Stars in the Night

by Cara C. Putman

  Audra’s stomach felt like she’d eaten too much. Her mind turned sluggish. “I need to go.” She didn’t know where. The train suddenly felt confining. Why did everyone think Rosemary had been an escort? How many of the men on board had taken her with them for a night on the town? Too many. Suddenly all those names Audra had seen in Rosie’s black book took on a new meaning.

  One she hated.

  Audra slid from the booth and lurched to her feet.

  “Are you all right?” Concern laced Victoria’s voice.

  Audra couldn’t answer. She hurried down the aisle and into the next car. Her feet didn’t slow until she reached her berth. She simply needed to get into her room, away from prying eyes, and then she could process everything Victoria had said.

  One thing Victoria hadn’t said was that Rosie definitely was an escort. How could Audra automatically believe the worst of her sister? In a heartbeat? She needed to slow down and think. Treat this like she would if a stranger came to her with a story about a family member. Check out the details but reserve judgment until she knew more.

  Her heart tightened at the thought Rosemary would have sunk so low.

  Escorting was so far removed from the dreams that had driven her west. Though it would certainly explain Rosemary’s vacillating moods and her high excitement over the potential role. One good role with good reviews and she could walk away from escorting.

  But with that thought came the realization that everything she’d known about her sister in Hollywood was false. And a new world of people who might want to kill her opened up.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  __________

  Wednesday, June 17, 1942

  Robert’s leg jiggled up and down in the bouncy motion he hated. He couldn’t stop it, the energy bubbling through him. He had to get off the train and stretch his legs. Fortunately, in a few minutes the train would pull into Washington, D.C.’s Union Station.

  This group wouldn’t visit the White House like the first group of Hollywood Victory caravaners. That would have been an incredible experience, but the powers that be had decided not to bother the president. They would head straight to the National Theatre instead. Since 1835 the theatre had hosted great performances and stars, making it a fitting place to launch the caravan.

  Somebody pounded on his door. “Fifteen minutes.”

  Dalia would take care of his tux. He just needed to make sure he had his shaving kit and other necessities. Getting ready was so simple, he almost felt like an interloper. How could he pull his own weight on a tour like this?

  The acts had pulled together in ways no one had anticipated at the beginning. The show would be a hit. And the good press they’d get out of tonight would carry them through the rest of the tour. Two more weeks. Fifteen performances. The adrenaline surges would spike up and down. He’d better watch for the fatigue that would be the natural result of a tour like this.

  He yanked the blanket on his bed straight then tugged his shirt sleeves down until they peeked from the bottom of his jacket cuffs. He rolled his neck and took a deep breath. Tonight he’d focus the audience on the theme of sacrifice. If he did that, their pocket books would fly open. The war bonds would roll leading to a satisfied Uncle Sam and happy studio.

  He rolled his neck again, fighting the building tension. It had been years since his days as a kid in live vaudeville. What trick had his dad used when everyone got antsy before a show? Whistling? That was it. He could do that. Even that tune from Snow White. He puckered his lips and went to town on “Whistle While You Work.”

  “You coming, Robert?” Winston Portland’s nasal voice carried through the thin door.

  Robert stopped whistling and wondered how much Winston had heard. “I’ll be right out.”

  The train lurched to a stop, and Robert two-stepped to keep his feet. His head collided with the top bunk. “Youch.” He rubbed his forehead, wondering if the contact would leave a welt. Just what he needed on opening night. A growing lump on his noggin.

  Guess it would be fitting justice for someone who had suddenly become so focused on himself. He forced a whistle out, trying to regain a moment of relaxation.

  He opened his door and joined Winston in the hall. Winston wore the threads his role required. The ladies would love his get-up. Hobo pants, floppy hat, and holey boots competed with a bandana-red long undershirt. Winston even walked with a defined limp, a far cry from his typical rolling gait.

  “Looks like you’re ready.”

  Winston looked at him, then away. He peered at Robert from the corner of his eye. “You talking to me, mister?”

