Black Adagio

by Potocki, Wendy

  Her heart started to pound. He was bluffing. He had to be. Brandi was in bed by 11:00 PM each night. It's why she’d wait until 11:30 to return to the room, but maybe something had happened? Maybe they had called later? No, even if they had missed the appointed time, they would never have woken her up to say hello. Never. She decided to call the man that had anted up the pot.

  “I'm sure,” she answered. Confident, she swung her leg in victory.

  Scratching his chin, while there were plenty of witnesses to her exit, there were none to her reappearance. Playing a hunch, it failed to shake her story.

  “And what happened when you returned? Cause I can tell you right now that she didn't mention leaving school to her father ... or mother. Don't you think that's strange?”

  It was, but she couldn't say that. It wouldn't work to her advantage if she agreed.

  “No, not at all. She thought they would try to talk her out of it. At least that's what she told me.”

  “So you two talked about it?”

  “Yes, when I got back. It turned out that she was still up … packing.”

  “She was?”

  “Yes.”

  “At 11:30 at night?”

  “Well, she was almost done. She just had a few things left and ... I was .... I was surprised.”

  “And what did you say?”

  “I asked her what she was doing. She said she was leaving school.”

  “And?”

  “And I thought it had something to do with our ... disagreement. I mean, I had said some pretty horrible things. So I asked her if she was leaving because of the fight. She said she wasn't—that it was a lot of other things.”

  “Like?”

  “Like the fact that it was her family's decision to involve her in dance. That was the career that they chose for her. She wanted to do other things. Then there was something else ... I don't know if I should say. It was supposed to be a secret,” she said, biting her lip and blinking her eyes. Praying that Larabee would insist she tell him.

  “I appreciate that you're being so loyal, but everything she said is important.”

  “But ... I don't see ...”

  “It's not for you to understand,” he said, cutting her off and unwittingly playing into her hand. “It's for us to decide.”

  “Okay, well, it was that she’d just found out that her dad bought her way into this school. That he was donating money, and in return, she was being given lead roles.”

  Una emitted a soft moan. A dead silence followed in the wake of the disturbing allegation.

  “It's what I meant earlier … when I asked how you knew she was missing,” Melissa continued. “I didn't want to bring up the fact that she was really mad at her parents, but now that I have, I think she might be cooling off. You know, thinking things over.”

  She was pleased with how she’d handled things. She was back on sure-footing, and the ball was in their court. Of course when Brandi was found, that dirty little secret would be out. Further, their stories wouldn’t match, but Brandi could deny saying those things all she wanted since it wouldn't matter.

  Larabee twitched in his seat, shooting a look back at Lake.

  “What you say contradicts what she told her father. He said that Brandi always talked about how jealous you were that she was landing these roles. She told him that was why you were so mad at her. She said that it was the reason you blamed a ... Zoe Ryan for what happened in the woods,” he said, referring to his notes.

  “Jealous? No. Envious maybe, but to me, it only meant I had to work harder. That's how it works in dance. You only have yourself to blame when things don't work out.”

  Una cleared her throat, feeling guilty about her methodology of choosing dancers. Melissa was a better dancer than either of those two girls. If Viktor hadn't wanted Melissa around, and the school hadn't needed money, she could have had any part she wanted.

  “Is this right, Madam Velofsky? Is what Ms. Solange says true?” Larabee asked, addressing the woman who looked as if she was straddling a fissure.

  “Yes,” she quietly confirmed. “Unfortunately, it's true.”

  Larabee only gave her a blank stare. He’d been wrong. The facts had led him in one direction, but it seemed there was an entirely different undercurrent. It definitely gave Brandi a reason to bolt from the school, and to not be too keen on seeing her dear, old dad.

  Larabee's cell went off. Melissa watched him pacing, hearing only his responses to the veiled conversation.

  “Yes. Is that right? Okay,” he said, snapping the phone shut and tucking it back in his hip pocket. Hoping Brandi had made it home, his face told her otherwise. He looked angry, but about what, she didn’t know.

