of all, my back is much better these days, thanks to yoga, which should be some of the best advertisement around. Secondly, there’s a lot more to the Sacred Balance philosophy than physical fitness.”
“But that’s my point,” Lily said in the patient tone of one instructing a not-too-bright student. “Diantha left an entire business empire. I don’t see why you feel it’s necessary for you to focus the majority of your attention on the studio when there are so many other divisions that could keep you entertained.”
“Keep me entertained ?”
Lily had the grace to look chagrined. “Maybe I didn’t put that as diplomatically as I could, but we both know that the reality is—thanks to your inheritance—unlike the rest of us, you no longer have to work. So doesn’t it make more sense for you to concentrate on some aspect of Diantha’s empire that you’re better suited for? Your background is marketing. Wouldn’t it be better for all concerned if you used those skills to develop and market our sportswear and other merchandise lines—or the plans for organic foods? Those things have all been completely neglected since Di’s passing.”
“It was Aunt Di’s wish that we co-manage. That we work together in the studio.”
Lily was shaking her head, repudiating this. “I loved Di, but there’s no question she was eccentric. And leaving you Sacred Balance had to be one of the most eccentric decisions of her life. In fact I firmly believe that if Di had lived—”
“If I were you, I’d stop there.”
Lily said coolly, “Why? We both know you can’t fire me. We’re stuck with each other. Until one of us quits.”
“I’ve offered to buy out your interest in the studio.”
“I’m not going to sell out. This studio is my life.”
“Then I’m not sure what it is you want.”
The intercom buzzed and Emma said, “A.J., your momma’s on line one.”
“Thanks, Emma.” A.J. continued to wait for Lily to state the true purpose of her visit, but Lily said nothing, simply staring at her in silent challenge.
The call rang through. After the second ring, A.J. said, “I have to take this.”
Still weirdly, defiantly mute, Lily rose and left the office. She closed the door with a little bang.
A.J. realized her hands were shaking. Lily got under her skin like no one else on the planet, and A.J. wasn’t even sure exactly why. She gave herself a moment and then picked up the phone.
Before she could speak, Elysia said, “Maddie has invited us to stay the weekend.”
Her thoughts still on the argument with Lily, it took A.J. a few moments to register what her mother was saying. “Medea Sutherland has—Mother, what did you tell her?”
“Nothing any reasonable person could possibly object to,” Elysia protested. “I merely said she’d been on my mind lately, which is perfectly true. She popped out with the invitation with nary a nudge from me. I think she’s lonely.”
Be careful what you wish for, Maddie , thought A.J.
“What did she say about Dicky?”
“Nothing. I didn’t ask, and she didn’t volunteer any information.”
“But that’s strange. Is it possible the police don’t know about her?”
“I don’t know.”
A.J. gnawed uneasily on her lip. “Have you heard from Mr. Meagher?”
“No. I was thinking we could drive down tomorrow—Friday afternoon.”
A.J. was shaking her head, rejecting this idea instantly. “I can’t just take off for the weekend.”
“I don’t see why not. You can’t be much use at the studio right now.”
A.J. controlled her instinctive response. “Thank you, Mother. I don’t just conduct classes, you know.”
“But your minions are so well-trained, pumpkin. And it’s nice for them to be out from under your iron fist once in a while.”
“My what?”
Elysia chuckled.
Who wouldn’t be looking forward to a weekend of this? And under the roof of a potential murderess, to boot. “Mother, I don’t think you’ve thought this
“But that’s my point,” Lily said in the patient tone of one instructing a not-too-bright student. “Diantha left an entire business empire. I don’t see why you feel it’s necessary for you to focus the majority of your attention on the studio when there are so many other divisions that could keep you entertained.”
“Keep me entertained ?”
Lily had the grace to look chagrined. “Maybe I didn’t put that as diplomatically as I could, but we both know that the reality is—thanks to your inheritance—unlike the rest of us, you no longer have to work. So doesn’t it make more sense for you to concentrate on some aspect of Diantha’s empire that you’re better suited for? Your background is marketing. Wouldn’t it be better for all concerned if you used those skills to develop and market our sportswear and other merchandise lines—or the plans for organic foods? Those things have all been completely neglected since Di’s passing.”
“It was Aunt Di’s wish that we co-manage. That we work together in the studio.”
Lily was shaking her head, repudiating this. “I loved Di, but there’s no question she was eccentric. And leaving you Sacred Balance had to be one of the most eccentric decisions of her life. In fact I firmly believe that if Di had lived—”
“If I were you, I’d stop there.”
Lily said coolly, “Why? We both know you can’t fire me. We’re stuck with each other. Until one of us quits.”
“I’ve offered to buy out your interest in the studio.”
“I’m not going to sell out. This studio is my life.”
“Then I’m not sure what it is you want.”
The intercom buzzed and Emma said, “A.J., your momma’s on line one.”
“Thanks, Emma.” A.J. continued to wait for Lily to state the true purpose of her visit, but Lily said nothing, simply staring at her in silent challenge.
The call rang through. After the second ring, A.J. said, “I have to take this.”
Still weirdly, defiantly mute, Lily rose and left the office. She closed the door with a little bang.
A.J. realized her hands were shaking. Lily got under her skin like no one else on the planet, and A.J. wasn’t even sure exactly why. She gave herself a moment and then picked up the phone.
Before she could speak, Elysia said, “Maddie has invited us to stay the weekend.”
Her thoughts still on the argument with Lily, it took A.J. a few moments to register what her mother was saying. “Medea Sutherland has—Mother, what did you tell her?”
“Nothing any reasonable person could possibly object to,” Elysia protested. “I merely said she’d been on my mind lately, which is perfectly true. She popped out with the invitation with nary a nudge from me. I think she’s lonely.”
Be careful what you wish for, Maddie , thought A.J.
“What did she say about Dicky?”
“Nothing. I didn’t ask, and she didn’t volunteer any information.”
“But that’s strange. Is it possible the police don’t know about her?”
“I don’t know.”
A.J. gnawed uneasily on her lip. “Have you heard from Mr. Meagher?”
“No. I was thinking we could drive down tomorrow—Friday afternoon.”
A.J. was shaking her head, rejecting this idea instantly. “I can’t just take off for the weekend.”
“I don’t see why not. You can’t be much use at the studio right now.”
A.J. controlled her instinctive response. “Thank you, Mother. I don’t just conduct classes, you know.”
“But your minions are so well-trained, pumpkin. And it’s nice for them to be out from under your iron fist once in a while.”
“My what?”
Elysia chuckled.
Who wouldn’t be looking forward to a weekend of this? And under the roof of a potential murderess, to boot. “Mother, I don’t think you’ve thought this
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