  “Sure.” What was Winston up to now?

  Winston pointed at Robert’s chest. “I’m sure I don’t know you.”

  “Getting into character already?”

  Winston straightened and clapped Robert on the back. “Method acting. That’s what it’s called.”

  Robert straightened his tie. “Must be another of your harebrained schemes.”

  “You haven’t heard of it?” Winston stepped backward, a hand clutching his heart. “It’s the latest rage for actors in New York City. Mark my words, it’ll change the way we act.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” The train ground to a stop, and Robert staggered against the wall. “For now, we’d better get with the rest of the gang.”

  “Time to get the show on the road.”

  “At least off the train.”

  “Say, what do you think of that Audra Schaeffer chick?”

  The question caught Robert by surprise. He hadn’t had much occasion to run into Audra, and the last day she’d kept to herself. Any hopes he’d had to spend time with her had disappeared with the clack of the wheels over the rails.

  Winston socked him on the shoulder. “Methinks you’re noodling a simple question hard.”

  “She’s different.”

  “Of course. She’s not a performer. But have you heard her grill folks about her sister? “

  “Can’t say I blame her. I’d want answers too.”

  “Why ask us? She can’t think we had anything to do with the murder.”

  “I don’t know.” All Robert knew was he liked her hair down in that short fashionable cut but hated the way her mouth drooped. There might not be a lot to make her happy right now, but he wanted the chance to see her smile like she had at the USO fundraiser and occasionally since. She’d surprised him by letting a glimpse of joy escape.

  “People are growing leery around her. What if the whole reason she’s here is to grill us?” Winston opened the door for Robert. “That’s just wrong.”

  “Look, there’s the rest of the group.” Robert stepped off the car onto the station platform, relieved to have a reason to change the conversation.

  Audra stood to one side, dressed in a simple suit. She held her bag and a stack of papers.

  Mark called everyone together. “We’ve got a few limousines, enough for everyone to fit if you squeeze together as though you like each other.” He glanced at his watch. “We’ve got four hours until show time. Just enough time for rehearsals and setup. Let’s go.”

  Letting everyone push into a limousine in front of him, Robert waited, hoping to board Audra’s. She caught his glance, and a rush of color warmed her cheeks until they resembled roses. The innocence of the color captured his attention.

  “Garfield, climb in a car. We can’t wait forever.” Quincy’s words brought a chortle from the Lester twins.

  “I’m coming.” But not in that car. Robert sauntered to the next vehicle and stooped to look inside. Fortunately, a couple of vacant spots remained. “If we all act as though we love each other…”

  “Like. I swear Mark said like each other.” Winston made a face that resembled a mask of horror. “If it’s love, you’ll have to go elsewhere, my fine man.”

  “You’ll never grow up, will you?” Annabelle Kelly pulled her long legs away from Gene Costos. The action didn’t slow him down. Robert winced as Gene edged closer to Annabel
le. “Stop it.” She pushed him away. “This won’t work if you don’t leave me alone.”

  “My co-stars like to get cozy.” His words sounded innocent as the purest lamb.

  “Not this one and not this time.” She leaned against Gene then scrambled from the vehicle. “You can have my seat, Robert. Maybe he’ll keep his paws off you.”

  “I’ll be glad to give it a go.”

  “You do that.” She huffed to the next car.

  “How do you plan to dance with her tonight after acting like that? Think she’ll snuggle up for your cheek-to-cheek number?” Robert shook his head, disgust boiling in his gut.

  Gene grinned wolfishly. “Ah, it’s just part of our warm-up. I get her mind off the fact it’s a live audience and there are no takes. She gets to call me a lecherous old man. We’re both happy.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.” He waggled his eyebrows. “You have no idea how wonderful it is to rub up to her, even if it only gets her ire up.”

  “There are some things I’ll never understand.” Robert left it at that. What else could he say? He’d tried before to tell Gene that he should treat women better.

  “Is this seat taken?” Audra leaned into the car and pointed at the seat across from Robert.

