Murder! Hollywood Style

by Carol Branston

  “It can’t be that bad.”

  Val said this just to be polite.

  “Little girl, it’s worse than bad. I see it all from up here. It’s no place for decent folks anymore. Too many blacks and Puerto Ricans.”

  Nicky signaled her not to continue the conversation. He lit her a cigarette and took her hand. They drove the rest of the way in happy silence. It seemed to take forever to get across town, the Friday-night traffic was so heavy. Finally, they arrived at the high-rise building on the corner of Fifty-first and Second. A doorman ran to the cab and opened the door.

  “Any luggage, sir?”

  “In the trunk.”

  “Right, sir.”

  They walked into the marble lobby. It was very modern, cold, and sterile. An enormous crystal chandelier hung over the sunken seating area where two black leather couches faced each other across a long black coffee table. One had the feeling it was a place you walked through. Not a place to linger and chat.

  “Can I ask who you’re visiting?”

  “Mrs. Rhodes, 12D.”

  “Your name please.”

  “Miss Rhodes.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss. Your name is on the visitors’ list. Go right up. I’ll bring the luggage.”

  “Thank you.”

  The doorman called 12D as the elevator door was closing.

  “A Miss Rhodes and a gentleman on their way up, Madame.”

  “Trust my mother to find a place like this. I’m mortified.”

  “It’s not that bad. Listen, you’ve got to have a doorman in this city, and it’s a great location.”

  “But did you see that lobby?.”

  “Enough.”

  He grabbed her and kissed her. Val wanted the ride to go on forever. The doors opened onto a lushly carpeted hallway. Crystal sconces on the walls lit their way. Halfway down the hall, an apartment door opened and out poked a blonde, perfectly coiffed head.

  “Darlings, at last.”

  Anne Rhodes stood there with arms outstretched. As they came closer she put her cheek forward to be nearly kissed by each of them, then turned with a flourish like Loretta Young and led them into the apartment.

  “Our new home. Well, darling what do you think?”

  Val stood in amazement. She saw things she hadn’t seen since leaving England. The antique china cabinet, the two French wingback chairs, the dining room table and chairs, the oriental rugs, a marvelous lamp, artwork she had grown up with, even the baby grand piano.

  “Mummy how did you do it? How did you get these things here so quickly? The last time I saw this piano, it was in the lounge at the house in Kent.”

  “I had it all stored while we were in Italy, and as soon as I knew we were coming here for sure, I wired them and the things arrived last week.”

  “I must give you credit, Mummy. You really have done a remarkable job. It’s sort of nice to see familiar things again.”

  “And it’s nice to see you again, too. Come, I’ll show you the rest.”

  The building was fairly new. The sitting room was large with a big bay window that looked out onto the tree-lined street below. The dining area had a large window that would have had a beautiful view of the river if there hadn’t been another building right next door. A long hall passed the kitchen, which was quite large by New York standards. The appliances were all new, including a dishwasher. In New York, you either chose a dishwasher or a garbage disposal. Anne, who had no intention of making more than a cup of tea and maybe toast, had settled for the dishwasher. They continued down the hall. There was a guest bathroom and at the end of the hall a guest bedroom. Val’s mother had furnished it to look like a library. Even some of the books on the shelves looked familiar.

  “The couch pulls out into a very comfortable bed. Nick will sleep here.”

  Before either of them could say anything she led them into the second bedroom. This was her room, 100 percent. She had splurged on a padded, sky-blue satin headboard. A matching comforter and shams covered the French Provincial king-size bed. Wispy shears covered the window. Blue regency-striped, heavy satin drapes were pulled back and tied with enormous tassels that hung at each side. An antique French phone stood on the ornate French Provincial side table. A huge, carved Venetian mirror hung opposite the bed above the long dresser. A sterling vanity set, a collection of perfume bottles, and a number of silver-framed family pictures added the finishing touches. The antique chest at the bottom of the bed had belonged to Val’s grandmother, her father’s mother. By the looks of things her mother had stripped her father, and their old house, of just about everything. She wondered how her father was doing. Had he moved when all these things were taken out from under him? It wasn’t the time to ask, but the thought of it made her feel sad for a moment. Her poor father.

