Page 58 of Wounded Dance
“Is it that small?”
“I talked to Jeff about it when I was in LA. He didn’t think we had enough evidence of a threat to get one, but that was before baby daddy decided to go nuts at a place with children. In Texas, it’s typically two hundred yards.”
“So a couple football fields,” I say.
“Yeah.”
“How could they have served him?” I ask. “He doesn’t have an address.”
“Jeff said he’s on probation,” Blitz says. “Most likely a stipulation of his probation is to maintain contact with an officer. They could serve it.”
“Would getting one violate his probation?” I ask.
“I could call Jeff and ask,” Blitz says.
“That’s okay,” I say. “Danika might know.”
“I doubt we’ll be able to get in the back door today without calling her,” Blitz says.
“Looks like she has somebody back there.” I point to the backstage exit.
Sure enough, a familiar tall man is there. Ted!
We walk up to him. “Fancy seeing you again,” Blitz says. “I was just too good-looking to pass up.”
Ted snorts. “They called and asked for me, since I already knew the place. I rotate with another guy, front entrance and back.”
“Is this door locked?” Blitz asks. “Because lover boy is out front measuring how close he can get.”
“We’re aware,” Ted says. “The funny thing is, we don’t even have an order yet. They’re still working on proving the threat. He’s just being careful.”
“Really?” I say. “Even after he went crazy last week?”
“Yeah, the owner wasn’t able to convince them,” Ted says. “I think they are getting some big-gun lawyer to file it now. Some dude named Claremont.”
“Bennett,” I say, and Blitz nods. Bennett built Dreamcatcher Academy for Danika. He has lawyers on top of lawyers.
Ted turns to unlock the backstage door. “Buzz me if anything happens in there.”
“Will do,” Blitz says with a mock salute.
We hurry to Studio 3, where Janel is already working with Daisy and Marissa.
“Good morning,” Janel says as we come in. “Small group so far this morning. Everybody’s late or skipping.”
I set down my bag. “Did anyone call to say why?”
“No,” Janel says, adjusting Daisy’s arms. “I didn’t hear anything.”
By the time we’ve changed into dance shoes, two more girls have arrived. But no Gabriella.
Halfway through class, Blitz comes up and says, “Did anything seem off with her on Thursday?”
I shake my head no.
“Why don’t you go ask Danika about her?”
I nod. The girls are busily working on how to hold formation during a turn, so I head out into the hall and walk toward the front foyer.
