Twenty-Five Years Ago Today (29 page)

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Looking for more books by Stacy Juba? Try
these:

Sink or Swim
- How do you change the
channel when reality TV turns to murder? After starring on a hit
game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak
discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Can she trust Zach
Gallagher, the gorgeous newspaper photographer assigned to follow
her for a local series? As things heat up with the stalker and with
Zach, soon Cassidy will need to call SOS for real. Adult
mystery/romantic suspense.

Dark Before Dawn
- When teen psychic
Dawn Christian gets involved with a fortuneteller mentor and two
girls who share her mysterious talents, she finally belongs after
years of being a misfit. When she learns her new friends may be
tied to freak “accidents” in town, Dawn has an important choice to
make – continue developing the talent that makes her special or
challenge the only people who have ever accepted her. Appropriate
for adults or young adults.

Laundry Day (Short Story and Stacy Juba
Mystery Sampler)
- When Gregg accidentally discovers his
neighbor’s lingerie collection drip-drying in her shower, he has no
idea that she will soon be strangled with her own fishnet stocking.
Includes very short story and excerpts from Stacy's mystery novels.
Free from most retailers.

Face-Off
- Brad’s twin brother T.J.
has gotten himself out of the fancy prep school his father picked
for him and into the public high school Brad attends. Now T.J. is a
shining new star on the hockey team where Brad once held the
spotlight. And he’s testing his popularity with Brad’s friends,
eyeing Brad’s girl and competing to be captain of the team. The
whole school is rooting for a big double-strength win…not knowing
that their twin hockey stars are heating up the ice for a winner
takes all face-off. Young adult novel.

Children's Books

The Flag Keeper
-Elizabeth may be a
little bear, but she treats the American flag with big respect.
After Dad leaves for a trip, Elizabeth pledges to raise the flag
all by herself and follow all of the flag etiquette rules that her
father has taught her. However, her dad never told her what to do
if the flag gets dirty or the police show up. Teaches children
about U.S. flag etiquette through a fiction story, flag facts,
activity idea, and discussion questions.

Victoria Rose and the Big Bad Noise
-
Victoria loves her home and family, but boy, does she hate the
noises that invade her daily life. Her imagination transforms the
blender into a growling bear, the vacuum cleaner into a lion and
the lawnmower into a spaceship. This picture book is exclusively
available in e-book format.

Teddy Bear Town Children's E-Book
Bundle
- Three complete picture books in one download – the
children’s favorites
The Flag Keeper
and
Victoria Rose
and the Big Bad Noise
, along with the brand new, e-book bundle
exclusive,
Sticker Shoes
, all in a $2.99 download. (November
2011)

SINK OR SWIM

by Stacy Juba

How do you change the channel when reality TV
turns to murder?

C
assidy sat poised in
her chair as former contestants filed onto the soundstage at WBC in
New York. Together, the studio audience and television viewers had
watched the recorded footage of her walking the plank. Gabriel
would now interview the competitors from the inaugural season one
final time.

More importantly, he would announce her
prize. If it erased most of her debts, then it would at least make
this whole embarrassing experience worthwhile. Cassidy’s heart
kicked in her chest and sweat moistened her brow.

As one of her old teammates entered, her
heart rate skyrocketed for a different reason. Josh Sanchioni slid
into a bucket seat, carrying himself stiffer than normal in his
sharp gray suit. Studio lights caught his sunbleached strawberry
blonde waves, brightening the reddish gold tints.

Cassidy slipped her gaze to his leather
shoes. If Josh hadn’t been engaged, they could have been an item.
Instead, they’d been good friends until that one evening when the
cameras were off and they almost kissed. They’d both realized their
mistake and backed away. Things were strained until Josh walked the
plank a week later.

Tonight, not only did Cassidy have to face
Josh, she would probably meet his fiancée.

Her cheeks heating, Cassidy focused on the
competitor beside Josh as a distraction. Adam Horton sat erect,
hands folded in the lap of his olive green khakis. He wasn’t
military, but he dressed like an Army wannabe. His reptilian eyes
drilled into Cassidy, his angular face revealing the shape of bones
underneath. A blond goatee darkened his pointy chin.

