“I . . . I’m not sure,” Nancy said, suddenly uncomfortable. “I don’t know what I’ll be doing tomorrow.”

“I understand,” Dirk replied with another charming, sympathetic smile. “But I’d really like to talk to you about all this.”

“Well, I’ll have to see.” Nancy frowned. Dirk seemed to have forgotten about Bess. It wasn’t exactly cool, she thought, to dump somebody so fast.

Bess obviously didn’t think it was too cool, either. Her eyes were flashing as she looked angrily at Dirk. Fortunately, George caught the look and decided that Bess better leave before she exploded. “Come on,” she said, “let’s get back to the hotel and change so we can go to the hospital.”

“All right,” Bess agreed.

“Hey, I’m free all morning tomorrow,” Dirk said softly to Nancy. “Why don’t I give you a call?”

Nancy felt more and more uncomfortable. She was just about to give Dirk a real brush-off, when he pulled her around to face him.

“I do know my way around Lauderdale,” he said seriously, and Nancy noticed his sexy smile was gone. “If we can get together—privately—I think I might be able to give you a few tips about this mystery. You want to help your friend, don’t you?”

“Of course I do!” Nancy said. “But right now, you’re the one who’s being mysterious. If you know something, why don’t you just tell me?”

Dirk shook his head. “I would, believe me, but it’s just not the right time or place. Besides, first I have to know everything you know.” Glancing past Nancy, Dirk seemed to see someone he recognized. He raised his arm in a greeting, then brought his hand down so that it was resting on the back of Nancy’s neck. It was like a caress, Nancy thought, but there was nothing romantic about the look in his eyes. “Tomorrow, right?” he asked intently.

Nancy wasn’t sure if Dirk was making a pass at her or if he really did know something about Kim. But she had to find out. “Okay,” she finally agreed. “Tomorrow.”