by Gibson, Jo
“Well . . . maybe.” Linda didn’t look convinced. “But Rhonda Bourelle’s sister died in an auto accident. She wasn’t murdered like Deana and Becky.”
Judy smiled sympathetically. “That’s true, but there’s nothing you can do to change what happened. And you might as well use the situation to your advantage. It’s not like you killed them, you know.”
Michael walked up, carrying his guitar, and the three girls fell silent. They knew that Michael felt bad about Becky and Deana, and they didn’t want to talk about the tragedy in front of him.
“Ready, kid?” Michael smiled at Mary Beth, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “We’ll do it just like we did in rehearsal. I’ll go out and introduce you. Then I’ll start playing, and you come on.”
Mary Beth took off the kimono she was wearing over her costume, and handed it to Judy. “I’m ready. What do you think of my costume?”
“Wow!” Michael raised his eyebrows. “It’s great, Mary Beth!”
Judy exchanged a quick glance with Linda. Mary Beth’s costume looked very authentic for her Flamenco number. She was wearing a black satin dress with a huge red ruffle at the hemline. It was cut low in front and even lower in back, and it was so tight, Judy didn’t see how Mary Beth could keep from popping the seams when she moved. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head and held in place with two combs, and she was wearing bright red lipstick. The costume made her look much older, and very sexy.
“I left my castanets in the dressing room. Run and get them for me, will you, Judy?”
Judy sighed. Mary Beth was always asking her to fetch something she’d left behind, and she wasn’t supposed to leave the light board unless it was an emergency.
“I’ll go,” Michael offered. “Judy’s got more important things to do.”
Judy turned to smile at Michael, but he wasn’t looking her way. He was staring at the top of Mary Beth’s costume as if he hoped it would fall down.
Linda spoke up. “I’ll get the castanets. Judy has to bring up the spot, and you’re due on stage in less than two minutes. You know how nervous Mr. Calloway gets when we’re behind schedule.”
“Right.” Michael nodded. He tore his eyes away from Mary Beth’s costume, and turned to Judy. “Are you going to use your strobe effect when Mary Beth goes into her finale?”
“Sure. If you want me to.”
“I liked it.” Mary Beth spoke up. “Mr. Calloway said it added excitement.”
Judy nodded. “Okay. I think I should warn you, though. It won’t be exactly the same as it was in rehearsal. It was light out then, and now it’s dark. And there won’t be any other light on stage. It’s very tricky to dance under a strobe light.”
“I can do it.” Mary Beth gave a careless shrug. “We’ve been rehearsing this number for over two weeks, and nothing’s going to throw me off.”
Michael frowned. “Judy’s got a point, Mary Beth. We’ve never tried it at night, and it might distract you. Maybe we should wait until we have a chance to rehearse it on a totally dark stage.”
“No. It’s my number and I want the strobe.” Mary Beth glared at Judy. “The performer always gets what she wants, right, Judy?”
Judy frowned. She had the feeling that Mary Beth was talking about more than the strobe light. Could she be referring to the contest? But she didn’t have time to think about that now, so she turned to Mary Beth and nodded. “Whatever you say, Mary Beth.”
“Okay. That’s settled.” Michael patted Judy on the shoulder, and then he grinned at Mary Beth. “It’s on your head, kiddo. If you fall flat on your face, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
Judy glanced at the clock. “Ten seconds, Michael.”
“Okay, Jude, I’m ready. Bring up the spot. It’s show time.”
As Michael walked out on the stage, Judy found herself almost hoping for disaster. Perhaps Linda would be late with the castanets. Or maybe Mary Beth would trip when she danced under the strobe.
There was a round of applause. and Michael began his introduction. It took only a few moments, and then he was taking his place on the stool at the side of the stage. Linda raced back with the castanets just as Michael began to strum his guitar, and Mary Beth grabbed them. A second later, she was dancing out on the stage.
“She didn’t even say thank you,” Judy griped as she turned to Linda with a frown.