  The buzzer sounded, and it was the doorman with Nicky’s luggage. Anne asked him to bring it straight to the den-like room. She had a smug smile on her face. Val knew she’d had the sleeping arrangements planned before they even got there. Nicky was thrilled with the arrangement. As far as he was concerned it was a very good idea to stay with Val’s old lady.

  “Nick, are you going to unpack now or shall we eat first?”

  She didn’t like the name Nicky. Nick sounded more mature to her.

  “To tell you the truth, I’m starving.”

  Val agreed, although she didn’t relish one of her mother’s home-cooked meals. She was, without a doubt, the worst cook in the world. Luckily, it didn’t come to that.

  “I didn’t get a chance to shop or cook, so I thought we’d try this charming Italian restaurant just across from here, on the corner. We can reminisce about Italy.”

  “Sounds great to me; just give me a minute to wash up.”

  Nicky disappeared into the bathroom, and Val wandered into the sitting room with her mother. Anne sounded like a judge at a livestock show when she started to speak.

  “You look surprisingly well, Valerie. A little tired, but on the whole better than I thought you would. I didn’t want to say anything in front of Nick, but did he buy you that new jacket you’re wearing?”

  Old eagle eye hadn’t missed a thing.

  “No, Mummy. It’s a long story and a weird one. One of my fans bought it for me.”

  She praised herself for only telling a little white lie. Really it was the truth. Karen was one of her fans. She’d get a kick out of that when she told her.

  “Now I’ve heard everything. It must have cost a fortune.”

  “I really don’t know. Listen, Mummy, I told Nicky I bought it myself in case he got jealous or something silly like that.”

  “Very wise, my dear. We don’t want him to think you aren’t used to the best whenever you want it.”

  “Are my two ladies ready for dinner?”

  Nicky walked in and lit up the room. With his tan he looked so healthy compared to the pallor of most New Yorkers in autumn.

  “I’m gonna eat all the pasta they have, then veal picante, then cannoli and espresso.”

  Anne couldn’t hide the look of distaste on her face. “Surely you’ll have indigestion from all that.”

  “You forget, dear lady, I’m Italian. We’re weaned on spaghetti and garlic.”

  She whispered to Val as she put on her coat. “What a hideous thought.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Restaurante Salvatore

  The owner of the restaurant ran toward them as they stepped through the door.

  “Nicky! Nicky, come sta?”

  “Salvatore, mio amico, c’es la sua restaurante?”

  “Si si. Vienni. Come.”

  “Salvatore, parle Inglese, per piaceri. Please speak English, my friends don’t speak Italian.”

  “Si, si, I am sorry, now I speak the Eenglish well.”

  “I want you to meet my fiancée, Valerie Rhodes, and her mother Mrs. Rhodes.”

  “Ah, Nicky. Bella, bella. My Nicky he has the luck, no? The beautiful girl and the beautiful mama. Benvenuti, welcome.”r />
  He kissed their hands as he seated them.

  “Now you no say no word. I bring the best vino for my Nicky. This is big celebration.”

  He ran off without another word.

  “He’s wonderful, Nicky. He looks exactly like he should have an Italian restaurant. Where do you know him from?”

  “He came over from the old country with my father. He’s like family to me. I grew up next door to him and his son was my best friend. His wife was always cooking. I don’t ever remember walking into their house without the smell of something delicious hitting me in the face. I wonder when he opened this place? He always had a restaurant downtown, in Little Italy. In fact it was quite famous. He was a busboy when one of the big shoot-outs in the thirties took place there. Then he ended up owning it. It’s really great to see him. I’ll tell you one thing; I hope you’re hungry. We’re in for a meal you won’t believe.”

  “All of a sudden I’m starving.”

  Val couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. Salvatore came back with the wine and glasses.

