EXCERPT FROM BETRAYED - A romantic suspense novel | Page 11

BETRAYED

TWO
The smiler with the knife under the cloak.
~Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales
Tommy Ansara shook his head. “The kid’s out cold again.
No matter. It’s probably better if she doesn’t know what’s
happening to her.”
Sherry nodded her agreement.
He gave her a playful squeeze. “Remember what I said the
first time I saw her?”
“I should. You certainly remind me often enough.” Sherry
sing-songed, “The kid looked so sad I asked Karakova, ‘What’s
the scoop on the pretty girl with the black hair?’ The old babe
told you it was a heartrending story.”
Tommy cracked a smile and picked up where Sherry left off,
imitating Nadya Karakova’s strong Russian accent. “Laurel was
not like you see her now.” He gestured grandly. “She should be
on stage, not sitting on chair like mannequin. Last year I call
friends at New York City Ballet Company. Tell them send
scout.”
Sherry had heard this story so many times, she knew it
word-for-word. “I know, I know, she said, in exasperation.
“And, you told Madame Karakova those broken dream stories
happen all the time. But, she said, ‘No, it wasn’t like that. Scout
was so impressed, he told famous choreographer George
Balanchine himself he must come see her. Laurel was like
angel. She lit up stage with passion.’”
Tommy hooted like a hyena at her imitation, then slapped
his knee. “Can you imagine? The New York City Ballet comes
calling and the stupid mother turns it down? No wonder poor
Laurie checked out.”
“There you go again. I’m sick and tired of hearing you talk
about how they tried to convince the mother to sign.” Sherry
wondered how many more times he would tell her Balanchine

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