Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Money, Lucca guessed. They’re paying them lots of money.
They must be blackmailing them, it can’t just be paying them, she speculated. Some of them might be willing to turn on family and friends for money, but not so many. Especially when people start getting hurt or killed.
How do you think they are blackmailing them? Nicoletta asked.
Amaranthe moved around the studio, watching as each girl came out of the dressing room and began to warm up on the mats. Lyna Marchel pursed her lips and glared at the older girls, who talked in low tones as they went through their basic stretches, but she didn’t reprimand them.
Ten-year-old Carlotta hurried out of the back room and barreled straight into her best friend, Selena, another ten-year-old. Selena fell backward, landing hard on her bottom, ripping her bright orange-and-pink leotard. She immediately burst into tears.
“You did that on purpose because you wanted my leotard,” Selena accused, sobbing hysterically. She rubbed at her eyes with her fists. “Look what you did. You ruined it.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Carlotta denied. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“You horrid child.” Lyna, her face twisted into a mask of hatred, stormed over to Carlotta, towering over her in a threatening manner. “What a terrible thing to do out of spite and jealousy.”
“I didn’t. I didn’t.” Carlotta began to really cry.
“Your parents are going to pay for her beautiful leotard. Go right now into the changing room and wash your face. You have no reason to be blubbering like a baby.”
“Lyna,” Amaranthe said softly, “I’m sure it was an accident. Carlotta, go wash your face while I take care of Selena.”
“I can help Carlotta,” Jenny volunteered.
Lyna drew her breath in with a soft hiss. “Did you just reprimand me in front of the students?” she demanded, scowling down at Amaranthe. She deliberately stepped right into Amara’s personal space.
Amaranthe smiled at the other instructor without giving ground. “Of course not. Let’s try to settle these girls down. I really could use your calming influence.”
Lyna’s scowl grew even darker. “Don’t pretend you’re my friend. You came here and took over my job, and now you’re deliberately undermining me in front of the students.” She narrowed her eyes at Amaranthe. “You’re not going to get away with it. I’m gathering complaints and signatures to have you removed.” She looked past Amaranthe to the group of teens watching them and nodded her head as if they were all behind her.
Amaranthe followed her gaze to see Reba and Priscilla holding hands. Neither looked triumphant. Both appeared distraught. Selena continued to wail loudly, touching the small rip in her leotard.
I don’t think this girl Jenny is trying to console Carlotta. She’s whispering to her, but I can’t hear what she’s saying because the water is running. The more she talks to Carlotta, the more the poor little girl is crying. There’s something about Jenny’s body posture that’s off, Amara, Nicoletta declared.
I’m coming in to help you keep an eye on them, Taviano said. Everyone’s dressed now, right? I don’t like the way any of this is playing out, especially the way the other dance instructor is acting. Could she be programmed to attack Amara? We’re thinking in terms of a shadow rider attacking one of us, but she could just as easily whip out a poisoned knife and cut her. Or one of the teens could.
Amaranthe hadn’t considered that idea. The way Geno swore, he hadn’t thought of it, either.
I don’t like this, Amara. I thought we had the studio as safe as possible for you, but this is a game changer. They could have programed Marchel or one of the teens to try to kill you.
Amaranthe didn’t want Geno to insist she send her students home. That would be a win for the murderers.
This is how it always starts with the businesses, Geno. People are accused of stealing. Everyone becomes suspicious of one another. Businesses begin to lose money because customers no longer trust them. Employees turn on one another. We’re seeing it happen firsthand, and we have to figure out how they’re doing it.
Ignoring Lyna, she went around her to crouch on the floor beside Selena to examine the small rip in the leotard. “We can fix that right up. I have a sewing kit. Come with me. There’s no need for all those tears.”
I think the way they get the teens to cooperate other than with money is using the sextortion scheme that’s so alive and well today, Amaranthe explained. It’s extremely popular, and so many kids fall for it. They go online to sites where they know their parents can’t track them, and they meet other “kids.” They think they’re connecting with someone who understands them. These are adults who know what to look for in vulnerable teenagers, or sometimes the children are even younger, elementary school age.