own treats,” she said as she gave Casey a dog biscuit.
“Please thank Hannah for us, Nancy,” Mrs. Marvin said. “This was very sweet of her.”
“I will,” Nancy said.
Mr. Marvin sneezed.
“Bless you,” Nancy and Bess said. Mrs. Marvin passed him the pitcher of orange juice.
Bess poured her father a glass of juice while he got up to blow his nose. “Dad’s getting a cold—just in time for his vacation,” Bess said.
“I’m hoping to nip it in the bud with lots of fresh Florida oranges.” Mr. Marvin returned to the table and downed the juice.
“You’re going to Florida?” Nancy asked.
Mrs. Marvin nodded. “We’re visiting friends in Miami. We’re leaving this afternoon.”
“Before I forget to ask you,” Bess said to her mother, “Marisa wanted to know if I’d like to have her grandmother’s antique sewing machine. What do you think?”
“Is she sure she wants to part with it?” Mrs. Marvin asked.
