Part 2 (1/2)
”What is happening? I am Senora Ramirez, chaperon for the San Carlos entry in the international tennis tournament, and I demand to know! If there is danger, I cannot allow my charge to stay here!”
At that, everybody began talking at once. The police took down Nancy's story, or as much of it as she'd revealed to the man from Security. One of the patrolmen went up to the room on the other side of the hotel where Roberto-Teresa's boyfriend-was staying. Detective Dixon and Mrs. Sherman tried to calm Senora Ramirez. The police demanded to see Teresa. Senora Ramirez demanded that the police first provide an official Spanish translator and somebody from the San Carlos emba.s.sy. Then she took off in the direction of Teresa's room while the police made the necessary phone calls.
Nancy discreetly left the room. Not waiting for the elevator, she ran down the emergency stairs, two at a time, to the second floor.
George and Bess jumped up as Nancy entered. ”Another kidnapping! This time it's Teresa's boyfriend. I have to call Marilyn Kilpatrick,” Nancy said as she ran for the telephone. Before she reached it, George had dug into Nancy's purse and brought out the telephone number.
The senator wasn't in her office. She was in conference somewhere, and whoever answered the phone did not know when or where she could be reached. ”Tell her Nancy has to talk to her soon soon,” Nancy said urgently. She didn't feel secure about leaving a more explicit message.
”I think you'd better deal us in,” George said quietly as Nancy put down the phone.
”I think so, too, even though I'm not supposed to without permission.” Nancy took a deep breath. ”I'm supposed to receive a message from a courier in the Hollins Gymnasium locker room. Originally it was for this afternoon. Then the meeting was changed to tonight. I don't know what it's about, but it has to do with San Carlos. Senator Kilpatrick is involved in a secret top-level diplomatic mission.”
George whistled. ”Do you suppose it has something to do with the attempt to kidnap Teresa?” she asked.
”I think so. Teresa's staying in a room one floor above us but facing the back. At least the police are with her.” Nancy glanced out the window. ”No they're not! Those two down there by the patrol car were the ones who talked to me, but they're leaving, and they don't have Teresa or Senora Ramirez with them.” Nancy stopped, thinking.
”Bess, stay here in case the senator calls. Tell her what happened. George, come with me. The sooner we get some answers from Teresa Montenegro, the better.”
Nancy and George ran for the emergency stairs. They were running so fast that George crashed into a dark figure who was on her way down. It was Senora Ramirez, out of breath and distraught. She grabbed Nancy and began shouting at her in Spanish.
”Please! Speak more slowly,” Nancy pleaded, also in Spanish.
”Senorita Montenegro-she is my responsibility, and she has tricked me-”
Nancy finally understood that Teresa had asked her chaperon for some aspirin. While the older woman was in the bathroom getting it, Teresa had slammed the door shut on her and run out.
”She is going for the car I have rented. I know it. She took the keys-”
”We'll get her. Come on, George!” Nancy shouted.
They sprinted down the stairs and headed for the parking garage, leaving Senora Ramirez behind.
The garage was dim with shadows, lit only by a few overhead bulbs and the twilight coming in through the exit and entryway.
”Split,” Nancy whispered, gesturing for George to take the left side. George nodded. Her tennis shoes made no sound as she ran.
A banner hung over the center parking area. It read International Women's Semi-Pro Tennis Tournament. Someone was doing a good job of promotion, Nancy thought briefly as she threaded her way to the right lane.
Something moved. Was it-yes, it was was Teresa, furtively hurrying toward a car. Nancy started to run. Teresa, furtively hurrying toward a car. Nancy started to run.
Then, all at once, a car engine roared to life nearby. Headlights glared blindingly, and Nancy saw the great shape bearing down on her-and on Teresa!
With a burst of speed, Nancy flung herself at the girl from San Carlos, knocking her down. Teresa screamed. At the same moment, Nancy wrapped her arms around Teresa tightly and jerked to the right. The two of them rolled over once, twice, as the car screamed by in a dark blur, just inches away from them.
”Nancy!” George shouted. George shouted.
”Here!” Nancy called back. In that split second she must have let down her guard. Suddenly Teresa broke free, kicking Nancy away and leaping up.
As she did so, the dark sedan suddenly whipped into a turn and bore down on her again with incredible power.
Nancy scrambled to her feet. But there was no way she could reach Teresa in time.
Chapter Five.
TERESA FROZE, PARALYZED in the blinding light. Suddenly a figure leaped into the air.
George's strong arms caught at the tournament banner. It broke away, coming down with her, and was flung onto the front winds.h.i.+eld of the sedan.
The car swerved crazily to the left. It bounced off the front fender of a sports car and tore erratically toward the exit.
The banner slid off in a little heap as the sedan, burning rubber, roared up the ramp and then vanished.
Suddenly the garage seemed very silent. The only sound was the gasping sobs coming from Teresa, lying crumpled on the floor. Nancy and George ran to her, but she shrank away from them like a wounded bird.
”It's all right. I'm Nancy... Nancy Drew,” Nancy murmured rea.s.suringly, stroking the hair back from Teresa's frightened eyes. Teresa nodded, recognizing Nancy's voice. There was a large bruise like a rope burn on her cheek. She must have skinned it on the concrete when she fell.
George, an expert first-aider, checked Teresa for other injuries. ”No damage except bruises,” she reported.
”No thanks to whoever was driving that car,” Nancy said grimly. ”Teresa, somebody tried to kidnap me this afternoon. Yes, probably mistaking me for you,” she said as Teresa's blue eyes widened. ”Why is somebody trying to kill you?”
Teresa jerked her head away, pressing her lips together. George's eyes met Nancy's. ”The same guy who shot at your boyfriend? They got him, you know,” George said brutally. ”That's what the racket was in the hallway, Nancy told me. If you won't talk to save yourself, how about him? We're on your side,” she went on more gently as Teresa cried out. ”Nancy can help you if you'll let her.”
Nancy put her arms around Teresa as she struggled to sit up. ”Find Senora Ramirez and tell her Teresa's safe,” Nancy told George in a low voice. ”And brief the house detective. His name's Dixon.”
George nodded and left. For a few minutes there was no sound except Teresa's ragged breathing.
”Don't you think you owe me at least some explanation?” Nancy asked presently. ”After all, I almost got killed twice today because of you.” As she hoped, that approach brought a response.
”I am so sorry. I do not know, really.” Teresa swallowed hard. ”It is-how do you say? A night scare?”
”Nightmare,” Nancy supplied. ”Teresa, you must think. There has to be a reason.” No answer. ”Why were you running away? From the police? From your chaperon?” She repeated the words in Spanish because Teresa seemed too distraught to understand.
”Not running away... Roberto? You said Roberto is dead? He can't be!”
”George didn't say that. He was kidnapped-probably by the same men who grabbed me. There was a witness. And there were shots fired. Roberto may have been killed, but we don't know yet. Teresa, don't you think you'd better-”
Teresa was shaking her head violently. ”No! There was a phone call-” She stopped abruptly.
”Teresa, tell tell me!” Nancy needed the facts before the police showed up and chased her away. me!” Nancy needed the facts before the police showed up and chased her away.
Teresa looked at her for a long moment. Then she nodded. ”Someone called,” she whispered. ”Not Roberto-it was a message from Roberto.”
”In English or Spanish?”
”Spanish. It said Roberto was hurt and needed me. He wanted me to come to get him.”