Stars in the Night

by Cara C. Putman

  A few minutes later Robert helped her from her chair and then offered his arm as they walked down Peachtree.

  “Did Rosemary mention Rachel more than that first time?” Robert’s words startled Audra from her thoughts. He must have decided discussing the murders was safer than broaching their relationship.

  Audra wracked her mind, trying to think if Rosemary had ever talked about a roommate or Rachel. “Yes. She mentioned her in passing once, but never as a roommate. Instead, she always painted a picture that things were good in Hollywood and improving. Maybe she wouldn’t have mentioned a roommate if she thought she would sound like a struggling actress.”

  “Pride?”

  “Maybe. I know she wanted to show Mama and Daddy she could make it. They weren’t supportive of her cross-country move.” Unfortunately, they’d been right. Didn’t Rosemary know she could share her struggles with Audra, if not with their parents? Audra had let another sibling down. The weight of that burden overwhelmed her. Her steps must have slowed because Robert stopped and turned to her.

  He stroked her cheek, comfort flowing from his touch. “You can’t carry this, Audra. Your sister made choices, like you and your brother did. But you can’t walk under the burden of what-ifs and what-might-have-been. It’s too heavy and not yours. They each made their own decision.” The sincerity in his expression touched her.

  “But I could have done something.”

  “What? Rosemary had to make her own choices, and you were more than half a country away. If my sister had come to Hollywood, I’d hope to steer her away from trouble, but even then she’d make her own decisions. How could you do that from Indianapolis, even if she shared the truth with you?”

  “Am I supposed to ignore the pain? Pretend it doesn’t exist?”

  Robert looked across the street toward a small park. He studied it for a moment. “Don’t you think that’s a weight God is better equipped to handle?”

  “Along with all my tears.” She nodded, trying to give the words time to soak deep. “Yes.” Could she throw the burden on God’s strong shoulders? She tipped her face toward the sky, staring at the few visible stars. The God who hung the stars in the heavens and called her by name could carry the burden of her grief and shame.

  Father, please do this in my heart. Help me trust You completely. I turn it all over, surrender it to Your care. Please help me leave it at Your feet. Slowly she felt a bit of peace replace the numbness she’d walked in since identifying Rosemary. Thank You.

  Audra took a breath, letting the humid air settle in her. It felt like an embrace as every fiber of her being was coated.

  “Watch out.” Robert’s words caused her eyes to pop open. “You look like you’re at peace.”

  “Working on it.” She smiled at him. “I’m sure God and I will have more to talk about.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” Robert started walking again, and she hurried to match his stride. “The connection we have between the three women is Artie and that movie.”

  Audra wrinkled her nose. “What do you think of Artie?”

  He stared down the sidewalk at nothing in particular. “He’s got a good reputation in Hollywood as a man who can spot talent. I don’t like all his tactics or the way he pressures some of his clients to enter the escort service. I hate to think about what has happened to some of them.” He turned to enter the hotel but paused to wait for people exiting. “I don’t see how he’s involved, though, since he wasn’t on the train.”

  “Unless he hired someone to kill Lana.”

  “That would mean someone on the train is a hired killer and not just an actor.”

  Audra fought the urge to lash out at the horrible nature of the mess. Her peace threatened to evaporate again. “We’re right back to who would want to kill Lana.” She pulled away from Robert and stalked down the sidewalk, only to bump into somebody. She shook her head and looked up. “Mark?”

  The man’s usually immaculate look had given way to a disheveled appearance with his shirttail pulled out of his khakis. Even his shaggy hair looked like he hadn’t brushed it with anything more than his fingers. He held a paperback in one hand and a satchel in the other.

  “You kids enjoying your time?”

  Robert caught up and tucked her protectively to his side. “It’s been nice. What are you doing?”

  “Last-minute details for tomorrow night. There’s always something to wrestle down.” He scanned the street as if searching for a trolley or cab. “Say, you might be interested to know Artie’s on his way to town. Decided he wanted to observe his clients working together. And check on you, Robert, after what happened to Lana.”

