Yeah, you.
Shannon frowned and said, Wait, wait, wait, Im not taking on any of the new students. Me being the studio manager and all? I have too much paperwork and too many administration duties, plus planning for the Gator Gala. Remember what we decided at the last meeting?
Of course I remember. But as Im sure youve noticed, Jane isnt in yet. She has a dental appointmentwhich she announced at the same meeting. Rhianna couldnt change her weekly two-oclock, because we dont open until then and her guy works nights. And this new guy is coming in because Doug bought him a guest pass. Actually, its Dougs brother. Personally, I cant wait to see him.
I keep telling you that you should go ahead and get your certification to teach, Shannon said. Ella had the natural ability to become an excellent teacher. But she had come to the studio two years ago looking for a clerical position and still shied away from anything else.
As for herself, at this particular time, Shannon just didnt want to teach, which was odd, because watching the growth of a student was something she truly enjoyed.
Everything, however, had seemed off-kilter since Lara had dropped dead. Naturally it had shaken the entire dance world. Sudden death was always traumatic.
But it was true as well that Lara Trudeau hadnt been her favorite person.
Championshipsno matter how manydidnt guarantee a decent living, not in the States. Lara had coached to supplement her income. Gordon Henson had been her first ballroom instructor. He had maintained his pride in his prize student, and, to her credit, Lara had come to the Moonlight Sonata studio whenever he asked her, within reason. But after he had begun to groom Shannon to take over management of the studio, he had left the hiring of coaches to her.
And because Lara was excellent and a real draw for the students, Shannon had continued to bring her in. But unlike a number of the other coaches they hired, Lara was not averse to making fun of the studentsor the teachersafter a coaching session.
Shannon also had other, more personal, reasons for disliking Lara. Even so, it still bothered her deeply that Lara had died. It might have been the simple fact that no one so young should perish. Or perhaps it was impossible to see anyone who was so much a part of ones lifeliked or dislikedgo so abruptly from it without feeling a sense of mourning and loss. Part of it was a sense of confusion, or of disbelief, that remained. Whatever the reasons, Shannon simply felt off, and it was difficult enough to maintain a working mentality to deal with the needs of the upcoming Gator Gala, much less consider teaching a beginner with a smile and the enthusiasm necessary to bring them into the family fold of the studio.
She hasnt even been dead a week yet, Shannon said. She hasnt even been buried yet. Because Laras death had to be investigated, she had been taken to the county morgue until her body could be released by the medical examiner. But once his findings had been complete, Ben, Laras ex, along with Gordon, had gotten together to make the arrangements. Lara had come to Miami for college almost twenty years ago, and sometime during the next few years, her parents had passed away. Shed never had children, and if she had any close relatives, they hadnt appeared in all the years. Because she was a celebrity, even after her death had officially been declared accidental, the two men had opted for a Saturday morning funeral.
Shannon, she breezed through here to dance now and then, and yes, we knew her. She wasnt like a sister. We need to get past this, Ella insisted. Honestly, if anyone really knew her, it was Gordon, and hes moving on.
Yes, their boss was definitely moving on, Shannon thought. He had spent yesterday in his office, giving great concern to swatches of fabric he had acquired, trying to determine which he liked best for the new drapes he was putting in his living room.
I dont know about you, Ella said, shaking her head. You were all upset when Nell Durken died, and she hadnt been in here in a year.
Nell Durken didnt just die. Her husband killed her. He probably realized he was about to lose his meal ticket, Shannon said bitterly. Nell Durken had been one of the most amazing students to come through the door. Bubbly, beautiful and always full of life, she had been a ray of sunshine. Shed been friendly with all the students, wry about the fact that she couldnt drag her husband in, but determined to learn on her own. Hearing that the man had killed her had been horribly distressing.
Jeez, Shannon breathed suddenly.
What? Ella said.
Its just strangeisnt it?
Whats strange? Ella asked, shaking her head.
Nell Durken died because her husband forced an overdose of sleeping pills down her throat.
