Page 59 of Wounded Dance
Another security guard stands between the two entrances, looking out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that make up the front of the academy. I realize how vulnerable we are, so open and easy to see in.
“Everything okay?” I ask him. “I’m Livia, the girl he’s stalking.”
The man nods in acknowledgment. “He just got served the order,” he says. “The officer is still there, making sure he complies.”
I glance out. I can’t see Denham’s truck, as it’s too far down the street, but Denham himself is picking up his measuring tape. A squad car is parked directly in front of the academy.
I back away before he can look this direction. It’s a good distance across the parking lot, and he shouldn’t be able to see me clearly, but I don’t want to take that chance.
Suze is at the front desk, and I wave as I pass. Then I stop and turn back to her. “Did Gwen call about Gabriella?” I ask. “She’s not in class.”
Suze sifts through her notes. “I didn’t talk to her, but she left a message for Danika to call her. Maybe she’s sick.”
“Thanks,” I say. “Is Danika back there?”
“I think so,” Suze says.
I push through the doors to the recital hall. Danika’s office is just inside. She sits at her desk, tapping on her keyboard.
I poke my head in. “Hey,” I say.
“Hello, Livia,” she says. “I take it you came in the back way? Yourfriendis out front.”
“Yeah.” I sit on the chair opposite her. “I hear you got the protective order.”
“Finally. The officer who came didn’t write up enough to get it through. We had to push it with Bennett’s lawyer. But they got it done.”
“Did he have a probation officer to notify him?”
“Yes, but we didn’t want to wait on that. He was standing right out there. We got it rush-served. Anything for a price,” she says.
“How far away does he have to stay?”
“We got three hundred yards, which is the maximum. But that’s just for our property. He can still follow you.”
“I know,” I say. “Blitz doesn’t want an order in the public record with my name on it.”
“That makes sense. You practically have to give up your firstborn child to get one done.”
I freeze, my breath catching.
Danika quickly says, “I’m sorry. That was a horrible thing to say.”
“That’s okay,” I say. “It’s just an expression.”
She reaches across the desk to grasp my hands. “I think of you as a daughter, Livia. Please know that if you need anything, you can talk to me.”
I’m not sure I can think of Danika as a mother, but I nod. “I came to ask about Gabriella,” then quickly I add, “and Valerie. They aren’t in class today.”
“I’m not sure about Valerie,” she says. “But Gwen heard about the altercation Friday and has put a hold on Gabriella’s enrollment until it blows over.”
“What?” My heart accelerates. “He didn’t even come here on her day!”
“Gwen has some concerns,” Danika says. “She isn’t the only parent who has pulled her child out over that incident. I’ve lost about ten students.”
I can’t believe it. Just like that, Gabriella is out of my life.
Because of Denham!
