"Coming from you, a fellow detective," Larry said slyly, "I'm delighted with the compliment."
As Susan and Ira laughed at his mock pomp-ousness, Larry added, "Which reminds me. There is another article in here you might be interested in seeing." Larry then showed them what would become page one. The headline read:
UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE EXPOSES MURDER. Glancing at Nancy, Larry read, " 'Nancy Drew, called in to investigate what had looked like a scuba-diving accident, has given evidence to the police linking the "accident" with a fifteen-thousand-dollar embezzlement scheme.'"
"Front page again, Nan," Susan said with a smile.
"I'm very impressed with your work, Nancy," Larry said sincerely.
"Thanks," Nancy said. "From a fellow detective, I really appreciate that."
Ira laughed out loud, and then put one hand to his side, where he was wrapped up from the fight the night before.
"It only hurts when I laugh," he said lightly to Nancy. "Don't look so worried. You've been in worse shape at least twice this week!"
"I'll send you a copy of the paper when it comes out," Larry said. "If you'd like."
"I would," Nancy said, knowing her father would love to see the article. Nothing gave Carson Drew more pleasure than hearing about his daughter's adventures.
"Flight Seven-fourteen now boarding from Gate Twenty-nine," came the announcement over the loudspeaker. Nancy stood and stuffed the SDU shirts that she had bought for Bess, George, and Ned into her carrying case.
"That's your flight, isn't it?" Susan said sadly.
"I'm afraid it's that time," Nancy answered as they all stood up.
Susan reached into her own bag and brought out one of the beautiful underwater photographs of Rina's that Nancy had so admired. "I thought this might help me say thank you," she said quietly. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you did. You're a wonderful friend, Nancy."
With a lump in her throat, Nancy took the gift and hugged her old friend. "And I can't tell you how glad I am that I could be here," she said softly.
As the other passengers filed into the waiting plane, Ira and Larry also hugged Nancy goodbye.
When she was the only one left to board, Nancy grabbed her bag and headed up the hall, turning back to smile and wave one more time.
It wasn't until she was in the air that the wave of sadness passed. Looking out the window at the vast ocean far beneath her, Nancy's feelings shifted to the very special, deep satisfaction she always felt after having solved another mystery. Nothing can quite compare to it, Nancy thought, watching the Pacific disappear as the plane headed inland.
Leaning her head back against the cushioned seat, Nancy Drew looked out over floating clouds. Soon the plane will land, Nancy thought with a smile, and Ned will be there with open arms.
Carolyn Keene, 019 Sisters In Crime
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