  “Come, my children, and the beautiful mama. We drink to the fortuna. Salute, denaro et amore. That is to the health, the money, and the love, No? Mio figlio, oggi, tu se un huomo. My son, today, you are a man!”

  Anne winced every time he referred to her as the beautiful mama, but she managed to drink to them with a forced smile on her face. A waiter brought the antipasto; it was a work of art: salami, eggplant, cheese, olives, marinated mushrooms, celery, tomatoes, tuna fish as only the Italians can make it, and the specialty of the house, a marvelous fried ball of mozzarella cheese. When you bit into it, you discovered an anchovy and a trace of tomato sauce in the middle. Val loved it!

  “Salvatore, this is absolutely delicious. I never tasted anything like this in Italy.”

  “Grazia, bella. My wife, she cook like her mama. In Italia now, the young people like here, they no have the time. Next time you go to Italia, I tell you my town; you go visit my famiglia and you eat good.”

  Nicky jumped up. “Do you mean Mama Bonito is back there cooking, and I haven’t said hello?”

  He ran in the direction of the kitchen. Salvatore beamed.

  “He so good boy. He and my son Marco, they are like the brothers. I hope Marco, he come. You meet him.”

  “That would be super.”

  “Now, ma bella, you eat. Nicky’s mama, she worry if she see you so skinny.”

  Val burst out laughing. She had never thought of herself as skinny. She had always worried about the extra pounds the camera added.

  “Did you hear that, Mummy? I’m too skinny.”

  “Your mama too. She look like she need to eat at Salvatore’s very much. A man need to hold some flesh, no? He not want to get blue from the bones.”

  He went off into peals of laughter.

  “How vulgar,” Anne managed to say behind clenched teeth.

  “Oh come on, Mummy. It’s only a joke. Don’t get serious.”

  At that moment, Nicky returned to the table with Mama Bonito, so Anne had no time to reply.

  “Meet Mama B. That’s what the whole neighborhood called her, and we still do.”

  Mama B looked like a little round bundle of happiness. Her smile was a mile wide, and her sparkling eyes were full of love.

  “Mama B, meet my beautiful fiancée, Valerie.”

  Val managed to stand up just in time to be attacked by the smiling bundle. She smelled like the delicious cucina she had just left. She hugged and kissed Val on both cheeks.

  “Valerie, Valerie. You find good boy in Nicky. But he give you trouble, you come see me. I still give him good slap.”

  “Thank you, Mama B. I’ll remember that”

  She turned to Nicky. “You’d better be a good boy.”

  “Hey ladies, gimme a break.”

  Everyone was laughing except Anne.

  “Mama B, I’d like you to meet my mama.”

  “No wonder you so beautiful. Look at the mama.”

  Anne hated to be looked at by these people. Mama. Papa. She was usually taken for Valerie’s sister. Mama B practically crushed her in a bear hug.

  “Now I go make my Nicky’s favorite. You still like the veal picante?”

  “Are you kidding? Just the words make my mouth water.”

  “It’s Friday, but I know the Pope himself would say yes to my Nicky having his favorite.”

  She ran off laughing as Salvatore poured more wine.

  “Your mama, Nicky, she is good?”

  “Si, grazia. I telephoned her yesterday. She hasn’t met Val yet. I’m hoping we can go and see her.”

  “That’s good. She lonely sometimes, since your papa he died.”

  Val had never thought of Nicky’s family. She had never connected him with a mother or brothers and sisters. They had never spoken of his family.

  “Nicky, I can’t wait to meet your mother. Of course we’ll go.”

  “Benissimo. Tutti va bene. All go well. Now, I see my other customers, no? Eat, enjoy, and I am back for the coffee with some good Strega. Mangare, mangare.”

  “It’s perfection, Nicky. I knew it would be once you were here with me.”

  Val leaned across and kissed him on the cheek. Nicky lifted his glass.

  “I want to make a toast to you. May the surprises life has in store for us always turn out to be as good and as happy as tonight.”

  They clinked their glasses, then kissed, oblivious to everyone.

  “Really, you two. This is a public place and everyone is watching you.”

  A voice came from one of the other tables

  “Bravo.”