“Oh, well. That’s Mary Beth.” Linda shrugged, and started for the dressing room. “I hope she marries rich, and has a full staff. Lord knows she’s getting plenty of practice bossing us around like servants!”
About halfway through Mary Beth’s number, Carla came to stand beside her. They watched in silence for a moment, and then she turned to Judy. “Mary Beth’s really good tonight.”
“Yes. She is.”
“I saw them rehearsing this afternoon, but she’s even better now.”
Judy nodded. Mary Beth really was good, and Michael’s guitar accompaniment was perfect. They were going into their finale now, and Judy switched on the strobe and dimmed the rest of the stage until it was totally dark. Mary Beth didn’t falter or miss a step. And the audience was clapping along with the beat as she whirled and clicked her castanets. It was very impressive and very exciting. Then Michael struck one final chord, and the dance ended.
“Listen to that!” Carla looked surprised as the audience stamped their feet and whistled. No one had ever received such a huge ovation before.
Judy got ready to dim the spot, but Mary Beth raced over to Michael and kissed him on the lips. The audience cheered again, and Carla turned to Judy with a frown. “Do you think Mary Beth’s making a play for Michael?”
“I don’t think so. She’s already got a steady boyfriend. I heard her tell Linda they were practically engaged. That’s just a stage kiss, Carla. It probably doesn’t mean anything at all.”
Carla didn’t look convinced. “I think it’s more than that. Don’t forget that stupid contest.”
“But Mary Beth’s boyfriend is in the audience. He always comes to watch her dance.”
“Not tonight. I checked off all the complimentary passes, and Mary Beth’s boyfriend is very conspicuously absent.”
Judy nodded. “That fits. Mary Beth said something very strange right before she went on.”
“What did she say?”
“She said she always gets what she wants, and I know she wants to win that contest. I think you’re right, Carla. Mary Beth is trying to pick up where Deana and Becky left off.”
After the club closed, they all sat around the round table in the center of the showroom for Mr. Calloway’s comments on their performance. Andy had just passed out soft drinks, and they were all mellow and relaxed.
“Nice show,” said Mr. Calloway. “You all did very well tonight, considering the strain we’re all under. Linda? That last song of yours was a winner. And Mary Beth . . . what can I say? You brought down the house with that Flamenco.”
Mary Beth grinned. “Thank you, Mr. Calloway. Michael and I worked very hard on it. We’re going to work up a hula number next. Right, Michael?”
“Sure.” Michael smiled at her. “That means long rehearsals, though. I don’t know that much about Hawaiian music.”
Mary Beth shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got lots of tapes we can listen to. Maybe we could do something really original this time. I know you could write Hawaiian music.”
“Well, maybe. If I can find the time.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Mary Beth looked suddenly serious. “My dad’s out of town for a week, and my mother’s working the late shift at the hospital. She doesn’t get home until two, and she’s worried about me staying in the house alone. Maybe you could take me home, and we could listen to some tapes and work out a routine. That way I won’t have to be all alone.”
“I don’t know, Mary Beth,” Michael said. “I can’t stay at your house until two every night.”
“But it’s only for a week. Then
my Dad’ll be home. And think of all the work we could get done on the new routine. I wouldn’t ask, but after what happened to Deana and Becky . . . I’m afraid to stay alone.”
Michael seemed to be wavering, and Judy spoke up before he could agree. “How about your boyfriend? Can’t he come and stay with you for part of the time?”
“I broke up with him today.” Mary Beth looked very depressed as she blinked back tears. “He . . . he found another girl.”
Mr. Calloway reached out to pat her shoulder. “That’s too bad, kid. Think of it this way. He’s a loser if he didn’t appreciate you. You were the star of the show tonight. Right, gang?”
Everyone nodded, and Mary Beth gave them a trembling smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have friends like you to help me through this . . . this awful time in my life.”
Carla sighed. “Come on, Mary Beth. People break up every day. I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”
“Oh? How would you know?”
Judy stifled a gasp. Poor Carla. Mary Beth shouldn’t have made a nasty comment like that. But before Judy could think of any way to smooth over the situation, Michael stood up.
