Maya nodded. “I thought so too, but I can see Freddie’s point. We must make the ballet more accessible to people, Leonie. Bring it down from the clouds, so that people can see that it is entertainment, just like going to the movies or a concert.”
“Maybe.” Leonie’s eyes sharpened. “But it’s not just entertainment. It’s art. And not everyone can appreciate that.”
Maya stared at her. Despite what Leonie said about not being a snob, her attitudes were a bit elitist. Art was something that everyone had the capacity to appreciate, not just wealthy, privileged people.
Why was it that sometimes she felt like she was a member of some exclusive club that barred access to everyone else?
It wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right.
“Anyway.” Leonie stared at her. “I should let you rest, now that I know you’re okay. Why did you make such a dramatic exit, by the way? Did you just want to escape the tedium of it all?”
Maya hesitated. How would Leonie react if she told her the truth, about the woman with the red scarf? About the creature who had floated on the ceiling? No. She couldn’t do it.
“I think I was just exhausted,” she said slowly. “Working too hard. And the heat, of course.”
Leonie rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it,” she said. “You could fry an egg on the pavement out there. I might get us both a cool drink.” She walked off into the kitchen.
Maya stared after her, frowning. It was only now that Leonie had left the room, and she was alone, that she could start to fully process everything that had happened.
The appearance of the creature. Her overwhelming terror. And, of course, the kiss.
Maya slowly raised her hand, placing her fingers on her lips. She could still feel her lips burning. What was this inexplicable heat between the two of them? She didn’t think that Evan understood it any more than she did, judging by how quickly he had left. It was a wonder there weren’t skid marks down the hallway with the speed of his departure.
It seemed to have bumped everything else out of her mind. She should be quaking in terror or questioning her mental health. But all she could do was dream about Evan.
She took a deep breath. He had not wanted to linger. She knew that Leonie interrupting them had taken them both by surprise. But still…
Maya stood up, suddenly restless. She didn’t know how she felt about him. A part of her longed for his touch again, but another part knew that what Leonie had said was right.
They were from different worlds. It could never work. The next time she saw him she would simply ignore it, and they could forget that it had ever happened.
***
Evan glanced anxiously at the door, watching the dancers laughing as they came through, walking into the rehearsal room. Maya wasn’t among them.
Where was she? He glanced down at his watch. She was usually among the first to arrive. He frowned, the knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Just because she was late didn’t mean that anything was wrong. And yet, he couldn’t stop the worry plaguing him.
He walked towards the door, peering out at the street. He should never have left her the way he did. He had just walked out, assuming that because her friend had turned up, she would be okay.
Evan watched the traffic, crawling to a standstill. It was peak hour in Covenester; everyone was trying to get somewhere, and having a hard time doing it. Perhaps she was just stuck in traffic. Perhaps. He frowned again. He had never even asked her if she drove here or took public transport. It was something that he should know, as her bodyguard. It was his job to keep her safe, damnit!
Suddenly, he saw her face on the crowded street. She was walking beside Leonie. Both were laughing, their faces animated. Leonie stopped her, for a moment, pointing at something in a shop window. They both peered at it.
Evan expelled a deep sigh of relief. She was safe. And she looked relaxed and happy. She wasn’t a pale vision of nervousness, as he had been expecting. Maybe it had been for the best that he had left her with her friend the previous day.
He straightened his shoulders, waiting for her to see him.
It took a while. The two women looked in the shop window then walked on slowly, arm in arm. They chatted intently, turned toward each other. He watched as she looked up,and saw him.
Their eyes met. She didn’t smile.
He walked up to them both, trying to act normally. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and hold her. But he knew that it wasn’t the time or the place.
Would it ever be?
“Maya,” he greeted.
“Evan,” she replied. Her eyes raked over his face before coming to rest. “Were you waiting for me?”
