"Well, if it isn't Nancy Drew !" Tom said, his expression quickly changing from one of surprise . "This lady's a detective, Vinnie . And a pretty good one, it seems . She tracked us down ." He shot a glance at his companion, who ominously reached a hand inside his coat pocket .

Nancy thought about confronting him with breaking into Charles Pierce's desk the other night, but seeing the glint of metal in Vinnie's hand, she decided against it .

"I, uh, I was looking for Jack . I thought he might be here ."

"He isn't," Tom said . "And let me say that I hope, as a private detective, you'll keep this little encounter to yourself ---- understand ?"

"Perfectly," Nancy said, slowly backing away . "I'm investigating something else entirely . Whatever you're up to here is no business of mine," she assured him .

"I'm glad to hear that . And by the way," Tom called out to her before shutting the door, "give my regards to your friend Bess . She's a real babe ."

Nancy hightailed it out of there, heading straight for the Pierce mansion . She pulled up beside Philip's Maserati and saw Philip himself giving instructions to one of the servants, who was busily waxing the car .

"Nancy," he said, waving as she stepped out of Bess's car . "I didn't expect to see you again this soon . Tell me you couldn't stay away from me for another minute ."

Nancy shook her head . "Not quite, Philip," she said . "Can we talk in private ?" she asked, nodding toward the servant .

"Definitely," he said, leading her around to the rear of the house and into the gazebo that was set in the middle of a rose garden . "Now," he said as they settled in next to each other on a wooden bench . "Tell me . What's up ?"

"For starters," Nancy began, "someone tried to kill me this morning ."

Philip's reaction was as shocked as she hoped it would be . She went on to explain about her car, and his face showed all the proper concern . But Nancy wondered just how good an actor Philip Pierce was .

"Are you sure ?" he asked her . "Couldn't those lug nuts have come off by themselves ?"

"Not a chance," Nancy assured him . "Someone who knows I'm a detective doesn't want me investigating your family ."

"Mmmm," Philip said, nodding . "I can see where you'd think it would be me . But, Nancy, I'd never do anything to hurt you . I like you ---- a lot !"

There was that smile of his again . Nancy felt herself softening, hooked by the spell of his warm glance . She found it impossible to believe he was lying to her . But experience told her that charming people were often the very best liars .

"Besides, I was with you yesterday evening, and after I dropped you off, I came straight back here and went to bed, like a good boy ."

"I don't suppose anyone can verify that," Nancy said .

"Of course not," Philip said, shrugging . "And even if they could, I suppose I could have driven back to your house at any time during the night and sabotaged your car . But then, any one of us could have ."

"True," Nancy agreed . "Philip, tell me about your friend Tom ."

"Friend ? He's not my friend . Our relationship is strictly business . But why do you ask ? Is Bess already crazy about him ?"

Nancy told him everything that had happened...