Yes? The guy was a bastardwe all thought that, Ella said. No one realized he was a lethal bastard, butanyway, the cops got him. He was having an affair, but Nell was the one with the trust fund. He probably thought hed get away with forcing all those pills down her throat. It would look like an accident, and hed get to keep the money, Ella said. But theyve got him. He could even get the death penaltyhis motive was evident and his fingerprints were all over the bottle of pills.
Have you been watching too many cop shows? came a query from the open door. A look of amusement on his face, Gordon was staring in at the two women.
No, Gordon, Ella said. Im just pointing out what happened to Nell Durken. And hoping the bastard will fry.
Fry? Gordon said.
Okay, so now its usually lethal injection. He was so mean to her, long before he killed her, Ella said, shaking her head.
Gordon frowned. What brought up Nell Durken?
Talking about Lara, Ella said.
Gordon didnt seem to see the correlation. Weve lost Lara. Thats that. She was kind of like Icarus, I guess, trying to fly too high. As to Nellhell, we all knew she needed to leave that bastard. Its too bad she didnt. I wish shed kept dancing.
She stopped coming in when he planned that Caribbean vacation for her, remember? Shannon said thoughtfully. They were going on a second honeymoon. He was going to make everything up to her.
And we all figured they got on great and things were lovey-dovey again, because she called in afterward saying that she wasnt going to schedule any more lessons for a while because they were going to be traveling. And, of course, Ella added pointedly, since Gordon was staring at her, his mouth open as if he were about to speak, like a good receptionist, I followed up with calls, but I always got her answering machine, and then, I guess, after about six months, she kind of slipped off the things to do list.
Its horrible, though, isnt it? Shannon murmured. I hope were not bad luck. I mean, an ex-student is murdered by her husband, and thenthen Lara drops dead.
You think were jinxed?
Shannon looked past Gordons shoulder. Sam Railey was right behind Gordon, staring in.
Jinxed? Gordon protested. Dont even suggest such a thing. Nell was long gone from here when she was murdered. And LaraLara is simply a tragedy. He held up three fingers. The Broward studio lost two students and an instructor last year.
Shannon hid a smile, her brow quirking upward. Gordon, the students were Mr. and Mrs. Hallsly, ninety and ninety three, respectively. It wasnt such a shock that they died with a few months of one another. And, she added softly, since she had been very fond of Dick Graft, the instructor who had died, Dick had an aneurism.
Im pointing out the fact that people die and were not jinxed, Gordon said.
Man, I hope not, Sam said. Because that would be two for us. And you know, things happen in threes.
Sam! Gordon said.
Oh, man, sorry. Hey, dont worry, Id never say anything like that in front of the students.
I should hope not, Gordon admonished.
Gordon might have given the management over to Shannon, but if he were to decide that an instructor was detrimental to the studio, that teacher would be out in seconds flat.
Hey, another voice chimed in. Justin Garcia, five-eight tops, slim, with an ability to move with perfect rhythm, was on his toes, trying to look over the shoulders of the others gathered at Shannons door. Psst. He stared at Ella, still perched on the desk. New student out front. Id try to start the lesson myself, but hes one big guy, and I think hed cream me if I gave it a try.
Dougs brother, Ella said, jumping up.
Doug was definitely one of their favorite new students. Hed come in to learn salsa for a friends wedding and started out as stiff as a board, but within a week, hed fallen in love with Cuban motion and wanted to learn everything.
He was a cop and he would laugh about the fact that his fellow officers teased him.
He was definitely appreciated by the studios many female studentsnot to mention his teacher, Jane Ulrich. Jane loved the dramatic. With Doug, she could leap, spin and almost literally fly. She was an excellent dancer, and he had the strength to allow her to do any lift she wanted to do. He was tall, blond, blue eyed and ready to go, everything one could want in a student.
Ella pushed past the men, hurrying toward the front of the studio, where she could greet their new student and get him started on paperwork.
Shannon, rising, was startled when Ella burst her way back in almost instantly, her eyes wide. Damn, is Jane going to be sorry she had that dental appointment. Get up! You gotta see this guy. Ella flew out again.
Makes mincemeat out of me, Justin told Shannon with a shrug.
Curious, Shannon followed the group on out. By then, Ella was greeting the man politely, and the others were standing around, waiting to meet him.
