by Abigail Keam
“I wasn’t aware that having lunch with the First Lady would put me in proximity to the cloak and dagger gents, who are having a great time at my expense. Mrs. Roosevelt gave my name to William Donovan. He wants me to become the next Mata Hari.”
Alice scoffed. “That woman was overrated.”
“Yeah, she was killed by a firing squad. I don’t want that to become my fate.”
“Mona, you’re being ridiculous. I know Bill. He’s not asking you to become a real spy or a mole. He only wants a little information if you should stumble across it.”
Mona picked at her sandwich. She and Alice were having tea in Alice’s garden as a maid poured hot liquid into delicate fine china cups. Mona peered at the china. “This looks like your father’s presidential china.”
“Oh, does it?”
Mona picked up a plate, studying it. “I’ve seen pictures of your father’s china and this design is a dead ringer for President Theodore Roosevelt’s official White House china.”
Alice placed several cucumber sandwiches on the plate Mona was holding toward her. “There. Now you won’t have to look at it.”
“Alice, you’ve been stealing your father’s china from the White House!” Mona broke off into peals of laughter. “Oh, you are so precious.”
“I was afraid Eleanor was going to find some excuse to get rid of it.”
“She can’t. The china belongs to the American people. We paid for it.”
“I tell you that she is systemically getting rid of Father’s presidential china.”
“Now, look who is being ridiculous.”
Mona nibbled on a sandwich. “I’ll tell Eleanor if you don’t help me.”
“You’re blackmailing me?”
Mona thought for a second. “Yes, I am.”
Alice threw her napkin on the metal table in a huff.
“Come on, Alice. It will be fun. You like gossip, intrigue, and tweaking the noses of the Washington elite. This is right up your alley.”
“It could backfire badly for the both of us.”
“That’s what makes it so much fun.”
“Mona, I must tell you since Robert has taken his father’s title, he can’t marry you for at least a year. This makes you less valuable to men like Bill Donovan. He might not be interested in pursuing you further. Have you heard from Robert?”
Mona shook her head.
“I hate to be cruel, but there it is. I know Robert loves you, but he has other considerations now. He has to think of his position and the future of the Farley blood line. Robert can’t go running off to Kentucky whenever he feels like it.”
“You make it sound like we are a pair of breeding horses. Look Alice, this isn’t about Robert. It’s about Moon Enterprises and the copper mines. I feel these men are maneuvering me out of the picture to get their hands on the Moon copper ore. Aunt Melanie would be more pliable if in charge. I must stay in control. We have come so far in just a short time. I can’t have Melanie undo everything just to make a profit at the expense of the workers and give these buyers carte blanche. I must stay as head of Moon Enterprises.”
“I’m not sure who you are talking about. If these men are Americans and want the blasted copper ore, just sell it to them. That’s why you are in business.”
“That’s the problem, Alice. I don’t know who the bad guys and the good guys are. I need to pin them down. I want to know that I am selling to buyers who won’t use the copper against the United States, and I require you to help me to do it.”
“Very well. It sounds like my patriotic duty is to assist you. I hope you appreciate all I do for you.”
Mona sighed with relief. “And I promise not to tell anyone that you are filching china from the White House in return.”
Alice sniffed. “You are such a miserable creature.”
Mona blew Alice a kiss. “Takes one to know one.” She happily put a poppy seed muffin on her plate as well as more scones. Catching sight of her “Jungle Red” painted fingernails, Mona was so glad she had claws and knew how to use them.
And she was going to scratch some ornery cusses tomorrow night.
24
Samuel answered the door to Alice Longworth’s home. “Good evening. May I see your invitation, please?”
Ambassador Lindsay said, “I am an old friend of Mrs. Longworth’s. You must be new.”
“Your invitation, please.”
Flabbergasted, Lindsay looked at his wife. “This is most unusual.”
Not wishing to cause a fuss, Lady Lindsay reached for the invitation in her purse. After receiving it by special courier that morning, she dared not refuse to accept, realizing the dinner was going to be a showdown of sorts. She prayed she was not going to be one of Mona’s targets. Seeing her husband’s confusion, Lady Lindsay was glad her husband didn’t have a clue about the true intent of this night’s gathering. Wondering who else might be attending, she handed the invitation to Samuel, who read it out loud.
