The cheeky blast of a trumpet stopped feet and turned heads.
To those on the opposite side of the bridge, Mladen appeared to be walking atop the bridge’s arch. Then he grew taller. In red and white, he glided over the bridge on stilts, swaying and twirling to the music. Now he appeared to be walking on the heads and shoulders of the people who looked in his direction. Leo followed behind, announcing their arrival. He played with one hand and maneuvered his crutch with the other. They moved in tandem – the malabarista and the musician – to the same tune.
On this side of the bridge, Mladen began to dance in a circle. The crowd backed away. Mladen balanced on his good leg. Leo picked up the beat, the trumpet accompanying Mladen’s twirling.
The trumpet stopped. Mladen stopped too. His flowing clothing swirled and caught up to him as he began to bounce on the spot then launched himself upward. At the top of the arc, he spread his arms, ducked his head, bent his knees, and flipped. He landed on his feet and completed another flip in the opposite direction.
Leo started up again with the trumpet. The crowd clapped.
“Amazing,” Matt said.
Lane’s phone rang. He opened it without taking his eyes from the performance.
“Lane? Look to your right.”
He glanced east to see Dylan and Keely waving at him.
“Is this what you call an intangible?” Keely asked, then hung up.
Lane looked at Christine and Daniel, who held hands and watched the performance with frank admiration. Matt had his hand on Arthur’s shoulder. Leo played a raunchy tune and they began to dance.
It doesn’t get better than this.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Bruce, for caring for us all these years – thank you.
Javi, thanks for the insights into a real malabarista.
Again, thanks to Tony Bidulka and Wayne Gunn.
Brad, John, and Bill, thanks for the legal knowledge and advice.
Bryce, Alex P, Mary, Alex K, and Sebi, thanks for the suggestions and feedback.
Nebal, thank you for the help with Arabic.
Karma, thank you for the Spanish translations.
Thank you to Crime Writers of Canada and their spirit of generosity. Doug, Paul, Lou, Andrew, Natalie, Tiiu, and NJ, thanks for all that you do.
Thanks to creative writers at Nickle, Bowness, Lord Beaverbrook, Alternative, Forest Lawn, and Queen Elizabeth.
Sharon, Karma, Ben, Luke, Indiana, and Ella. What’s next?
Garry Ryan
Garry Ryan was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He received a BEd and a diploma in Educational Psychology from the University of Calgary, and taught English and creative writing to junior high and high school students until he retired in 2009. That same year, Ryan received the Calgary Freedom of Expression Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the local arts community.
Ryan’s debut Detective Lane novel, Queen’s Park (2004), sprang from a desire to write a mystery that would highlight the unique spirit and diverse locations of his hometown. The follow-up, The Lucky Elephant Restaurant (2006), won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. A Hummingbird Dance (2008) helped cement a loyal following for Ryan’s books in North America and overseas. In 2011, the fourth Detective Lane novel, Smoked, was shortlisted for the Alberta Readers’ Choice Award and nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery.
