Free Dance in the Dark by Megan Derr Page A

would simply have shown up somewhere, sat down next to Johnnie, and ordered a beer. If had been nearly two months now since his falling out with Rostislav; there definitely was nothing coming from that quarter. Accepting the letter and thanking the servant, he examined it.  Cheap paper and ink, and he was immediately caught by the name on the front of the envelope— Johnnie Goodnight . Opening the envelope, he pulled out the letter.
    Johnnie,
    I'm sure this is presuming. I send a letter to be as discrete as possible, since I know enough about vamps to know that would be appreciated.
    I don't have any right to ask, but I also don't have anywhere else to turn for help. You helped Micah out, and so I was kind of hoping you'd help me. These past two weeks, someone has been harassing me, vandalizing the Bremen, roughing up my customers. I think someone is trying to shut me down, but I don't know who or why. None of my efforts to figure it out have come to anything.
    Any help you can offer would be appreciated, and I would certainly pay you back to the best of my ability.
    ~Peyton
    Johnnie folded the letter and slid it back into its envelope, then tucked the envelope into an inner pocket of his black and silver checked vest. He stood up. "I am sorry to depart so abruptly, Father, but there is a problem requiring my attention."
    "Who would ask? What problem? Is it Rostislav—"
    "Not Rostiya," Johnnie said, then could have kicked himself for using the diminutive of Rostislav's name, as though they were still friends and he could still do that. "This is something else entirely, and a trifling. My presence is not required here today, anyway. It will give me a good reason to stay out of the way. If I am to be absent overlong, I will send you word.  Thank you for assisting me with my puzzle." He pulled his jacket down from where he had hung it on a hook near the door, smoothing the black fabric into place, adjusting his dark aquamarine tie. Then he tucked his reading glasses away and retrieved his cane from where he had propped it against the table.
    Striding to the house phone at the edge of the buffet table, he picked it up and said, "A car, please. Tell Lila to see that an overnight bag is packed for me. I will require the sapphire, forest, dark crimson, and turquoise ensembles. Thank you."
    Ontoniel frowned. "Where are you going? It is not like you to simply run off."
    "Someone needs my help," Johnnie said, "and you know I like a good mystery. I cannot imagine I will be gone longer than a day, two at the most." Departing, he strode to the front door and pulled on the coat a servant held out for him. He slipped outside, and waited patiently as the car was brought around and Lila brought his clothes and travel case, packing it all in the car with utmost care.  "Thank you, Lila."
    "My pleasure, Master Johnnie," Lila replied, smiling at him. She was the only other person permitted to touch his clothing, and only because she had taken care of it when he was still too young to know what he was doing. Closing the trunk, Lila bustled back into the house—pausing to give a hasty bow as Ontoniel suddenly appeared on the steps.
    "Father," Johnnie said, pausing just in front of the car door being held open by a servant.
    "I do not like this gallivanting off," Ontoniel said.
    Johnnie considered his reply, and finally settled on, "Please all, and you will please none. We are both unhappy with my current state, father. At least by doing this, I will be happier with myself."
    In reply, Ontoniel only sighed. "I should forbid it, but I will only order you to take utmost care in regards to what you say and do. They are not married yet, and I will not have you jeopardizing the engagement with this eccentric behavior."
    Johnnie nodded and managed to say, "I have no interest in seeing Elam's future demolished; most definitely not by my actions. Good day, father."
    "John."
    Sliding in the car, Johnnie waited impatiently as his driver was sternly