False Moves Read Online Free PDF Page A

awell-built, red-haired man in sweat clothes came rushing up to them. From the expression on his face, Nancy could see that he was furious.
    â€œEllsworth, this whole scandal is your fault,” the man yelled.
    Nancy watched James Ellsworth’s face grow tense. “Calm down, Baxter,” he said. “Why don’t you talk sense instead of getting hysterical.”
    â€œWe’re in the middle of a crisis and you tell me to calm down!” the artistic director continued yelling. “Don’t you understand what kind of trouble this company is in because of your stupid publicity stunt?”
    â€œOf course I understand. I’m the one who has to pay all the bills.”
    â€œMoney,” Colby Baxter scoffed. “That’s all you can think of. What about the morale of the dancers? They’re so depressed that half of them looked like zombies in class today.”
    â€œThat’s the least of our problems. I have the Chicago police on my back and the Raja family threatening to sue, so I can’t worry about a few temperamental artists.”
    Colby’s face turned an even darker shade of scarlet. “No, you never do worry about us, do you? As long as the ticket sales stay high, you don’t give a hoot about this company! It’s a good thing I’m around to maintain CBT’s quality.”
    James flashed Colby a malicious grin. “Well, you won’t be around for long. After this season,you’re out of here. And I’m sure I won’t be the only person to heave a huge sigh of relief!”
    â€œYou fool,” Colby growled. “You couldn’t care less what happens to CBT as long as the dollars flow in. You know, you’re obsessed with money, Ellsworth. In fact, I bet you’re the one behind the diamond’s disappearance!
    â€œYeah,” Colby continued as if the idea had just come to him. “You probably set up this whole publicity stunt just so you could get the Raja pin to Chicago to steal it!”
    The managing director glared at the artistic director for a moment. Nancy could see James’s rage gathering like a storm cloud. “How dare you accuse me!” he screamed. In the next instant James lunged at Colby, his hands reaching for the other man’s neck.
    Surprised by the sudden violence, Colby didn’t have time to avoid the attack. James grasped his windpipe, his hands closing hard in a deadly squeeze.

Chapter

Four
    C OLBY GASPED FOR air as James’s hands tightened around his throat. He was younger and, because of his daily dance workouts, much stronger than the other man. But he had been surprised and now had had most of the air knocked from his lungs. Without oxygen, he was ready to faint. He could not break free of the stranglehold. As James squeezed harder, Colby finally fell to his knees on the marble floor, almost unconscious.
    â€œStop!” Nancy cried. I’ve got to do something, she thought, before James kills him. Nancy grabbed hold of the older man’s shoulders andshook them hard. “Let go of him,” she cried. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
    As the managing director turned toward Nancy in surprise, his grip on Colby loosened just a bit. That gave the artistic director the chance he needed. Thrusting his arms up with his last bit of energy, he knocked James’s hands free and then lay back on the floor panting.
    James was staring at Colby in amazement as if he couldn’t believe what he had just attempted. “Good heavens,” he exclaimed. “I never meant—” He broke off, too shocked to finish. “Colby,” he finally got out, “are you hurt?”
    Colby stood up, brushing off his sweatpants. The anger in his eyes still hadn’t died. “You sure are strong for an old fool,” he spat. Then he turned and strode out of the lobby.
    James peeked at Nancy from the corner of his eyes and coughed weakly.