Authors Note: All disclaimers apply. I'm working on a couple of stories so I will update as often as possible.
Extra—Just for reference Nancy is an adult (mid-twenties) but lives at home just to save on confusion, since she never seems to stay in River Heights much anyway. Hope you enjoy : )
Blind Terror
1. The Call
The dark, winding road was slick from the day's rain. The dense trees on either side of the road blocked out the light of the full moon, making it impossible to see anything beyond the glow of the headlights. The wind still blew through the trees causing leaves to bound across the road.
Nancy Drew looked at her watch. It was almost half past nine. The winding road was treacherous at night and she had hoped to be at her hotel before now. Just a few more miles, she kept reminding herself. But every time she thought about the reason she was driving to the hotel those miles seemed to go on forever.
Glancing in her rearview mirror Nancy frowned. "How long have you been there?" she questioned aloud when she noticed a set of headlights a short distance behind her. Nancy tried to focus on the road ahead of her but she couldn't help but glance at the mirror every few seconds. The car stayed back from Nancy's car but it wouldn't take much for whoever was following her to catch up. Just a few yards down the road Nancy saw a road that veered off of the one she was on. If the car behind her didn't stop following her soon, Nancy decided, she could double back and take that side road to lose them.
As Nancy passed the dirt road she noticed that the car behind her turned off. "Take it easy Drew, not everyone out here is after you. And I thought that after I found that diamond necklace this would all be over." Nancy sighed. She thought back to her last case. "My present case." she reminded herself wearily. She had been called by a young woman, Lady Nicoletta, who had lost an expensive diamond necklace. She was desperate to get it back. Her late husband had left it to her as his final gift, a sort of insurance for her well being to his way of thinking. Little did he realize Lady Nicoletta's bodyguard was involved in a gang of thieves and the diamond necklace would have been a huge bounty for the thieves.
"And now the leader wants me dead. Why did I agree to this?" Nancy wondered aloud. She had just arrived home after the case when she learned that the gang's leader had escaped jail. Knowing she was in danger the police had quickly gotten her out of town. That had been a week ago. Now she was running around the country to avoid being killed, hoping that the police could catch him before he got to her.
Up ahead Nancy saw a sign for La Petite Hotel. A little hotel out of the way of any unnecessary traffic, nobody would find Nancy unless they knew her whereabouts. Turning off at the appropriate exit Nancy followed the signs until she saw a sprawling three story building surrounded by weeping willows and beautiful blooming gardens. Parking in the visitors' area Nancy grabbed her traveling bag and walked along the gravel pathway leading to the door.
The hand carved wooden door swung open easily at Nancy's touch. Inside the lobby a beautiful chandelier cast a warm, soft glow over the room. A grand staircase at the back of the room, opposite the doorway, led to the upper levels. A small reception desk stood just to the left, in front of the door to the kitchen. To the right was a large dining room filled with several tables and chairs. The furnishings looked to be from the plantation era, around the time the building was originally constructed.
Nancy walked over to the reception desk and rang the small bell that sat on the counter. After a few seconds she rang it again. When nobody answered Nancy looked around the building uneasily. There was no noise to speak of and there were very few lights on anywhere on the lower floor. Nancy called out softly, hoping desperately for any kind of answer. When none came Nancy walked quietly up the staircase to the second level.
No sound came from any of the rooms as Nancy walked past. Tiny lights on the wall shone just bright enough to illuminate the hall. Nancy reached the end and turned back the way she had come. She was more than a little nervous about the empty feeling she sensed in the hotel. As she was about to go back down the stairs she had just come up Nancy paused. Was that a shuffling sound she heard upstairs? After listening to the light sounds of movement Nancy crept to the staircase leading up to the third level.
The third floor was mostly identical to the second. However Nancy noticed one major difference. While the second floor was tastefully decorated with beautiful paintings and comfortable furniture the third floor was decorated with old portraits and few items of furniture. Given the situation, the third floor seemed more than a little spooky.
Nancy followed the sounds she had heard from the floor below as she made her way down the hall. The sounds, louder now that she was on the same floor as the person, were coming from one of the rooms at the end of the long hallway. Nancy reached the door, which was slightly ajar, and held her breath. Not quite sure what she expected to find Nancy gently pushed the door open and peeked inside. What she saw made her want to burst with laughter.
Inside the room a young man, about 24 years of age Nancy guessed, was moving about wearing a white apron and holding a feather duster. A small bag of garbage and a tray of soaps sat just inside the doorway. With his deep tan, muscular build, and longish dark hair he looked a little out of place. Unable to contain herself any longer Nancy let out a little giggle. The young man whirled around in surprise.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you." Nancy stepped inside the door, allowing the young man to see her. "My name is Nancy Drew. I have a reservation here but couldn't find anyone."
