Timestep to Murder

by Norma Lehr

  Chillingly aware of the perilous scene in that dingy tunnel, she tried not to think of how close she’d come to being Jan’s next victim. In time, she felt sure the shock and fear of dealing with a killer would subside, but for now, those dark feelings lay in the pit of her stomach like a sack of river sand.

  One element of the case still bothered her. Who had made Melanie cry that night? Tom demanding his share of her lottery money? Blythe accusing her of whisking Tom away from his unborn child? Had Jan stopped by to let her know she held her responsible for her mother’s suicide?

  Melanie had done a number on each of them. Her tears, out on her deck that last night, had sounded real. Had the time come for her to regret what she’d done over the years, too little, too late?

  Dana, the innocent bystander, clutched at Abby’s heart. Attempting to clean up Melanie’s messes, she had come to a horrible end.

  Then there was Renee. Abby still didn’t have a clue as to her whereabouts the night before. After they had gotten back to the room, Abby had insisted that Renee explain. She remembered that Renee had pulled up a chair, ready to tell all. Although Abby had fought to stay awake, bent on hearing her friend’s story, she had snuggled into the warmth of the comforter, her head cushioned on the oversize pillow, and fallen into a deep sleep.

  She made it to the bathroom, reached the vanity and dabbed cold water on her tender face, using just fingertips around her eyes. She slowly made her way back to the room when she heard a light tap on the door. Blythe and Gail poked their heads in.

  “We’ll only stay a minute,” Blythe said apologetically. “We just had to know how you were. I brought packets of tea to calm you, and you can use the wet tea bags for the swelling on your face.” She furrowed her brow as she scattered a half dozen or more of her concoctions across the table and sorted them into piles. “Can you believe what’s happened here?” Her voice broke. “It’s been some horrible nightmare.”

  Gail poked Blythe with her elbow. “You’ll be fine in no time. You know dancers are tough broads. When you feel up to it, give us a call. We’ve made arrangements for tomorrow that include all of us. We’ll talk later. Come on, Blythe. You said you just wanted to drop off the tea.” She bustled Blythe out the door.

  Abby appreciated their concern but also felt relieved that they hadn’t stayed. She waved halfheartedly as Blythe passed the window and smiled reassuringly on her way to the stairs.

  Minutes later, Renee pushed open the door with her backside and entered with a tray of food and a folded newspaper under her arm. “Up and about, huh?” She placed the tray on the bedside table and moved the table next to a chair. She held up her hand. “Don’t start in. This morning I was ready to explain about last night, but you fell asleep.”

  Abby limped to the chair and sat. “That soup smells good.” She breathed in the aroma. “Did you bring pretzels?”

  “Picky, picky, picky.” Renee sighed and smiled warmly. “They were out of pretzels.” She handed Abby crackers and a cup of Chai tea before situating herself in the other wicker chair. “I don’t want to upset you by asking questions about what happened in the tunnel last night. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss all that whenever you’re ready. Unless, of course, you need to vent now.” She looked to Abby for a reply.

  Abby shook her head and concentrated on removing the lid from her tea. “I need to hear from you first.”

  “Okay.” She unfolded the paper with the caption, LAKE TAHOE ACTION, your complete guide to entertainment at Lake Tahoe, and passed it to Abby. “Our picture’s on page six. There we are sitting outside at that burger restaurant under the striped umbrella. Your first take on that photographer at Fanny Bridge was right on. We’re part of an ad for great places serving lunch. He left this copy at the desk with a thank you note.”

  Abby nodded wistfully. “Seems like ages ago. So much has been happening, I almost forgot about the brown cap and dark glasses. Good to know we weren’t being stalked.”

  Renee’s expression turned serious as she nodded and nibbled on a cracker. “Now I owe you an explanation, and here goes.” She raised both hands. “No questions. Don’t speak until I finish.” There was a long pause. “I spent last night with Tom Moran.”

  Abby sipped her cream of broccoli soup while she gave Renee her full attention.

  “After you left for Vince’s party, I remembered I’d left my tote backstage in the dressing room.”

