Sisters in Crime by Carolyn Keene Page A

back endorsed by my own daughter.” Rina’s mother smiled proudly. “I gave twice my usual amount this year—in appreciation—six hundred dollars. I think Rina was very happy that I had been so generous. She thanked me every time we talked.”
    â€œDid anyone else endorse that check, Mrs. Charles?” Nancy asked, taking a guess that therewould be two signatures needed for any sorority financial transaction.
    Mrs. Charles nodded. She looked tired, and sad, as she answered, “Yes. That lovely young woman who was so upset at Rina’s funeral—Lori Westerly.”
    Just then, there was a knock on the open door, and framed in the doorway was Lori Westerly.
    Mrs. Charles stood up to embrace Lori, and they greeted each other warmly. “I heard you were here,” Lori said as Gary returned to the room to get more boxes to carry downstairs. “I thought I might be able to help.”
    As Lori grabbed an armful of Rina’s things, she turned to Nancy and said, “I got approval for you to stay a few more days. Susan said you’d like to.”
    â€œThanks very much,” Nancy said. “I really appreciate it.”
    â€œOh.” Mrs. Charles sighed. “There’s nothing like Delta Phi for wonderful girls.”
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    In the late afternoon the entire sorority house was empty. It was unnaturally quiet, without the usual buzz and drone of radios, hair dryers, and voices.
    With a credit card Nancy expertly pried open the lock on Lori Westerly’s door and silently closed it behind her.
    Susan had told Nancy that the third floor had the most desirable rooms, and Nancy could seewhy. From Lori’s window she had a breathtaking view of the water, beaches, and palm trees. Evidently, the higher you are in this sorority, Nancy thought, the higher your room is in the house. Nancy scanned the large room. Piled on the bed were clothes, books, and even a pair of swim fins. The desk was also disorganized. On the walls were posters of athletes. All divers, and all Olympic champions.
    In the large walk-in closet Nancy found more athletic equipment. Lori’s weights for working out, a wet suit for scuba diving, and also rock-climbing equipment. But not what Nancy hoped she would find.
    Not until she lay down on the floor and looked under the bed did Nancy find the green file box Susan had told her about. Excitedly, she pulled it out, picked the lock, and looked in. But after examining the contents, Nancy felt disappointed. There was just a form letter thanking people who had donated money to Delta Phi and a listing of all the alumnae who had done so since the beginning of the school year.
    How could this be worth anything? Nancy wondered. But then she remembered that Lori had felt it was important enough to retrieve before people even knew what had happened to Rina, Nancy took a small pad out of her pocket and quickly copied down the information. It may be nothing, she thought. But it’s worth examining further.
    Nancy relocked the file box, returned it to its exact place under the bed, and checked to make certain that everything in the closet was as it had been when she entered. She listened at the door before she swiftly and cautiously left Lori’s room.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    â€œOh, good, you made it!” Susan exclaimed as she moved over to make room for Nancy on the bleachers in the huge indoor swimming arena.
    In front of Susan sat Fran Kelly and Jan Miller. Looking back when Susan greeted Nancy, the two girls stopped the animated conversation they were having.
    â€œThe diving competition started about ten minutes ago,” Susan said. “So far Lori has had one dive. She’s getting ready for her second.”
    Jan Miller turned around once more.
    â€œHi,” Nancy said as Jan stared directly at her.
    But Jan didn’t return the greeting. Strange, Nancy thought. She had been friendly enough on the porch the other