A Date with Deception by Carolyn Keene Page A

Nancy’s side. Dmitri and Marina stopped to wait for him, but Nancy saw that when Dmitri tried to go after Sasha, Marina put a hand on Dmitri’s arm to stop him.
    â€œI can see this in you, Nancy,” Sasha said, touching her shoulder. “You are not one to give up. That note may frighten you, but it won’t stop you.”
    Nancy nodded. “You’re right. It won’t stop me.”
    â€œThen you must be careful,” he said. He squeezed her shoulder.
    â€œDon’t worry, Sasha.” Nancy smiled. “I’m always careful.”
    She thought he’d leave then, but instead he said, “Let me help you, Nancy.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œPlease.” Sasha’s voice vibrated with excitement. “I know you must have many ideas about this case. So do I. That note—there’s something extremely strange about it, don’t you agree? I’m not sure what it is yet, but it might turn out to be a clue. Two heads are better than one, Nancy. Let us solve this case together.”
    He really means it, Nancy thought. She sighed. There was something so appealing, so vital about Sasha. It went beyond his incredible good looks—it had something to do with his character. If only . . .
    No. Nancy sighed again. “Sasha, thanks, but I can’t work that way.”
    â€œYou always work alone?” he asked, his eyebrows lifting. “You never take help, even when it is offered?”
    â€œNo, that’s not what I mean,” Nancy protested.“But you read this note. I don’t really think anybody’s out to get me, but I’m not going to take any chances. And I’m sure not going to let you take any. Dmitri’s right—I’m the detective and you’re the dancer. Let’s keep it that way, okay?”
    Without waiting for a reply, Nancy walked directly back to the club. She reached the door at the same time as another young woman. The woman had light brown hair and a determined look in her green eyes. She stared at Nancy’s hair and then pointed to her blouse. “White cotton with embroidered flowers, and red hair in a French braid. You must be Nancy Drew.”
    â€œAnd you must be Susan Wexler,” Nancy said with a laugh.
    â€œRight,” Susan said, stepping aside to let the three Soviets go in. “Come on. Let’s find a table and talk about Jetstream.”
    At the word Jetstream, both Dmitri and Sasha turned and stared at the two young women. For a second Nancy was afraid Sasha would try to join them. She breathed a sigh of relief when he grabbed Marina’s hand and pulled her onto the dance floor again.
    Spotting George and Gary, Nancy waved them over and soon the four of them were seated around a table, discussing Jetstream. Gary agreed to do an interview with Susan the next morning, on the condition that it wouldn’t be published for a week. He wascounting on Nancy’s solving the case, and his story being scrapped for something bigger. Susan wasn’t happy with this arrangement, but she agreed to it.
    â€œI can’t get a straight story out of anyone. None of the brass at Jetstar will talk to me, either,” she complained. “They’ve always been secretive, but now it’s ridiculous. I’m sure something’s going on.”
    The band started a loud number, and Nancy almost had to shout. “Your article said Aviane wouldn’t reveal its plans,” she said. “But did they tell you anything ‘off the record’ that you can’t print?”
    Taking a sip of soda, Susan nodded. “Something about the engines. That’s all they’d say. It’s not much to go on. You know what I think? They were bluffing. I got the impression that it wasn’t all going as smoothly as Aviane would like us to think. I don’t believe they have all the bugs worked out of the system yet.”
    Nancy didn’t respond, but she did feel a