Nancy Drew: Mystery of the Six and a Half Keys
Chapter Seven
Nancy was dismayed to see that Oskar was correct. There were over 600 possible combinations for the puzzle. She probably couldn't get the correct solution by guessing.
Nancy thanked Oskar and headed next door to Zlaty's Custom Jewelry.
"Wassup?" Nancy asked. "I'm Nancy Drew, the super amazing detective who just solved Oskar's artifact puzzle in record time! But don't tell anyone I'm a detective, okay? I'm trying to keep it a secret."
"If you want to keep it a secret, why did you tell me?" Vladena asked.
"I didn't," Nancy said. "You just did."
Vladena looked confused, then shook her head. "I already know who you are. I was the one who asked Adela to hire you. I hope you can prove my innocence swiftly, and without asking too many annoying questions."
"I'm never annoying to anyone, ever," Nancy lied. "So what's up with you and Oskar? Are the two you dating each other?"
"Why would you say that? I hate that fool!" Vladena snapped. "He should have been fired, for letting the museum be robbed. I should have the job of inspecting all the jewels! I am a much more talented gem appraiser."
"So you're saying you want to date him, but he hasn't asked you yet," Nancy said.
"That's not at all what I said!" Vladena said. "Stop wasting my time with foolish jokes."
"It wasn't a joke..." Nancy muttered to herself. She was sincerely hoping that Oskar and Vladena would end up marrying each other, because they were both gem experts. Their diamond rings would have been amazing!
"I come from a long line of appraisers and gemology experts," Vladena said. "Many people come to me before they go to anyone else. I have only had a few complaints from greedy nobles, who wanted more money."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Nancy said, holding up her hands. "You're saying that your jewelry store sells jewels to stay in business?"
Vladena glared at Nancy.
"Because if so, that means you have a motive!" Nancy said. "You could have stolen Adela's gems in order to sell them for...uh...sell them for...for money? Is that what you can do with gems?"
"You are an idiot," Vladena said. "Leave my store, now."
"But you haven't told me about the necklace inspection yet," Nancy said.
"Leave now!" Vladena ordered. "You are too stupid to solve this case. There is no way you will be able to find all the keys. Bringing you here was a mistake."
"The only mistake I've ever made is loving mysteries too much," Nancy said. "What do you mean, you brought me here to find keys?"
"Forget I said anything," Vladena said.
"Okay!" Nancy agreed. She quickly forgot most of the conversation, but she remembered the important thing: Vladena and Oskar hadn't started dating yet.