She shook her head, and tears filled her eyes. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
He hesitated then reached up to brush a tear from her soft cheek. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“I’m just worried.” She blinked hard and transformed before his eyes into a woman with a strong grip on her emotions. “My brother died in an accident a few years ago. I guess that turned me into a nervous big sister. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to Rosemary too.” A tremulous smile graced her lips. “I’m sorry to leave, but I assure you, it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with my imagination. Spending this time with you has been beyond anything I’ve dreamed.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, as if horrified at what she’d said.
Robert tried to muffle his laughter. This woman certainly had no artifice, something he liked very much after all his time surrounded by women aiming for their next role.
She stared at him, eyes large, and he realized how his joy could be misinterpreted. “I’m so sorry. Losing your brother must have been terrible.” He shook his head, worried his words only worsened his faux pas. “See? I need scripts to keep from stumbling all over my words.” He took a breath and studied her. “I can’t imagine what it would do to me if my sister died.” The thought was terrible. “I hope you find Rosemary and everything is fine. She seems like a great kid and has potential to make it here.” Robert offered her his arm. “Are you sure you can’t wait until I can escort you?”
“That’s kind of you, but I’ll be fine.” She patted her hair as if suddenly self-conscious. “It’s already been too much to spend the evening with you. You don’t know how the girls back home will squeal when they learn I danced with you—the Robert Garfield.”
“I’m no Cary Grant or Clark Gable.”
“That may be. But we all loved your role in Before Tomorrow Breaks.” She grinned at him, her grief of moments earlier swept aside. “There are many reasons I read LOOK and magazines like it.”
“At least let me know where you are staying.”
“Tonight I’m here. Then I’ll likely be at my sister’s until I return home.” She sighed and frowned, then shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. “Well. Thank you for a welcome change of pace. I needed it. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Then you’re welcome.”
Audra headed to the dais at the front of the ballroom. She grabbed her purse, and he followed like a boat wallowing in her wake on a lazy lake.
“Wait.”
She stopped and turned toward him. “Yes?”
“If you need anything, call. Hollywood can be a lonely town.” He stepped away from her and rubbed his hands together, fighting the surge of fire that had shot through him when they touched. “Anyway. Thanks for a great evening.”
A bulb exploded near their heads. He looked up to find several photographers poised to shoot their photo. “Ready to be a star?”
She looked at him with a dazed look in her eyes. “They don’t do this in Indiana.”
“Come with me.”
He tucked her arm under his and swept her out a side door. By the time they reached the front sidewalk and he’d hailed a taxi, she’d joined him in laughing. “Take the taxi around the block a few times, and the photographers will find other targets.”
“All right.” Audra leaned against him, her body light and small. “Do you ever get used to it? The photographers, I mean.”
Robert opened the cab door for her and considered his words.
“There they are!”
“Oops. They found us.” He scooted her into the cab and then slid in next to her.
“What about your duties?” She looked at him, her eyes round in her narrow face.
“Looks like I’m done for tonight. I’ll explain to Feldstein later. Either I passed his test or not.”
“Where to, kids?” The cab driver watched them in the rearview mirror.
Audra shrugged. “Actually, I have a room back at that hotel.”
“Jokes on you, huh.” The cabbie chuckled.
“Guess so.”
Robert laughed, threw his arm along the back of the car seat, and snuggled Audra next to him. “Guess you can drive us around the block a couple times. Then drop us at the other entrance.”
“Yes, sir.” The cabbie saluted him in the mirror. “Young love…”
“That’s right, mister. That’s right.” With Audra next to him, Robert considered the idea love might be in his future.
But one good night couldn’t wipe out a hundred nights of bad memories. Or the bitter taste they left in his mouth. No, he wouldn’t rush headlong into another terrible mistake. He’d protect himself before he’d risk the word love with anyone again.