  “I know. I found it. Unzipped. With all of your stuff inside—”

  “Pup, pup!” Renee straightened and waggled her finger at Abby’s lips. “No talking.” She settled back. “When I got there, Tom hadn’t left yet. At first we tried to avoid each other, but then he came over, creating a wide aisle as we passed in the wings. He suddenly stopped, made his way back, and touched my arm. Almost like his old self, he apologized for acting so childish on the beach the other morning and said that he regretted his attitude during the show. I thought about my equally immature actions and accepted his apology. That’s when he asked for my advice. After he explained what he had in mind, I agreed to help him.” She lifted the lid from her coffee and added a packet of cream.

  “He felt since Melanie had no family to speak of, and Dana had no one to claim her remains, he’d make arrangements to have them both cremated. He’s working hard to confirm that they hadn’t made other directives in their wills and that no one would object. His first thought was to sprinkle them both in Lake Tahoe—a place that held a few good memories for him and Melanie. Then he found a unique scattering service in downtown South Shore called Going Out in Style! This place attaches the ashes to fireworks and shoots them skyward.”

  She hesitated and smiled before continuing. “I thought it sounded like a great idea. Better than keeping them in an urn. All dancers who have worked hard on the stage should leave this planet in a shower of bright lights. I believe Dana and Melanie would have wanted us to celebrate their lives with a big bang!”

  She stood, opened the door, and gazed out over the trees to the lake. “Anyway, I forgot about my workout bag and left with Tom to talk to this guy who takes care of cremains.” Renee lifted an eyebrow and turned back. “Cremains. That’s the term the owner used. Tom called him and explained the situation, and he opened his office especially for us, even waited until we drove over. The bottom line? Tom’s renting the company’s yacht, Bliss, and we’ll all gather on deck tomorrow evening at dusk to celebrate. What’s your take on the plan?”

  Abby placed her spoon next to the bowl. “Got to give old Tom credit. Sounds really special. I feel Dana and Melanie would approve. What did Blythe and Gail have to say?”

  “At first they weren’t too sure, but after they read the brochure, they’re excited and making plans for snacks and champagne and deciding which CDs to play on board.”

  Abby gathered her thoughts. “Is Blade invited? How about Detective Fromer?”

  “They’ll both meet us at the dock. Blade and the good detective will be having dinner together first. They’re going over everything that’s happened the last few days.” Renee nibbled on a cracker. “I’m glad Tom and I have put the past to rest. We talked half the night. He had his say, and I had mine. We’ve both decided to keep in touch and remain friends.”

  She glanced over at Abby and frowned. “I’m sorry I didn’t leave a message, but I didn’t think I’d be gone so long. I kept thinking you were still partying at Vince’s. When I finally realized the time, I didn’t have my cell phone with your speed dial number. We tried to rush back, but that drive takes almost an hour. When I got to the chalet, you weren’t here. I figured maybe you’d gone some place with Blade.”

  Abby patted her friend’s arm. “A real three-ring circus, huh? But it’s all over now.”

  “Yeah.” Renee smiled. “Blade wants to talk to you. I think he’s been really worried. Do you feel up to it? If not ...”

  Abby sighed. “That’s fine, but he’ll have to come here. I’m in no shape right now to go up to the hote
l.”

  “I’ll give him a call. Okay if I disappear? Our performance tonight has been cancelled, of course, and I thought I’d have a late, late night at the casino before we leave—if you’re okay, that is?”

  “Sure. Suppose you could do something with my hair before you go? I look a mess.”

  Renee began flitting around the room. “A little mousse here, a little spray on top, and you’ll look fine. By the way, forgot to tell you.” Her eyes took on a familiar animation. “Detective Fromer’s single. Blade let me know. Do you think Fromer asked him to pass the info on?”

  Abby tried to smile, but her lip hurt, and she couldn’t quite make it. “Sounds like it. He confided more to you about this case than any of the other dancers.” She took another look in the mirror. “Time will tell, but for now, just fix me up, will you?”

  First, Renee made the call to the Biltmore and left a message for Blade. Next, she went to work on Abby’s hair. After adding a bit of makeup to the puffy eye, she helped her get dressed in a turquoise warm-up suit. None too soon. Fifteen minutes later Blade rapped a steady staccato on the chalet door. Renee pulled up a chair for Blade and went to her bed, where she perched on the edge. “I’m going to the casino in a bit,” she reassured Blade, “but I wanted to hear all the juicy stuff first.”

