📚 NANCY DREW📓
in
🎠SNOW MYSTERY🎠
by Ann ♪
~A Nancy Drew Fanfic~
Chapter Nineteen
At Miranda’s, Patricia had something to say.
“You’re not getting rid of me too easily. I still want what you already promised me. The new identity, etc..”
“The agreement hasn’t yet been totally fulfilled, now, has it?”
“Maybe now would be a good time to go over the stipulations.”
“I think we both know exactly what they are.” Miranda wasn’t smiling, or looking even a little friendly.
“Maybe I need reminding.”
“I don’t like having to remind people about things they’ve already agreed to. You haven’t been very good at your endeavors recently. It’s starting to irritate me. I have even wondered about your loyalty.” As she talked, Miranda hoped she heard Jeremy coming, but she was wrong. She knew he’d be arriving any time now. She’d just have to put up with these three for a little while longer. Getting the best of them was worth it, and Miranda couldn’t wait for that. As soon as Jeremy arrived it would be as good as taken care of. Even with the appearance of legality. “But, don’t worry. We’re still BFF’s.” Miranda smiled an artificially sweet smile.
“A bull detector isn’t necessary at this point,” noted Nancy ever so quietly to Ned, who leaned his head toward her.
“Right. I’m trying to figure out if we can trust Patricia, or not. Miranda, of course, is a given not to trust.”
“Definitely.”
Nancy and Ned listened as the cousins continued to exchange insults and accusations. Then Miranda paused and looked over toward the entryway. From her vantage point, she could see who had just arrived. Jeremy, cousin and officer.
Catching her eye, he gave a slight nod and drew his weapon.
“I’m afraid we have a big change of plans in the program.” Miranda was smirking big time. “Isn’t that right, Jeremy?”
Her officer cousin stepped into the room. His police weapon drawn, but not yet aimed as he faced Miranda’s guests-about-to-be-victims possibility. “That’s right, Miranda.”
“What’s going on?” asked Patricia, frowning at this unexpected development, as far as she had known about. “A double-cross?”
“I had a little backup plan, sweet cousin, since I wasn’t sure I could count on you. Now that you’ve brought it all here, I’ll have to clean house.” Miranda regarded her with unhidden antagonism. “Jeremy responded to a call for help from me, arriving just in time as my corrupt cousin, who in her jealousy of me, and blaming me for all of her problems, had been about to kill me, and Jeremy was obligated to use deadly force to save my life.” Miranda glanced over at Nancy and Ned at this point in her story. “I’m afraid they won’t be able to save you from whatever my cousin poisoned you with.”
“You’re going to be very disappointed, Miranda.” Nancy stood up as did Ned. “One more thing you’re mistaken about. We haven’t been poisoned.”
“What?!” Miranda frowned in consternation. She liked the story she had been describing. Now it was going to have to be somewhat different. “Well, if that’s true then you two just got in the way and got killed then. Patricia would have a grudge against you, too, since you helped get her arrested.”
“What about Emmie?” asked Patricia. “How are you planning to make that murder a reality?”
“You killed her before coming here, wrongly thinking you could get on my good side since I can’t stand Emmie.”
“That won’t work. You don’t have a good side.”
“Kill her first, Jeremy,” ordered Miranda.
Jeremy, with his training and ability, would have a difficult time missing any of the three kill commands. Miranda watched as he raised the weapon held securely in his hands. Then he did something she had not considered. Jeremy swung his service weapon in a short arc until he stopped, lined up perfectly with Miranda.
“You’re under arrest, Miranda.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Miranda had not seen that coming. She’d been positive she had Jeremy primed to be an activated sleeper cell for her. “After all I’ve done for you.” Her cold eyes glinted in rage.
“And after all you’ve done or had done to people, you’re surprised.” Jeremy shook his head.
“The reason I outwit people like you is because I’m smarter.” Miranda attempted to cover her shock at Jeremy not being on her side and poured on her usual arrogance. “Look.”
Standing just outside the doorway was an armed hired goon of Miranda’s, smirking.
Miranda continued, “Like I’ve pointed out, you’re not going to be able to outsmart me. Even with betrayals by those I thought I could trust, I can outthink you in anything you throw at me. I’m ready for anything and that’s why I had a bodyguard nearby. I always do.”
“Yes, we know that.” Nancy had found that fact out from the thorough job Ned’s mom had done collecting together all of the intel that had been picked up and organizing it, helping with the strategizing. Very important details had been taken into account that went into their planning of Operation Hopeville.
“Okay, all four of you move. Away from my beautiful, expensive furniture and rug.” Miranda gestured toward the ugly couch, chairs, and coffee table. She was standing on a hideous rug that didn’t go with anything.
Nancy calmly stood up, as did Ned.
“To use a much-used expression – you won’t get away with this,” warned Jeremy. “I’ll give you another chance to turn yourself in, Miranda. It’s over.”
“You’re wrong. I believe I have the upper hand.” Miranda glanced over at her bodyguard. “Looks like I win.”
Nancy took a casual step. “Looks can be deceiving or misinterpreted.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Oh, are you stalling for time and hoping for help? Your luck’s run out on both. It’s hopeless for you.”
“There’s always hope.” Nancy had zero doubt about that truth.
A shadow flitted by so briefly, Nancy and Ned almost missed it and Miranda definitely did. Patricia was busy focusing on Miranda and trying to determine options. Jeremy and Miranda’s bodyguard had their backs to the entrance where the man arriving on the scene had moved with precision and stealth. He signaled Nancy and Ned with a look and slight move of his head. His blue eyes steady on the goal of disarming the bodyguard.
“I think you’d better place that weapon on the floor very, very carefully. Right now.” Bill Law’s voice held authority and the unspoken promise that the bodyguard would be very sorry if there was any argument.
The bodyguard saw the shiny barrel of a six shooter encouraging the relocation of the gun aimed at the potential victims of Miranda’s wrath and slowly lowered it to the floor.
Once it was there, Miranda started to reach for a weapon, but she didn’t succeed.
Nancy had already anticipated Miranda trying something, whether it was fleeing the scene or violence. Having slowly and carefully moved the short distance to the right spot to pull the rug out from under Miranda and her evil plans. Literally.
A screeching scream came from Miranda as she caught some air flipping as Nancy gave a mighty yank once she’d quickly gotten a firm hold on the edge of the ugly rug Miranda had been standing on. ‘Had’ definitely being the operative word.
“You! You’re ruining everything!” wailed Miranda, not caring that she sounded like an audition for one of the world’s whiniest brats. She glared at Nancy with hatred in her heart.
“You did that yourself when you started on this selfish, destructive path you chose.”
“You just don’t understand life and making smart decisions.”
“My Grandmother told me when I was little that there is a lot of smart in the world and also a lot of stupid in the world and not to get them confused.” Nancy’s tone was matter of fact and free of arrogance.
~ TAP/CLICK HERE FOR CHAPTER TWENTY! ~
Hardy and Drew Mysteries 