Stars in the Night

by Cara C. Putman

  Even if he was, why would he kill the women?

  The cab braked in front of the station. The looming structure pierced the night sky, twin towers poking into the darkness, separated by the terminal’s main body. Robert paid the cabbie and then hurried through one of the arches and into the building. As he moved, he prayed that he could find the train quickly.

  An overwhelming urge to find Audra washed over him. She needed someone with her to protect her.

  Jostling around a man who stepped into his path, Robert continued toward the platform. A line wound from the ticket counter as if a fifth of Atlanta had decided tonight was the night to abandon the heat and humidity for any point north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

  “Excuse me. Pardon me.” Robert pushed his way through the line. Finally, he could see the trains along the platform. Just a bit farther and he should find the Hollywood Victory Caravan train. The caravan’s logo should hang off the last car, providing the clue he needed to find the right train.

  The tracks each carried a train. Some engines were silent, while others huffed in an eagerness to leave the confines of the station and return to the open tracks. He wound from platform to platform, beads of sweat dripping down the sides of his face.

  He had to find Audra.

  Finally he spotted the red and orange cars of the caravan’s train. He picked up speed until he sprinted the length of the platform and up onto the first car. Changing his mind, he hopped down and hurried to the lounge car. All seemed quiet when he climbed aboard. Then he heard pounding farther in the train.

  His breath hitched. “Audra!”

  He ran to the next car, hopped across the small divide, and hurried through the first car that housed the women. Every door was closed. The car was eerily quiet other than his own footsteps and breathing. Then he heard voices. Men’s voices. They got louder as he approached.

  “Freeze.” The word was a sharp command.

  Robert put his hands up and pivoted on his heel. “My name is Robert Garfield. I’m a passenger on this train.”

  An officer boarded from the front of the car and approached him, while he could feel the vibrations of steps behind him. “That may be, and we’ll sort it out in a moment. Right now, we’ve got a body to contend with, and anyone we find on this train will be detained.”

  A body? The blood drained from his face and Robert sucked in air. It couldn’t be Audra. Not Audra. He kept his hands in front of him where the police could see he had nothing in them. “Is Audra Schaeffer on the train?” He didn’t know what he wanted the answer to be. If she were on the train, it could be her body. If she weren’t on the train, then he had no idea where she’d gone or how to keep her safe.

  The officer in front approached and patted him down. “No weapons, Chuck.”

  “Good.” The officer behind him drew nearer and indicated Robert should follow him.

  “Back to the lounge car with you. Chuck, you go get the girl, while I stay with him.” Once they reached the lounge car, the officer considered him. “Mind explaining what you were doing on the train?”

  “Audra Schaeffer left the Fox earlier to come back. The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I became at the thought she came here alone. You’ve heard about what happened to Lana Garfield earlier?”

  The officer nodded.

  “I didn’t want something similar to happen to Miss Schaeffer.”

  “Any reason to think it could?”

  “Other than the fact she was attacked yesterday in her car?” Robert shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to look non-threatening and cooperative when all he wanted to do was race down the train and make sure the body wasn’t Audra’s.

  “Tell me more.”

  Robert filled the man in while they waited for the other officer to return.

  Chuck stepped onto the car. “Here’s the lady.”

  Robert sagged when he saw Audra follow the officer into the lounge car.

  She lifted her head, and a cry broke from her. “Robert.” Audra raced toward him. “They’ve killed Dalia too.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  __________

  The sight of Robert being interrogated by the police almost destroyed her. She couldn’t have another person ripped from her. Not like this. She ran to him and held on tight, as if he were an anchor keeping her hooked to this moment.

  “He was at the hotel last night and at the theatre with me today. He couldn’t have killed Dalia.”

  The officer who’d accompanied her to the train considered her. “You two don’t go anywhere. Chuck will wait for the detective outside the car in case you need anything or we need you. Promise you’ll stay put until the detective arrives.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you for coming with me.”

  “Glad I did, though I’m sorry about your friend.” Warmth and concern radiated from his expression. “You’re all right here?”

  “Now that Robert’s here, I am.”

  The officer nodded. “I’ve got to get back to the scene. Stay put.” He left, taking the other officer with him.

  Robert stroked her back, murmuring words she couldn’t understand but that brought comfort. “Are you okay?”

  She shook her head against his chest. “No. I had that officer come with me and when we got to the last car—and found Dalia—he pushed me to the side and called for help. The other officer is all that came. I could only watch as they worked. Dalia—she’d been murdered like the others.”

  Audra burrowed deeper into Robert’s embrace, pulling strength from his presence even as she tried to get the image of poor Dalia out of her mind. “Why Dalia? What could she have done to anyone? She was so gentle. When will this end?”

  “When we find who’s behind it all.” He pulled a bit apart from her. “Was Mark in your sister’s book?”

  Audra tried to imagine the pages she’d seen. Mark Feldstein… She could almost see her sister’s scrawl and the odd doodles she’d drawn next to his name. “Yes.”

  “Certain?”

  “As I can be.” She closed her eyes and studied the image. “I think he last appeared a few days before someone found Rosemary.” Why hadn’t she remembered that before now? Had the idea that he’d murder someone seemed so remote?