  Blade focused on Abby. “You look good, considering that you might be dead.” He looked away. “What were you thinking, going in that tunnel with her? She planned to kill you.”

  “Obviously, but I didn’t know that at first. She was very friendly, even jolly, and I wanted to see the tunnel.” She paused. “I know how dumb that sounds. I thought I had control of the situation. Then she pulled me into the tunnel. At that point, I didn’t have a clue she was the killer. I only knew what you had told me when you called from South Shore. That she wasn’t a Toppette. That this whole gig was some kind of a farce.”

  “I wish you’d waited around,” Blade said. “I tried to get back to you after I did another check.”

  Unfortunately, when he’d made that call, Abby’s phone lay smashed in pieces on the tunnel floor.

  Blade continued, “Jan’s never been who she claimed to be. Not only wasn’t she a Toppette, she got the money to do this production by stealing credit cards in Columbus, Ohio. There’s been a warrant out on her for six months. Before she skipped, she taught at a local dance studio and did part-time home help for three elderly people. She got hold of those seniors’ cards and tapped them to the max.

  “Fromer’s holding her right now, but she won’t talk. Vince is in shock and keeps repeating that his mother was a Toppette. He only admits to loosening the prop and making sure it got dropped on cue. I don’t know what Fromer or the Cal Neva management will do about that little stunt. For sure, he’s lost his job.”

  Abby knew Vince was innocent of the killings or of having any knowledge of his sick sister’s plot. “Their mother, Gwen Sparks, was Melanie’s cousin.”

  Renee jumped in. “Gwen Sparks? I remember her. She left the troupe and went on to do Broadway musicals.”

  Abby slowly shook her head. “That’s where the problem lies. While Gwen was a Toppette, Melanie let it slip to the Agency that Gwen was auditioning on the side. Do you remember how strict the Agency was about no one doing anything on the side?”

  Renee thought for a moment. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Well,” Abby continued, Gwen got fired and never made it in musicals. That was another lie Melanie spread. Jan said Gwen was very depressed and committed suicide when Jan and Vince were teenagers. All these years she’s blamed Melanie for her mother’s suicide, and I guess she’s been plotting her revenge the entire time. Dana suspected, and Jan killed her, too.”

  The three fell silent. The only sound was the wind in the trees.

  Blade stood and stretched. “Fromer says those two cigarette butts you gave him belonged to Tom Moran. Tom admits to visiting Melanie at her chalet the night before she died. Apparently, Blythe made a stop there, too. She won’t say why.

  Abby nodded, well aware of why.

  Renee stood, too. “I’m on my way to the casino now.”

  Now what can I do for you two ladies? Dessert? A nightcap? What’ll it be?”

  Abby and Renee exchanged glances. “I’m still tired,” said Abby. “I’ll take a rain check.”

  Renee agreed. “Blade, are you planning to stay over for the celebration tomorrow evening?”

  “You mean floating out on Lake Tahoe surrounded by beautiful Toppettes?” He rubbed his chin. “A guy would be a fool to miss that.”

  “Great!” Renee said as she walked toward the door. “I’ll see you then.”

  Blade sat down on Abby’s bed and lightly touched her swollen lip. “I’m glad you’re safe. You scared me.

  Abby still tried to avoid smiling but touched his hand.

  Then Blade did something entirely unexpected; he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Although he’d been gentle, Abby winced.

  “Did that hurt?” he said. Was he blushing?

  “Only a little.” She smiled. “Actually, it was nice.”

  “Why don’t I pick you up tomorrow night so we can drive over to the boat together?”

  Abby smiled. “That sounds great. Thanks.”

  Blade rose somewhat awkwardly to his feet. “I’d better get out of here. Goodnight Abby.” He tapped his forehead in a farewell salute and quietly left, shutting the door behind him.

  

  The next morning Abby sat under an overcast sky. From her deck chair she could hear the waves breaking against the rocky shore.