Mrs. Nicholas Longworth hereby requests that you honor us with your presence for dinner to celebrate Mona Moon, one of America’s most esteemed women. Drinks at eight sharp. Declines will not be accepted. You better come if you know what’s good for you.
“Let me see that,” Sir Lindsay said, snatching the invitation out of Samuel’s hands and reading it twice. “Good grief. Alice has finally gone off her rocker. Imagine writing an invitation like this. It sounds almost threatening.”
“It’s one of Alice’s little jokes, dear. Let’s go in.” Lady Lindsay gently wrapped her arm around her husband’s arm. “Ready?”
Sir Lindsay acquiesced. “I hope this is not going to be a surprise party. It’s not my birthday, is it?”
Lady Lindsay looked tenderly at her distinguished-looking husband dressed in his best tux. Only the best would do for Alice. “No, my love. That’s several months away.”
Samuel widened the door and allowed the couple to enter before taking their wraps.
Dressed in an organdy, pale pink sheath over a dark pink gown, Violet greeted each guest. “Cocktails are being served in the drawing room. Please follow me.”
Irritated, Sir Lindsay said, “I know the way, young lady. I have been a guest in this house before you were born.”
Violet said, “Ambassador, I have been given strict instructions to announce each guest. Please, sir.”
Lindsay stopped in the hallway. “What is going on?”
“Thank you, sir.” Violet scooted around the Lindsays in the hallway and opened the double doors. “Ambassador Lindsay and Lady Lindsay.” She waited until they had passed through before she closed the drawing room doors again.
“Two more to go,” Samuel said, clicking off his list.
“Do you think they’ll come?”
“I would, just out of curiosity.”
Violet giggled, putting her hand over her mouth, fearful that the guests in the drawing room might hear her. But she needn’t have worried.
The guests only had eyes for Mona.
25
Mona was wearing a Grecian-style, off-one-shoulder, pleated linen dress with a gold headdress and choker. “Good evening, Ambassador Lindsay and Lady Lindsay. So glad you could join us.”
“It didn’t seem like we had a choice. Perhaps you would like to introduce us to your other guests.” Ronald suggested. He was very annoyed and thought the entire affair was odd.
Wearing her signature blue in a long velvet gown, Alice stepped forth. “Welcome. We are waiting for two more guests. Would you like a cocktail, you two?”
“A sherry for me,” Lady Lindsay said. “Ronald?”
“Same here.”
Jamison, who was tending bar, poured two small crystal glasses of sherry for the Lindsays.
Alice nervously rubbed her hands together. “You know Bill Donovan, of course.”
Looking out the garden French doors, Donovan turned, “Hello, Ronald. Elizabeth. Haven’t seen you since the embassy party.”
Mona moved over to the
next guest sitting on the couch. “This lovely lady is Nasha Martin.”
“Very nice to meet you both,” Martin said, looking a bit sad. No doubt she had been told of Otto Mueller’s untimely death.
Mona explained, “Miss Martin is the newest songbird of Bluebird Records.”
“Oh, you’re a vocalist,” Lady Lindsay remarked.
“Yes, I sing jazz and the blues. I hope to be as big as Bessie Smith.”
Lady Lindsay said, “I’m afraid I’m not familiar with her.”
“Don’t bother. I’ve heard her and she sounds like a chicken squawking after its head has been cut off,” Alice said.
Insulted, Nasha Martin said, “I beg to differ, Mrs. Longworth. Bessie Smith will go down as one of the great singers of the twentieth century, while many of your high-toned singers will be long forgotten. I know something about music and singers.”
Donovan said, “I was always partial to Enrico Caruso. Now, he was a great tenor. I heard him perform at the Metropolitan Opera House.” Donovan scratched his chin. “Oh, gosh, that was way back.”
“He’s been dead over ten years,” Miss Martin said.