CHAPTER NINE
__________
Sunday, June 7, 1942
Warmth flooded Audra as sunlight tickled her nose. She stretched lazily in the magnificent bed, feeling like a princess in the beautifully appointed room. It had been foolish to spend so much money on a hotel room, but she’d enjoyed every moment.
Now as the sun cascaded through the open windows, she decided to enjoy the extravagance. It had been after midnight by the time she returned to the room.
Sneaking back into the hotel with Robert Garfield had been a fun cap to the evening. He had certainly made the evening more enjoyable and helped her forget the horrible day—if only for a while. How many times had she daydreamed of spending time with a real movie star? Meeting him and seeing a glimpse of the real man had been amazing. She could understand a little better now why Rosie loved Hollywood.
Last night Audra had closed her eyes a time or two during the evening’s events and allowed herself to imagine it was real. That he cared for her and flirted with her for no other reason than she was beautiful and desirable.
Last night had been hers.
And she’d treasure every moment.
Now that her Cinderella adventure was over, she needed to face reality and call home. Let her parents know she’d arrived, but also break the news that she hadn’t found Rosemary. Audra didn’t know how to begin to tell them about the body she had found. She closed her eyes and prayed for wisdom. She wished she had a church to slip into, a place to quiet her heart before God and soak in His presence. As she prayed for peace, she felt His sweet presence meet her. Somehow, He would guide her.
Audra opened her eyes, slipped out of bed, and pulled on the fleecy robe that waited in the closet.
After she got ready, she’d slip downstairs and place the call. Since her parents wouldn’t be home from church yet, she’d wait a bit longer. Maybe she could buckle down to the task of finding Rosemary in the interim. The thought chilled her, and she burrowed deeper into the robe. How should she start?
She’d never felt more alone and unsure than she did at that moment.
A heavy pounding shook the door. She jumped and clutched the fabric at the throat of the robe. “Yes?”
“Miss Schaeffer? Officer Trainor with the Hollywood Police Department.”
A quiver skittered up Audra’s neck at the name. Maybe he knew something about Rosemary.
“May I come in?”
Audra swallowed and opened the door as far as the security latch allowed. Just because he used that name didn’t mean it was the same man. “Can I see your badge, please?”
The officer slid his badge toward her. She studied it then unlocked the door and returned it to him. “Where’s Detective Franklin?”
“He asked me to bring you to him. Can I come in out of the hallway?”
“No, I need a moment to dress.” She closed the door and leaned against it. The detective was waiting for her somewhere. That couldn’t be good. No, all she could see is how that meant she needed to see or do something. She slid down the door, hand pressed against her mouth. God, help me face whatever is coming.
Audra dragged in one breath, then another. She could do this. She had to. Squaring her shoulders, she rose to her feet. She swayed a moment then hurried to the sma
ll sink in the bathroom and splashed cold water in her face. The fairytale dream of minutes before had evaporated, replaced by the harsh reality that Officer Trainor would take her to Detective Franklin, who would tell her something about her sister. Audra rubbed her arms, trying to find warmth while she longed for Daddy to stand next to her through whatever awaited. Father, I can’t do this alone.
She couldn’t imagine a scenario where the detective’s words would be hope-filled.
The thought of planning how to transport a body weakened her knees. Father?
She sucked in a shaky breath as a modicum of peace settled on her. Not enough to wipe away the reality of what she had to do, but enough to do what the day required.
Audra pulled a basic boxy gabardine suit from the wardrobe. Most of the wrinkles had fallen out of the garment overnight. The solemn navy seemed appropriate for whatever task awaited her. And the severe lines fit her mood. Rosemary’s lacy navy evening gown lay where she’d tossed it over a chair the night before, the gown a stark contrast to the day’s agenda. If she hadn’t seen it there, she’d wonder if it had all been a beautiful, romance-laden dream.
She slipped on the suit then tugged on navy Mary Janes. She brushed her hair, pulled it into a French twist, and checked her image in the mirror. Circles darkened her eyes, and she almost wished for time to swipe cosmetics on.
