Hazards on the Hardwood (Hazards and Hijinks) (21 page)

39

Taffy composed herself and seemed calmer than she was earlier; Nicholas had told her that he was proud of her and that she “never looked lovelier.”

Nicholas looked sharp in his double-breasted tux; paten-leathered shoes. Not a hair was out of place and his calm exterior was a comfort to her.

He had planned a big evening for Taffy; backstage sabotage was not on the list. There would be the dancing first and then a quiet dinner at Armand’s afterwards. He reached in his pocket to make sure the little blue Tiffany box was still there. Nerves were hidden well under the surface; he appeared to be confident and upbeat even through all the turmoil happening around him. He had said a prayer earlier and hoped God would bless him with both a lovely prospective fiancé and a possible victory on the dance floor. The engagement was something he’d dreamed about for weeks. He hoped that Taffy felt the same way.

He wondered if after this memorable competition he should just stop competing altogether and find his way to a full time position as preacher at his church. He had a lot of praying and decision making to do. But tonight, he concentrated on Taffy and hoped she would agree to be his wife.

* * * *

Sasha had also gained her composure when Landon walked in to the gathering area outside their respective dressing rooms. Coffee, wine, cheese and crackers were served as a pre-competition snack. The dancers were mingling in small circles, quietly chatting.

* * *
*

Francois and Caroline were off to themselves; not wanting to mix with the others, which reeked of snobbery of the highest degree.

“Typical Caroline,” Sasha retorted. She still got a little upset with her “snobby” competitor. It started many years ago when she did her first U.S.A. competition. Caroline wasn’t with Nicholas then, she was partnered with a “Danish” dandy named Gunner Anderson. He was a blond-haired baby faced guy with a flair for the dramatic. He gravitated toward flame-decorated costumes. He was an ice skater by profession, but loved the freedom of choreography that ballroom dancing
offered. So he left Denmark and skating for the world of Tangos, Sambas and Waltzes.

Their first competition together fell flat, literally. Caroline’s heel got caught in Gunner’s shoelace and she twirled around and rocketed toward Sasha and Raul’s dance space. The four of them collided and crashed to the floor and words like fireworks burst around entire ballroom. People gasped and some nearly fainted at the sight of the dancers’ demise.

Neither couple scored in the top ten that year. In fact, Caroline limped off the dance floor insulting her “soon to be” former partner, Gunner. It was gossiped about for several years to come. Caroline was dubbed “Caroline the Collider” at several future events and was totally humiliated by the entire thing.

She just knew that this year, Francois would be the “best of the best” and show up everyone else on the dance floor with her as his partner. They were sure winners!

40

Edward had to be shaken from his thoughts by Sparky as the evening’s gala was about to start.

“Edward, what is wrong with you? You’ve not been yourself all day. This is very important to us and you need to be completely focused!” Sparky was frantic. She didn’t know how to shake him from whatever was on his mind.

“I’m okay. Just a case of pre-dance jitters I think,” He said looking off into the distance.

“I’m warning you, Edward. If you are still planning on sabotaging this dance competition, you will lose me. I won’t stand for any of it; and might even report you to the authorities. So watch it, Edward. I mean business.” Sparky was on the verge of yelling and needed to tone it down a notch.

“Sparky don’t you dare threaten me. I won’t have it. You are already involved and it would include you as a co-conspirator and would land you in jail, as well. So let’s have no more of your foolishness. You’re in the thick of it and I won’t hesitate to include you in any details if I get arrested.”

With all the dancers lined up backstage; the music started and Clarkson was at his position, readied and waiting for the competitors to arrive on the dance floor.

The judges took their respective places on the dais and with serious expressions, sat down to observe the proceedings; not wanting to appear like something was terribly wrong. The threats were real and inside some of the judge’s heads was the thought of what would happen to them because they didn’t give in under Edward’s pressure.

With the police notified, undercover cops in position, they should be safe with any decisions they made; the criminal’s threats would no longer be an issue. But underneath, apprehension built up.

