Carolyn Keene. Stay Tuned For Danger

“Nancy!” Eloise cried, hugging her niece warmly and planting a kiss on her cheek. “I’m so happy to see you! And Bess,” she said, taking Nancy’s friend warmly by the hand. “How good it is to see you again. How was your trip?” Eloise asked as they entered the building.

“Kind of boring,” Bess admitted with a smile.

“Wonderfully uneventful is more like it,” Nancy said in the elevator up to Eloise’s second-floor apartment. “I’ve been so busy lately that it was great just to sit down and leaf through a magazine.”

“Well, here we are!” Eloise said, pushing open the door to her apartment. “I’ve redecorated a bit since you were here the last time.”

The apartment was spacious and homey. Bright sunlight splashed across the walls, which were papered in a dainty flowery print.

“I love what you’ve done!” Bess exclaimed enthusiastically as they were passing through the living room. She paused to look out the window. “I had forgotten there were trees in the backyard!”

“In New York we call it a courtyard. Unfortunately, though, as you probably remember, your room faces the street.” Nancy’s aunt led them across a small hallway to a cozy bedroom. “Don’t worry, the street is usually pretty quiet.”

Just then a fire engine came careening down the block, its siren blasting. Eloise waited for it to pass before adding, “Quiet for the city, that is.”

The room was all ready for the two girls. Both beds were freshly made with light blue comforters, and two sets of fluffy white towels were neatly folded on top of the modern oak bureau. Eloise slid open a pair of white louvered doors, revealing a nearly empty closet.

“Here you are, ladies,” she announced. “And after you’ve unpacked, we’ll have a snack. For dinner, I thought we could go to my favorite Chinese restaurant.”

“Super,” Nancy said, looking over at Bess, who seemed enthusiastic. “As long as there’s no mystery involved, I’m game for anything.”

“Well—” Nancy’s aunt said hesitantly. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘no mystery,’ Nancy. I was going to save it for later, but since you brought it up . . .”

“Oh, no! I don’t want to hear another word. I’m here for a week’s vacation, and that’s that!” Nancy flung herself on the bed and covered her head with a pillow.

“Okay, okay.” Eloise shrugged. “I only thought you’d be interested because it has to do with a TV show. . . .” She stared absently at the ceiling, showing no emotion.

“What TV show?” Bess asked. Nancy’s aunt didn’t answer. “Come on, Nancy, ask her. I’ve got to know!”

Nancy peeked out from under her pillow, looking back and forth from Bess to Eloise. “Okay, Aunt Eloise,” she muttered. “I give in. What show?”

“Well, let me start at the beginning,” the older woman replied, sitting down next to Nancy. “Yesterday, I happened to tell my downstairs neighbor you were coming to stay with me. Her name is Mattie Jensen, and she’s an—”

“The Mattie Jensen? Of ‘Danner’s Dream’?”

Eloise nodded, and Bess nearly fainted with excitement.

“I don’t believe it! Mattie Jensen is your neighbor! Is she as beautiful in real life as she is on TV? Is she anything like Serena Livingstone?”

“Hey, wait.” Nancy propped herself up on one elbow, looking bewildered. “You guys are way ahead of me! Who’s Serena Livingstone?”

Bess looked at Nancy as if she had just arrived from Mars. “That’s Mattie Jensen’s character on ‘Danner’s Dream.’ Gosh, Nancy, you’re really out of it. You at least know who Rory Danner is, don’t you?”

Nancy shook her head.

“His real name is Rick Arlen. He and Mattie are the stars of the show,” Eloise explained. “Anyway, I told her that you’re a detective, and she got very excited.”

“Well, is she?” Bess persisted. Nancy and Eloise looked at her, puzzled. “As beautiful in real life, I mean. And as together as Serena?”

“Oh!” Eloise laughed. “Well, let’s see. If anything, I’d say she’s more beautiful in person. As for together—well, Mattie’s a sweet girl, but she’s very emotional. I guess you could say she has an artistic temperament.”

Eloise turned back to her niece. “Anyway, she was really hoping you would stop by the set. It seems some strange things have been happening to Rick Arlen. She said she could get both of you guest passes for tomorrow morning. If you’re willing, that is.”

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