Cassidy shuddered involuntarily. Adam never
said much, but he made her uncomfortable just the same. She’d sense
someone watching her on the ship and Adam would be lurking in the
hatches. Luckily, he only lasted on the show two weeks.

“Before we catch up with our former
contestants, I’d like to congratulate Cassidy on a job well done,”
Gabriel said in the middle of the circle.

Applause thundered from the audience and a
wave of excitement crested over her. Cassidy offered a smile for
the cameras as Gabriel finished, “I’m proud to present you with
your prize – a luxury vacation for two to the Bahamas on a real
cruise ship with $3,000 spending money!”

Dumbfounded, Cassidy watched as a video
depicted a majestic ocean liner on the large TV screen. “Set sail
with us to the Bahamas, where you can swim with dolphins in
turquoise waters, relax on sugar white beaches and explore the
island’s history as a haven for pirates,” said the female announcer
in a voice-over. “On your voyage, you can enjoy our ten lounges,
two outdoor pools, luxury spa, casino, cinema, dynamite shows, and
glass walls and elevators that get you up close to the ocean
views.”

Another boat? More ocean views? Were they
friggin’ serious? A frozen smile hovered on Cassidy’s lips. Too bad
she’d already seen the counselor that afternoon and he’d attested
that all her screws were still in place. This travesty might be
enough to unhinge her.

As the video montage ended, boos erupted from
the crowd and several people jumped to their feet.

“No fair!”

“Give her a real prize!”

“Cheapskates!”

The thrill of the jeers rippled down
Cassidy’s spine, their zealousness stunning her. Granted, her
little brother had been the heckler to yell “Cheapskates,” but the
other supporters weren’t relatives.

“You seem to have some disappointed fans,”
Gabriel remarked as a camera panned the crowd. “What do you have to
say about the prize, Cassidy?”

She bit down her real opinion and replied,
“I’m overwhelmed people care, but this cruise looks a lot more
relaxing than my time on
Sink or Swim
.”

“We knew you’d enjoy it,” Gabriel said. “Who
wouldn’t welcome an opportunity to be pampered on a luxury ocean
liner?”

Cassidy scoffed inwardly. Perhaps someone
who’d been trapped on a schooner for three months.

After the broadcast, Cassidy escaped the
sound stage before she blurted out something ungrateful. She
glimpsed a production assistant leading her mother, brother, and
other special guests off the set, weaning them away from the
audience members who’d obtained free tickets for the taping but
weren’t invited to the cast party.

When Adam touched her arm in the hallway, the
hairs bristled on end.

“I missed you, Cassidy,” he said. “I’ve been
counting the days till this reunion.”

“Hi, Adam,” she said with resignation. “Good
to see you.”

Reggie lumbered by them in a dark brown suit
befitting a Mafia hit man with his broad shoulders and sunken neck.
He pivoted and walked backwards. “Hey, Horty, I'm surprised you
showed. What'd you last, two episodes? Remember when you spilled
paint on the deck and cost our team fifty points? What a klutz.”
Laughing, he swaggered down the hallway.

Adam's mouth pinched into a scowl and red
flushed up to his peach fuzz crew cut. “You should have gotten
first place. Not him.”

It was nice to be supported, but this guy was
too intense. Still, he didn’t deserve to be the butt of Reggie’s
ridicule.

“Thanks,” Cassidy said. “Don’t listen to
Reggie, he’s a creep. We all thought so. Catch you later, okay?
I’ve got to find my family.”

She ducked downstairs to the cafeteria.
Balloons and streamers transformed the surroundings into a
glittering cascade of blue and gold, the colors in the
Sink or
Swim
logo SOS. Cassidy accepted a wine glass from a
black-coated waiter and glanced around for her mother and
fourteen-year-old brother. They’d reunited briefly at the hotel
that afternoon, sharing a few hugs and a quick lunch, then Cassidy
had to rush off for counseling, hair and makeup. Her family was
probably getting a VIP tour of the studio.

