Legacy of Silence. Flo Fitzpatrick

will. But only if you come back and perhaps show me a preview of your wonderful dance.”

      Miranda beamed at me. Her young blue eyes sparkled. “I’ll do more than that. I promise to come and visit and show you my dances from my studio, too. And sing if you’ll play the piano. I’m taking lessons but I’m not very good. My teacher says my talent is in my feet and voice, not my hands.”

      Miranda couldn’t stop herself. She glanced up at Russ even though her eyes were now moist. She’d kept that promise to Virginia—to come entertain her neighbor throughout her own childhood. High school had slowed down the visits but Miranda had still dropped by to sing or dance or ask Virginia to run lines with her. During Miranda’s years in college the visits became far fewer and once Miranda moved to New York, they’d stopped completely. Miranda’s failure to make it home and see the woman who’d been like a mother must have hurt. No wonder Virginia had made Russ her family.

      Russ was still staring at her but his expression seemed to have softened slightly. He appeared puzzled.

      Miranda squared her shoulders. She rose and handed the journal back to Russ. She didn’t know how to sign but she figured this was an easy phrase. She tapped her watch.

      “Time to go.”

       CHAPTER SEVEN

      “YOUR TIMING IS PERFECT. I have teachers for acting and music. I have a designer. I’m directing the show, but I do not have a dance teacher. Are you sure you want to spend the next few weeks with a bunch of rowdy kids?” Bonnie Hamil, owner and director of the Masquerade Children’s Theater, grinned. “The age range is from five to eighteen, and the talent runs from zero to awesome. It’s just summer camp, so we’re not doing anything elaborate. Think back to your days with us when you were in junior high. Not much has changed but the space—and of course the pay is pitiful. Miranda, seriously, we’d be grateful for your time and expertise. Still interested?”

      Miranda nearly shouted, You better believe I’m interested! while doing a happy dance around the room, but chose to simply say, “I’d love to help. I need something to occupy my brain and get me out of the house so I’m not forced to listen to Farrah explain the intricacies of fondue or a good salmon mousse.” She shuddered. “I really hate salmon. And my time is wacky since I have to wait for Russ and his work schedule before we get to the inventory. Bonnie, this is perfect. Just to double-check—you finish before July Fourth, right?”

      “Yes. Our big production this year will be on the second. So, I’ll see you a week from Monday?”

      “Definitely. Again, thank you.”

      “Hey, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Wow! A real, live Broadway actress and movie star helping out at our camp. Our little performers will be thrilled!” She assumed a look of innocence. “Having your credentials plastered all over our brochures looks impressive and should also help with our grant funding.” Her expression changed to pure imp “It proves to the money people that a local children’s theater can attract solid citizens as instructors.”

      Miranda hugged Bonnie and repeated her thanks before heading out. The year-round children’s theater had always focused more on process than product, which Miranda liked. The summer program was about the right amount of time to teach some basics to the beginners and challenge but not exasperate the advanced kids. The small show at the end of the session was more for fun than anything else.

      She got into her car and gazed for a few moments at the old warehouse, which was currently being renovated by Masquerade. Bonnie had told Miranda that once the work was complete, the company would have its own tech and costume shops and better equipment for each classroom, including Studiofoam panels for the music room and mirrors for the dance studio. She’d added, “Just be glad that you’ll be teaching on the stage since it’s a real wood floor and not concrete like every other space here.”

      Miranda was proud of herself for achieving two of her scheduled tasks before lunch. She’d called Dave Brennan’s office that morning to arrange for a security system to be installed at Miss Virginia’s house and been assured by a concerned Cort Farber that the matter would be handled immediately. He’d also said that Russ had spoken with Brett. Both law firms usually hired a local security firm, Tomlinson Alarms, who could install the system that day to ensure the house stayed secure during the probate process.

      Next on the agenda had been getting reacquainted with Bonnie Hamil at the children’s theater. Farrah had awakened Miranda at 7:00 a.m. to tell her that a friend of a friend had heard Miranda was in town and word was that Bonnie was in desperate need of a dance instructor for the summer theater camp. Miranda had immediately phoned Bonnie and set up a meeting.

      Miranda opened her combination organizer/GPS tracker to make certain she had the correct address for her next visit. There were three schools in Birmingham that taught ASL classes. One advertised classes that started every two weeks. It was only about four miles from Tim and Farrah’s house and offered a Super Crash Course, which would be held over the next three weekends. Miranda chided herself that she was crazy to even think about learning a language when she had inventory to deal with and teaching duties, but she still clicked on the address in the tracker. “I can check it out. No harm in that. And it’s good for the brain to learn new things.” She smiled wryly. “Miranda Nolan, you are lying, lying, lying to yourself. For shame. Learn new things, my foot. You know exactly one person who communicates this way and that person doesn’t care one single whit if you learn ASL, Urdu or Swahili, which makes you the prize cuckoo bird of the century.” She exhaled. “Fine. Let’s do it, then.”

      She started the car, rolled down the window and was about to back out when she heard the sound of brakes screeching, followed by the slam of a car door. Miranda glanced out at the street and was immediately horrified when she spied a small Border collie standing in the middle of traffic. The dog had obviously just been shoved out of the car that was peeling off, sailing through a red light.

      Miranda jumped out of her car and ran into the street, holding her hand up to stop the slow-moving traffic. The terrified puppy stared at her but remained frozen, refusing to move from its spot in the center of the road. When Miranda knelt down and put her arms around the dog, it finally managed a feeble tail wag. No collar and no leash. As cars carefully made their way around the pair, Miranda got creative and let her shoulder bag drop to the ground. She looped the strap around the dog’s neck like a makeshift leash in order to persuade the collie to accompany her to safety.

      “Scratch that. You’re not exactly a moose.” She tossed the bag back over her shoulder and scooped the dog into her arms. There was no protest.

      Miranda opened the door to the SUV and gently placed the puppy inside. The dog quickly made herself at home in the passenger seat—after doing the obligatory three-circles-in-a-row routine. She looked up into Miranda’s eyes, then batted her with a small paw. “Well, you are a little charmer, aren’t you?” Miranda crooned. She spent a few moments hugging the pooch and receiving lavish kisses in return.

      “All righty, sweet girl, I’d say this changes my plans for the rest of the day,” she said. “Let’s see. What needs doin’ here? Hang on a second. Let me check my phone and see if the vet my dad and I used to use is still in business.” She punched in the name Dr. Tyler and was pleased to note that the clinic hadn’t moved. “Cool. We’re off to the vet’s to make sure you’re okay, then we’ll buy you a new collar, leash and name tag—once I figure out what to name you. Bless phones that do everything but drive the car!” She patted the puppy’s head then gently released the paws that had encircled her neck, closed the passenger-side door and trotted back around to the driver’s seat.

      The dog happily shifted position so she could watch her rescuer as Miranda inserted the keys. Then the puppy cautiously sat up and stared at her new buddy as though fearing she would disappear without constant surveillance. Miranda gave her a reassuring pat.

      “I am crazy,” she muttered to herself. “I’m adopting a dog. What do I do when