  “All right.”

  Something in his tone worried her. “Do you really think he’s behind all this? He’s a nice enough guy, but I haven’t seen a hint of passion in him. Everything’s about the job.” The image of Mark strangling the four women left her cold.

  Robert led her to a bench and eased next to her. “He’s got a reputation of being seen with different women every night. Each one is beautiful, a star in the making. And he uses his position with a studio to entice them to believe he can help them. You and I know he isn’t a producer or director, he’s more of an administrator. But naïve young women wouldn’t know that. I wonder if he owed somebody.”

  Audra studied him, letting his words filter through her mind. “Could he owe Artie?”

  Robert thought a moment, looking across the car. “I suppose. Artie likes to have people in his debt.”

  Something still didn’t fit. “Why?”

  Robert turned and stared at her. “Why what?”

  “Why would Artie want to kill the girls and why would Mark agree to kill them?” Audra rubbed her arms, trying to remove the chill that had overtaken her. “It’s a big leap to go from owing a debt to committing murder. And why would Artie want them killed? Lana was appearing in movies. Isn’t that what agents want? And Rosemary had about made it. Even Artie told me that.”

  “And that still leaves Rachel outside the picture.” Robert reached for her hand and held it, heat shooting up her arm as he did.

  The image of poor Rachel returned to Audra’s mind. “You said she signed with Artie?”

  Robert nodded and continued stroking her hand. Peace flowed through his touch. She wasn’t alone.

  She tugged her hand free. She needed to think, not get swept away by the electricit
y between them. Robert pulled back, not breaking eye contact.

  Audra licked her lips and tried to smile. “What could Artie have on Mark?”

  “That’s an excellent question.” Robert rubbed a hand through his hair. “And what would tie him to Rachel? The link to Rosemary and Lana is clear.”

  “If Rachel were an aspiring starlet, can we assume Artie would have forced her into the escort business?”

  Robert nodded. “It seems to be his pattern.”

  “So Rachel and Rosemary worked for him. Lana worked in the movies. Rosemary told us she’d about made her break.” Audra tried to remember anything Rosemary had said about the part. “She said the script was titled Enemy from Within.”

  Robert nodded slowly. “But that was Lana’s next role. Filming starts when we get back to Hollywood. At least it was going to, until Lana died.”

  “Does Artie usually send his clients to try out for the same part?”

  “Detective Franklin mentioned it.”

  “Victoria mentioned he only did it with that movie.”

  “What are the chances Rosemary got the part first, but Artie was trying so hard to keep Lana as a client, he promised her she’d get the role?”

  Audra shook her head, trying to clear the murkiness. None of this made sense. Would someone really kill over a role? “That might explain withholding the contract from Rosemary, but not murdering her. And why kill Lana?”

  “She’d decided to sign with Rochester Blanks.”

  Robert stiffened, and Audra searched for the source of the voice. Framed in the doorway behind them, Artie Schmaltz posed.

  “Mr. Schmaltz?” Audra couldn’t keep the tremble from her voice.

  “Miss Schaeffer. Let me extend my condolences again on the death of your sister. It’s always sad when someone finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He stepped into the room but kept distance between them.

  Robert stared at the man. “Her signing with another agent was enough?”

  “It is when your ungrateful lead star abandons ship.” The agent studied each of them. “I was surrounded by ungrateful hopefuls. Lana switching sides as her star is ready to peak. Rosemary poised for success, but trampling on my star’s path. I couldn’t let that happen. In fact, I could have found her another role. One better suited to her.”

  “Then why didn’t you? Why did you have to kill her?” Audra couldn’t comprehend Artie’s callous attitude toward the dead women. Toward her sister.

  “Oh we did—when she stumbled on Mark taking care of Rachel. That girl was ready to bring down my escort business, which is much more lucrative than agenting. Sad to lose two of my girls in one night, but some things can’t be helped.”

  “Why make Mark do it?”

  “No sense bloodying my hands, especially when I knew he’d already killed one woman. I didn’t go to the police with the information but let him know I’d collect. That gave me the leverage I needed. Too bad that you will now join them. I liked you, Robert, really I did. I flew out here with an offer for a good role for you. Unfortunately, you couldn’t let things lie. So I’ll find someone else for the part.” Artie pulled his fedora from his head then ruffled the flattened hair beneath.

  “How did you get here with the police outside?” Robert stared at the man, contempt filling his eyes.

  “Simple matter really. Just told the officer one of my stars is on board. When he stepped up here to confirm it, Mark gave him a quick punch. The officer won’t bother us for a while.” He beckoned behind him. “Getting Mark on didn’t take much effort either.”

  Mark filled the space over Artie’s shoulder, an officer slung over his shoulder. He dropped the man to the floor where he moaned but didn’t regain consciousness.

  “You’ll have to do something with them.” Artie flicked a hand toward Robert and Audra.

  Mark studied the two then looked back toward the door as if listening for movement. “All right. We need to hustle. What did you have in mind?”

  “Use that devious mind of yours to take care of this minor problem.” Artie looked over the car a moment. “Time to get you two away from here before reinforcements arrive.”

