"Malcolm, any news about our man from Central America?" Judith asked the following morning in a phone call to the Invicta.
"Yes. We're certain he's arrived. We expect something to happen at any time now. We're preparing a strategy, just in case." He paused. "I'll let you know as soon as things are more definite, but in the meantime, I want you to keep your eyes open and be prepared for the worst."
"I went to practice with the semiautomatic you sent. Just in case, and to be prepared," she said.
"Good. And how is my brother doing?"
"He's fine, though a bit bored. He claims he has cabin fever. He still wants to go visit his mother this weekend."
"That will be okay, as long as you're prepared for anything. How is he, otherwise? Reasonable?"
"Oh, yes. He's teaching me to dance."
"How very nice of him," Malcolm said with a touch of sarcasm. "Watch out for his…ehm, lessons."
"Are you ready?" Brian asked Judith from across the table at dinner on Friday night. He grinned at her expression of confusion, then turned his full attention to his ice cream. He spooned it as if the whole of his being was devoted to the flavor.
"Ready? Ready for what?" Judith pushed her dessert aside.
"Why, your exam, of course," he replied. He didn't bother looking up and continued to eat slow spoonfuls of ice cream with a great deal of relish.
"Brian, what exam?" Judith stood.
Brian stood as well. He bowed low from the waist and waved her into the sitting room where the music had already begun. "Student Judith Abramson, you must show your expertise in all of the steps you've been taught. There will be a penalty for each mistake."
"There will be no mistakes," she said, her chin tilted up with pride. She grinned. "I don't make mistakes."
The slow waltz began with smooth dips and whirls, her skirt swirling around her legs. Then the polka blasted from the speakers and sent them spinning around the room, followed by the elegance of the Viennese waltz. Judith's smile resembled that of the Cheshire cat. "I told you so," she whispered into his ear.
Brian slid into the sensuous rhythm of the tango. He leaned against her, his body hard and heavy. Judith slipped and fell backwards onto the sofa. "Penalty," he said, pulling her against him. He kissed her long and deep, his mouth hungry. The music swirled her deeper into the kiss. As the music ended, she gasped for air, dizzy and flushed.