Stars in the Night

by Cara C. Putman

  “Dalia?”

  The muffled sound of wails reached her.

  Audra twisted the knob and hurried in. Dalia was sprawled at the foot of her bed, her large frame crumpled on the floor. Horror flashed through Audra at the sight, until Dalia looked up at her. Nothing seemed amiss with her other than the grief lining her face in twin rivers of tears.

  “I sorry, child.” Dalia began to struggle to her feet but couldn’t get them underneath her.

  “Are you all right?” Audra hurried to support her and help her to her feet.

  “No. I can’t rightly say I am. Such a well of grief in me at everthing I didn’t say or do for that poor lost lamb who died today.”

  “Lana?”

  “You ain’t seen no other bodies lyin’ around, has you?” Dalia’s face contorted into a mask of horror.

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Well, then, that’s a good thing. It shorely is.”

  “But why are you so upset?”

  “Because that girl never got things right with God. Leastways not before last night. I can only pray she did in the end.” Dalia wiped her eyes with a hankie and then tucked it in a pocket. “What you need, Mizz Audra?”

  “Mark wanted to see if you needed any help before tonight’s show.”

  “Shore he did. He’s never offered to help me. Not a single day of his life.” She settled on her bed, rocking from side to side. “I’ll be ready. I always is.”

  “I’ll let him know.”

  “You do that. And pray nothin’ else goes wrong with this here caravan.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  __________

  The theatre lived up to its nickname. With turquoise velvet seats, box seats, and gilding, it didn’t look like any movie theatre Audra had ever attended. Add the air conditioning, and she didn’t think she’d want to leave when it was time to return to the train.

  The show proceeded without a hitch. The performers amazed her as they pushed the last twenty-four hours’ events from their minds. They pulled energy from the audience, and with each laugh, roar, or round of applause, they stood straighter and played their parts in a bigger way.

  What was it like? Experiencing the energy of audience approval? From Audra’s spot off-stage, it looked intoxicating.

  After the show, Mark directed the fleet of taxis to an officers’ club. The men groaned while the women preened. Audra tried to wash the exhaustion from her face but feared no amount of makeup could hide the circles under her eyes, the questions plaguing her, and her overall fatigue.

  The thought of entertaining strangers…she shuddered. Maybe she could find a corner to hide in, a palm to shield her while she watched the pros at work.

  She was all for contributing to the war effort. But she was an attorney. Not a Hollywood star. And frankly she wouldn’t change that. Forget about the murder—as if that were even possible—watching the lengths these women went to, the pixie dust of longing for fame had not been sprinkled on her.

  The taxis pulled to a stop. Elizabeth squealed and turned to Victoria. “How’s my makeup?”

  “Perfect, as always.” Victoria’s smile looked strained. “All we do is talk?”

  “Of course.” At least Audra hoped so. She couldn’t imagine anything more being demanded of the women.

  “Oh, I’m sure a kiss here or there is fine.” Constance grinned and then winked at Audra. “Just to raise morale of course.”

  “Well, I think I’ll stick to the talking.” Victoria flipped through her purse’s contents. “Looks like I misplaced my lipstick.” She turned to Elizabeth. “Can I steal some of yours?”

  Elizabeth handed the beautiful brunette a tube of red.

  The stars hurried from the cab, giggling and talking like sorority sisters. Audra lingered long enough to pay the driver then stepped from the car. Swing music drifted from the open windows. A saxophone wailed through a solo, and then it pitched to a sour note.

  A soft breeze blew off the ocean, bringing the scent of salt water. Maybe she could stay outside, enjoy the evening without anyone noticing she hadn’t entered the club.

  Officers walked by in their dress whites, then paused at the door to remove their hats and tuck them under an arm. Then they paused long enough to remove their hats. One spied her in the shadows and stepped away from the others.