  Renee joined her dressed in a red tracksuit. She stretched her arms. “I didn’t do so badly last night at the tables, and I even ran into Fromer. We had a drink. Can you believe it? He’s nice.” She paused. “Okay, okay. I’m out for a run.” She sucked in a deep breath of fresh air. “This area feels safe now, and I need the exercise.” She glanced down at Abby. “Your face looks a lot better this morning.” She leaned closer. “Blythe’s tea bags did the job. Most of the swelling’s gone down, and they absorbed some of the color under that eye.”

  Physically, Abby did feel considerably better. The stiffness and the throbbing had eased to bearable. “I’m fine. I just want to sit here awhile. I dreamed of Dana and Melanie last night. Nothing sad. They were dancing together on stage. They seemed happy, and their eyes were shining.”

  Renee paused. “Sounds kind of nice, doesn’t it? No more squabbling. Content with each other.” She jumped up. “When I get back, we’ll go to breakfast. Bet you haven’t had a decent meal since Blade took you out to that classy restaurant. Right?”

  Abby thought a moment. Dinner with Blade. The disco. Seemed like all that happened eons ago. Abby smiled up at her friend. “My treat?”

  Renee returned the smile. “Your treat.” She turned and headed for the stairs. “Don’t you forget it.”

  Chapter 22

  That evening’s festivities were set to begin promptly at seven. The group, all except Detective Fromer, gathered on the dock in front of the Chart House Restaurant in downtown Tahoe City.

  By late afternoon, Abby’s mood had perked up, and she looked forward to the sunset cruise to send the dancers’ cremains off in style. The idea of spending the evening with Blade gave her a warm feeling.

  Bliss, the double deck barge chartered by Tom Moran, was currently being loaded with snacks, drinks by three crew members wearing purple T-shirts emblazoned with the gold company logo, Going Out in Style!

  She wandered to the side of the wooden pier and leaned against the rail as it swayed with the rhythm of the sparkling clear water. Adjusting her sunglasses, she gazed back at the rugged granite peaks and towering ponderosa pine trees, while a breeze cooled her swollen cheek.

  Blythe and Gail seemed to have risen above their differences, at least for this night, and chatted amiably near the boat ramp while Renee and Tom watched the crew load the fireworks.

  Blade came up from behind and ligh
tly touched her shoulder. She placed her hand over his and turned to face him. “Gorgeous, isn’t it? All of this grandeur in one place, and only two hours away from where we live.”

  He nodded, moved to her side, and followed her gaze. “Right. This would be hard to beat anywhere.”

  The Bliss tooted its horn, and everyone began boarding. Blade reached for her arm and helped her up the ramp. Seconds before the ramp was pulled, Detective Fromer boarded, and the barge chugged away from the pier. Cruising along the scenic west shore, where old Tahoe lakefront estates neighbored lavish, ultra-modern homes and condos, Blade pointed out the Kaiser Estate, where Godfather II was filmed.

  While the guests munched on cheese and fruit plates, the boat entered Emerald Bay and cruised the shallow waters. The lake offered an ever-changing kaleidoscope of colors, from teal to deep blue. They sailed around Fannette, a tiny island in the center of the bay across from the rocky shoreline. Renee, with Detective Fromer in tow, scooted past Abby as she raced from one side of the deck to the other snapping pictures.

  The boat left the placid bay and headed out to deeper water. Abby and Blade climbed the steps to the top deck and looked back. Abby caught her breath as the sun set behind the western peaks of the Sierra, blazing brighter than the usual twilight of peach and gold. This night was special; she could feel it.

  The sky darkened. The engines switched off, and the boat bobbed and drifted as gentle waves lapped against the wooden sides. A half hour of Broadway CDs Blythe and Gail had selected played over the PA system. The final number, Billy Joel’s “A New York State of Mind,” stirred up all sorts of memories for the dancers as the firework display began.

  Showtime!

  The four dancers crowded together at the iron rail, holding hands. Tom, Blade and Fromer stood behind them as the display began. Launched from a barge nearby, fireworks, synchronized to Liza’s “New York New York,” exploded into brilliant light and vivid color. Rings and fountains, wagon wheels and palms all changing colors, bursting across the night sky and releasing bright tendrils in a dazzling display.