Mimms stood off to the side of the ballroom, taking in the sight with eager anticipation. He had poured something potent into some of the judge’s drinks. Waiting for the fruits of his dastardly labors to be felt, he smirked to himself. “I’ll show these pompous judges just what happens when you don’t follow instructions and do what you’re told.”

What he didn’t know was that someone had been summoned to undo what he had done with the drinks and poured fresh beverages to those on the dais. Mimms had been filmed on the video cameras that were placed at different positions around the ballroom. Security was heightened and his deeds did not go un-noticed.

A police officer was waiting just outside the main entrance to arrest him as soon as he stepped outside.

Edward, on the other hand, was completely unaware of what had been videoed and he thought things were moving forward according to his plans. But, another officer was waiting to arrest him, as well.

* * * *

Sparky located Edward coming out of the men’s dressing room. He seemed fidgety and had a bead of sweat on his brow.

“There you are. Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!” Sparky was very upset. She felt very strongly that this could be the last time she danced with Edward. She knew he was going to be caught and put away for a long time.

* * * *

Edward’s attempt on the judges was a very serious offense; one that would put him behind bars for a long time. The drug was a known narcotic affecting the nervous system. It had a very toxic effect when ingested. Illegal was written all over it and Edward was already under suspicion of trying to influence and threaten those on the panel. Blackmail and illegal administration of narcotics would have him in prison for many years.

Another fact came across in the investigation; Marla, the receptionist at the pharmaceutical company where Edward got the drugs, sang like a bird! She had been an undercover agent for several years for the F.B.I. and was placed at the questionable company because of an anonymous tip that they were selling drugs illegally.

* * * *

Fallon texted Sparky to warn her and to be cautious; the cops were stationed around the ballroom and to be prepared when the police arrested Edward. Sparky’s expression turned serious and she started shaking. How could she remain graceful and remember her dance steps knowing her husband was about to be arrested in front of the surprised crowd?

“What’s the matter my little dove?” Edward asked.

“Oh it’s just the jitters. I always get nervous before a competition and the thought of being thrown into the slammer!” She tried to sound calm but was a basket case underneath.

“Sparky, you haven’t done anything stupid have you?” He drilled.

“Why don’t you just concentrate on yourself and your dancing and leave me to mine!” She retorted. An end to that conversation and they were walking onto the dance floor and not hand-in-hand.

Edward was perusing the crowd, looking for Mimms. He wasn’t able to locate him and became anxious. As he scanned the room he thought he caught a glimpse of a familiar face but couldn’t place it.

He straightened his bow tie and tried to shake out the nerves. He felt something was up but couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

41

Clarkson cleared his throat and gave a welcoming smile to the crowd. There was loud applause and the music played softly in the background.

“Welcome ladies, gentlemen, distinguished judges and competitors to the Fifth Annual Lakeside Dance Competition. This evening you will be treated to the talents of many wonderful dancers. I would like to first thank the Lakeside Resort for allowing us this fine location once again for the competition, the judges for their loyalty on returning to serve on the panel. And now, without further delay, please sit back and watch these splendid dancers as they compete in Latin and Smooth categories.”

Dancers glided into place with their suede-bottomed dance shoes, not a sound heard as they took their positions on the hardwood.

Sequins glistening reflecting the soft lighting, chiffon floating through the air; all the elements electrifying and exciting as everyone awaited the start of the first competition. The orchestra started playing a smooth tune that announced the Fox Trot portion of the completion. Dancers with heads held up high, making sure their frames were set, their positions proper, started their dances with precision.

There was a hush in the room as Taffy and Nicholas moved toward the judges’ dais. They performed magnificently and professionally as they moved around the dance floor.

Francois and Caroline were next in line and showed off their talents without a hitch. Caroline looked a bit disheveled as her strap had become loose during the warm-up. Flustered, she still managed to get through the Fox Trot without making an error.

One-by-one the couples made their way to the dance floor and presented their talents to the crowd and the panel of judges.