“A great loss. A great loss,” Donovan said. “You know the Black Hand threatened to pour lye down Caruso’s throat if he didn’t pay protection money.”
Nasha Martin recoiled in horror. “What happened?”
“Caruso paid them two thousand and then they wanted fifteen thousand, so he got the police involved. They staged a sting operation and caught the extortionists.”
“I hope those men went to jail. What a dirty trick to do to a singer,” Martin said passionately. “I don’t know what I’d do if I were to lose my voice.”
Mona moved to the man sitting in a chair next to the fireplace with his legs crossed. “Ambassador Lindsay and Lady Lindsay, this is Abraham Scott.”
Mona intently watched their interaction.
The Lindsays nodded.
“I’m a great admirer of yours, Ambassador,” Scott said.
“Thank you,” Ronald cocked his head. “Have we met before, sir?”
“No, Ambassador. I’m afraid not.”
“May I ask what you do?”
“I work for the United States government.”
“In what capacity?”
“That’s a great question, Ambassador,” Mona said. “Yes, tell us, what you do, Honest Abe.”
Before Scott could respond, Violet tapped on the drawing room door and opened it. “Presenting Lisa LaMour.” Violet stepped back, allowing LaMour to strut into the room.
LaMour was wearing a nude color, form fitting, strapless dress glittering with rhinestones, mainly at the erogenous zones. Unlike most short bobs of the era, LaMour wore her shoulder length red hair down with a gardenia clip over her right ear.
Alice threw her hands over her face. “I’m blinded by the reflection of the light.”
Ignoring Alice’s sarcastic remark, Mona strode over to LaMour. “How nice of you to come.”
“I can hardly turn down a free meal,” LaMour teased, looking about the room. Seeing Ambassador Lindsay, she squealed, “RONNIE!”
Mona turned and shot an amused look at Alice, who shrugged.
Lindsay tugged at his collar and stood, taking Miss LaMour’s hand. He kissed it in the continental manner. “Very nice to see you again, Miss LaMour. You remember my wife, Lady Lindsay.”
LaMour did a small curtsy. “Nice to see you again, Lady Lindsay.”
“I thought you’d be on your way to Hollywood by now, Miss LaMour,” Lady Lindsay remarked.
“Next week. I was supposed to go this week, but there was some glitch with the tickets. So I’m stuck for the time being. I’ve got to say I find Washington to be a boring town. Nothing is ever going on. I would have rather waited in New York.”
Alice stifled a laugh. Oh, what a treasure Lisa LaMour was!
“Have you visited the Capitol or the many museums Washington has to offer?” Lady Lindsay suggested.
“Why would I do that?” LaMour said. “This is not my country.”
Bristling, Nasha Martin said, “And yet you wish to make your fortune here, taking income away from American artists.”
“Money is money, whatever the country. Right?”
Mona moved to intercept. “Miss LaMour, may I introduce you to Abraham Scott?”
He nodded while looking the beautiful lady up and down.
“This is Mr. Donovan.”
“Nice to meet you,” LaMour said, curtsying.
“You don’t have to curtsy. I’m an American,” Donovan rebuked. He had seen Miss LaMour at the British Embassy party and thought her to be a beautiful tart.
Mona walked Miss LaMour toward Nasha Martin, who looked upon the ingénue with some distaste. “And this is Miss Martin.”
The two women barely acknowledged each other.
Mona asked LaMour, “What would you like to drink?”
“Champagne if you have it.”
“We do. Jamison, would you please pour Miss LaMour a flute of champagne?”
“Yes, Miss Mona. Coming up.”
Lady Lindsay raised an eyebrow. Servants were not to reply to requests, but perform tasks in silence.
Donovan looked about the room. “You said there were two more guests coming. Miss LaMour has arrived.”
“I think I heard the doorbell just now,” Mona replied to Donovan. She knew her guests were getting impatient.
Violet opened the drawing room door and announced, “Mrs. Lars Dardel.”
Mrs. Dardel entered the room holding out her invitation. She wore a severe black mourning dress, black stockings, and a widow’s veil that covered her from head to chest. Mrs. Dardel dramatically lifted the dark veil. “What is the meaning of this? You’d better come if you know what’s good for you. That invitation sounded like a threat.”