Cassidy found herself near a blue and gold
decorated table, showcasing an elaborate sheet cake of the
Atlantic Devil
, her home for the past several weeks. She
downed her white wine in one long gulp.

Gabriel slithered up beside her. His dark
tailored sports coat hugged his slender build. “I’ve been meaning
to tell you, I’m sorry for your loss.”

He sounded as if he was extending condolences
at a funeral. He hadn’t been that sorry when he’d ordered her to
the plank.

“Thank you,” Cassidy said.

“Sorry I had to be rough and ask you all
those questions. The audience expects me to be cutthroat.” Gabriel
laughed his silky laugh.

“That was the deal when I signed on. Life in
a fish bowl.”

“If you ever want to visit a larger fish
bowl, look me up in L.A. I’ll show you around the hot spots. We
could have some fun.”

Cassidy didn’t miss the innuendo. “I doubt
I’ll get out there.”

“Maybe someday. Until then, have a great time
on your cruise.” Gabriel smacked a wet one on her cheek and
disappeared into the crowd. As he left, Cassidy grimaced and wiped
off his saliva.

“Cass!” Josh threaded his way toward her with
a willowy blonde lagging behind in a navy designer business suit.
The couple's light hair and perfect tans were straight out of
California.

Terrific. Cassidy should have enticed Gabriel
to stick around rather than stand here alone, like, well, a
loser.

“Great to see you!” Josh started toward her
as if he were going for a hug, then stopped short like he’d thought
better of it.

“Last time I saw you, buddy, you were jumping
off a plank,” Cassidy said in her most casual tone. She mentally
cursed herself. Buddy?

His companion edged closer, manicured
burgundy fingernails digging into his hand, thin sandy eyebrows
puckered into a frown. Josh made the introductions.

“It's nice to meet you, Shannon,” Cassidy
said. “Josh has told me a lot about you.”

“That’s funny.” Shannon's cultured voice held
a note of coldness. “I don't recall either of you mentioning my
name when you were slow dancing at that party in week three. Or, on
any of the other episodes, for that matter.”

Cassidy shoved her drained wine glass to her
lips. Apparently, their chemistry hadn’t been as invisible as she’d
hoped, but she and Josh had never acknowledged it. Even after that
almost-kiss, they hadn’t discussed their feelings. How could they,
with microphones listening 99 percent of the time?

She reminded herself that Shannon didn’t know
about their near-indiscretion unless Josh had been dumb enough to
tell her. And why would he? Nothing had happened.

“You’ve got to remember, they did a ton of
editing,” Cassidy said. “I’m guessing they took out a lot of
stuff.”

“Yeah, Cassidy wasn’t my only partner the
night we danced,” Josh said. “I danced with everyone on our team. I
had to, I was the only guy on the team.”

“Then why didn’t that get on television?”
Shannon asked. “All they showed was a close-up of you two.”

“I don’t know why they edited things the way
they did,” Josh said with a shrug.

“I don’t know either,” Shannon shot back.

Cassidy’s hand tightened around her wine
glass. She hadn’t won the big money. She hadn’t won the guy. All
Cassidy had gotten out of this deal was a cruise she’d gladly give
back. “Let me explain it to you. Ratings. Sex sells, even when it
isn’t there. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about with
Josh.”

Shannon snorted, but didn’t respond. A waiter
hefted over a platter of mozzarella sticks and Cassidy snatched
one, relieved for the interruption. Josh and his fiancée weren’t
exactly the lovebirds she’d imagined. Bad for Josh, good for her.
If he and Shannon had been all kissy-kissy, Cassidy might have
needed a lot more wine.

“Cassidy! Cassidy Novak!” A fiftyish woman
with a mane of sculpted jet black curls bustled over. She would
have come to Cassidy's shoulders except for her puffy hair, which
made them the same height. Gold hoop earrings swinging back and
forth, the woman cocked her head. Silver and gold spangles winked
on her knee-length plum sequin dress. “Deniz Jewell, Jewell of
America Talent Agency.”

Cassidy shook her hand, sparkling with
acorn-sized rings. “Hi, can I help you?”