A knock sounded at the door. “Are you ready, miss?”
No time. She took a deep breath, pressed a hand into her stomach, and moved to the door. Her navy hat sat on the hall table, and she perched it on top of her up-do. She picked up her handbag and opened the door. “Let’s go.”
“Right this way.” The officer strode down the hallway toward the elevator.
“Wait. Should I check out before we leave? Will we be back in time?”
“I’ll handle it at the front desk. Detective Franklin isn’t fond of waiting.”
“No, I suppose not.” She followed Officer Trainor into the elevator and then waited as he spoke to a man at the check-in counter.
“We’re all set. If you’ll come with me.” He gestured toward a dark, nondescript car that sat at the curb.
“This is a police vehicle?”
“Unmarked. I’m not supposed to tip all the bad guys off that we’re coming today. Besides, Officer Jones has my usual car.”
“Where are we going?”
“The hospital.”
Audra’s pulse started to race. The hospital? Maybe Rosemary was still alive. Injured she could deal with. She just wanted her baby sister in one beautiful piece. Then she could take Rosemary home and help her parents nurse her back to health.
The officer opened the vehicle’s door and closed it behind her. She shifted in an attempt to get comfortable on the cloth seat. Her fingers twisted her purse straps as he drove through the unfamiliar streets. The radio screeched in the background, making a grating noise that was hard to understand. Audra tuned it out and watched the dry landscape dotted with flowering cactus and unfamiliar bushes pass in a blur. Tall, nondescript apartment buildings transformed into a dry park with a slide and handful of palm trees followed by a city block with a stretch of mom-and-pop type establishments.
The car turned into a long driveway. A sign at the entrance read HOLLYWOOD PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL. Audra sucked in a couple deep breaths. God, help me.
“Detective Franklin should be in the lobby.” Officer Trainor pulled the vehicle to a stop underneath an awning. The radio squawked to life, and he cocked his head toward the noise. “I’ve got to provide back-up, but Franklin will meet you and make sure you get back to the Roosevelt.”
“Thank you.” Audra slipped from the vehicle and then watched as it zipped back toward the road. It disappeared from view, but still she stood. She couldn’t make her feet move. The news could be good, very good, but all she could think about was the terrible feel of the cold, lifeless hand she’d touched the day before.
It might not have been Rosemary, but she was someone’s Rosemary. Someone’s sister. Someone’s daughter. Maybe someone’s wife.
Audra pivoted and moved toward the front door. Cool air hit her face as she opened it. A quiet intensity propelled people up and down the corridor. Directing them to their various destinations. Audra watched, not recognizing anyone, and finally moved toward an information station.
“May I help you, miss?” An older woman in nurses’ uniform with Windsor-style eyeglasses perched on an aquiline nose smiled at her.
“I’m supposed to meet Detective Franklin here.”
She wrinkled her nose as she considered Audra. “Don’t know anyone by that name. But you’ll often see the police over by the emergency room, down that hallway there.” She gestured across the lobby toward a section that buzzed with activity.
Audra glanced around the lobby again. Still no sign of the detective. “I’ll see if he’s over there. Thank you.” She headed down a hallway, but froze when Detective Franklin stepped from a room.
“There you are.” He stomped toward her, a scowl darkening his face. “I told Officer Trainor to bring you to me.”
“He had to leave. Said he had to provide back-up?”
“I don’t usually leave women wandering through strange hospitals by themselves.” He guided her toward a chair that sat against a wall. “Have a seat.”
Audra sank onto the edge, not sure whether she wanted to run or hide.
Franklin knelt in front of her, his rumpled jacket swinging open. “You’re here because officers found a body in a local park this morning.”
Her breath came in quick sips as his words sank in.
“We don’t have an identity yet. You may be here for no reason at all. But she could be your sister. She wore a red evening gown when found in the park.”
