Thornton didn’t say anything.
“I think it would be a good idea if you—and Mr. Thornton—came up to see Sally’s room,” Nancy said quietly but firmly.
Denise Ellingsen nodded and immediately picked up her suitcase. It was made of expensive leather with the initials HP printed all over it.
“I love your bag,” Bess said as they headed across the lobby. “Is that a real Henri Puissant?”
Ellingsen nodded.
“It must have cost a fortune,” Bess said.
Ellingsen shrugged. “I’d rather pay more for quality.”
“Me too,” Bess said. “But usually I can’t afford it.”
For the first time Ellingsen smiled. “That’s how I used to feel. But don’t worry. If you want something badly enough, you’ll figure out a way to get it.”
Nancy looked back and noticed that Peter Thornton was lagging behind.
“Aren’t you coming, Mr. Thornton?” Nancy asked.
Thornton hesitated and looked nervously around him.
“What’s wrong, Peter?” Ellingsen asked.
Thornton coughed, then silently picked up his worn canvas bag and followed them to the elevator.
The door to Suite 1204 was still untouched, so Nancy led the group inside. She showed the manager the skidmarks that curved across the marble floor like two black gashes. Sally’s bedroom was exactly as Nancy had left it, with chairs and tables overturned and Sally’s silky clothes on the floor.
Ellingsen turned to Peter Thornton. “You still think Sally did this all by herself?” she asked.
Thornton shook his head. He had a confused look on his face. “I’m not sure. I want to talk this over with Will.”
“He’s right next door,” Nancy said. “He said he was going to take a nap.”
The five trooped back through Sally’s suite and down the hall to Will’s room. “You’re next!” was still scrawled on the door, each letter dripping like blood. Denise Ellingsen shivered when she saw it.
Peter Thornton knocked on Will’s door. There was no answer.
“Knock a little louder,” said Bess. “He’s a heavy sleeper.”
“How do you know?” asked George.
“I read it in the National Tattler,” Bess said.
Thornton knocked again. There was still no answer.
“Will!” Thornton called, this time pounding on the door.
Nancy tried the doorknob. It turned easily. She opened the door. What they saw when they all stepped into the room made them gasp in horror.
“This is awful!” Denise Ellingsen cried.
“I don’t believe it,” Peter Thornton whispered, shaking his head.
“Oh, no, not again!” cried Bess.
Nancy led the way into the middle of the room. It was like an instant replay of what had happened next door. The dresser had been overturned, clothes were all over the floor, and, worst of all, Will Leonard was nowhere in sight!
4
Breakfast with a Suspect
Now both stars of “Nightside” were missing.
“I’m going to call Security,” said Denise Ellingsen.
“No!” cried all three girls at the same time.
Denise and Peter exchanged a questioning look. Nancy tried to explain.
“We’ve already met with the chief of security twice in the past hour, and he didn’t even believe there was a real kidnapping. He thinks we’re playing a practical joke.”
“I’m sure I can convince him it’s no joke,” said Ellingsen, picking up the phone receiver.
Seconds later she was put through to Ray Sherbinski. Nancy and her friends watched as Ellingsen become more and more frustrated as she tried to convince the security chief that the kidnappings were real and not a joke. Finally Ellingsen slammed down the receiver.
“That jerk doesn’t believe me!” she said angrily.