  Minor problem? Audra didn’t like the way he said that. Her mind raced through options. There had to be some way to get away. Father. She couldn’t imagine the pain her parents would feel if she died. Her breath came in short bursts, and blood pounded in her ears.

  “I’ll go down on the platform and make sure no one’s arrived. When I give the signal, get them off and take care of them. Then we’re on the next train out of town. Doesn’t matter where it’s headed as long as it gets us away from here.”

  Mark eyed Artie. “You sure that will work?”

  “Trust me. We didn’t see anything.”

  The dominos lined up in her mind. Audra looked at Mark, recoiling from his grim smile. “You gave us the night off so that you could have the train to yourself. You knew Dalia wouldn’t be welcome at a hotel in the deep South.” Her voice rose, and she realized if she was loud enough someone outside might hear. “What did Dalia do to you? She had one of the kindest souls I’ve known.” Her voice clogged on tears she refused to cry. She swallowed, determined to keep Mark from seeing her weaken.

  Robert rubbed her hand. Had she pulled him into this too? She glanced at him. His eyes had widened while his cheeks paled. However, there was a sure set to his jaw and he squeezed her hand. He wouldn’t go down without some sort of plan.

  “Dalia didn’t have to die.” Robert’s words were resolute.

  “You want the firsthand dope? Fine. I had no choice. That’s what happens when you stumble onto something you should avoid. If she’d stayed in her car away from the performers she’d have been all right.” Mark’s lips curled with disgust. “Instead, she had to come check on Lana one more time that night. I’d just left when I heard her footsteps and couldn’t be sure she hadn’t seen me.”

  “I would have seen her. And she never said anything.” Audra was certain Dalia would have spoken up if she’d seen anything. “Maybe you heard me.” Horror filled Audra at the thought he’d killed Dalia by mistake.

  “At first I thought you were right.” He stalked two steps toward them before Artie grabbed him by the collar and hauled him back.

  “Not yet. You want to get them away from here first.”

  “You’re right.” Mark straightened his collar and shook his shoulders. “Dalia began to cower in front of me. Each day she acted more odd.”

  “That’s why you killed her? You didn’t like how she acted?” Bile crawled up Audra’s throat at his callous attitude.

  “I didn’t know when she’d decide to talk to police. Couldn’t risk that with her or with you.”

  “Enough talking.” Artie glanced out the window. Whatever he saw made him stiffen. “Time’s moving. Get going and make it snappy. Create a car accident or something that will explain how these two could die together. Far away from this train. They had the day off after all. It will be tragic how they ran from the police after sneaking back here. You get the idea.” Artie straightened his tie and slapped his hat back on. “I’m off to distract an officer or two.”

  Robert held her hand as Mark pushed them to their feet. “We’ll make you look all cozy. It’s no secret you’re a couple.”

  As they walked toward the door, Robert eased her in front of him, shielding her from Mark.

  “Stop.” Mark slipped ahead of them at the door. He turned back around and opened his jacket. “I’ll have friendly Bertha here trained on your backs. I haven’t had to use her yet, and would like to keep it that way. But if you so much as make a peep, I’ll fire. I don’t think you want to gamble on whether I’m a good shot.” He slipped the gun from his belt to his pocket.

  The gun looked ominous, and Audra’s hope of screaming like a mad woman the instant she hit the pavement died. She couldn’t risk Mark shooting Robert. Robert pulled her close the moment they stepped off the car.

  Audra stum
bled and considered collapsing.

  “No, you don’t.” Mark hissed. “Walk down the platform.”

  Robert put his head next to hers. “We’ll find a way out. Keep your eyes open and keep praying.”

  “That’s enough, love birds. Pick up the pace.” Mark looked over his shoulder then slipped the gun from his pocket and prodded Robert in the back with it.

  “Ease up. We’re cooperating.”

  Audra moved forward blindly. Everything merged into tiny splashes of color until it looked like she’d entered a Seurat painting. She floated amid the swirling mass. Closing her eyes, she fought a surge of dizziness as they worked their way down the platform and through the station. Few people were around, and none seemed to see their threesome. Audra’s steps faltered at the realization no one would bother to notice them, let alone help. Robert’s grip on her arm tightened, and she looked up as they left the terminal. The night was so dark, it wrapped around her like an oppressive presence. How could they escape?

  “Where are y’all going?”

  Audra felt hope spark as she heard Charlie Lester’s affected Southern twang. Then Mark stepped closer and shoved that horrid gun into her back. She jolted but kept moving.

  Jim Collins approached, watching them with a curious gleam in his eye. “Robert, we wondered where you’d disappeared. Should have known you’d be here with the little lady.”

  Charlie winked at them and nudged his brother. “I told ya.”

  “No time to chat. Get on the train, and we’ll see you in a bit.” Mark’s voice tightened, a sharp edge on the words. Audra’s eyes widened as he shoved the gun deeper into her back. She tightened her grip on Robert’s hand and prayed.

  Jim eyed Mark, his jaw clenching. “I know you can be good for my career, but I’m really tired of taking directions from you. Thanks for the day off, but I’m not your servant.”