He smiled, unsure of himself. “Yes. I was worried. I’m sorry I left so quickly yesterday…”
“Don’t be.” Maya’s smile was wide. “Leonie has taken care of me! I’m feeling so much better, anyway.” She paused. “I don’t know what came over me yesterday, but it won’t happen again, I assure you.”
Evan frowned. Was she talking about the incident in the mall or the kiss?
He was just about to ask, when Leonie stepped in between them. “Evan,” she said slowly. “It is really sweet that you are so concerned about Maya, but it’s all under control. The other girls and I have been looking out for her.”
Evan glanced at her sharply. “Just doing my job. It’s what I’ve been assigned to, you know.”
Leonie smiled sweetly. “Yes, and you’ve been doing it marvellously! But do you think it’s necessary anymore?” She paused, staring straight at him. “Maya was nervous after that awful incident, but it’s all over and done with now. Perhaps you could speak to Jack, and tell him that Maya doesn’t need her own personal bodyguard anymore.”
Evan’s frown deepened. “I don’t think it’s really your call, Leonie,” he said sharply. “Jack has assessed a need, and I agree. The murderer hasn’t been caught. And I think that we should both ask Maya what she thinks.”
They both turned to her, waiting for her to speak.
Maya laughed softly. “We’re late! I will think about it later.” She pulled at Leonie’s sleeve. “Come on, we’d better get inside before Freddie has a fit.”
They both walked off, leaving him standing in the street, staring after them.
Evan’s heart sank. What was wrong with her? They had shared a moment of such deep connection yesterday. And now, she was acting as if it had never happened. Worse, she was actively blocking him. Did her friend have something to do with it?
As soon as the thought slid into his mind, Leonie looked back. She stared at him, intently, before smiling flirtatiously. He saw her whisper something to Maya, and then sprint back towards him. Maya kept walking inside.
“Evan,” she said, as soon as she was near him. “I have to speak to you, urgently. It’s about Maya. Could we meet up somewhere, later in the day?”
Evan nodded slowly. “I suppose. What time and where?”
Leonie kept staring at him intently. “What about the café on the corner, during rehearsal break? Three-thirty this afternoon?”
He nodded again. She smiled and rushed off into the theatre without a backward glance.
Evan kept watching the door, mystified. What did Leonie want to talk to him about so urgently? Was something wrong with Maya that he wasn’t aware of?
Chapter Eight
Evan watched the woman walking towards the café door. She opened it, stepping through, looking around intently. Suddenly, she spotted him, and her face broke out into a huge smile.
He studied her further as she threaded her way through the tables to get to him. Leonie. She was beautiful, of course; it seemed to be a part of the job description for a ballerina. She was tall and fine boned, with blonde hair scraped back into the perpetual bun they all seemed to wear. Her cornflower blue eyes were warm as they gazed at him, sliding into the seat opposite.
He couldn’t quite work her out. He had noticed her
, of course, along with all the other dancers at the company. It was his job to observe everyone, after all. And he knew that Leonie had noticed him. But she had never spoken to him directly before this morning. And yesterday, of course. Her eyes had always slid off him as if he held no more interest to her than the wall. He could have sworn she wouldn’t have had the slightest awareness what his name was, and didn’t particularly care.
Now, however, she gazed at him as if he were the most interesting person she had ever beheld. A puzzle. Especially after how dismissively she had spoken to him this morning in front of Maya.
Evan sat back in his chair, smiling back at her, but his eyes were wary. He didn’t trust people who blew so hot and cold. And why had she suddenly requested this meeting, out of the blue?
“Thanks for agreeing to this,” she said, her smile deepening.
The waitress hovered near them. “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes.” Leonie gave the woman the same brilliant smile. “A blueberry muffin, please, and a coffee. What about you, Evan?”
“Just a coffee,” he said, glancing at the waitress. The woman took their menus then walked off.
Leonie gazed at him. “It was a bit naughty of me getting the muffin,” she sighed. “But I always have such low energy at this time of day, and a sugar hit is welcome.” She paused. “You probably wouldn’t understand, not being a dancer. We have to continually watch what we eat, so we don’t gain weight.”
