“He’s gone?” Bess asked Dave.
“He’s history,” Dave said. “Paid in full.”
“Where did he go?” Nancy asked. “Did he leave any number where he could be reached?”
Dave shook his head. “I’m not sure he knew where he was going. It took the guy twenty minutes to find his credit card, plus he lost his room key. That guy’s a mess. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m on my break.”
“Thanks for your help,” Nancy said as Dave disappeared through the Employees Only door.
“It sounds like Peter Thornton was nervous,” George said. “That would fit in perfectly with the cab ride and everything else that just happened.”
“I agree,” Nancy said, nodding. “It all seems to fit together.”
“But we still don’t know where he went,” said Bess. “He could be anywhere.”
“Not really,” Nancy said. “If Thornton is the kidnapper, he’s probably still in Chicago and probably close by. Our suspect’s been in and out of this hotel for almost four days. Part of that time, he’s been trying to scare us. He couldn’t have done that if he was far away.”
“So where do we look?” George asked.
“I think we should start right around the hotel,” Nancy replied. “The last time we saw him he was heading across the parking lot.”
“He went out the side door,” George said. “That’s right over there.”
The three girls turned to leave but were distracted by two familiar figures rushing through the lobby from the elevator bank: Matt Ziegler and the star of ‘Cop’, Dan Redding.
The two made an odd-looking pair. Redding was so tall and broad shouldered, and Ziegler was so little and quick. The star had an urgent expression on his face as he strode rapidly across the lobby. Ziegler scampered after him like a puppy trying to keep up.
“I wonder where they’re going in such a hurry,” Bess said.
“Probably to shoot another exciting scene of ‘Cop’ ” George said.
“Not looking like that,” Bess said, pointing to Redding. “Look at him. He’s wearing glasses, and his clothes are a mess. Stars only dress like that when they think no one is going to recognize them.”
“Fat chance, with all the mystery fans walking around this place,” said George. “Someone’s bound to spot him.”
Nancy studied Redding’s face as the two men passed in front of her. Redding did look different from the first time she had seen him. Was it just the glasses? Or the frantic expression in his deep brown eyes? Whatever it was, he wasn’t the cool, calm star from the morning before.
Redding and Ziegler continued toward the front door. Dan said something to Matt that Nancy couldn’t hear. Then he pulled open one of the heavy brass doors and rushed out into the afternoon.
There was something obviously going on with the two men. Nancy didn’t know if it had anything to do with the disappearance of Sally and Will, but she wanted to find out.
“Mr. Ziegler,” Nancy said, tapping him on the shoulder.
Matt Ziegler turned and gave Nancy a big smile. “I’m so happy you’re all right!” he said. “I feel terrible about what happened yesterday. Eileen told me all about it.”
“Thanks,” Nancy said. “We were just wondering if something was wrong.”
Ziegler’s expression was grim. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you earlier. It turns out Sally Belmont and Will Leonard really have been kidnapped. The police were here just a few minutes ago. Someone sent Belmont’s manager a threatening note saying he was going to execute both of them.”
“We know,” Nancy said. “We were with Denise Ellingsen when she got the note.”
Matt Ziegler shook his head. “Will and Sally were supposed to host the Mystery Lovers Awards ceremony tomorrow night.”
“I read about that in the flyer,” Bess said. “Isn’t it going to be held right next door at the old Atheneum Theater?”
Ziegler nodded. “That theater is rarely used these days, and only by special request. We had to pay a lot of money to book it for this ceremony. Unless we can find Sally and Will, the ceremony will be held without them.”
“That’s too bad,” Nancy said. “I guess now you won’t have a star for the program.”
Ziegler smiled. “Wrong. That’s what I was just talking to Dan Redding about. He’s agreed to stand in for Will and Sally as our guest of honor. It’s really not a stretch when you think about it. ‘Cop’ may not get the ratings ‘Nightside’ gets, but ‘Cop’ is actually a better show. And Redding’s not just the star. He created it.”
“It’s still nice of Redding to fill in at the last minute,” Bess said. “Considering he wasn’t your first choice.”
“That was Peter Thornton’s doing,” Ziegler said. “I don’t know what Thornton said to Dan, but it must have done the trick.”
“Peter Thornton?” Nancy asked. “He’s Will Leonard’s manager.”
Ziegler shrugged. “I got the impression he was Dan Redding’s manager. Anyway, I have a lot to do to prepare for tomorrow night. I hope you girls can make it.”
“So . . .” Nancy mused as she watched Ziegler leave. “Peter Thornton manages Redding too. Funny he never mentioned it.”
“I’m surprised he can manage two people,” said Bess. “It seems as if he can’t even manage his own life.”
Just then Denise Ellingsen came running toward them, necklaces jangling. “I’m glad I found you,” she said, panting for breath.
“Why?” asked Nancy. “Did you get another note?”
“No,” said Sally Belmont’s manager, gulping air. “But I found something that might lead us to Sally and Will!”
