Dancing in the Dark (31 page)

“If it makes you feel any better,” said Matthew, “Dr. Messinger has
shown himself to be a liar and a fake.” He went on to explain about the
false burglary and the missing files. “When this gets into the papers,
I think it’s a pretty safe bet that Owen Messinger’s practice will drop
off sharply. Even if he doesn’t serve a prison sentence or get a
monetary fine, his punishment will be loss of credibility in his
professional community.”

“Well, that’s some good news,” said Larry, brightening.

“I’ve prayed that Messinger would be stopped. I guess the good Lord
has finally answered my prayers.” The agent looked at his watch. “I
have a guy coming in here in a few minutes, and I have to copy off a
listing for him. I’ve been working with him for weeks—even had to lie
to his wife when she found one of my cards with his things. He lives in
one of the tents when he comes down, but he wants to find a house in
Ocean Grove and surprise her.”

Diane climbed the stairs to the porch of the Dancing Dunes Inn,
tired but satisfied. She was about to go up to her room when Carlos
told her that her daughter was in the dining room.

She entered to find Michelle sitting at one of the tables, a plate
of scrambled eggs, sausage, and whole wheat toast before her. Diane sat
down and ordered the same thing.

“Are you all right, Mom?”

“Yes, honey, I’m fine. Are you?”

Michelle took a long swallow of orange juice. “Yes. I’m okay. I’ve
been thinking about everything, Mom. Emily and I got up to watch your
piece this morning. That Leslie Patterson is one messed-up girl.”

“Yes, she is.”

“I wonder how she got that way,” said Michelle before taking another
bite of her toast.

“It’s hard to say, honey. I suppose it wasn’t any one thing.”

Michelle looked with wide eyes at her mother. “I don’t want to end
up like that, Mom,” she whispered.

“You don’t have to, Michelle. You don’t have to. You, all of us,
just have to try to focus on the right things in life. It’s fine to
care about your appearance, but it’s unhealthy to be obsessed with it.
There’s so much more to life than your jean size, honey.”

By the time mother and daughter finished their conversation and got
up from the table, there was nothing left on either plate.