Murder Dancing by Lesley Cookman Page A

there?’ Fran was reasonable. ‘Nothing seems directed at one individual, does it? And what’s against nature? Dancing? Theatre? Men dressed as women?’
    â€˜Don’t forget there was some animosity against gays,’ said Libby. ‘Even if it was misdirected.’
    â€˜Well,’ said Will, standing up, ‘I’m just glad we’re out of London and we can all forget about it.’
    â€˜I’m not so sure of that,’ murmured Fran, as Will wandered out to the hallway.
    â€˜What?’ said Libby.
    â€˜That it’s all over. After all, Max asked us to look into it. Why?’
    â€˜What do you mean, why? To find out what was going on, of course.’
    â€˜Because he thought there was a threat to the production, obviously.’
    â€˜Oh! Yes, I suppose so.’
    â€˜And he brought them all down here.’ Fran was looking thoughtful. ‘Why?’
    â€˜To talk to us,’ said Libby, beginning to feel worried.
    â€˜That’s a hell of an expense just to get two nosy women to talk to his troupe, isn’t it?’
    â€˜You think there was more to it?’
    Fran looked at her friend. ‘Don’t you?’
    Next morning, they found a rat, suspended by its neck, hanging in the middle of the stage.

Chapter Seven
    Sebastian, who had opened up the theatre in advance of the company, called Max and then Stan. Max called Ben, who called Hetty and Peter.
    â€˜They’re not to go into the theatre,’ Ben told Libby, as he drank a hasty cup of tea before going to join a council of war. ‘Sebastian’s been told to go over to the Manor and hold them all there.’
    â€˜I’ll go up and help,’ said Libby. ‘Seb will be needed at your council of war, and Hetty won’t cope on her own.’
    â€˜All right.’ Ben gave her a quick kiss and left. Libby sighed, put the mugs in the sink and went to get dressed.
    As soon as she set foot inside the sitting-room at the Manor, she was surrounded by anxious dancers.
    â€˜What is it?’
    â€˜What’s going on?’
    â€˜Seb wouldn’t tell us a thing!’
    â€˜It’s another incident, isn’t it?’ Alan Neville’s voice came from the back of the room. The others fell silent.
    â€˜I believe it is,’ said Libby. ‘I’m sure you’ll be told all about it in due course, but in the meantime, does anyone want any more coffee or tea?’
    She escaped into the kitchen and explained to Hetty what was going on. Hetty shook her head.
    â€˜Brought trouble, that’s what,’ she muttered, manoeuvring the huge kettle onto the Aga hotplate.
    Libby eyed her nervously. Hetty’s relationship with the theatre had been ambivalent in the past.
    â€˜I’ll go and collect cups,’ she said.
    As she crossed the hall, Ben appeared in the doorway.
    â€˜They can come across now,’ he said. ‘Sebastian got the thing down, but Max is furious. Will you bring them across? I’ve got to go and wash.’ He disappeared to his estate office where there was a convenient shower room.
    Libby went back to the kitchen.
    â€˜Cancel the tea and coffee, Hetty. I’ve got to shepherd them all across to the theatre. I’ll come back and help clear up in a bit.’
    â€˜You carry on, gal,’ said Hetty. ‘I’m all right on me own.’
    Libby went back to the sitting-room, where disconsolate dancers were sitting or lounging with boneless grace.
    â€˜OK, you can come over, now,’ she said, and stood aside as they all made for the door.
    In the auditorium, Max asked them all to sit down. He stood on the stage, while Stan fidgeted at the side, and Sebastian sat alone on the edge looking miserable.
    â€˜As I’m sure you’ve all guessed we’ve had another incident,’ Max began. ‘It has been dealt with and has caused no harm to anyone, but it was unpleasant.’
    â€˜What was it?’ called