Update On Crime by Carolyn Keene Page B

from Marilyn?” she asked. If so, she could compare them to the threats Hal had been receiving.
    â€œNo. Just nasty messages on the answering machine,” Rita replied. “That was bad enough.”
    After thanking Rita for her help, Nancy said goodbye and walked to the front door of the restaurant with Bess. “Can you go with me to the statehouse tomorrow on a little mission?” she asked.
    â€œI don’t have to be here until five o’clock tomorrow, so I’m free,” Bess replied. “What do you have in mind?”
    â€œWhoever is behind these attacks may have a connection to that politician Steve Gilbert,” Nancy explained. “I want to go to his office tomorrow to see what we can dig up.”
    â€œCount me in,” Bess said with a smile.
    â€œThanks,” Nancy said, giving her friend a hug goodbye.
    As she drove home, Nancy mentally reviewed the case. So far, she had three strong suspects—Marilyn Morgan, Gary Krieger, and Steve Gilbert. The fire in Hal’s office pointed to Steve Gilbert, since the tape that had been stolen would have exposed him. But Nancy knew that someone on the inside would have to be cooperating with the politician to pull off such an attack.
    Could Marilyn Morgan or Gary Krieger be in league with Gilbert? Hopefully, she and Bess would find out the answer to that question the next day.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    Friday morning was cold and blustery, but Nancy was grateful there was no snow as she and Bess made the long drive to the statehouse in Springfield. Nancy brought a notebook and a tape recorder with her.
    â€œMy official excuse for coming here today is to do some research at the senate library for one of Hal’s stories,” Nancy explained to Bess after they found a place to park near the impressive building.“But we’ll have plenty of time to check out Gilbert’s office.”
    â€œWhat do you hope to find there?” Bess asked as they made their way toward the sweeping marble stairs of the statehouse.
    â€œWith any luck, we’ll find out some information that will link Gilbert to one of the suspects at Channel Nine,” Nancy said.
    Inside the statehouse, Nancy and Bess found a young senate page who directed them to Steve Gilbert’s legislative office. It was just before noon, and the hallway was beginning to fill with legislators and office workers headed for lunch.
    Nancy spotted the representative leaving with an assistant. She quickly bent her head over a drinking fountain so that Gilbert wouldn’t recognize her.
    â€œLet’s go to Hornby’s for lunch,” she heard him say as he passed. “I could go for their pastrami on rye.”
    Good, Nancy thought. Steve Gilbert would probably be gone for at least an hour. “Okay, Bess,” she said when he had disappeared around the corner. “I need to get into Gilbert’s office while he’s gone. Time to do your thing!”
    â€œAll right,” Bess said, grinning. She tossed back her golden hair with a flourish and marched into Steve Gilbert’s outer office, where a young legislative aide sat at a desk.
    â€œCan I help you?” the handsome young man asked with a smile.
    â€œOh, I hope so.” Bess beamed at the aide. “I was on a tour with my high school class, and Iseem to have gotten lost. I’ve been wandering around for hours. Could you help me find the senate chambers?”
    â€œI’d love to take you there myself, but I’m really not supposed to leave the office unattended,” the aide replied apologetically.
    Bess leaned slightly toward him over the desk. “I’m just so fascinated by politics,” she said, looking deep into the man’s eyes.
    â€œI—I guess it wouldn’t hurt to leave the office for a second,” the aide said. He flashed Bess a bright smile as he stood up. Bess winked at Nancy as she walked past her with Steve Gilbert’s