  Robert’s arm tightened around Audra, and he pulled her under the hotel’s green awning. “That’s quite an endeavor for someone who’s never flown.”

  “Sounded like he wanted to get out of Hollywood.” Mark waved for a cab, and one slid to the curb. “Don’t forget rehearsal first thing tomorrow.” He stepped into the cab and closed the door.

  Robert stared after him.

  Audra nudged him as another group exited the Winecoff and walked around them. “Ready to get inside?” The cool air that flowed out of the open door felt wonderful to her heated skin.

  Robert stared after the cab as it pulled from the curb. “Sure.” Once inside, he led her to a vacant couch. “Do you mind if we sit here a minute?”

  “All right.” She gave him a moment then couldn’t contain the question. “What’s bothering you?”

  Robert rubbed his face. “It’s probably nothing, but Artie hates the idea of flying. I imagine he’d be even more anxious up there than you.”

  Audra bumped her shoulder against his. “Thanks.”

  “I can’t see him flying out here to check on us or follow up on Lana. He’s much more likely to wait for a full report when we get back.”

  “Mark wouldn’t have any reason to lie.”

  “And Artie doesn’t have any reason to come.” Robert shook his head then straightened the pleats of his trousers. “This whole situation has me second-guessing everything. I’m seeing issues and motives where they don’t exist.”

  “And we can’t find the ones right in front of us.”

  Robert clutched her hand and squeezed it. “Thanks for dinner.”

  “My pleasure.” She tilted her head up, memorizing his face. “Wait until the girls find out how much time I spent in your presence.”

  “Don’t you want to reconsider where your home is?” He kept his expression flat though his tone betrayed his hope.

  “I think there are a few things I have to resolve first.” She stilled as he leaned closer. “Not here.” The words scraped from her throat in a raw whisper. “What if there’s a photographer around? Can’t have our photo taken together, can we?”

  “Why not? That’s already happened.” He held his pose a few inches from her face, his breath warm on her cheek.

  The memory of their escape from the photographers at the Roosevelt during the USO fundraiser made her lips curve. He closed the distance between them, brushing her mouth with a kiss. When he leaned back, Audra stood before the electricity of that night reappeared.

  “Good night, Robert.”

  He winked at her, bringing a rush of heat to her cheeks. “I’ll see you up. Even Detective Franklin said you shouldn’t be alone.”

  “I don’t think he meant I’d need an escort in a hotel like this.”

  “Lana probably didn’t think she needed someone…”

  As the intensity between them increased, Audra knew his taking her upstairs was a terrible idea. Especially since Victoria wasn’t around to serve as accountability and chaperone. “Good night, dear Robert.”

  Audra slipped toward the elevator, but not fast enough to avoid the satisfied look on Robert’s face. Did she really call him “dear”? More evidence showing she needed to leave. Soon. The doors opened and she stepped inside the elevator.

  “Floor, miss?”

  “Twelfth please.” Audra s
tood against the back wall of the elevator and felt the swoosh of its ascent. It chugged through the floors without stopping before sliding to a stop at her floor. “Thank you.”

  Even though she’d assured Robert she didn’t need him to escort her, she scurried down the hall toward her room. She slipped the key from her purse and into the lock. Once she’d entered the room and locked the door, she took a deep breath. Her nerves jangled, and she placed her purse on the small writing desk. She scanned the room and the bathroom to make sure she was alone then settled onto the chair.

  A pad of paper and pen rested on the desk and she picked them up. She tapped the pen against the paper. Doodling three circles, she then placed each murdered woman’s name in a circle. Drawing lines between them, she stared at the image. Rachel and Rosemary were aspiring stars. Lana had already reached B status, with A in reach. She wasn’t sure where Rachel was from but doubted that connected them, since Rosemary and Lana hailed from different states.

