Legacy of Silence

“Yes. Our big production this year will be on the second. So, I’ll see you a week from Monday?”

“Definitely. Again, thank you.”

“Hey, I’m the one who should be thanking you. Wow! A real, live Broadway actress and movie star helping out at our camp. Our little performers will be thrilled!” She assumed a look of innocence. “Having your credentials plastered all over our brochures looks impressive and should also help with our grant funding.” Her expression changed to pure imp “It proves to the money people that a local children’s theater can attract solid citizens as instructors.”

Miranda hugged Bonnie and repeated her thanks before heading out. The year-round children’s theater had always focused more on process than product, which Miranda liked. The summer program was about the right amount of time to teach some basics to the beginners and challenge but not exasperate the advanced kids. The small show at the end of the session was more for fun than anything else.

She got into her car and gazed for a few moments at the old warehouse, which was currently being renovated by Masquerade. Bonnie had told Miranda that once the work was complete, the company would have its own tech and costume shops and better equipment for each classroom, including Studiofoam panels for the music room and mirrors for the dance studio. She’d added, “Just be glad that you’ll be teaching on the stage since it’s a real wood floor and not concrete like every other space here.”

Miranda was proud of herself for achieving two of her scheduled tasks before lunch. She’d called Dave Brennan’s office that morning to arrange for a security system to be installed at Miss Virginia’s house and been assured by a concerned Cort Farber that the matter would be handled immediately. He’d also said that Russ had spoken with Brett. Both law firms usually hired a local security firm, Tomlinson Alarms, who could install the system that day to ensure the house stayed secure during the probate process.

Next on the agenda had been getting reacquainted with Bonnie Hamil at the children’s theater. Farrah had awakened Miranda at 7:00 a.m. to tell her that a friend of a friend had heard Miranda was in town and word was that Bonnie was in desperate need of a dance instructor for the summer theater camp. Miranda had immediately phoned Bonnie and set up a meeting.

Miranda opened her combination organizer/GPS tracker to make certain she had the correct address for her next visit. There were three schools in Birmingham that taught ASL classes. One advertised classes that started every two weeks. It was only about four miles from Tim and Farrah’s house and offered a Super Crash Course, which would be held over the next three weekends. Miranda chided herself that she was crazy to even think about learning a language when she had inventory to deal with and teaching duties, but she still clicked on the address in the tracker. “I can check it out. No harm in that. And it’s good for the brain to learn new things.” She smiled wryly. “Miranda Nolan, you are lying, lying, lying to yourself. For shame. Learn new things, my foot. You know exactly one person who communicates this way and that person doesn’t care one single whit if you learn ASL, Urdu or Swahili, which makes you the prize cuckoo bird of the century.” She exhaled. “Fine. Let’s do it, then.”

She started the car, rolled down the window and was about to back out when she heard the sound of brakes screeching, followed by the slam of a car door. Miranda glanced out at the street and was immediately horrified when she spied a small Border collie standing in the middle of traffic. The dog had obviously just been shoved out of the car that was peeling off, sailing through a red light.

Miranda jumped out of her car and ran into the street, holding her hand up to stop the slow-moving traffic. The terrified puppy stared at her but remained frozen, refusing to move from its spot in the center of the road. When Miranda knelt down and put her arms around the dog, it finally managed a feeble tail wag. No collar and no leash. As cars carefully made their way around the pair, Miranda got creative and let her shoulder bag drop to the ground. She looped the strap around the dog’s neck like a makeshift leash in order to persuade the collie to accompany her to safety.

“Scratch that. You’re not exactly a moose.” She tossed the bag back over her shoulder and scooped the dog into her arms. There was no protest.

Miranda opened the door to the SUV and gently placed the puppy inside. The dog quickly made herself at home in the passenger seat—after doing the obligatory three-circles-in-a-row routine. She looked up into Miranda’s eyes, then batted her with a small paw. “Well, you are a little charmer, aren’t you?” Miranda crooned. She spent a few moments hugging the pooch and receiving lavish kisses in return.

“All righty, sweet girl, I’d say this changes my plans for the rest of the day,” she said. “Let’s see. What needs doin’ here? Hang on a second. Let me check my phone and see if the vet my dad and I used to use is still in business.” She punched in the name Dr. Tyler and was pleased to note that the clinic hadn’t moved. “Cool. We’re off to the vet’s to make sure you’re okay, then we’ll buy you a new collar, leash and name tag—once I figure out what to name you. Bless phones that do everything but drive the car!” She patted the puppy’s head then gently released the paws that had encircled her neck, closed the passenger-side door and trotted back around to the driver’s seat.

The dog happily shifted position so she could watch her rescuer as Miranda inserted the keys. Then the puppy cautiously sat up and stared at her new buddy as though fearing she would disappear without constant surveillance. Miranda gave her a reassuring pat.

“I am crazy,” she muttered to herself. “I’m adopting a dog. What do I do when I get back to Manhattan?” She glanced at the puppy. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll take you with me and hire dog walkers and pet sitters any nights I can’t make it home before midnight. I’ll even quit going on tour. I never liked that anyway.” She smiled. “I have so missed not having a dog for the past six years. You, Miss Puppy, lucked out today with your timing.”

The dog barked once in obvious agreement.

Three hours and two hundred dollars later, Miranda and Phoebe—named after the character Miranda had played in Illumination—were back in the SUV on their way to Miss Virginia’s house. In the show, Phoebe Flannigan had also found herself alone on a highway—after being dumped by her cheating boyfriend. But by the end of Illumination, that Phoebe had found true love and happiness after learning the difference between lies and charm. Phoebe the dog appeared to have already made the distinction and determined precisely who her best buddy was. She was gazing at Miranda with that expression of sheer adoration and trust only a dog can muster with complete honesty. Amazing, considering Phoebe had obviously been mistreated. Miranda had always heard that Borders were one of the smartest breeds and Phoebe already seemed to know that Miranda had rescued her and was ready to give her all the love and care she needed.

Miranda checked her watch. She was due to meet Russ in less than fifteen minutes, which wasn’t quite enough time to take Phoebe to her dad’s house. Miranda didn’t really want to let her spend the day with strangers anyway. Hopefully Russ wouldn’t mind having an extra canine at the house.

She parked the car in front of Virginia’s. Four men were standing under the large shade trees in the front lawn, engaged in an animated conversation. Miranda recognized Brett and Cort and George Miller, the determined Realtor. The fourth man wasn’t familiar but the large red logo on his shirt blaring Tomlinson Alarms was a decent clue that he was there to install the new alarm system. A fifth man stood on the porch with Spero by his side. Russ.

Miranda attached the new reflective leash to the new reflective collar, grabbed her bags and eased Phoebe out of the car. The dog immediately began barking at the men and Miranda realized she’d gotten a perk as well as a friend. Phoebe already made her feel more secure than any alarm system ever could. Miranda was sure if she let the puppy loose, Phoebe would begin herding the quartet into a tight circle. But when Miranda told her to sit and stay, Phoebe calmly did as asked, eyeing each man in turn as though measuring friend or foe. Only when Phoebe had decided no threat was imminent did she turn her attention to Spero, who was already manically wagging his tail, eager to make a new pal and begin a grand chase around the yard.