Mystery of Crocodile Island - Carolyn Keene [4]
When Nancy joined Bess and George, they were worried about the turn of events.
“Do you suppose,” Bess asked, “that somehow the people on Crocodile Island found out that we were coming, and that you’re an amateur detective, Nancy?”
“That’s possible,” Nancy replied. “Anyway, since Dad wants us to go ahead, let’s get our seat numbers.”
The girls did, then went to the lounge and settled on three seats away from other waiting passengers to discuss what they would do when they reached Key Biscayne.
George said, “Perhaps we should disguise ourselves with wigs and quick-tanning lotions. Bess could become a brunette, I could be a blond, and Nancy a gray-haired old lady.”
“Thanks.” Nancy laughed. “It would be fun, but the suspects on Crocodile Island have never seen us before. What good would a disguise be?”
After a few moments’ thought, Bess spoke up. “You’re right, they haven’t seen us. But they evidently know who we are. Do you think it would be safer if we changed our names? We could use pseudonyms when necessary.”
“What names do you suggest?” George asked.
Nancy smiled. “Suppose I call myself Anne, and Bess can be Elizabeth, and George—”
Quickly George interrupted her. “Not Georgia!” she exclaimed.
Bess laughed. Georgia was her cousin’s real name, but she would never allow anyone to call her by it.
“I’ll be Jackie,” George declared.
The girls discussed a last name and finally decided on Boonton, which was Mrs. Marvin’s maiden name.
Nancy looked at her watch. “I’ll have time to phone Dad and tell him our new names. He can inform Mr. Gonzales.”
When she returned, George said. “Okay, Anne. Our section of seats has been called to board. Let’s go!”
Bess grinned. “Oh, Jackie, dear,” she said, “You have such brilliant ideas!”
The girls entered the giant airliner in a happy mood, and sat down side by side. During the flight they teased one another, using their assumed names. They passed part of the time reading magazines and eating a delicious lunch.
In the middle of the afternoon they arrived in Miami and went to the baggage-claim area. As they retrieved their suitcases, a young man walked up to them.
“Pardon me,” he said, “but are you the girls who are visiting the Cosgroves?”
“That’s right,” George said. “And you?”
“My name is Steven. They sent me to drive you to their house. We’ll get a porter and have him bring your bags.”
Steven led them to a beautiful gold-colored car.
“Does this belong to the Cosgroves?” Nancy asked.
“No, it’s mine,” he said and opened the doors for them.
“It’s yummy,” Bess remarked and plopped into the cream-colored, velvety back seat. George climbed in next to her, while Nancy rode in front with Steven.
On the way the girls admired the sprawling, large homes and the glistening bay. Steven, who was not very talkative, answered their questions merely with a yes or no, so after a while they gave up including him in their conversation.
He drove over the causeway and through Key Biscayne. At last they came to an area of beautiful homes that occupied large pieces of property. Steven turned into a long driveway and approached an elegant mansion. He stopped at the front door and offered to carry the bags up to the girls’ rooms.
Nancy rang the bell. The door was opened by a middle-aged couple.
“You must be Nancy Drew,” the woman said. She was cordial but did not smile. “And these are your friends, Bess and George.”
Nancy nodded and asked, “And you are Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove?”
“Yes,” the man replied. He did not smile either, and the girls felt uncomfortable at the cool welcome.
The couple silently escorted them to the second floor and showed each visitor to a large and expensively furnished bedroom. Steven followed with their luggage.
Nancy walked to the picture window at the far end of her room to gaze down into the beautiful garden. Bess and George also looked out their windows. None of them had noticed that their hosts had silently closed the doors to the hall.
When the three friends tried to get together before joining the Cosgroves downstairs, they found that they had been locked