Chapter 5

Nancy’s original plan to get into Dr. Chang’s office was to gain Beulah’s confidence and somehow drug her with the sleeping powder she obtained from Brianna. That didn’t seem possible now given the Negro maid’s suspicious nature. Also, being alone with Beulah was just an open invitation to another lesbian assault. There had to be another way. From the outside the girl detective noted the barred windows on the ground floor of the infamous house. The building seemed fortified.

“I saw Beulah and you kissing in the hall a little while ago,” said George casually. Nancy could feel herself blushing furiously. Bess and Brianna were walking ahead of them. They were engaged in conversation and not paying any attention to them so Nancy signaled George to follow her behind an ivy-covered wall that hid an overgrown garden. “I didn’t mean to spy but you two didn’t hear me the first time I walked in.”

“It’s not what you think,” Nancy said. “Beulah was forcing me.”

“It didn’t look like you were being forced.” Nancy knew she would have to scrap yet another plan which was to not confide in anyone. She would have to explain to George what happened, but before she could reply she found herself in George’s embrace and being kissed. The girl detective was so startled she didn’t resist. Her friend stepped back and looked ashamed. “I can’t believe I did that,” George said. “I never even had the desire to do such a thing until I saw you with that maid. But I can’t honestly say I’m sorry I did it. I’ve been in love with you for as long I can remember. I can’t speak for Bess, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you are her secret someone. Are you disgusted with me yet?”

“I’m not,” Nancy replied. “But let’s discuss this once we’re away from here. This place is evil and it’s affecting all of us.” She felt so confused. George’s kiss was gentle, unlike Beulah’s, and Nancy wanted to respond in kind.

“Then let’s get the heck out of here before it’s too late,” George said. Nancy thought George’s advice made sense but she wasn’t willing to admit defeat.

“Go ahead and take the blue roadster,” Nancy replied. “Take Bess with you. I have to find out what that evil doctor is up to. I’ll make excuses for you.”

“There’s no way we’re going to leave you here alone no matter what happens,” George responded. “So tell me what you think is going on here.”

“I have no idea yet,” Nancy admitted. “That’s why I want to get into Chang’s office to take a look around.” She related the events that occurred during the night and that morning. Nancy also told of overhearing Chang’s conversation with her maid.

“I’m usually a very light sleeper,” said George. “I don’t remember Bess getting up at all.”

“Well, I know it wasn’t my imagination and I wasn’t dreaming it. Bess really did meet with Madame Chang late last night but, she doesn’t remember that at all. I’m sure it has something to do with that hypnotic trance that evil woman put her under. What’s the matter?” George’s face suddenly became pale and it looked like she was about to faint.

“I had a bad dream last night and I’m just now recalling it.”

“What was the dream?”

“I was having sex with a man.”

“That’s not so unusual, is it?” Most single girls have those fantasies, don’t they?

“The man I was having sex with was Lester.”

“That wasn’t just a bad dream, George,” said Nancy. “That was a total nightmare.”

“It’s even scarier than that, Nancy,” George replied, her voice cracking with emotion. “I woke up sore down there this morning. I thought it was cramps, but now that I think about it, it’s the wrong time of the month.” The girl detective gasped in horror at just the possibility of what her friend was implying. What she went through with Beulah was nothing compared to being sexually assaulted by Lester.

“Surely nothing could have happened without you waking up at some point.”

“I’m not sure of anything anymore,” her friend replied. “Bess was downstairs with Dr. Chang and she doesn’t remember a thing. What if that Chinese woman somehow hypnotized me or put some kind of drug in my food or drink? I’m just plain scared now.”

“I don’t blame you,” Nancy replied. “I’ve got to get inside that office and find out what they’re hiding. And it has to be today while Chang is away.”

“With Beulah guarding that door I don’t see how it’s possible. Like she said, you’d have to be able to walk through that office wall.” Maybe I can the girl detective thought excitedly. Maybe I can. Nancy’s thoughts were interrupted by Bess and Brianna’s appearance.

“Hey, you two,” Bess called. “We turn our backs for a minute and you guys disappear.”

“I thought we were playing hide and seek,” said George. “It’s our turn to be it. You two can go hide now.”

Nancy finally recalled a detail from the newspaper article describing the raid on the house. The ringleaders were able to evade arrest by the authorities by escaping through a hidden door leading out of the office and through a tunnel that ended near the riverbank. Dr. Chang and Beulah were likely aware of the tunnel. Maybe not. Would they have taken precautions and blocked the tunnel knowing that the escape route was now public knowledge? Had they even read the article? The girl detective decided to take the chance that they had been careless. She would look for the riverbank entrance to the tunnel and work her way back to Chang’s office.

Nancy steered her friends toward the riverbank so she could look for clues to the tunnel entrance. It was surprisingly easy to find for the trained eye. A slightly worn path that even the winter snow or the spring rain could not entirely obliterate began at the river’s edge and led to a stand of trees before disappearing. She was sure the tunnel entrance was hidden there.