The Last Pas de Deux – Part 2: The Understudy

"Why haven't you told anyone?" Ida asked.

"Because the person who would benefit most is Jonas," Theo said. "If I'm hurt, he dances the lead. And Jonas is my friend." He paused. "Or I thought he was."

Ida started watching. She had always been good at that.

She noticed that Jonas stayed late every night after rehearsal. She noticed he spent a long time in Henrik's office with the door closed. And on Thursday, she saw him coming down from the fly gallery, where dancers had no reason to go.

She followed him to the harbour. He met a man in a grey coat by the old ferry steps and handed him an envelope.

The next morning, Ida told Theo.

He was silent for a long time. Then he put on his coat, wound his scarf twice around his neck, and went to find Jonas.

He found him in the empty studio, alone at the barre.

"Was it you?" Theo asked.

Jonas turned. He looked exhausted. "You think I'd do that to you?"

"I think someone cut a rope above my head."

Jonas laughed, but there was no joy in it. "Theo, I've been climbing into that gallery every night to check the ropes. Because I found the first note before you did."

"And the envelope? The man at the harbour?"

"Photos of the rigging," Jonas said. "For an insurance inspector. Someone at this theatre has been insuring the building for twice its value."

Ida, listening at the door, felt the pieces turn in her mind.

"If the star is hurt and the show is cancelled," she said slowly, "the theatre loses money. The board sells the building." She paused. "And someone gets very rich."

There was only one person who could sign the insurance papers.

Behind them, the studio door clicked shut. When Ida tried the handle, it would not move.

Through the narrow window, she saw Henrik Falk walking calmly toward the fuse box.

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Next: Part 3, Opening Night. The lights go out, and a fire door hidden behind the mirrors becomes the only way out.