  “I’ll catch up with y’all inside.” His Southern accent sounded like slowly dripping honey. Audra stepped farther into the shadows, hoping he’d walk a different direction. “There you are.” He stopped in front of her. He pointed toward the club. “I understand the good times are in there.”

  “Not my idea of fun.”

  He grinned at her, an air of Clark Gable in the smile. “You haven’t attended with the right fella. Let me escort you.”

  He seemed harmless enough, and she supposed she should play the part while with the caravan.

  “I’ve never been good at things like this.” Another taxi pulled up and she imagined Mark watching her. Or worse yet, Robert seeing her. The thought made her stomach plummet. Was it worse to be alone with one man or with a herd of them? Her quiet moment had already disappeared, might as well get inside that club.

  A door to the cab opened, and Audra looked that direction. Mark stepped out, his expression hidden in the shadows. He glanced around then started walking toward her. Something in the set of his shoulders caused her to stiffen. The lieutenant looked at her with a question in his eyes.

  Audra took a deep breath and smiled at him. “All right. You may escort me, though I’ve been told not to let one man dominate my time.”

  “We’ve received similar warnings.” He studied her face as they walked into the pool of light that slipped through the windows. “I see every movie that comes to the station. I’m surprised I don’t recognize you.”

  “I’m a lawyer rather than a star.”

  His mouth quirked to the side as he studied her. “Then they’ve missed a beautiful opportunity.”

  Heat climbed her neck at his words. She hoped the shadows hid the blush. “I see they teach flattery in officers’ school.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “That awkward, huh? Guess I’d better get you inside.” He slipped a hand under her arm and led her inside. Audra looked over her shoulder and found Mark approaching. She smiled, but he didn’t smile back. For someone who’d insisted the performers attend, he didn’t look happy about being here.

  Audra shook off the thought and took in the club. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but this smallish space wasn’t it. Wood floors tapped with the heels of dozens of women’s dancing shoes. Couples jitterbugged across the front part of the floor. Along the walls men in naval uniforms mixed with women. At least five or six men already surrounded Victoria. Despite her earlier misgivings, she looked at ease.

  “Shall we get something to drink? The refreshments are usually pretty good.”

  “I’d like that, but only if you tell me your name.”

  “Lieutenant Charles Midlan at your service. And yours, Miss Attorney?”

  “Audra Schaeffer.”

  As they squeezed through the crowd, she realized she might be with Lieutenant Midlan, but her heart searched for a certain tall, dark-haired movie star. The one who sent her pulse racing even as she refused to acknowledge the questions her mind pondered.

  “Here you go.” The lieutenant handed a cup of red liquid to her.

  “Thank you.” She accepted the cut-glass cup and took a sip, relieved that it tasted like plain punch.

  The music started again, this time a slower waltz.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  One couldn’t hurt. Then she could plead fatigue. “I’d like that.” She set her now-drained cup on a waiting tray and stepped onto the dance floor, his hand at her back.

  Lieutenant Midlan turned out to be a good leader, and Audra relaxed in the circle of his arms. She kept an eye on the caravan members as they danced. Mark slouched in a corner, lips pulled down in a frown
and his gaze firmly fixed on her. The lieutenant startled, and she saw a wonderful, tall man from Hollywood tapping him on the shoulder.

  “Pardon me, may I cut in?”

  The officer looked at her. “Would you like to dance with him?”

  “I’ve very much enjoyed our time, but yes, I would.”

  Lieutenant Midlan released her and gave a slight bow. “Miss Schaeffer.”

  Robert stepped into Lieutenant Midlan’s spot and took Audra in his arms. “I’m sorry it took me a bit to work my way over. Are you all right?”

  “I don’t want to think right now.” She wanted, no, needed, to forget everything. In his embrace, it was easy to do.

  The way his gaze caressed her face, she wished she could read the thoughts he hid. Then his gaze traveled to her lips. She licked them self-consciously. What did he see when he studied her like that? Could he really want her, a Midwestern girl without the finesse of a beautiful actress?