  Nicky lifted his glass to the gentleman, getting off on the fact that Anne was uncomfortable. The whole place joined in tapping their glasses until they kissed again.

  “You needn’t call so much attention to yourselves.”

  “Mummy, please don’t ruin tonight. Come on. Please?”

  Val turned to Nicky. “When are we going to visit your mother?”

  “I’ll call her tomorrow. I guess Sunday will be best.”

  “Terrific. I can’t wait.”

  They had talked and laughed their way through the minestrone and pasta and were enjoying the veal with their second bottle of wine. Although Anne had managed to find fault with most of the dishes, she couldn’t change their mood.

  “Nicky.”

  They looked up as the man who had called his name came toward them.

  “When did you get in town?”

  “Hi, Hank, nice to see you. Tonight. I just got in tonight.”

  “Too bad about Peter Angus isn’t it?” The man spoke not even bothering to notice Val or her mother.

  “What do you mean? What happened?”

  “Didn’t you hear? He OD’d last night. It made all the papers and the TV.”

  “No. I didn’t know. I don’t believe it. Why would he do a thing like that?”

  “No one seems to know. Nobody even knew he took anything.”

  There was an awkward silence.

  “Say, I’m sorry I’m the one to tell you the bad news. I was sure you knew. Listen, I’ve got to get going. My friends are outside. I just happened to see you through the window. Be cool. Ciou.”

  He left. Val took Nicky’s hand.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I don’t believe it. He never took anything.”

  Anne chimed in. “What’s all this about?”

  Val tried not to go into too much detail. “A friend of Nicky’s is dead.”

  “Oh how dreadful. Was he young?”

  “Yes I think so.”

  “Was it an accident?”

  “Mummy, I really don’t know any more than you. Please stop asking questions. Can’t you see Nicky’s upset?”

  Anne continued. “What is ODing? Isn’t that like suicide?”

  Neither of them bothered to answer her.

  “Nick, what kind of friends do you have?”

  “Mother, how could you? Stop
it.”

  But Anne couldn’t or wouldn’t stop and went on thoughtlessly. “I for one cannot understand what could possibly make a person take their own life.”

  Nicky turned to her. His voice a mere whisper. “Enough.”

  That was all he said. She got the message. Val gently turned back to Nicky.

  “Let’s go.”

  As they got up to leave, Salvatore came over to the table.

  “Nicky, que cosa fa? What is happening ?”

  Nicky stood there, unable to speak. Val tried to explain.

  “I’m so sorry, Salvatore. Nicky just had some terrible news about a friend of his.”

  Nicky finally managed to speak. “Mio amico es morte.”

  Salvatore made the sign of the cross. “Santa Maria. You no go nowhere. You sit. I bring brandy.”

  Nicky collapsed onto a chair. “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea. I don’t think I can walk right now.”

  Salvatore came back with the brandy. “There, Nicky. And you too ma bella, drink. Your face she is white like the snow,”

  “Thank you.”

  They both drank in silence.

  Anne stood looking at them with a smirk on her face. “Isn’t this an interesting end to dinner?”

  “Will you be quiet!” Nicky slammed down his glass, stood up, and left the restaurant.

  Anne, shocked by the outburst, could only stammer. “Well I never. How dare he speak to me like that?”

  “You deserved it, Mummy. Come on. Let’s go.”

  “Who does he think he is? I will not tolerate that kind of rudeness from him.”

  “He’s very upset. Please. We’ll all feel better when we get home.”

  “He should not have spoken to me in that manner.”

  They gathered their things and followed Nicky. He was outside talking to Salvatore.

  “You come see me if you need anything. I mean anything, okay?”

  “Si, my old friend. Grazie per tutti.”

  Nicky looked so sad.

  “And you ladies, you come back, si? We have good time.”

  “Yes, Salvatore. Thanks for everything. Please say good night to your wife for me.”

  The autumn air was cold. They stood there. Nobody said a word. Anne finally broke the silence. “It’s a good thing we don’t have far to go. I’m quite chilled.”