  Next, Audra pulled out her list of names from Rosie’s book. As she studied them, nothing new came to her. Many had joined the caravan, but that didn’t mean anything. Even if Rachel had lived with Rosemary, Audra knew Lana hadn’t lived with her. There was no way Rosie would have kept that quiet, and Audra had visited the star’s apartment.

  No, all that connected the three was Artie Schmaltz.

  She studied the name. Her time with the man hadn’t been long, but he simply didn’t seem the type to hurt anyone. And strangulation? It was an intensely personal and physical act of violence. If Artie were to kill anyone, she thought him more likely to use a gun or other weapon that provided distance. That also didn’t get around the fact he wasn’t physically here to kill Lana.

  A yawn stretched her jaw again, and she threw the pen down.

  She didn’t know enough.

  She lived with a killer she couldn’t identify, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  __________

  Tuesday, June 23, 1942

  The roar of a crowd’s approval served as an intoxicating sound.

  Robert stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the other performers, drinking in the sight as the people filled the Fox Theatre. They bowed in unison, and then he stepped to the microphone as he did at the close of each performance.

  “Thank you again for joining us this evening. While we hope you were thoroughly entertained, the evening won’t be complete without you joining us on the terrace as the performers sign autographs after you purchase war bonds.”

  A voice shouted, “How do I get a kiss from Miss Elizabeth?”

  Robert looked over his shoulder toward the young woman. A beautiful rose color climbed her cheeks. “Elizabeth?”

  She glided out of the line and stood next to him. “Well, it is a good cause.”

  “Absolutely.” He watched her as she settled into the banter.

  “The other gals and I have discussed it.”

  “I ain’t interested in the others.” Wolf whistles practically drowned out the man’s words.

  She tilted her chin and wagged a finger at the crowd. “As I was saying, if someone purchases at least a hundred dollars in war bonds, one lady will be happy to kiss the lucky gent.”

  “And for the ladies?” Robert couldn’t wait to hear her response to this question.

  “Why, I suppose they’d want to kiss you.” Elizabeth winked at him and then sauntered back to her place in line.

  “Guess I’ve been told.” Robert turned back to the audience and shrugged. “Seriously, folks, this is your opportunity to make an important contribution to the effort. So give us a few minutes then join us out on the terrace.”

  He moved back into the line for the final bow before the curtain fell. Audra waited immediately off-stage when he exited. He pulled her close as the Lester twins hooted.

  “Kisses for bonds?” Her eyes flashed as she teased him.

  He put his hands up. “Not my idea.”

  “Nice try, buster.” She pulled away from him. “I’m headed back to the train after I pack the last items. Did you see Dalia?”

  He shook his head. He hadn’t seen the woman all day. “Maybe she’s sick.”

  “I hope not. I’m a bit worried though because no one I’ve talked to has seen her.”

  “Maybe you should wait to go back until the rest of us go…”

  “Robert, my boy.” Artie Schmaltz moved through the performers, nodding and patting shoulders as he came. Guess he’d made it in time for the show after all. “I wondered when I’d see you. Top-of–the-line job. Just what this ad hoc group needed.”

  “Thanks.” Something about the gushing didn’t sit right. “I didn’t realize you’d arrived. How was your first flight?”

  “Not as terrifying as I’d anticipated. Airplanes are the wave of the future. Time I tried the contraption out. Still, I think I’ll stick to trains after this trip.”

  “Does that mean you’re riding back with us?” The thought of Artie monitoring the caravan raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Audra stepped away, and the bad feeling intensified.

  * * * * *

  Artie’s loud voice filtered over the top of everything else. Audra took his arrival as her opportunity to slip away. She didn’t like the fact that nobody had seen Dalia. While Atlanta hotels might not have been friendly to the black woman, hopefully she didn’t stay on the train by herself. Even as she thought it, she knew Dalia didn’t have a choice. If Dalia couldn’t stay at the hotel with the rest of them, where else was she supposed to stay?

  An unsettled feeling gripped her stomach and wouldn’t let go.

  Father, please keep Dalia safe. Me, too.

