Footprints of a Dancer (Detective Elliot Mystery) Read Online Free

disciplined. But I’m sure you won’t do it. You’re probably as big a coward as he is.”
    Carmen closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to will Paul Masterson to stop talking before he caused Kenny to lose control and ruin everything, which would confirm what the town already suspected: Wayne was his father’s son, in every sense of the word. Carmen opened her eyes to confirm her fears had materialized.
    Kenny now stood in front of Paul Masterson.
    Masterson’s face turned a deeper shade of red. “You better do something, Gaither, before I show this punk the road.”
    Mr. Gaither was also standing. “Now see here, gentlemen. Let’s behave like adults. Don’t make me call the police.”
    Mrs. Masterson still sat there, no expression showing on her face. Knowing she had to do something, Carmen rose from her chair. Always she hoped Kenny would change, that the gentler side of him, which at times she had to admit only seemed obvious to her, would prevail, but she was beginning to lose hope. “Kenny,” she said, the words echoing through the small office with much more tone and volume than she had anticipated. “Please sit down.”
    Kenny turned toward her, his smile slow and confident as if everything in the world was right. Carmen smiled back. After all, it was Paul Masterson who was acting aggressive, not Kenny.
    Carmen realized, though she was indeed worried about Kenny’s behavior, that she loved him now more than ever, had never stopped loving him, and probably never would. She started to say something else, but Kenny shook his head.
     

Chapter Five
    Elliot glanced around the room until his gaze came upon Carmen.
    The expression on her face said she was again wondering what kind of man he really was.
    “There’s no need for concern,” he said. “I just want to have a word in private.”
    He subtly yet forcefully urged Masterson from the room and pushed him against the wall in the hallway. “Let me introduce myself,” he said. “Name’s Elliot, and I don’t like what you said about Wayne, or the way you said it. If you’ve got an explanation handy, now might be the time to let it out.”
    Masterson fidgeted and glanced toward the office. “I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
    Elliot smiled. “I think I understand. Now’s not the time or the place, is it? We can’t raise our voices or do anything that might upset our friends here. But don’t worry. I have a plan.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Elliot tightened his grip. “Well, let me lay it out for you. With everyone being so agreeable, this meeting shouldn’t take long. After it’s over, we’ll give it thirty minutes and meet at the ball field. I’m sure you know where it is. Without our audience, we should be able to settle this matter rather quickly.”
    “I’m not meeting you anywhere.”
    “Whatever you think. But if you’re not there, I’ll come looking for you.”
    “Hold on,” Masterson said. “Let’s be civil about this, go back inside, and have our meeting.”
    Elliot released his grip. He’d known all along Masterson would fold at the first hint of trouble.
    Masterson straightened his clothes, gave Elliot a disgusted look, and turned and walked back into Gaither’s office.
    As soon as Elliot entered the office, Mr. Gaither sat down and folded his hands. “Ms. Garcia and Mrs. Masterson have decided to handle this at home. Since the incident happened off school grounds, I’m inclined to agree with them.”
    Elliot smiled and patted Masterson on the back. “Great,” he said. “Paul and I have reached an agreement as well.”
    After a bit of small talk, the meeting was over, and Elliot walked Carmen to her car. Once there, she leaned against the car and looked up at him, her face unreadable.
    He wanted to take her in his arms, but he pushed the notion from his mind. “Do you want me to talk to Wayne about this?”
    She shook her head. “What advice would you give him? Use a