  “He’s held it for you, ma’am.” Gene had transformed into a Southern gentleman, accent and all. He held his hand up to his mouth as if to share a secret then stage-whispered, “He’s got a thing for you.”

  Robert shook his head. “Gene.”

  “See, it’s true.”

  “You’re way out of line.”

  Gene ignored his warning, so Robert tuned him out. Once Gene got started, the only way to stop him was to take away his audience. Fortunately, Audra seemed even less inclined to listen to Gene’s banter. Instead, she stared out the car’s tinted window, a lost look cloaking her face. Her face looked taut, like she’d lost weight in the few days they’d been on the train.

  Suddenly she startled. “Ouch!”

  “Are you all right?” Robert leaned across the narrow space.

  She rubbed her thigh a moment then pulled her hand away as she caught Gene staring at her. “Fine, other than the fact that one of you fine gentleman pinched me.” She wrinkled her nose, as if she smelled something foul.

  The Lester twins and Quincy were in the other car. Winston didn’t seem the type to pinch. Jim Collins was the only other man in the car, but he wouldn’t do something like that unless it was scripted and in front of an audience. He was too happily married—a rarity in Hollywood—to risk doing anything with anyone not his wife.

  Robert caught Audra’s eye and shrugged. She frowned then settled back against the window. In another moment they reached the National Theatre.

  “Guess we’ll be back in plenty of time to catch the train tonight.”

  Audra looked at Robert. “The train has to wait for us.”

  So his attempt to engage her in conversation fell flat. He’d better find the charm somewhere or tonight would be a long one.

  The cars pulled in back of the theatre and deposited the performers at that entrance. The stone façade befitted a building set on Pennsylvania Avenue. Audra climbed from the car and then pirouetted, a look of wonder on her face. “Do you think we’ll have any time to see the monuments?”

  “Maybe.” Robert watched her delight. “Have you been here before?”

  “No, but I’ve always wanted to see the sights. If I could catch a glimpse of the Supreme Court…” She stopped abruptly. “Well, it wouldn’t matter.”

  “Let’s see if we can’t find time after the show to take a quick taxi tour. You’ve come this far. Seems a shame to not at least wave to Mr. Lincoln and drive by the Court.”

  A faint smile curved her delicate lips. “I’d like that.”

  “Then let’s get inside, make the show a hit, and break away for a few moments of freedom.”

  As soon as they entered the backstage area, chaos reigned. Sets, curtains, props, and costumes cluttered the area, yet it pulsed with the energy of performers eager for their shot to wow a live audience.

  “This is nothing like the movies.” Lana walked backstage, a look of fear warring with excitement.

  “You’ll be great. Remember they all think you’re a star already.”

  “Thanks for that ridiculous pep talk, Robert.” She shook her head and walked away.

  When would he learn? Leave her alone. Don’t respond. The pain only deepened when he looked up to find Audra’s gaze on him. What must she think of the mess with Lana? Not too highly of him. No one from outside Hollywood could understand how artificial the world was. Maybe he should forget about taking Audra on a tour of the city. Who was he kidding? A tour of D.C. at night evoked romance. And the last thing he wanted—should want—was romance. He groaned. He knew the thought he didn’t want romance was a bald-faced lie.

  Audra moved upstage, and a shadow followed her.

  Robert squinted. Maybe his eyes deceived him. Why would someone follow her? But as he watched, the shadow stuck a hand in a coat pocket. The shadow pulled something out, something that looked like a gun. Pointed at Audra.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  __________

  The backstage world formed a confusing maze. Everywhere she looked, Audra saw ropes, pulleys, people, and acres of sets—some for tonight’s show but others left from previous performances. Mark had sent her off to locate Jim Collins. At the rate she traversed the theatre, she’d be lucky to find her way back to the main stage. Though she’d attended many theatre productions in Indianapolis, she’d never considered everything that happened behind the scenes.

  A yelled word carried indistinctly above the din of activity. She paused but couldn’t understand it.