“I don’t know what Rosemary would be wearing or her life here.”
“That’s right.” He rubbed his hands over his hair, mussing the sides. “I don’t like to ask women to view bodies. Don’t need you fainting. Is there anyone else you would rather have identify the body?”
Audra stiffened her spine. “If it’s Rosemary, I need to do this. I don’t know anyone else to suggest.”
“All right. We’ll hope it isn’t. But…”
Something in what he wasn’t saying indicated Detective Franklin had reached a determination about who they’d found. Audra stared at the door, recoiling at the thought of walking through it to what lay beyond. If Rosemary is in there… Let me be strong enough to do whatever I have to, Father.
She lurched to her feet before she could change her mind. “I’m ready.”
He opened a door and ushered her into a small examination room. A sheet covered a body lying on the table, a scrap of red silk trailing below. Audra paused at the door. Everything in her rebelled at the task. Please don’t let it be Rosemary.
“Are you sure you’re able?”
Audra nodded, a hand covering her mouth, stopping the cry that crawled up her throat.
“I will pull back the sheet, enough to show her face. If you start feeling weak, speak up.” He studied her, a glint of compassion shining through the hard edges. The detective must do this so often.
“Do you ever get used to it?”
“What?”
“Doing this?” Audra gestured at the room, the table, the body.
“If I do, it’s time for me to retire and move on to something simple like acting.”
Audra took a breath. Squared her shoulders. Nodded. “All right.”
Detective Franklin pulled the sheet down. The first thing Audra noticed was the hair. Blond, bleached from a bottle. Surely Rosemary wouldn’t have done that to her beautiful hair. Audra’s gaze followed the sheet down the woman’s face. It was so pale, pasty. The eyes were closed, but as the sheet slid further down her face, Audra bit back a scream.
“It’s her?”
She nodded, hand still covering her mouth. Audra swallowed and then lowered her fingers. “It’s Rosemary. What did they do to her?”
She studied her sister’s face as the detective sketched the details.
“A man walking his dog found her tucked behind some trees. Hard to see. Probably dead a day.”
“How?” It wasn’t a question she should have to ask. Rosemary should be alive and on her way to movie stardom.
“Are you sure I can’t fill someone else in? I hate breaking it to you.”
“I need the answer. Somehow, I have to leave this place and explain to my parents what happened to their baby girl. And telling them the police decided we didn’t need to know won’t be satisfactory.” She crossed her arms, biting the inside of her lip hard. She couldn’t let the hardened detective see the emotion building in her. A coppery taste tinged her mouth. She released her lip. As her gaze traveled down her sister’s smooth cheeks, Audra felt a tear trickle down her own cheek, followed by another.
“Coroner says she was strangled.”
“Like the woman in her apartment?”
“Yes.” Detective Franklin pulled the sheet over Rosemary’s face, hiding her delicate features. “Anything come to you on who that woman is?”
Audra shook her head. “I’d hoped Rosemary would tell me.”
“We all did.”
She wiped her cheeks. “What do I do next?”
“Once the coroner releases her body, you can ship it home.”
Her mind spun—how did she even do that? She’d think about that later. Right now—right now she could barely form a thought around the bubble of rage that filled her at the sight of Rosemary’s unnaturally still form.
“Who did this to her?” Hot flashes of anger coursed through her, pushing the pain to the side. She would survive this. And she would find the person who did this to her sister, just like she’d fixed the wrongs when they were girls. She had to do something. The need to act poured through her with a force that stole her breath.
Detective Franklin studied her, a mix of darkness and intensity in his eyes. “We don’t know. Officers are looking for witnesses, but right now we have nothing. This murder is similar to one from last year. A girl with an escort service ends up murdered. We’re still investigating that one. We’ll work hard to find your sister’s murderer, but these cases aren’t always solved overnight.”
Stars in the Night Page 7