Dying to Dance (Cha-Cha-Ahhh): A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery by Marcy Blesy

Author:Marcy Blesy [Blesy, Marcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marcy A. Blesy, LLC
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Officer Dan Daniel sits on one side of me and Keaton on the other in the waiting room at the hospital. I’ve been declared concussion free for the second time this week though my head won’t stop pounding. Brenda pats Jan on the back as she paces around the room. My parents huddle across from us along with many of the professional dancers who lounge in chairs, most scrolling on their phones.

“Let me go over this again, Rosi,” says Officer Daniel. “You were in the middle of a conversation with Allen about a contract which you dispute having signed, and when the lights went out, someone came into the room and stabbed him in the back.”

“Yes,” I say weakly, closing my eyes and trying to wish this all away. “That’s exactly what happened.”

“Why would someone stab Allen?”

“I have no idea.”

“Did you hear anyone enter the room?”

“I didn’t hear anything. I was focused on that piece of paper. It didn’t make any sense. I didn’t hear anything, Dan. I didn’t see anything. Is Allen…is he…you know?” I wipe at the tears that spill down my face. I don’t like Allen, but I don’t want him to die. Maybe this is all my fault for choosing to kill him with kindness instead of to confuse him with kindness over my many interactions with him.

“We are waiting to talk with the doctor,” he says quietly.

“Dan, Rosi’s been through a lot. Can you give her a break—for an hour at least?”

“Keaton, the best time to interview a witness is immediately after the crime, when memories are most fresh.” Keaton glares at Officer Daniel. “But I’ll get her a coffee. I’ll be back.”

“Thanks,” I say as I lay my head on Keaton’s shoulder. I close my eyes, but only for a second as I hear a sweet but assured voice speaking the name of my boyfriend.

“Hello, Keats.”

“Hello, Ingrid.”

I lift my head. Somehow Ingrid manages to look even more beautiful in a stressful situation. Her leotard hugs everything perfectly. I don’t look that tight in all of my expensive Spanx put together.

“I didn’t imagine I’d see you again,” she says quietly.

“Me neither.”

“How is your dad?”

“He’s good. And your family?”

“Good. I’m…Rosi…I’m…I’m glad you have Keats. He’s a good guy. Let me know what the plans are for the rest of the week. I’m heading back to the hotel. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Ingrid.”

I make eye contact with Mom across the hospital waiting room. She blows me a kiss, yet she has no idea I’d been on my way backstage to tell her about Ingrid being Keaton’s ex-wife. Allen’s stabbing had put a knife in that conversation. Literally and figuratively.

“That was weird,” Keaton says more to himself than to me.

I don’t reply as he pulls me closer, resting his chin on top of my head. Any amount of excitement I had once held about bringing this dancing competition to Tucson Valley has evaporated. Maybe I should become a recluse and get a work-from-home job. The less people I interact with, the less chance I’ll be a part of another major crime.

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