Evan gazed back at her. “What else don’t I understand, Leonie? I’m having a hard time working out why you asked me to meet you here.”
Leonie looked down at the table then gazed back up at him. “I told you. I needed to talk to you about Maya.”
“What about her?” He smiled at the waitress as she placed their coffees in front of them, then he picked up his cup, sipping slowly.
Leonie sipped her coffee, too, staring at him over the rim of her cup. “I’m worried about her. She just hasn’t been herself since she discovered poor David Wagner dead in that room.”
Evan nodded. “Yes, she’s been scared, no doubt about it.” He paused, sipping his coffee. “That’s part of the reason that I was assigned to guard her, Leonie. I’m a bit confused as to why you were so adamant earlier today that I shouldn’t be.”
Leonie sighed dramatically. “You’ve only just met Maya,” she said. “And I admit, I haven’t known her for very long, either. But she’s become dear to me since she moved in with us, and I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
Evan frowned, puzzled. “So, if you want to make sure she’s okay, why don’t you want me watching her?”
Leonie stared at him, her large blue eyes unblinking. “I think it is feeding her neurosis,” she said flatly. “Maya has been…fragile, mentally, ever since I’ve met her. Claiming that she sometimes sees things. It has gotten worse since the David incident, but she was like that beforehand.”
Evan stared at her, his coffee cup suspended in the air. “You’re trying to tell me that Maya has always had visions?”
“Always?” Leonie wrinkled her nose. “Has she told you about them?”
Evan was silent, assessing. His instinct told him not to share what Maya had told him with this woman. Perhaps she would just keep on talking without him contributing to it.
“Obviously, she has,” said Leonie, her eyebrows arching. “I didn’t make much of it, to start with. She mentioned that she sometimes saw things, in the corner of her eye. Stuff like that. But then it progressed to me coming home and she would be cowering in a corner, claiming that something was there, staring at her.”
Evan’s blood ran cold. Were demons pursuing Maya at home before she had found David Wagner dead? And if so, why hadn’t she spoken about it to him?
“I told her to go and see someone,” continued Leonie. “You know…a shrink or something. It’s not normal, is it? But she always said no, and it’s been getting worse. I’m seriously concerned she might be on the road to the loony bin.”
Evan stared at her in dislike. Leonie claimed to be Maya’s friend, and yet, she calmly stated that she expected her to end up in a strait jacket somewhere.
“If that is the case,” he said in a level voice, “I think it’s probably better that I continue watching her, rather than stopping, don’t you?”
Leonie vigorously shook her head. “You don’t understand. I think Maya is addicted to the drama of it all. Having you as her personal bodyguard is making it worse. It is telling her that her visions are real, and she must be protected.” She paused, frowning. “You do see where I’m coming from, don’t you?”
Evan stared at her evenly. “I’m listening, that’s all. I haven’t made up my mind one way or another.” His eyes narrowed. “Maya seems pretty sane to me.”
“Of course she does,” said Leonie with a tinkling laugh. “That’s how she works. She plays the fragile maiden, who needs to be saved from her dark visions. She has drawn you in, Evan. It was just lucky I interrupted you guys yesterday when I did.”
Evan stilled. “What do you mean?”
Leonie sighed. “I mean, she is ensnaring you in her psychosis. First, she needs you as a bodyguard, protecting her. Then, she needs you as her boyfriend, looking out for her all the time.” She tapped a finger against her head. “She’s not well. You should really just step away entirely.”
Evan put down his cup. “I’m having a hard time working you out, Leonie,” he said slowly. “You act as if you are Maya’s friend, and yet you have no qualms about talking about her behind her back. What business is it of yours if Maya and I get involved? If we get involved, of course.”
