A Rumor of Bones: A Lindsay Chamberlain Mystery by Beverly Connor Page B

crowd flowing into the
club. They stopped in the entryway to let their eyes
get accustomed to the darkness.
    The dance floor was large and extended out onto a
deck for those who wanted to dance outside. There
was no band tonight, but the sound room behind the
bandstand had a disk jockey.
    Marsha and Frank had already arrived and reserved
a large table. Frank wore jeans and a dress shirt. He
looked dashing. Marsha's pale blonde hair was fashioned in a silk-smooth French twist. She wore it snug
strapless dress that looked like it was painted with
pastel brush strokes. It glittered when she moved.

    "Don't you two look great," she said when she saw
Lindsay and Derrick. "I love that shawl."
    "Thank you. It's nice to dust off and get dressed up
for a change"
    "You can say that again," agreed Sally. "I'm so
tired of being covered in dirt and mud."
    Frank and Lindsay's eyes met for a moment, and
she smiled. "I'm anxious to see you dance," he said.
"Jane has talked about it all week"
    "Then we will have to dazzle you," said Derrick,
putting an arm around Lindsay's shoulder.
    "I'm glad Derrick is so confident. He's leading."
    Unaccountably, Lindsay felt uncomfortable. I've
got to get away from the site more, she thought.
    "Hello." They looked up to see the sheriff. On his
arm was a petite woman with short, dark hair streaked
with gray. She had large, friendly brown eyes and a
bright smile. "This is Dee Marlar." He introduced her
to everyone around the table. Lindsay was surprised
that he knew everyone's name.
    "I'm glad you came," she told the sheriff.
    "It's to you I owe this night on the town," said Dee,
smiling broadly. "Thank you so much. When Greg
suggested we go dancing, I was about to search for
pods in the basement"
    It sounded strange to hear the sheriff addressed by
his first name, but it was comforting. This was a night
to forget all things frightening.
    "I understand you're a teacher?" Lindsay said.
    "I teach first grade, and please don't let that end the
conversation. Telling people you teach first grade is
like telling them you're a nun. I never get to hear any
good jokes or have any adult conversation."

    "You won't be getting any adult conversation
here," Frank said, grinning.
    "Greg tells me you and your friend are dancers, as
well as archaeologists." Dee and the sheriff sat across
from Lindsay.
    "We dance a little," Lindsay answered, smiling.
    "A little? Don't you believe it," said Jane. "They're
great"
    "Derrick, it's going to be embarrassing if we fall
down after all these raised expectations," Lindsay said.
    "I guess I'll have to be really careful not to drop
you
    "Mind if I join you?" Ned pulled out a chair and
sat next to Lindsay. He was alone.
    "Not at all," said Lindsay. "I didn't know you
danced."
    "I don't really, but I watch real good " He smiled. It
seemed to Lindsay that he was making an effort to be
congenial with everyone.
    The dance floor was half full, and Lindsay and
Derrick turned their attention to the dancers. After a
few numbers, Derrick rose, whispered to Lindsay, and
walked over to make a request. When he returned, he
took her to the dance floor.
    "When a Man Loves a Woman" began to play, and
everyone immediately started dancing.
    Lindsay and Derrick waited several beats while
they looked at each other, smiling and waiting for
space to open around them. They began with Lindsay's back to Derrick. He slid his hands down the
length of her arms, then grasped her hands and slid
them up her sides and placed them around his neck
while they moved slowly to the music. Next, Derrick put his arms around her waist and spun her around as
Lindsay bent backward in his arms. As he brought her
up, Lindsay put one leg up next to his waist and he
swung her around. Many of the dancers stopped and
watched. Derrick picked her up and held her above
him; she slid down the front of him, and he swung her
around again. It was slow, beautiful, and sensuous. At
the end