Figure Skating Mystery Series: 5 Books in 1

by Alina Adams

  "It's my problem, too. I used to think I understood people. How am I supposed to do my job if I don't have a clue what people are really like or what they're capable of?"

  "Who cares?" Craig asked lightly.

  "Couldn't you at least fake an interest in my future?”

  "I don't mean, who cares about your future. I mean, who cares about what people are really like? You're not a psychologist, Bex, or an FBI profiler. You're in television. You're in the business of creating fantasies. The characters you put on the air are no more real than... than... the Friends friends. Or all the people who love Raymond. Or whoever it was that slayed vampires. They're a collective illusion created by you, the camera, the skater, and the viewer."

  Another rousing burst of applause almost drowned out the last of Craig's lecture. Bex couldn't resist; she had to poke her head around the corner for a peek at what was driving them all so wild.

  On the ice, underneath a screen flaunting a huge projected portrait of Lucian in all his Master of the Universe glory, Toni had put on her skates, too. Dignified as ever, if somewhat slower than in her prime, she led a line of former students, not just Chris, Gina, and Gabrielle, but another dozen, lesser champions, ranging in age from thirtysomething to no more than twelve. The tune playing during their procession was ABBA'S "Thank You for the Music:"

  So I say thank you for the music

  For giving it to me....

  Bex watched the skaters laughingly hold hands and twirl in a giddy circle beneath the portrait. She watched the audience wipe away tears and cheer until they were hoarse.

  Bex asked Craig, "Is this as big of a sentimental, manipulative piece of claptrap as I think it is, or is it, you know, kind of... moving?"

  "Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can't it be both?"

  "Are you being deep again?"

  "I'm being pragmatic."

  "Isn't that usually my job?"

  "Look at that audience, Bex. Really look at them. They're having a great time. That's what they came here for. To be moved and uplifted and swept up in the fantasy. So who cares if the skaters on the ice are sincere, or what their reasons are for being in this show?"

  "I care."

  "Why?"

  "Because the truth matters."

  "Sure it matters. But to what end? Why does it matter why people do what they do? Isn't what they do finally more important?"

  Bex tore herself away from the ABBA-vaganza to focus completely on what Craig was saying. She sensed it was very important, and she wanted to make sure that she understood it in exactly the same way as he meant it. “Translation?"

  "Ok. Example: Gabrielle Cassidy is here to plug her training center. But her being on the ice again is making people happy. They're remembering how much they enjoyed watching her compete once. Or maybe they're remembering how young they once were, while they were enjoying watching her compete. It doesn't matter what their motivation for the enjoyment is, just like it doesn't matter what her reason for being here to bring them that enjoyment is. She's happy, they're happy. What else matters?"

  "We're not just talking about skating anymore, are we, Craig?"

  "I want to marry you. You want to marry me. Maybe we should just focus on that instead of constantly drilling the other person about why. Most of us don't know why we do the things we do, much less why other people do what they do. So to hell with why. Let's stick to what. What do you say, Bex? Will you marry me?"

  "Yes." It was that easy. She didn't have to think, she didn't have to rationalize or dissect or second-guess. She simply said, "Yes," without hesitation.

  Craig grinned. When he grabbed Bex to kiss her, there were no swirling cameras, no fabulous mountaintop views, no lush, swelling soundtrack (well, unless you counted ABBA still blaring from the ice). But it felt as if there were. All that and more, actually.

  The first thing Bex said when they pulled apart was, "We have to tell Jeremy."

  "Agreed. But he's a little busy right now."

  They both turned their heads just in time to watch Craig's son land a perfect Triple Axel, exactly on the spot he'd been practicing to hit all week.

  "Yahoo!" Craig pumped his fist, as proud as any dad whose son had scored a winning touchdown or knocked in a home run.

  Bex jumped up and down and clapped her hands. "Go, Jeremy!"

  Craig noted her genuine excitement and, amused, asked, "So. Still thinking of giving up the skating gig?"

  "Well..." She gazed thoughtfully over the ice. Jeremy's Axel was being followed by each skater performing their signature move under a spotlight that changed colors according to their costumes. Toni, in forest green, did a still more than presentable lay-back spin; Gina, in hot pink, her change-foot Biellman; Gabrielle, in yellow, a Choctaw so deep her hair was practically brushing the ice when she leaned back; and Chris, in dark blue, a delayed Axel that seemed to hang frozen in the air like a basketball player mid-dunk.

  Bex said, "It is terribly pretty...."

  "It is," Craig agreed. "It really is...."

  SKATINGANDSTUFF.COM MESSAGE BOARD

  FROM: GoGoGregoryl Posted at 6:46 AM

  OMG guys the Lucian Tribute was the best skating show I've ever seen in my life so beautiful and so moving and everyone was great even the people I never heard of and oh you should have seen Chris and Gina together there was definitely something going on there take my word for it in a few months they're going to announce that they're back together maybe we'll even get our wedding this time remember you heard it here first!!!!

  FROM: MaryQuiteContrary Posted at 6:49 AM

  Yeah, well, I don't believe a word of it. Not until I see it on TV.

  * * *

  THE END