NANCY DREW AND THE SECRET OF MERMAID COVE

Chapter Sixteen

They went up the spiral stairs and then down a long hall, after a few more twists and turns the teens were standing outside the office.

Nancy ran up just as a man was locking the office door behind him. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Mr. Wright," Nancy explained.

In response, the man took a long look at Nancy. Before answering, "Well, that is me. Are you a student here, if so how may I help you?"

Nancy looked surprised for a moment, before replying, "My name is Nancy Drew. I believe we have spoken on over the phone before. I need some help translating on symbols on an old family heirloom."

"Come to think of it, I do remember us speaking. Please come inside, so that I can examine the item in question", he said while unlocking the door.

Once inside the office, Nancy presented the watch to the professor. "Hum. This is quite an unusual piece. May I ask, where you got it?" he asked.

"It was my grandfathers, however, none of my living relatives seem to know much about it. I accidentally dropped it and found the inscription hidden inside." Nancy explained but changed most of the story. The last thing she wanted was for the wrong person to learn where she found the watch and commandeer it. She had heard of museums and governments claiming rights to items found on shipwrecks and did not want to press her luck.

The professor did not respond, instead, he opened the watch, to study the writing with a powerful magnifying glass. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I believe this to be Celtic writing. It translates to the word, Aquarius."

Nancy's eyes lit up. She felt that this was a legit link to the local legend of the mermaid.

The professor was still studying the watch when a look of shock come upon his face. "Is there something wrong?" Nancy asked.

"It is nothing to worry about." said the man. After taking the watch back the teens left, however, Nancy could not shake the feeling of being watched.

Once outside, Chase happily agreed to drive them back to the inn. Nancy felt like he would probably do anything to spend more time with Bess.

"Chase, I met someone the other day that could have been your doppelganger," said Nancy as they claimed into his car.

"That is really strange. What exactly did he look like." Chase asked with a concerned look.

"Well, he looked almost exactly like you in the face, however, he has brown hair."

Chase seemed to become agitated he listened. " Are you guys related somehow? " Nancy asked.

"Well.... Perhaps now is not the best time to get into this." Chase replied. Nancy eyed him for a moment but decided not to push the topic.

Chase dropped the girls off outside the inn. "I can't wait to take a long hot bath," said Bess as they walked the porch steps.

"That sounds like a good idea," Nancy added.

Just when Nancy was reaching for the door handle, Carter burst through the door, with his suitcase in hand.

"Cater, where you going? Is something wrong?" asked Bess.

Carter turned to look at Bess with anger burning in his eyes. Then he looked away and yelled, "I will not just sit back and be cheated on! "

Bess looked shocked as she watched Carter hail a taxi. Then she ran over to him, hoping to change his mind. Carter, please wait I would never what on you!"

In response, he glanced at her once more before taking off in the taxi. Bess tried to chase after it but had to stop once it drove out of sight.

Bess was sobbing as Nancy helped her up the stairs to their room.

Once there, Bess laid down on her bed, and then pulled the covers over her head.

Nancy slowly closed the door, then sat down next to her friend. "Bess do you need to vent?", Nancy cooed while she lightly rubbed Bess's trembling back.

"I cannot believe he thinks I cheated on him. Sure, I flirt a lot, but I never actually act on that."

"If he really cares about you, he will give you a chance to explain yourself in the future," said Nancy.

In response, Bess said up and dried her eyes, "Do you really think so?"

Nancy chuckled, "Of course I do, you silly."

Bess smiled and leaned forward to hug her best friend, "What are our plans for the rest of the night?"

"Well, dinner should be ready soon, after that maybe we find a movie to watch on tv or have a spa night."

"That sounds like a great plan. Any ideas about what we can do tomorrow?'

Nancy sat there in thought for a moment before replying, "Let me call Chase and ask if we can hang out with him in the AM."

Bess blushed as she replied, "That sounds like fun."

Authors note* 

I tried to channel my inner Indiana Jones while creating this chapter.