  It might not be safe—no, it probably was a truly crazy idea—to go to the train by herself, but she couldn’t wait until Robert could leave to check on Dalia. Who else could she ask? Her options were too limited. If Dalia had been Rosemary, Audra would have wanted someone to check on her. She had to make sure Dalia was okay. Surely, she’d find a conductor or someone at the station who would accompany her to the train once she arrived.

  Peachtree hummed with traffic but only a few cabs traversed the street, most of them with fares. It seemed like she stood outside forever waiting for one to accept her hail.

  A car finally slid to the curb. She slipped inside. “Terminal Station, please.”

  Once she reached the station, she paid the driver and then hurried to the ticket window. “Where would I find the Hollywood Victory Caravan train?”

  The man looked at her with a blank stare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “The chartered trains. Where do they wait?”

  “Off the platform. You’ll have to ask one of the staff there which one.”

  Audra hurried across the large station, her heels clicking against the stone floor. The station hummed with activity, even at the late hour. She saw a conductor and asked for his assistance. He pointed her toward a far track, one unlisted on the departure and arrival board. As she neared the train, her prayers intensified. Should she grab a patrolling police officer to go with her on the train?

  An Atlanta officer strolled near one of the platforms. She walked up to him. “Sir, would you mind going with me to the train over there? I’m with the Hollywood Victory Caravan and had to come by myself to make sure everything is okay since we’ve been off the train for a day.”

  He studied her before thrusting his shoulders back and patting his stick. “All right, little lady. Let’s check it out.”

  “Thank you. I promise it won’t take long. The others should join me soon.” They boarded the train, starting with the men’s cars and seeing nothing out of the ordinary. It was the same story with the dining car and the lounge car. At the first women’s car, Audra hesitated.

  “You all right, miss?”

  “A tad gun shy.”

  “That’s why I’m here.” He patted her shoulder as if she were his granddaughter or a flighty woman to be rea
ssured. Normally, she would bristle at such an impression, but today, she welcomed his presence.

  Audra sucked in a breath then forced a smile and stepped onto the car. “This is my berth.” She pointed it out as they passed then peeked quickly into the others, her shoulders slowly easing as she made her way to the end. “One more car.”

  “Shouldn’t be anything amiss on it, either.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  The first few berths looked as they should. They pushed past to Dalia’s room.

  “Dalia?” Audra felt the tension return to her neck when the woman didn’t answer and wasn’t in her berth.

  “Who’s Dalia?”

  “The seamstress and much more. No one’s seen her since we disembarked yesterday. Maybe she’s in the last area with the sewing machine going.” Audra prayed that was the case.

  But as the police officer pushed her behind him and opened the final door, she knew that hope had been false. All she could see was a leg splayed on the floor.

  * * * * *

  Robert gripped the cab’s door handle, feet pressed into the floor, urging the car to greater speeds. Why hadn’t he followed Audra, bonds be hanged? Others could sell them. But he was the only one who could protect Audra.

  “Come on, come on, come on.” Robert leaned forward, willing the vehicle to get him to the station—now.

  “Hold your horses. We’ll get there presently.” The cabbie glared at him from the rearview mirror.

  Robert couldn’t explain why that wasn’t good enough. Had Audra foolishly walked onto the train by herself? He hadn’t seen Mark at the Fox when he’d left. Would the man head back to the train and find Audra there? Alone?

  As the cab zipped through downtown toward the terminal, Robert wondered about Mark. Of all the men on the train, he knew Mark the least. The man worked for a studio and wasn’t an actor, so they didn’t move in the same circles. All he knew about Mark came through rumors more than anything. Mark liked the ladies and was often seen with a different one on his arm. He’d heard talk that Mark had gotten rough with one or two, but that had died down a year or so ago. As much as Robert tried, he couldn’t remember hearing that Mark had been seen with Rachel, Rosemary, or Lana. He almost snorted at the thought of the large man with Lana. Mark certainly didn’t fit her type.