They didnt usually circle around to greet their new clients.
Dougs brother. Yes, the resemblance was there. They were of a similar height. But where Doug had nice shoulders and a lithe build, this guy looked like hed walked out of a barbarian movie. His hair was dark, his eyes a penetrating blue. Nice face, hard, but even lines. In a cartoon, he might have been labeled Joe, the truck driver.
Just before she could step forward, Sam placed his hands on her shoulders, pulling her back against him. He whispered teasingly to her, Too bad its against policy to fraternize with our students, huh?
Sam, she chastised with a soft, weary sigh. It was policy, yes, though Gordon had always preferred not to know what he didnt have to. She had maintained the same Dont tell me what I dont need to know attitude.
As she stepped away from him, she heard Justin whisper, Policy? Like hell. For some of us, maybe, but not for others.
Even as she extended a hand to the Atlas standing before her, Shannon wondered just what his words meant.
Who, exactly, had been fraternizing with whom?
And why the hell did this simple question suddenly make her feel so uneasy?
She forced a smile. So youre Dougs brother. Were delighted to have you. Doug is something of a special guy around here, you know. She hesitated slightly. Did he drag you in by the ears?
The man smiled. Dimple in his left cheek. Something like that, he said. He has a knack for coming up with just the right come-on. His handshake was firm. Im Quinn. Quinn OCasey. Im afraid that youre going to find me to be the brother with two left feet. Youve got one hell of a challenge before you.
Her smile stayed in place, though the uneasy sense swept through her again.
One hell of a challenge.
She had a feeling that he was right. On more than one level.
What the hell was he really doing here? she wondered.
Ella, could I get a chart for Mr. OCasey, please? she said aloud. Come into our conference room, and well see what we can do for you.
The conference room wasnt really much of a room, just a little eight-by-eight enclosure. There was a round table in the middle that seated five at most, surrounded by a few shelves and a few displays. Some of the teachers trophies were there, along with a few she had acquired herself, and several indicating that they had won in the division of best independent studio for the past two years.
Ella handed Shannon a chart, and the others, rather than discreetly going about their business, stared. Shannon arched a brow, which sent them scurrying off. Then she closed the door and indicated a chair to Quinn OCasey.
Have a seat.
You learn to dance at a table? he queried lightly as he sat.
I learn a little bit about what sort of dancing youre interested in, she replied. Obviously, they were interested in selling dance lessons, and the conference room was sometimes referred tojokinglyas the shark-attack haven; however, shed never felt as if she were actually going into a hostile environment herself. She prided herself on offering the best and never forcing anyone into anything. Students didnt return if they didnt feel that they were getting the most for their money. And the students who came into it for the long haul were the ones who went into competition and kept them all afloat.
So, Mr. OCasey, just which dances do you want to learn?
Which dances?
The dark-haired hunk across from Shannon lifted his brows, as if she had asked a dangerous question and was ready to suck him right in.
We teach a lot of dances here, including country and western and polka. People usually have some kind of a plan in mind when they come in.
Right, well, sorry, no real plan. Doug talked me into this. Um, which dances. Well, II cant dance at all, he said. Souh, Doug said something about smooth, so thats what I want, I guess, he said.
So youd like a concentration on waltz, fox-trot and tango.
Tango?
Yes, tango.
Thats what you call a smooth dance?
There are quick movements, yes, and sharpness of motion is an important characteristic, but its considered a smooth dance. Do you want to skip the tango?
He shrugged. No, I havent a thing in the world against tango. They might have been discussing a person. He flashed a dry smile, and she was startled by his electric appeal. He wasnt just built. He had strong, attractive facial features, and that dimple. His eyes appealed, too, the color very deep, his stare direct. Despite herself, she felt a little flush of heat surge through her. Simple chemistry. He was something. She was professional and mature and quite able to keep any reaction under controlbut she wasnt dead.
He leaned forward suddenly. I think Id love to tango, he said, as if hed given it serious thought.
And probably every woman out there would love to tango with you, too, buddy, she thought.
She had to smile suddenly. Are you sure you really want to take dance lessons? she asked him.
Yes. No. He shrugged. Doug really wanted me to get into it.