The Ballet case

A thunderous round of applause reverberated across the auditorium of the local theater. The well-off clientele giving due praise to the astonishing dancer bowing in front of them. A small five-minute break commenced while the crew prepared the next act.

Up in the complex systems of pulleys, ropes, and counterweights that hung above the play, two investigators were engaged in a deep philosophical discussion about their craft . “See? This is why you don’t pick investigation techniques from Scooby-Doo!” Laura yelled.

“Oh? I don’t remember you complaining when we were putting on this absurdly skimpy leotard? In fact, I think you rather liked to show off your legs to that cute Russian dancer, boss.”

“At least I wasn’t squeaking like a mouse changing in front of the dancers, one of which is still in danger while we are hanging here like a couple of bullied nerds!”

“W-well, I would say that the fact that we picked the sabotaged leotards is proof that we are on the right track.”

“ And what can we do about it, huh? Right track, my ass. Ugh, speaking of, this thing is riding up my-“

“Silence, my little flies.” Gliding across the supporting beams with the grace of a ballerina, Millia Strognof made sure to finish tying the detectives with the ropes she had prepared beforehand. The two girls were hanging in midair. A hook was lifting their leotards from the back, holding them both with an uncomfortable grip.

Millia finished tying a rope around Annie’s ankle. She blew a strand of her shiny honey hair out of her face. “There it is, now my little puppets are ready for the show.” Her deep-blue eyes scanned the stage for… “And there she is. Little miss perfect, you are going to rue the day you dared to upstage me!”

“If we are going to talk, can you at least put us down first?” Laura said, twisting her legs. “Seriously, you have no idea how much this chaff-”

“You two might have ruined my plan A when you took those leotards, but my backup plan is infallible. Soon as she steps on the pressure plate, my hooks will fall and tear off her leotard while my ropes catch her arms! ”

“You know,” Annie said with a grimace, trying to shift her weight from the left side of her body to the right. “If you know how to rig the equipment like this, you could make a killing as an engine... Oh, I’m being ignored…”

“… the pulley system will activate, and she will dance the can-can au natural like a silly little marionette! Our rising star is going to be so humiliated that she’ll quit the play, and I’ll take my rightful place as the lead! Oh ho ho!”

With the agility of an Olympic gymnast, Millia jumped and somersaulted down to the stage to play her part in the show. Laura exhaled loudly. “Well, this is a fine mess you have gotten us into, Annie.”

“C-come on, it’s not my fault! And besides, we are going to get out of this! We’ve been through worse!”

“Really? When?”

“Remember that case in the community college with the bullies?”