Update On Crime by Carolyn Keene

soul except for Marilyn and that production assistant, Valerie,” he commented. “Beats me how they got that screwball tape into the broadcast.”
    Nancy thanked the engineer for the microphone, then returned to the newsroom. It was nearly seven-thirty, and she suddenly realized that she was famished again. She didn’t know how much more she could find out about the sabotage, so she decided to call it a day and head home for some dinner.
    On her way out, Nancy passed by Hal’s office. The anchorman wasn’t there, but a couple of fire fighters were sifting through the ashes, looking for evidence of arson.
    As she passed through the lobby, Nancy felt an arm link smoothly through hers. She found herself staring into the sparkling green eyes of Hal Taylor.
    â€œI always take my new assistants out for a bite to eat on their first day.” He grinned. “Since you’re such a special intern, why don’t we make it a special meal? Let’s say, someplace like Le St. Tropez?” Le St. Tropez was one of River Heights’s more romantic and elegant restaurants. Its dining room had a stone fireplace and an intimate atmosphere.
    The color rose in Nancy’s cheeks as she felt the warmth of Hal’s touch. “Isn’t that a pretty cozy spot for a business meeting?” she teased.
    â€œIt’s not business I have in mind at the moment,”Hal teased right back. “Besides, they have the world’s best beef Wellington. Trust me.”
    Nancy felt herself being propelled forward by the force of Hal’s charm. Before she knew it, the two of them were in Nancy’s Mustang on their way to the restaurant. Hal whistled appreciatively as she maneuvered through traffic.
    â€œA bright, beautiful girl who drives her sports car like a pro,” he said, smiling. “Is there anything you don’t do well?”
    â€œGive me a minute and I’ll think of something,” Nancy returned. It’s no wonder that Hal Taylor is so popular, she thought—he’s irresistible!
    The maître d’ greeted Hal warmly—the news anchor was obviously a regular. He showed them to a private booth at the back of the restaurant. After they were seated, Nancy tried to discuss the case, but Hal wanted no part of it.
    â€œI’d much rather talk about you,” he said. “How did you become a private investigator?”
    He listened while she described some of the more famous cases she’d worked on. Then he said, “I meant it earlier today when I said you’d make a great reporter. Have you ever thought of a career on the air?”
    â€œBeing a reporter seems pretty glamorous, but I guess I’m really a detective at heart,” she told Hal.
    â€œSpeaking of hearts,” Hal said softly. “Is there a handsome boyfriend lurking in the wings?”
    â€œYes,” Nancy answered truthfully. She felt a guilty stab of conscience as she thought about Ned. After all, he would be coming home to see her the next night. What would he think if he could see her having a romantic dinner with Hal Taylor?
    Hal leaned back and smiled ruefully. “I suppose it was too much to hope that you’d be fabulous and unattached,” he said. “I’m not really free, either, I guess. I’m still seeing the waitress I told you about. And I still haven’t been able to sort out my feelings about Marilyn. Sometimes I think we news types aren’t meant to be in a stable relationship,” he finished.
    â€œWhy do you say that?” Nancy asked.
    â€œIt’s tough being involved with a reporter,” Hal explained. “I guess we journalists are really married to our careers more than to anything else. That was one thing Marilyn understood. I kind of miss that about her,” he added wistfully.
    After dinner Nancy dropped Hal off at the station. She shook her head as she watched him disappear into the building. He didn’t seem to