  The drums banged to an end. Robert leaned forward, and Audra’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t think she could breathe and at that moment didn’t need to. Not while he looked at her like that. Then a young woman Audra didn’t recognize approached, eyes fastened on Robert with a doe-eyed, star-struck glaze. “Are you Robert Garfield?”

  He nodded, looking from Audra to the young woman.

  “It’s all right. I’ll go get a drink.” And find that palm tree she’d meant to find when she arrived.

  * * * * *

  Audra slipped away from him and into the void stepped this kid he didn’t know. Robert pasted on a smile, the one Lana had made him practice ad nauseam when they first married.

  “You have to be prepared at any moment to greet a fan.”

  “Don’t I first need some?”

  She’d stared into his face, the mole on her cheek bobbing as she smiled and then straightened his bowtie. “Not if you want to be a star, my dear. Not if you want to be a star.”

  Back then that’s all they’d wanted. Matching stars in front of the Chinese theatre. Now, as he bowed to the woman in front of him, he wondered why they’d chased the illusion so hard. Look where it had gotten them. Him fighting for a role so he didn’t have to become a car or insurance salesman—see how the smile worked then. And Lana murdered.

  “I can’t wait till I tell the girls at the office that I danced with a bona fide movie star. How amazingly romantic.” She laid her head on his chest with a contented sigh. A moment later her head popped up again. “How many movies have you been in?”

  Robert wondered when the song would end. He didn’t appreciate having a woman he didn’t know plastered to his side. The berth on the train sounded wonderful. Even his toes felt tired and no one had stepped on them yet. Ouch! Guess he’d been premature. “Probably two dozen.”

  He didn’t add that many had been small roles she probably hadn’t noticed. Even his mother had missed him in one of the films.

  “Two dozen.” Her smile almost reached from ear to ear. “How wonderful.”

  As they continued to dance, Robert could only imagine what tall tale she’d weave in the morning. You should have attended. I danced with a world-famous movie star. The office gals would join her in swooning until one thought to ask her which star.

  The song swung to an end, and Robert bowed to the gal. “I’m off to get a drink.”

  “Don’t mind if I do.”

  He tried to pay attention to her chatter as he searched for Audra in the sea of people. Wherever she’d found to hide worked. She had disappeared.

  In spite of her accomplishments, she apparently longed to avoid crowds. Where Rosemary seemed to thrive in large settings, with an abundance of social graces, Audra flourished in smaller settings. It formed part of her charm. So unlike the women he spent his days around.

  He groaned when they reached the line for the refreshment table that wound around a corner.

  “Don’t be surprised.” The girl grinned up at him. “Many of the officers come so they don’t have to cook. Mighty lonely life for many of them. Some had to leave their families behind. Can you imagine?”

  “It wouldn’t be my choice.”

  An older lady walked by and gave the girl a pointed look. Her back stiffened and a defiant look flashed across her face before dissolving. “I enjoyed our dance. Now back to mingling.” She looked so downcast that Robert reached out to stop her.

  “Wait. Do you have anything I could autograph? Something to show the girls?”

  Her eyes widened and she grinned. “Would you do that?” She reached into her small purse and pulled out a pen and slim notepad.

  With a slight bow, he accepted the pen and scrawled his signature on the first blank page. After reclaiming the book, she clutched it to her chest, batted her eyelashes, and then reached up and pecked him on the cheek. “Oh!” She flushed red and pirouetted before racing toward a group of girls watching with interest from their place along a wall.

  Robert scanned the room again for Audra. He didn’t like her wandering in the crowd where he couldn’t protect her. Finally, he spotted her near Victoria with a couple sailors standing near. A few of the actors stood a bit beyond the two women, Mark keeping a sharp eye on them. Robert’s shoulders lost their tension at the sight. He was being overly nervous. Especially when other men were standing by to help if Audra needed it.

  Part of him felt relief at that knowledge. The other part resented it. He didn’t want others stepping into that role.