  She’d better concentrate and find the missing Mr. Collins.

  It didn’t matter that she’d get lost in a heartbeat. She needed to locate him and get back to the million and one other things on her list that must be accomplished before the curtain rose in two hours. At this rate she’d be breathless and still not done.

  “Audra.” The word was faint, but she stopped. As she looked around she couldn’t tell who wanted her attention. In fact, she’d left people behind and was surrounded by abandoned sets stacked against the walls.

  A footstep echoed off the wood floor. A shiver trembled up her spine. Surely whoever had called her name wouldn’t sneak up on her. She couldn’t let her imagination get overactive.

  She took a deep breath and a few steps forward. Something bumped followed by a clatter of something falling. A muffled curse followed, and Audra shuffled behind a curtain. She felt oddly protected in its shadows even though its thick layers prevented her from seeing anything.

  Words breezed past her, the voice muffled. “You think you’ll save Audra?” A thud reached her, followed by a moan. She burrowed deeper into the curtains, praying they hid her and the tips of her shoes. Her heart tripped to a rapid beat until she thought she’d faint.

  “This isn’t a script from one of your movies. I’ll get her and I’ll learn what she knows about Rosemary.”

  Father, help me.

  Rosemary’s killer was on the train. There was no other reason someone would be here, now, mentioning Rosemary. Or did someone want to upset her? She hadn’t hidden her interviews. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she wanted. Nor figure out how to rattle her.

  Audra quivered and waited as the minutes slipped by. After what felt like an eternity, she eased the curtain to one side, half afraid of what she’d find on the other side. Only emptiness stood beyond the curtain. She shook free of the heavy brocade and eased through shadows down the hallway. Ahead a form lay on the floor. She hesitated a moment.

  “Ohhhh.” The groan barely reached her.

  She slipped forward, slowing again as she neared. In the dim light she could tell it was a man. Based on the dapper outfit, could it be Robert? He moaned again, and she hurried to his side.

  “Robert
?” She rolled him onto his back. His left eye looked swollen and would need ice if he didn’t want to sport a black eye the rest of the tour. She brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. “Robert, wake up. What happened?”

  He opened his eyes and groaned again as they sagged shut.

  Why hadn’t she hurried from her hiding place? How seriously injured was he? It looked like just his eye, but what did she know about things like this? “Come on, Robert. We’ve got to get you up.” She added a cajoling tone to her words. “You know Mark’s in the throes of a fit, wondering where his star emcee has gone.”

  Robert’s eyelids cracked; he started to push up then sagged back down. “That smarts.”

  “I imagine. Can you sit up or should I get someone?”

  He groaned again then gingerly touched his cheek. “I need a minute.” He swallowed then seemed to pull reserves of strength from deep inside. “How long until the show starts?”

  “About ninety minutes.”

  He struggled to a sitting position and closed his eyes again. “I’ll need some aspirin and an ice pack. And a bunch of pancake makeup.”

  “Maybe you should see a doctor.”

  He started to shake his head then stopped abruptly. “No, the show has to go on.”

  “Why were you back here?”

  “Following you.”

  Audra frowned. “Why would you do that? And that doesn’t explain your bruise or being knocked out.”

  “I saw someone following you. Whoever it was didn’t look like they had honorable intentions.” He frowned as if holding something back then staggered to his feet, leaning from left to right like a palm tree swaying in the breeze. “We need to get back to the others.”

  “Are you sure you should move?”

  “I have to. We’ve got a show. I’m not going to let whoever did this keep me from my job.”

  “Then lean on me, and we’ll get you something for that eye.”

  * * * * *

  Robert leaned against Audra’s slight frame. The thought of getting near her had crossed his mind over the last few days, but he’d never imagined it happening like this. His head pounded, and he knew it would take a miracle for him to do his job. Coffee, ice, and aspirin would have to be sufficient. And somehow he had to find a quiet place to tell Audra about what had happened. She had to understand she’d been in real danger.