  “Seems I was wrong.”

  “About?” Una prodded.

  “About Brandi not leaving.”

  “What?” Una said, unable to hold back her thoughts. “You didn’t think Brandi left? I don't understand. Why would you think such a thing?”

  “It's just we police officers go by evidence. Things we can prove. That note there only says that she intended to leave. I wanted to place her on the train, but I couldn't get confirmation, but we finally got in touch with Mr. Shankton. He works at the depot, and has been selling tickets there for over thirty years. He says that she was there—first thing this morning. It fits with the note, and with the text she sent to her dad, and with what you said, Ms. Solange.”

  “Thank God!” Una blurted, making the sign of the cross with her right hand.

  The Sergeant scrutinized the young dancer. Not liking what he was seeing, he had a feeling she was a filthy, little liar … just like the daughter of his girlfriend, Carol. Accusing him of coming onto her, Laurie was a selfish brat that didn't want her mother to be happy.

  “Guess we'll concentrate our efforts elsewhere. Thank you for your cooperation,” he said turning to Madam Velofsky. “And we'll keep you posted with any new developments.”

  “Thank you, Sergeant Larabee. We would be most grateful to know when she arrives home. Not just for the sake of the school's reputation, but because I care about her, as I do all my students.”

  “Yeah, I'm sure you do,” he drawled.

  Larabee threw the door open, rushing through the portal. Todd meeting Lake's eye, Foster threw his hands up in the air. Not saying a word, he trailed his partner out the front door.

  ChapterNineteen

  “But what the hell happened to her? I mean, where could she be?” Collette asked.

  The three gathered in Collette and Tina’s room seeking answers for the recent disappearance. Missy huddled with Tina on her bed, while Collette sat cross-legged on her own.

  “I don't know,” Melissa responded, Tina's arm around her shoulders for moral support. “I told the police everything I knew. All I can think is that she didn't want to go back right now. It’s what I told the police, but they don’t want to listen.”

  “But why didn’t she want to go home?” Collette queried, curious as to what the reason could be.

  “Because quitting the school was a huge move—probably the first big decision that she made on her own. Think about it for a minute. She lived her whole life doing what her parents wanted. It would be rough facing them, but if you let them cool their heels ...” Melissa replied. Slightly changing her story to suit her audience, it was what she truly believed.

  “You know, I think you're right,” Tina agreed.

  “So you two think that it was her decision to drive everyone nuts by disappearing? She really doesn’t seem the type, does she?” Collette countered.

  “You're asking the wrong person that question,” Melissa retorted, feeling entirely comfortable in speaking badly of her missing foul friend. “I got to know her better than anyone, and I think that she just loved being in the spotlight. In fact, I think she’d do just about anything to call attention to herself. Like her being friends with Zoe, she did it because Zoe is an attention whore, and that’s what she wanted—attention.”

 
“I hate to say this, but you're right,” Collette admitted. “She had that side to her, but don't you think it was partly due to her being naïve?”

  “Totally,” was Melissa's direct answer.

  “I second that,” Tina chimed in. “I never met anyone that ... well, clueless before. I don't mean to sound harsh, but she really didn't seem to connect the dots. And it I don’t think it was because she was stupid. It just seemed that she'd led a very sheltered life.”

  “Yeah, one where she was taught to see the best in people,” Melissa mumbled, yawning. “Course that's not all bad.”

  “It might be,” voiced Collette, the wheels in her head spinning.

  “What does that mean?” queried Tina.

  “It means that I'm wondering if she was seeing someone. She did go into town … and she might have hooked up with Mr. Wrong!”

  “God, I hope not,” Tina responded. “It would be too horrible to imagine.”