  No. He’d protect her for a lifetime if she’d let him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  __________

  Monday, June 22, 1942

  The next several days passed in a blur. Audra tried to keep up as Mark seemed intent on making them all work doubly hard in a convoluted effort to keep them from thinking about Lana. The caravan played to packed crowds in the cities of Raleigh, Charlotte, and Columbia, moving so fast all Audra remembered was the thick accents and sweetened tea. Mark finally gave them a couple of hours to relax when they hit Atlanta.

  “Why are we stopping in Atlanta?” Charlie Lester asked the question he seemed to ask at every stop.

  This time everyone chimed in to answer. “We’re here to sell war bonds, not entertain the troops.”

  “Though you’ll likely do that too. Atlanta’s a hub for troops stationed within a three-hundred-mile radius. And don’t forget there’s money here too. We’re in the heart of the old South, and these folks are waiting for an opportunity to open those old pocketbooks and buy bonds. Tonight you’ll help them do that.” Mark paced in front of the group in the lounge car. The area under his eyes bore a purple tinge, the stress of his job wearing on his health.

  “I’ve got it on good authority they’re shipping men up from Fort Benning and other military installations for the show.” Mark leaned on a chair, a pinched look closing his face. “Take a few hours. Shop on Peachtree Street or wherever it is folks shop in Atlanta. You can even sleep in a hotel tonight. The Winecoff is a good one, and right in the middle of any action. Then tomorrow we’ll rehearse and have a show.”

  A murmur floated through the room at the unexpected freedom. After a week on a train with Mark controlling her every movement, it seemed odd to Audra to suddenly have unscheduled time to do whatever she wanted.

  The performers rushed from the meeting to get off the train, most not even stopping to pack a bag.

  Victoria hooked arms with her. “I think we should get our bags and head to Peachtree. Surely whatever cab we hop in, the driver will direct us to the right store. Go pack an overnight bag and let’s escape before Mark changes his mind.”

  The idea sounded wonderful to Audra. “Give me ten minutes.”

  “You’ve got five.”

  After getting caught in a conversation with a porter, Audra hurried toward her berth, barely noticing the hot, heavy air when she stepped between the cars. The quiet led her to believe the others had escaped. She hoped she could still catch Victoria if she hurried. The thought of spe
nding the night on a full-sized bed sounded glorious. She stepped across to the sleeping car but felt something tug at her shirt. Before she could regain her balance, a shove sent her flailing to the iron platform. She tried to catch her breath but felt a weight press firmly between her shoulders.

  “Keep your attention where it belongs.” The deep words hissed into her ear.

  The air was forced from her lungs by the weight, and she desperately tried to breathe. Her mind raced as she tried to glimpse whoever pinned her, but a hand pushed her face into the rough grillwork. Just when she knew she would pass out, she felt the vibration of footsteps. Someone was coming. Maybe they could help her.

  Audra gave a desperate twist as her lungs screamed for oxygen. She caught an image of a trench coat, polished Italian loafers, and a hat pulled low to meet the upturned coat. Then her face was pressed once more into the floor and everything went black.

  “Miss Audra, Miss Audra.” Dalia called to her while stroking her cheek. “Come on, sweet child. Come back.”

  It felt like a wet, damp blanket enveloped her. Audra struggled to open her eyes.

  “Thank the Lord. You had me worried again, Mizz Audra.”

  Audra opened her eyes and met Dalia’s soulful gaze. She opened her mouth to speak but only croaked. Licking parched lips, Audra tried again. “Did you see anything?”

  Dalia’s eyes widened, and she sucked in a quick breath. “No, ma’am. I didn’t see nothing. Just you layin’ here like some poor hurt bird. I didn’t know what to do, what with seein’ poor Lana in my mind’s eye. Can you get up?”

  “Yes, or everyone will be staring at me.”

  In fact, she was surprised Victoria hadn’t headed back to check on her.

  “Everybody else gone the other way. Wantin’ to get off this here train.”