Leonie put up her hands, in a gesture of surrender. “It’s no business of mine, Evan! I’m just trying to help—both Maya and you. You seem like a nice guy. I just wanted to give you a heads up that Maya isn’t the sweet girl that you think she is. She has serious problems, and you will get burnt if you keep acting the bodyguard. Even more if you act the boyfriend.”
Evan’s lips tightened. Maya wasn’t insane, he just knew it. But it was strange if she had been seeing demons before now and hadn’t mentioned it to him. He thought that they had built trust, since she had blurted out how frightened she’d been since seeing the creature on the ceiling. If she had trusted him enough to tell him about that, and seeing it again at the shopping mall, why wouldn’t she have told him it hadn’t been the first time?
“Thanks for the advice,” he said now, his voice neutral. “But I’m not going to rush into a decision about recommending that Maya not have a bodyguard. You seem to be forgetting, Leonie, that she did actually witness a murder, and that murderer hasn’t been caught yet. That is grounds enough to keep her under surveillance.”
Leonie pursed her lips. “Perhaps.” She looked down at the table. “Unless she committed the murder herself.”
Evan’s eyes widened. “What are you insinuating? How can you say that, about someone who you claim is your friend?”
Leonie gazed out the window, her eyes filling with tears. “She is my friend,” she said, her voice tremulous. “And I’ve tried to help her. I’ve even battled with it myself, telling myself that I’ve imagined it, and she isn’t as disturbed as the evidence suggests she is. It was so hard! But the truth has to come out.” She took a long, shuddering breath. “I think that Maya is capable of murder, if she is in the grip of her delusions.”
Evan paled, his grip tightening on his coffee cup. To hear Maya’s friend talk about her in this way was shocking. But could there be a kernel of truth to it?
He was a Wild Keeper, working on a case. He had to be objective and assess everyone equally. His personal feelings about Maya were getting in the way of that. He saw clearly now why Thad had rules that they shouldn’t get involved with anyone on a case. It just made it too difficult to think properly about it; it muddied the waters.
He wasn’t making any decisions about the truth of what Leonie said yet, however. He still couldn’t read her properly, and she might have h
er own personal motivation for saying these things about Maya. Who knew? Evan considered it. Leonie could be suffering from jealousy and wanted to smear Maya’s name. Maya was the principal dancer with the CBC, after all, and Leonie wasn’t. Perhaps she had always coveted the position and wanted to bring Maya down because she hadn’t been considered?
Evan took another slow sip of his coffee. Yes, he would consider what Leonie had said, but he would also be making enquiries about her. Her background. How long she had been with the ballet company. Who was she, in a nutshell? Maya had only talked vaguely of her to him, saying that she was a friend and that she lived with her. A whole group of girls, by the sound of it.
“Well, thanks for confiding in me,” he said, cautiously. “I will take what you said in consideration, but I will have to talk to Jack about whether it is a good idea to stop shadowing Maya or not.”
Leonie nodded. “That is all I ask. I am concerned for her welfare.” She lowered her voice. “There is another reason I am warning you about Maya, Evan. I probably wouldn’t have said anything to you about it…but then, you were kissing her yesterday.”
“What of it?” said Evan, raising his eyebrows. “That is between me and Maya, Leonie.”
“Yes, of course it is,” she said, biting her lip. “But you must understand that Maya has a habit of doing this. She often brings guys home, and they all fall in love with her. She plays with them, Evan, like a cat plays with a mouse.”
Evan felt his heart drop into his shoes. Maya was a player? He would never have picked it, not in a million years. He had never seen her act flirtatiously with anyone. She was always warm and friendly, but she kept a distance. And he had never heard any rumours that she was playing the field; certainly not with anyone at the ballet company, at least.
He stared down at the table, appalled to see that his hands were shaking. Why was it affecting him so much? He couldn’t afford to get involved with her, for very pressing reasons. If she had a hundred boyfriends it wasn’t any of his concern. He had to keep telling himself this.
Wild Keepers Page 33
