Chapter 27
Nancy (November 1957)
...
Maggie was on the telephone in the lobby when Nancy set her eyes on her. She watched carefully and moved closer to listen in on the conversation. Nancy saw that Maggie had an official uniform on, meaning this woman, who was actually working for her father, went through the application process in order to get her undercover job as a housekeeper. Nancy also thought that her father could have simply paid off the manager to let the spy roam and act the part while keeping an eye on a rich man's daughter. Either scenario was possible. There were two telephones in the hotel's lobby. The first one was located at the front desk and guests were prohibited from using the phone to make outgoing calls. The public telephone was located in the corner of the hotel lobby at a small telephone nook decorated with large potted plants on each side. Nancy hid behind one of them while she listened to Maggie speak with who she assumed to be her father.
"She's doing quite well today, sir," Maggie said on the telephone. "Finished all of her classes for the day." There was silence for a moment and then Maggie continued.
"Are you sure that you want me to continue watching her, sir? She is perfectly fine and safe. I do believe that she'll finish the program. I don't see her as a risk." There was another moment of silence while Nancy breathed quietly.
"Yes, sir. Will do," Maggie said while nodding and then she hung up the telephone.
When Maggie turned around to leave the nook, Nancy stepped out in front of her.
"Hello," Nancy said. She crossed her arms and stared daggers at the false housekeeper.
"Oh, hello," Maggie said. "Is there anything I can help you with today?"
Nancy chuckled at the charade. "You can stop following me."
"I don't know what you mean."
"I know that you are not hotel staff," Nancy said, "and I know you are working for my father."
"You must be mistaken." Maggie tried to walk forward but Nancy forced her back in her place.
"Oh, no. I am not," Nancy laughed. "I know my father was on the other end of that phone call. I know you've been following me and watching me and reporting back to Father."
Maggie hesitated for a moment. "I'm sorry, miss. I'm only following orders. It is my job."
Nancy smiled. "Well, now you have new orders. I want you to return home to Father and tell him that you no longer need to follow me. You can also tell him that the next time he wants to send someone, I expect it to be Willard, picking me up from this dreadful place after graduation. Do you understand?"
Maggie nodded. "Yes, miss."
"Get your things and go."
Maggie rushed away and Nancy felt relief. She exhaled and she felt all of the stress leave her. She was thankful that there was no ghost but only a person hired by her trustless father. However, she sort of wished it were a ghost and thought it would have been a more interesting encounter if she had to banish the specter from haunting her. Her mind was at ease and she couldn't wait to tell Carolyn and Roger that she had sent the spy home.
She couldn't tell Roger since it was his day off so she marched up to floor C to return to her room. It was getting late and Nancy didn't want to miss curfew and she knew that Carolyn wouldn't want her to get in trouble either. When she entered floor C, she heard a student being lectured by the mistress in the day room. Nancy peeked into the room and saw the girl and Mistress Laurier. She had a man in a business suit standing next to her and he didn't look too happy. The girl was named Shannon and Nancy hadn't really gotten close with her during their shared time at Bradley Diamond's. Nancy listened quietly.
"We have spoken about this many times before, Shannon," the mistress said. "You started off so well but over time your grades and performance have diminished. You do not seem to care."
"I'm doing my best," Shannon said quietly.
"I do not believe that is true," the mistress replied. "Mr. Booker is here to take you home. Your time at Bradley Diamond's is finished."
"Please," Shannon said with an ache in her voice, "my mother wishes to send me away if I don't complete the program. I don't know what will become of me." Shannon burst into tears.
"I am sorry, Shannon. It is out of my hands," Mistress Laurier said. "You shall be leaving with Mr. Booker."
Nancy watched Shannon be led out of floor C by the man in a business suit. He had her bag in hand and she wasn't allowed to say goodbye to any of the girls. The mistress exited the day room and saw Nancy.
"Good evening, Mistress Laurier," Nancy said while curtsying. "I was passing through to make it before curfew."
"Ah, very good, Miss Adler," the mistress smiled. "Curfew is not something to be missed."
Nancy stopped herself from nodding and held her head high. "Yes, Mistress Laurier."
"I suppose you heard that Miss Williams is no longer a student with us."
"Will she be okay, Mistress Laurier?" Nancy asked. "What will happen to her?"
"I do not feel it appropriate to divulge in private matters such as this," the mistress answered. "I will say that I am sure Miss Williams will regret her decision to not meet Bradley Diamond standards."
"That is unfortunate, Mistress Laurier."
"It is," the mistress sighed. "Well, off to bed you go. I am sure Miss Moore is wondering where you are. Goodnight Nancy, I will see you in class tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Mistress Laurier."
Nancy went into her room and was greeted by Carolyn who was sitting in bed and reading. Nancy wore a frown that Carolyn was not fond of.
"Hey, are you okay?" Carolyn asked.
Nancy got changed and crawled into Carolyn's bed with her. The sheets were soft and Carolyn smelled of her sweet peony soap. She rested her head on Carolyn's shoulder and sighed.
"I'm okay. I told that spy to leave."
"That's good," Carolyn laughed as she put her book down. "Did you scare her?"
"I may have. I sent her home."
"I wonder what your father will think of that."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be furious but I truthfully don't care."