Alice stepped forward. “I’m very sorry, Mrs. Dardel, but I had to make sure you’d accept.”
Mrs. Dardel noticed Ronald and Elizabeth Lindsay. “Ambassador. Lady Lindsay. I’m surprised to see you. Why are we here?”
Mona clasped her hands together. “We are here to discuss Lars Dardel’s death.” She turned to Mrs. Dardel. “I’m going to announce who murdered your husband at tonight’s dinner, Mrs. Dardel.”
Mrs. Dardel’s face drained of color and then she fainted.
26
Samuel brought smelling salts as the men lifted Mrs. Dardel into a chair. Alice, Lady Lindsay, and Nasha Martin stood to one side as Mona administered the smelling salts. Lisa LaMour sat disinterested in a chair, sipping on her drink.
“I’m so sorry,” apologized Mrs. Dardel, looking up at Mona. “I thought you said you were going to announce the murderer of my husband.”
“I am, Mrs. Dardel. I just need to round out a few facts first.”
“I won’t stand for this,” Mrs. Dardel said.
“I don’t see why not. At the funeral you said some pretty harsh things about the murder of your husband being hushed up and glossed over. I’m giving you a chance to participate in discovering the identity of his killer. Isn’t that what you want? Justice for Lars.”
Confused, Mrs. Lars looked around at the people in the room. “I don’t see how that will happen. I don’t know who these people are, except for the Ambassador and his wife.”
Mona said, “That’s where you’re wrong. Everyone here played a part in your husband’s death.”
“I most certainly did not!” Donovan said indignantly. He made his way to the door when he found it locked.
“All the doors have been locked, Mr. Donovan,” Mona said. “And there are guards posted outside. I’m afraid everyone is going to stay until I am finished.”
“Is this like a screen test?” LaMour asked, standing up and looking around. “Is there a Hollywood agent watching from a peephole?” She went over to a wall mirror and looked behind it.
“I’m afraid this is real, dear. Please sit back down. This may take a while.”
; “I don’t see why I’m being dragged into this,” Donovan said.
“If you bear with me, it will become clear,” Mona said.
“Does this mean there is no dinner?” Miss Martin asked. “I’m famished, and I have a set to sing at eleven.”
Scott laughed and stretched out his long legs. “I, for one, am intrigued. Sleuth away, Miss Mona. Give Miss Marple a run for her money.”
“Thank you, Abraham. My involvement with Lars Dardel’s death began with my request of Alice Longworth for an invitation to the White House. I have long been an admirer of Eleanor Roosevelt. When Alice was informed of my coming east, she wangled a luncheon invitation with the First Lady. I think the First Lady agreed to this luncheon when she learned of the Moon copper mines. She wanted to meet me and see where I stood on world affairs. It was a test of sorts. It seemed that I passed because Mrs. Roosevelt gave my name to William Donovan.”
“Be careful, Miss Moon,” Donovan cautioned. “Remember our pact.”
“Why did she do that?” asked Nasha Martin.
“Because Mr. Donovan is interested in the purchase of copper as is Mr. Scott.”
Relieved that Mona was not disclosing his real connection to the White House, Donovan nodded. “That’s right.”
“But Mr. Scott and Mr. Donovan weren’t the only ones interested in copper ore. Lars Dardel was interested as well. He approached me at the embassy ball to sell copper ore to Sweden, but he wouldn’t tell if he was acting officially on behalf of the Swedish government. Do you know anything about Lars’ desire for copper ore, Mrs. Dardel?”
Mrs. Dardel dabbed her forehead with her perfumed handkerchief. “I didn’t.” She turned to Lady Lindsay. “Isn’t it very hot in here?”
Mona continued. “No, I don’t think you did know that your husband was trying to procure copper.”
“Where’s this going?” Lady Lindsay demanded.
“There was another dynamic happening that coincided with my trip here.” Mona looked around the room. “And that was the death of Alburn Bower, who died two doors down from me on the second floor of the Willard Hotel.”