“Come on, Mary Beth. I’ll take you home. And I’ll stay with you until your mother gets off work.”
“Thank you, Michael!” Mary Beth jumped to her feet and hugged him, and Judy noticed that she didn’t look the least bit upset about her boyfriend now. “I’ll try to arrange something soon, I promise. Mom’s asked them to change her shift, but until they do . . . do you think you could possibly . . .”
“No problem.” Michael interrupted her. “I don’t have anything going, anyway. Come on, let’s go.”
Judy watched as Mary Beth and Michael left. She was doing a slow burn. Mary Beth had clung to Michael’s arm like some frail little thing, and Judy was sure that she wasn’t really afraid to stay alone. She probably hadn’t even asked her mother to change shifts. It was just a trick to trap Michael and win the contest.
“Okay.” Mr. Calloway looked up from his schedule. “Who’s driving who home? I need to know.”
“Nita and I are taking Linda and Ingrid.” Berto spoke up.
“Good.” Mr. Calloway checked the names off his list. “Who are you taking, Andy?”
“Judy, Vera, and Carla.”
“Wrong.” Carla spoke up. “I drove.”
Mr. Calloway frowned. “But I told you not to.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Mr. Calloway, but I had an appointment with the dentist this afternoon, and he’s only four blocks away. It seemed really silly to drive back home so Andy could pick me up.”
“But aren’t you afraid to drive home alone?” Ingrid looked shocked.
“Not anymore. I’ve got this.” Carla reached in her purse and pulled out a portable phone. “My uncle works for L.A. Cellular and he let me borrow one of their phones. If I have car trouble, all I have to do is stay inside the car with the doors locked and use my cell phone to call for help.”
Mr. Calloway looked impressed. “That’s a very good idea. I’d like to talk to your uncle, Carla. Maybe we could rent cell phones for the girls until this whole thing is over.”
“I’ve got his card.” Carla opened her purse and handed him a business card. “And I’m sure my uncle would be happy to help. He works nine to five in the customer service office.”
Vera began to grin. “Wow! A car phone! I’ve always wanted to drive down the freeway and call somebody, just like one of those big executives.”
“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” Mr. Calloway looked worried. “I’m willing to rent a phone for each of you, but calls from a cell phone are expensive.”
Judy frowned. Mr. Calloway had a point. Most of the girls spent a lot of time on the phone. “I think we should pay for any non-emergency calls we make. Right, girls?”
The girls looked disappointed, but they all nodded. It was only fair.
“Okay. I’ll call Carla’s uncle first thing in the morning, and order phones for all the girls.”
“How about us?” Andy spoke up. “We might be in danger, too.”
“Okay, okay, If I can write it off as a business expense, you guys get phones, too.”
They all walked out to the parking lot together, and Judy found herself next to Carla. “You’re really not worried about the killer, are you, Carla?” “
“No. I’m not worried.” Carla looked very serious. “He couldn’t possibly be after me.”
“Why not? You’re female, you work here, and you drive home alone.”
Carla gave a bitter little laugh as she unlocked her car door and opened it. “Don’t be silly, Judy. Deana and Becky were performers, and they were very pretty.”
“That’s true, but I still don’t see what that has to do with it.”
“Just look at me and think about it.” Carla slid in behind the wheel. “Compare me to Deana and Becky. I don’t exactly fit the victim profile, do I?”
Judy was frowning as she walked to Andy’s car. What Carla had said was true. Carla wasn’t a performer, and she wasn’t pretty, although she would be much better looking if she took off those awful glasses and wore her hair loose instead of pulling it back in that old-fashioned bun.
“Come on, Judy. Let’s go.”
Andy opened the side door to his Blazer and Judy climbed in. She was still puzzled by Carla’s reaction. Instead of being relieved that she didn’t fit the victim profile, Carla had sounded almost sorry that the killer wouldn’t find her attractive enough to murder.