  “Yeah, it would, but I doubt it. With her big mouth, she would have said something to me about meeting someone. She couldn't keep anything secret. Not even about my mother being an alcoholic. Oh, crap! Why am I starting in on that?” Melissa asked, not expecting a reply. Stretching, she fell backward, cradling the back of her head in her open hands. “I should be concentrating on where she could be. Okay, I'm ruling out the boyfriend thing. There's the note for one thing ...”

  “Oh, that's right!” Collette exclaimed, remembering the note.

  “Where was she from again?” Tina asked.

  “Wisconsin,” Melissa answered.

  “Where in Wisconsin?”

  “Don't remember.”

  “Hmmm,” Tina responded. “Well, then did she buy a train ticket home or to the airport in Rome?”

  “Don’t know that either, but why are you asking?”

  “Well, because she may not have known anyone in Holybrook, but if she had to connect with a plane ...”

  “… she may have met someone en route!” Collette responded, coming out of the hamstring stretch, and going into a side split. “Didn't even think about that either, but you are 100% correct.”

  “There’s another possibility,” Melissa threw in, stifling another yawn. Although only 10 PM, it had been a long couple of days.

  “Which is?” Collette asked, moving her upper body forward to increase the stretch.

  “That she went to Chicago.”

  “Chicago? Why in a pig's knuckle would she do that?” Collette said, jumping all over Melissa's suggestion.

  “Because that's where she went for the audition. If she was familiar with the area and thinking of hiding out awhile, it would be a good place to get lost.”

  “I'll say,” Collette agreed.

  “God, I hope you’re right,” Tina tacked on. “I’d rather think that it's all because of her being afraid to face her parents than because she was abducted by some psycho.”

  “I hate to say this, but there's another possibility. It would bring things back to Holybrook,” Collette suggested, more subdued than she'd been all evening.

  “Which is?” Melissa replied, stretching out her arms and trying to undo the knots tightening her muscles.

  “Well, those train tracks are awfully close to those woods … and the woods are where that other girl went missing. You guys don't think it was the same group, do you?”

  “The Innocents?” Tina mulled over her point. “Wasn't that a long time ago? And besides, was what Zoe said even true? I thought it was a story.”

  “Partly a story. There was a missing girl named Barbara Moore. I asked about her ... and them,” Melissa offered.

  “You did?” Tina asked, stiffening her spine and sitting up straighter.

  “Wow, who'd you ask?” Collette queried.

  “Bonnie. She’s a waitress at the diner. She says that most of what was said is pure fiction. And I found out that it was that Justin that pumped Bonnie for info.”

  “Justin, huh? So what part is true?” Collette inquired.

  “That Barbara Moore did disappear, and that a group called The Innocents did exist. However, they were way not fairly represented. Totally not a group of bloodthirsty crazies. The guy that owns the diner was one of them.”

  “No shit!” Collette gasped.

  “What'd she say about them?” Tina asked.

  “Just that they were kids trying to rebel. You know, the usual teenage stuff.”

  “Like some teenage girl nut cases dressing up in tutus and standing on their toes?” Collette joked.

  “Yeah, no, not that crazy!” Missy teased. “Whoever is stupid enough to pursue something as insane as ballet has got to be certifiable!” The girls laughing, Melissa gave into another huge yawn. “God, I'm tired! I'm going to call it a night before I conk out right here.”

  “You can, you know,” Tina said, speaking for both her and Collette. “We wouldn't mind if you crashed here. At least not until Brandi is found.”

  “If she's found,” Collette interjected.

  Tina flicked her hand dismissively at the suggestion.

  “Oh, you! Of course they'll find her,” Tina stated rather adamantly.

  “Well, on that bright note, I'm out of here,” Melissa said, springing to her feet and making her way to the door.

  “Goodnight, Missy. Remember the offer's good if you change your mind.”

  “Thanks, Tina. I think I'll be fine. Night, Collette, see you tomorrow.”

  Starting her trek back to her room, she'd only gotten a few steps before the door shot open. Collette emerging, she ran to her side.

  “Missy, I ... I have to tell you something,” she said, nervously shifting from one foot to the other.

