Dance Till You Die by Carolyn Keene Page B

she knew who were wearing his-and-her Tarzan and Jane outfits.
    A new DJ had taken Etienne’s place, Nancy observed. He played a slightly different mix of music—less appealing than Etienne’s, but very danceable. A big crowd was already hitting the floor.
    Nancy spotted Tom Kragen. He and a male friend were dressed as samurai warriors. Nancy kept an eye on Tom as the evening progressed. He obviously recognized Bess despite her costume, because he kept glancing in her direction. He did not try to engage her in conversation, though.
    As she was heading to the ladies’ room at one point, Nancy felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned and saw someone wearing a Cleopatra costume with a glittering gold half-mask. “Nancy?” a girl’s voice said hesitantly.
    Nancy recognized the voice. It was Charity Freeborn. In the regal Egyptian queen’s costume, Charity’s looks were utterly transformed. She was glamorous. “Hi, Charity,” Nancy said, greeting her.
    Charity checked around her hesitantly. “I need to talk with you. Let’s go where we won’t be overheard.” She led Nancy to a spot just outside Lonnie’s office door. “I wanted to know what you’d heard about Gaetan’s case,” she said anxiously.
    â€œThe detective in charge said they may have to drop the charges unless they gather more evidence,” Nancy explained.
    Charity let out a huge sigh of relief. “Thank goodness,” she said. “I’ve been so worried.”
    â€œCharity, have you given any more thought to going home?” Nancy asked gently. “It would be good to have your family’s support at a time like this.”
    â€œI’ve talked to them on the phone,” Charity said softly. “I may go see them soon.”
    â€œGood,” Nancy replied. “I know they miss you.”
    â€œThanks, Nancy. I’d better get going. I just stopped by to see who was making this scene tonight, but I’m glad I got a chance to talk with you.” She turned and melted back into the crowd in the front lobby.
    Nancy continued on to the ladies’ room, where she changed her shoes. Glad to be on solid footing again, she decided to look for Lonnie, totalk to him about the case and about his doorman. Nancy stepped inside Lonnie’s office and did a quick check of the place. Lonnie wasn’t there. Nancy was about to leave when her eye fell on a bright pink notice that was lying partially hidden under a book on his desk. The paper said: OFFICIAL NOTICE—TERMS OF FORECLOSURE. It was from a local bank, informing Lonnie that he had thirty days to pay an outstanding debt, or the club would be seized.
    Nancy froze, astonished. How could this be? she wondered. Lonnie had lied about the club being in good financial health, when it was clear the opposite was true! Nancy resolved to confront him with her new discovery.
    Nancy asked the girl at the coat check where she might find Lonnie. The girl shrugged and pointed to the door that led to the dressing room and utility areas. Nancy went through the door and down the hallway, listening for the club owner.
    Pausing outside the water tank room, which was beside the dressing room she’d been in the day before, Nancy heard a loud, ominous hissing noise coming from inside. She opened the door to see a tangled web of pipes running out from an old, rusty tank. A low, metallic gurgling wasemanating from one of the pipes. Nancy stood uncertainly for a moment, wondering whether she should call a maintenance person. At that moment the pipe burst its seam. The rupture released a deadly spray of boiling steam directly toward Nancy’s face!

Chapter

Thirteen
    N ANCY DOVE to the ground to avoid being hit by the blast of scalding white steam that the pipe had spewed forth. She lay there a moment, shaking, while the boiling vapors shot directly over her head. The room was rumbling and clanging with the sound of