"I was up here doing the last minute preparations for your room Miss Drew. I must not have heard the bell."
"Are you the night staff here?" Nancy's curiosity got the better of her as she observed the fresh bed linens and clean mirrors.
"I am tonight, and for the rest of the week. My name is Nicholas Dumont." In a French accent he replied, "I will be your maid and chef." In a British accent, "And I will also be the hotel butler and clerk, as well as bag boy."
Nancy laughed. "Well I think the bag boy can have the night off. But I do have to bother the clerk."
"As the lady commands. I will be at the desk momentarily." answered Nicholas with a deep bow. "And you can call me Nick." Grabbing the cleaning supplies with one hand Nicholas offered his other arm to Nancy. Together the two of them walked down to the first floor and over to the counter. Nick stored all the supplies in a closet inside the kitchen before rushing back to the counter.
"How did you get talked into running this place for a week?"
"Stupidity." Nick laughed. "My aunt and uncle own this place. When they agreed that they needed a vacation, their anniversary present from all of the family, I was the only one free to take over." Nick leaned in close to Nancy over the counter. "Between you and me, I think it was a conspiracy. Everyone wanted to see if I could cook and clean."
"Well you certainly are brave enough to wear an apron."
Nick blushed slightly at the comment. "You notice nobody was around while I was wearing it, except you." Nick leaned back. "I don't mind the work though. It is actually kind of fun. And I've had a pretty easy time. For all the space we have there is hardly anyone here." Nick frowned.
Nancy, noticing the change in Nick, looked around. "Who would pass up staying here? It's beautiful out here."
"I've been wondering that lately. Usually this is our busiest season. But right now I only have five rooms occupied, including yours, and two will be free in the morning." Nick sighed. "Maybe my cooking is scaring everyone away."
"Maybe it will pick up soon." Nancy replied hopefully.
Nick laughed. "Just as long as I can keep up with the chores. I can only do so many things at one time. Besides it's hard to cook and change a bed and still keep everyone happy when only one person is doing everything." Adopting a British accent Nick looked at Nancy and smiled. "Ahh but it is late and the Madame needs her rest. If you will follow me I will show you to your room."
Nancy followed Nick back to the third floor room that they had left earlier. Watching Nick made Nancy wonder about who he was outside of work. He seemed to be a true gentleman. Nancy smiled. Any guy that will wear an apron and carry a duster is definitely not your average guy, she thought to herself. Nancy waited as Nick opened the door for her then handed her the traveling bag he had carried up for her. After making sure she was comfortable in her room Nick left, allowing Nancy to get the rest she needed.
The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. Nancy awoke to the joyful sound of birdsong. Smiling Nancy dressed then pulled her reddish blond hair into a secure ponytail. Humming softly she left her room for breakfast.
The lobby area was bright and airy as Nancy descended the stairs. Sunlight cast a joyful beam into every possible space through the large windows. The sound of calypso music drifted around the room.
"Such a change from last night." mused Nancy.
"Good morning, m'lady." Nick said from behind Nancy. "Perhaps I could interest you in the special. A hearty breakfast of eggs, hash brown potatoes, sausage, coffee or juice, and fruit."
Nancy turned around smiling. "Sounds great, I would love to have the special. I'm craving some orange juice right now."
"Coming right up. There are plenty of tables through that door," Nick nodded toward the dining area, "or there are tables outside on the patio."
After Nick left, Nancy walked through the dining area where four other families were finishing their meals and out to the patio. Giant Weeping Willows provided shade in the early morning heat. Blooming flowers gave bursts of color while filling the air with soft floral perfumes. Nancy sat down at a table and leaned back. She could easily get lost in the secluded, tropical paradise feeling of this area.
"Breakfast is served. Enjoy your meal and feel free to request anything you may need. I will be back to clear your table whenever you are ready."
Twenty minutes later Nancy was taking the last sip of her juice. It had been nice to enjoy a meal that didn't involve a brown paper sack and ketchup packets. Being on the run usually meant that meals were less than gourmet. For the first time in a week Nancy was able to have a real meal.
"Nancy, there's a phone call for you at the front desk. The phone is resting on the desk. I will clear off the table so that you can have some privacy." Nick walked over and stacked the few dishes on the table and was wiping it down as Nancy left.
Inside the dining area all the guests had left except for an older man who was sitting at a table reading a newspaper. Nancy glanced his way as she walked to the front desk. Something about him made her anxious. He seemed to be in his fifties, with salt and pepper hair. Well dressed in a suit he looked like he belonged in a boardroom instead of an out of the way bed and breakfast.
Nancy hurried out to the front desk. She could feel the man's eyes on her the whole way. Grabbing the phone Nancy turned so that she could see the man at the table out of the corner of her eye. With a wary answer she waited to find out who had called her. What she heard next chilled her to the bone.