Sisters in Crime by Carolyn Keene

has definitely figured out that I’m a detective,” Nancy said as she tried to move hersore arm. “What bothers me the most is that I don’t know how they did it, or who they are.”
    Susan nodded. “Let’s see how your back looks,” she said, concerned.
    Nancy delicately moved her nightshirt over her shoulder so Susan could look at her back.
    â€œYour whole shoulder is turning colors,” Susan reported. “Blue and red and purple.”
    â€œNow I’ll really look like a dart board,” Nancy said, joking. “At least I won’t have to cover it with makeup, like my face.”
    â€œOh, Nancy,” Susan said seriously. “You’re used to all this danger and can make fun of it, but I can’t. What do you really make of all this?”
    Nancy answered thoughtfully. “We are getting some information, at least. Rina may have been involved with this cheating ring, and wanted to tell the school authorities. Someone might have felt they had to get rid of her. Or,” Nancy added, “the murder may have been related to something Rina learned while she was treasurer. Or maybe the two things are somehow connected.”
    â€œAnd suspects?” Susan asked.
    â€œWell, cheating is one thing, and killing is quite another,” Nancy answered. “A lot of people in this house may be involved in cheating. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole inner circle was involved, and maybe Fran, too. It still doesn’t tell me anything about murder.”
    Susan picked up the red-and-green-stripeddart that lay on top of the dresser. It was about six inches long and had a needle-sharp point. “You have no idea where it came from?” she asked.
    â€œNone at all,” Nancy said. “The area was silent and deserted by the time we looked around. The person who threw it had time to get away while Kathy was pulling that out of my shoulder,” Nancy explained.
    Susan winced at the description.
    Nancy began to do gentle stretches and yoga postures. “I need to see that file box,” she said. “Today.”
    â€œAnd today is your third day here. I spoke to Lori last night and asked her if you could stay a few more days. She said she’d let me know today.”
    â€œOkay,” Nancy said, bending over to touch her toes.
    â€œAnd tonight’s our date with Ira and his friend,” Susan reminded Nancy. “Are you sure you feel up to it?”
    â€œSure,” Nancy said, standing up straight.
    Susan began gathering up her books to go to the library. “One more thing you might be interested in. This afternoon at four o’clock is a big swim meet. Lori’s diving, so everyone in the sorority will be there to cheer her on.”
    â€œEveryone will be out of the sorority house?” Nancy asked.
    â€œProbably,” Susan answered. “Why?” As sheplaced her hand on the doorknob, Susan turned back to look at Nancy. “The file box?” she asked.
    â€œLet’s hope so. See you later.”
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    Soon after Nancy was showered and dressed, Rina’s mother and brother, Gary, appeared. Nancy introduced herself to Mrs. Charles as Susan’s cousin, not as the detective investigating her daughter’s death. Gary, Nancy noted, wore the same thick glasses that Rina had.
    â€œYou girls have all been so kind,” Mrs. Charles said as she sat at Rina’s old desk and looked at all the things that Susan and Nancy had packed. Gary began carrying things down to the car, and although Nancy wanted to help him, she felt it was important to sit and visit with Mrs. Charles for a while. There may even be a clue, Nancy thought.
    â€œIt meant so much to Rina that she was asked to be a Delta Phi—and so much to me,” Mrs. Charles said. “And to think she was so quickly given a position of responsibility,” she added with a sigh. “Do you know, my alumnae check came