Edward had messed up on several of the patterns and managed to stumble, causing Sparky to yell a not-so-acceptable word or two. “Edward you twit, what were you thinking about? You messed up! Now we’re done for, you idiot!” She was ready to stomp off the floor and leave her “loser husband” there alone. Sparky held her composure realizing that Edward had just made them lose the first round of competition. It was all she could do, not to smash his foot with her sharp heel.

It came across her mind that satisfaction would soon be hers; knowing that he was done with the dance circuit now. He was about to be arrested and sent to prison for all his heinous deeds.  She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

As the Fox Trot round finished, the dancers waited for the semi-final round’s contestants to be announced.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the semi-final couples are: Taffy Torkelson and Nicholas Kincaid, Sasha O’Neill and Landon Mills, Sophie O’Brien and Raul Griffith and Caroline Smathers and Francois LaRue. You may remain on the dance floor. Thank you to all the participants; you did a fine job. Let’s hear it for all our dancers!” Clarkson announced the winners and Sparky was relieved that she and Edward were not in the next round.

As the next round of dancing finished there was a sudden collective gasp from the audience. One of the judges, Kendall Moore, keeled over and his head fell in a slump. Evidently, not all the judges’ drinks had been replaced. Someone had missed one of the tainted glasses.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain calm. We will resume the competition momentarily.” Clarkson paled as he tried to hush the anxious crowd.

* * * *

“That was most likely your doing, wasn’t it Edward?” Sparky asked emphatically.

Edward just grimaced and tried to find Mimms in the crowd. He would definitely be in trouble for failing to knock out the other judges. There would have been a time out while a deliberation took place and when the “motivated” judges returned after a brief nap, they would all be aware that Edward was not kidding. He and Sparky would have won the remaining rounds. However now he was very angry and frustrated that some of the other judges hadn’t “gone down” as planned. He wondered if someone had informed the authorities and they had someone replace the poisoned drinks with good ones. Obviously, Mimms hadn’t completed his assignment successfully.

With no more viable options, Edward had to think fast; he needed to exit stage left or right to make his getaway quickly and without drawing any further attention to himself. What he didn’t realize was that the officers and agents were already positioned at all the exits and he would be apprehended as soon as he approached one of the doors.

Sparky gazed at the judges’ dais and found Fallon looking alarmed and pale. He knew that Edward’s plot had failed and was a bit relieved but wondered how Sparky was doing through all of this.

After escorting the fallen judge to a room to recuperate, a semblance of order came back in the room. People were chatting quietly and the orchestra was playing some soft music.

The dancers, however, were very restless and wanted to get this competition going again. They were concerned that their game might be off with all the mishaps and sinister plots going on.

As Edward edged closer to an exit, an undercover officer, posing as a stage hand moved in to take him in custody. Other officers moved in quietly to assist as backup.

Edward now was aware his plot had been exposed. All of a sudden there was a shout, heard all the way out on the dance floor and he was handcuffed and his rights were read to him.

The happenings behind the scenes were not obvious yet in the ballroom. But, things were about to get a bit more lively on the “hazardous hardwood.”

Mimms sauntered slowly toward the main entrance; looking in all directions and scanning the room for any policemen that might be headed his way. All he saw was the seated audience, waiters and a few stragglers trying to find their numbered tables.

“I suppose I won’t get a dime from that cheapskate, Haversham.” He thought as he got closer to freedom.

“Freeze right there buddy!” One of the officers came around the corner of a potted plant and cuffed Mimms immediately, reading him his rights.

The commotion caused a stir as people turned around to hear Mimms yelling, “I’ll talk to my lawyer and be out before Sunday supper.”

“In your dreams!” said Officer Collins. He and some fellow agents ran up and commended the others for their fine work and quick end to the mess.

Edward and Mimms were both apprehended and were driven to the local police station for booking.

“Well folks, you will be glad to know that Judge Moore has recovered and the competition will resume shortly,” Clarkson announced to the shaken crowd.