Read Online The Dance by Barbara Steiner - Free Book Online

slipped off the heavy medallion and stuffed it into her bag.
    A thought came to her. “Hank, does this sound strange?” she whispered. “For a few minutes out there today, I forgot all about why I’m here. All I could think about was dancing—being wonderful in the show.”
    Hank rubbed her neck and hairline with a towel. “No problem with that. You can do both. In fact, you’d better dance well or Leona will put you back on the street.”
    â€œNo, I get the idea that she feels she has to have seven dancers. And there’s so little time left, she needs me. Are you going to the party?”
    To Melanie’s surprise, as they were leaving class, Anne, Nicol, and Janell had invited the whole troupe to their place for a party. To get better acquainted, Anne had told them.
    â€œI guess so. Are you?”
    â€œI was supposed to have a special date with Bryan, but this is such a good chance to talk to people. I haven’t had time to ask one question about Paulie.”
    â€œMaybe he’ll think you’re still home sick.”
    â€œNo, I’d better call him.” Melanie let Bryan’s phone ring a dozen times. Just when she was about to give up, he answered.
    â€œMelanie. Your mom said you were at the school. I was on my way out the door to pick you up. I’m glad you feel better. I was able to get our reservations back.”
    â€œOh, Bryan, the troupe is having a party. It’s too good a chance to snoop around a little, ask some questions.”
    There was a moment of awkward silence. Finally Bryan said, “But this is a special anniversary for us, Mel.”
    Melanie made a face at Hank. “I’ll make it up to you, Bryan, I promise I will. I have to do this.” Why? Why was she doing this to Bryan? There was nothing weird going on with Leona’s dance troupe. Leona and Paulie had just not gotten along. Paulie was hard to get along with. Melanie had certainly known her long enough to know that. It was all coincidence that Paulie had wrecked her car right after she had had a fight with Leona and quit the troupe.
    â€œOkay, Mel.” Bryan hung up, but she heard the disappointment in his voice.
    â€œOh, dear.” Melanie replaced the phone.
    â€œHe doesn’t like it,” Hank guessed. Melanie nodded. “Mel, do you think he believes this stuff about Paulie being murdered?”
    â€œI don’t know. Sometimes I don’t believe it. But before I got in the troupe I was so convinced that Paulie didn’t wreck her own car, I made us all believe it.”
    â€œWell, come on. You’ll have to deal with Bryan’s feelings tomorrow. I’m eager to see where the three witches live.”
    The Seaton Arms was one of several exclusive apartment buildings in Bellponte.
    â€œIt’s the one I thought it was,” Melanie said, as Hank parallel parked between two cars at the curb. All resident parking seemed to be underground, and the large metal doors appeared to be signal controlled. Hank’s ’74 Volvo slid on a patch of ice and came to a stop against the curb.
    â€œEasy enough to get into,” Hank joked. “We’ll worry about getting out later. So that’s the Seaton Arms.”
    The complex was six stories high, and from the air would look like an H . Two wings—one facing north, the other south—were joined by a connecting building, probably housing the office, recreation rooms, an indoor pool, and a sauna. Melanie watched a large plume of steam rising from a vent on the roof. That was, she guessed, the pool or sauna.
    The outside was an off-white stucco, and the roof was made from tiles interrupted by long rows of high, white chimneys with tile-clapped tops. Wrought-iron railed stairs were visible throughout, and tall, cut-glass windows rose from the ground up at the end of each wing fronting the street.
    â€œI’m hungry,” said Hank. “And I’m cold. Let’s