Don't Say a Word - Barbara Freethy [127]
"I'll see if she's available." The receptionist made a brief call, then put down the phone. "You're in luck. She'll see you. Down the hall, second door on the left."
"Thank you," Alex said.
Julia felt herself growing more tense as they walked down the hall. She paused at the first door, glancing in at a large studio with hardwood floors and wall-to-wall mirrors. A group of six women in black leotards was going through a routine. She could hear music in the background and the sharp voice of an instructor. The dancers were all thin but strong, and their faces showed the same resolute determination, reminding Julia that professional ballet was not for the faint of heart. An old memory came back as she saw one girl unlace her ballet slipper. In her mind, she saw her mother taking off her slipper to reveal a bloody big toe. She'd simply wiped it off, bandaged it up, and put the slipper back on.
"Come on," Alex urged, pulling her away. "Let's find Mrs. Kay."
The door to the next room was half-open. A woman stood with her back to them. She was looking out the window behind her desk and talking on the phone. Alex knocked. She turned around and waved them in with an impatient hand.
With the woman still focused on her phone call, Julia had a chance to study Mrs. Kay. She had to be in her sixties. Her hair, a beautiful, vibrant white, was cut short, just past her ears. She was very thin, showing all of her fine bones. Her body was lanky, her legs long. She was probably a dancer, too, or had been. Finally, she set the phone down.
She smiled and said, "Elaine, I haven't seen you in a while. I thought Judy said some of your relatives were here. She must have gotten confused."
Julia gulped. This woman thought she was Elaine, which meant Mrs. Kay knew her sister.
"Your hair is so short," Mrs. Kay said. "I thought you told me you'd never cut it."
"I'm not Elaine," Julia finally managed to get out. "I'm her sister, Julia."
"What?" Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Is this some sort of joke?"
"I'm Elaine's twin sister."
"That's not possible. You don't have any family."
Julia drew in a deep breath. "I'm telling you the truth. I'm Julia DeMarco. I was separated from my twin sister, Elena-Elaine-many years ago. Now I'm trying to find her. And I hope you can help me."
Mrs. Kay came around her desk, her gaze never leaving Julia's face. "Come over here," she said, "and shake my hand."
It seemed like an odd request, but after a moment's hesitation, Julia moved across the room and did as she asked.
"You aren't Elaine," the older woman said, still holding Julia's hand, "but you're the spitting image, except for your hair."
"She's my identical twin sister."
"Well, that explains it." Mrs. Kay cocked her head to one side, a confused expression lingering on her face.
"Do you know my sister well?" Julia asked.
"Of course. She lived with me for several years. I should introduce myself. I'm Victoria Kay. I run this dance company. You said your name was Julia and-" She gazed at Alex inquiringly.
"Alex Manning," he said.
"Nice to meet you."
"Does Elaine still dance for you?" Julia asked.
"No. You even sound like her. It's amazing." Victoria shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just so bemused by your appearance. Elaine told me everyone in her family was dead. I know she grew up in foster homes.
I actually became her foster parent when she was fifteen. She was such a gifted dancer, I knew I had to find a way for her to dance. She had a rare talent."
"Why isn't she still dancing? Is it just age? Did she get too old?"
"Heavens, no. She stopped right before the peak of her career. It was five years ago. She was crossing the street, running to meet a date. She was late, and she didn't look where she was going. A car hit her, and she broke both her legs. One was beyond complete repair. She never danced again. In fact, she still walks with a limp." Victoria's eyes filled with regret. "That's how I knew you weren't her-the way you walked. It was so tragic, what happened to her. Elaine was truly special. She didn't just