  “Well, it can't be that bad.”

  “I'm afraid it is. You got pretty mad about it at the party. Then last night, I found out about you accusing Brandi, and ...”

  “Excuse me, but what are we talking about?”

  “Your mother … and her being a drinker and all. I was the one that told Zoe, not Brandi,” she confessed.

  Stunned, in a million years, Missy would never have guessed it was Collette who had stabbed her in the back. Closing her eyes, she recalled every word of the unfair rage directed at her missing roommate. She should have checked before shooting off her mouth. She should have made sure. Collette's puppy dog eyes were pissing her off. She wished she'd just go away because she didn't have anything to say. Nothing at all.

  “I'm sorry,” Collette explained, filling up the chilly silence. “I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t have the chance. It was an accident. I was talking to Tina, in the cafeteria, and she was there—behind me. I felt so stupid when I turned around and saw her. I couldn’t believe she was so déclassé as to bring it up, but it was my fault, Melissa, not Brandi’s. Please,” she said stepping forward and touching her arm, “can't we still be friends?”

  Something about her complete honesty pulled at Missy’s heartstrings. Everyone makes mistakes, and she didn't want to go through life being as unforgiving and cold as her mother. When you did, you just ended up being alone.

  “Sure,” she said nodding her head. Not ready to put on a smile, Collette understood. “But what did you say? That you found out last night?”

  “Yes, Brandi called and told me about the fight. I knew it was all my fault, but she didn't. And neither did you.”

  A sinking feeling began in Melissa's stomach.

  “When did she call you?”

  “Oh, gosh! Around 11:00 PM. I was just about to go to bed. She said she’d just gotten off the phone with her dad. Anyway, we talked and talked and talked about how she felt sick about what you’d said to her.”

  “And when did the call end?” Melissa asked, not wanting to know.

  “Around midnight. I remember looking at the clock and telling her that it was late and that I was sorry to cut her off, and that we could talk tomorrow. Or today, I guess.”

  “And did she say anything else about me?”

  “No, no
t really.” The remark calmed Missy down. No damage done, she'd just dodged a bullet. “Except that you weren't there, but then you never are in the evening. It's so weird that she didn't mention that she was leaving school. That's the part that's confusing, but it might be like you said. I mean, about you being closer to her because you were a roommate. And then there would be her bags all packed. She'd have to say something to you, wouldn't she?”

  Shit! The police would go over Brandi's phone calls. They’d find out about the call she made to Collette and it’d contradict her statement about arriving back at 11:30 PM. It meant more trouble and more questions. Brandi needed to come out of hiding — now!

  “Yeah,” she mindlessly allowed, “she sure would.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The week of Thanksgiving arrived. With Brandi still missing, Tina had been given the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy. It wasn’t meant to be cruel—it was only life continuing on.

  The night of the performance snuck up on Missy like the character she was to portray. Although she had doubts about the minimal participation, the minute the lights went up, she was 100% in character. Viktor cast himself as Drosselmeyer, and she had to admit that it was a stroke of genius. The Russians had a long tradition of older dancers transitioning to these types of roles, and she could understand why. Giving the old devil his due, his nuances and expressions were priceless and brought the role to life.

  Throwing herself into her part, she found joy in giving the best that she could. Performing was what she lived for, and she'd tuck these memories away to meander through her danceless future.

  With the Mouse King killed, she watched from the wings, mesmerized by some truly amazing highlights. Particularly thrilled that her friends stood out; Collette and Tina dazzled. Kurt was absolute perfection in both of his roles, and Justin was also perfectly cast. And Zoe, well, Zoe was fine. Wondering if she was letting hard feelings taint her opinion, she tried to be as objective as possible. She supposed for some, what the Queen of Snark did would be adequate, but it wasn’t for her. She always required an emotional connection, and that was the one thing that Zoe lacked. To Melissa, it was the ability to connect to the audience that made someone an artist.