"Nancy, Bess ---- I'd like you to meet my friend Tom Walczek," Philip said, introducing the long-haired guy .

Tom's gaze toward Nancy was piercing and intent . She wondered if he recognized her . It had been pretty dark in Pierce's study, but he would have been in there awhile, and his eyes might have adjusted enough to pick out her features .

Nancy couldn't have sworn it was him ---- she'd seen only his profile as he ran out ---- but she would have bet on it . She wondered what his connection was to Philip and whether Philip had sent him to steal the draft copy of his father's new will .

They all quickly fell into conversation, with Bess and Philip doing most of the talking . Bess was in a great mood, Nancy could tell, and she obviously thought that both Philip and Tom were real hunks .

Tom was friendly enough, but every once in a while Nancy would catch him glancing at her, and she detected an aura of discomfort and nervousness about him .

He had rougher edges than Philip, and Nancy sensed that he'd led a hard life . If he was well off now, Nancy guessed, he must have made his money on his own, not had it handed to him .

"So, Tom," Bess asked, as the waiter went off with their orders . "What do you do ?"

"Me ?" Tom replied . "I'm in the entertainment business ."

"Oh," Bess said enthusiastically . "Are you an actor ? You look familiar . Have I seen you on TV or something ? You know, you look a lot like that guy on 'Tomorrow Is Another Day' ."

"Uh, no, I'm not an actor . I own a club," Tom explained . Nancy thought he was reluctant to answer .

"That's great !" Bess exclaimed . "Can we go there later ?"

Tom shifted uncomfortably, and Philip quickly came to his rescue . "Bess, Tom and I have already made plans for the rest of our evening together . But maybe some other time ?"

"Sure, some other time," Tom echoed .

"Tonight we're going dancing," Philip explained . "At the Ace of Clubs . Right, Tom ?"

"Right," Tom said, smiling, as the waiter arrived with their appetizers .

Nancy knew the Ace of Clubs . It was a great place to go dancing . She and Ned had been there once or twice, and she felt a twinge of guilt about going there without Ned . But she told herself it was part of an investigation, and that made it okay ---- sort of .

As for the restaurant, she'd certainly never been in it before . It was out of her price range . Philip was obviously a regular because he knew the menu well and insisted they order several appetizers, despite the cost . Nancy figured she and Bess could buy several new outfits for the price of their dinners .

The rest of the meal went well, and soon the foursome found themselves dancing at the Ace of Clubs . Definitely the hottest spot in River Heights, Nancy decided . At one point Nancy and Bess started off to the ladies' room to freshen up . "Hurry back, Drew !" Philip called after her .

Maybe it was the mention of her last name ---- but when she turned to wave at Philip, Nancy saw that Tom was whispering something in Philip's ear . Philip's expression darkened, but when he noticed her staring at him, his smile returned .

A couple of numbers later, Nancy said, "I'm going...