Seven
Judy brought up the house lights and watched as the audience filed out of Covers. It was Saturday night and the show had gone well, probably because they were much more relaxed. There hadn’t been any new murders, and everyone was beginning to think it was over . . . everyone except Mary Beth. She’d told them that she was still afraid to stay alone, and Michael had taken her home every night.
Mary Beth had left her castanets behind the screen again. Judy picked them up and threw them in the prop box. Mary Beth was a total airhead, but Michael didn’t seem to mind. Since she lived next door, Judy knew what time Michael got home. And he hadn’t come in before three in the morning for the past five nights in a row!
“Here—let me help you.” Andy rushed up as Judy started to drag the heavy prop box to the front of the stage.
Judy stood back as Andy lifted the box and carried it easily to the locker they’d built at the side of the room. Andy enjoyed showing off his muscles for the girls, and Linda and Carla were standing at the edge of the stage, watching. “Thanks, Andy. Are you still taking that body building course?”
“Can’t you tell?” Andy laughed as Judy opened the locker. “I never would have been able to lift this last year.”
Judy nodded, but she didn’t say what she was thinking. Andy was trying to impress the girls, but it wasn’t going to work. Everyone liked Andy. He was a good friend, but nothing more. Poor Andy had been trying to date the girls for a whole year now, and so far no one had agreed to go out with him. Michael was the real attraction, and Andy was just a boy they worked with.
Carla frowned as Andy set the box inside the locker. “You should wear a weight belt, Andy. You could hurt your back that way.”
“This is nothing.” Andy grinned at her. “I’m bench pressing three times more than that little box weighs.”
Linda looked a little worried. “Carla’s right. You should be more careful. You could hurt yourself.”
“But would you care?” Andy grinned at her.
“Of course I’d care! You’re the best kicker on our football team. Who’s going to punt if you hurt your back?”
“At last! I’ve done it!” Andy let out a whoop. “Linda wants me for my body!”
All three girls started to laugh, and Andy joined in. Then Mary Beth walked by and they quickly sobered. Linda waited until she was gone and then she turned to Judy. “Is Michael taking Mary Beth home again tonight?”
“Prob
ably. He’s been spending every night with her.”
Andy scowled and then he gave a deep sigh. “I called Mary Beth and offered to help out. I said I’d come over to protect her if Michael couldn’t make it.”
“That was very nice of you,” Carla said.
“Mary Beth didn’t think so. She said if Michael couldn’t make it, she’d rather stay alone.”
The girls exchanged glances. Mary Beth shouldn’t have been so mean.
“What’s the big deal with Michael, anyway?” Andy looked puzzled. “You girls are all crazy about him.”
Linda did her best to explain. “Well . . . he’s already in college. And everybody thinks he’s going to be a big star someday. Going out with Michael is sort of a status symbol.”
“And going out with me isn’t,” Andy finished. “Okay, Linda. I get it. But I don’t like it.”
The three girls stared after Andy as he walked away. Then Carla shrugged. “Poor Andy. I’d probably go out with him if he asked me. But he won’t. Andy’s only interested in the girls he can’t have.”
“Do you think that’s why we’re interested in Michael?” Linda raised her eyebrows. “Because we know that we can’t have him?”
Carla snorted. “The only reason everybody’s interested in Michael is because of that stupid contest. Mary Beth is pulling out all the stops to win, and I bet she’s not one bit afraid to stay alone.”
“Are you sure?” Linda didn’t look convinced.
“I’m sure. What’s the killer going to do? Break into a locked house just to get her? Mary Beth’s taking advantage of the situation so she can spend every night with Michael.”
Judy was deep in thought as they took their places at the round table. Carla was right. Mary Beth had bragged about her parents’ new state-of-the-art security system. She’d told them that if anyone tried to break into the house, bells would ring, sirens would blare, and armed guards would respond in a matter of seconds. All Michael had to do was take Mary Beth home and wait until she’d turned on the security system. Then he could leave. Mary Beth would be perfectly safe inside the house. There was no real reason for him to stay until her mother got home.
