The Case of the Missing Drag Queen

by Michael Rupured

  “You’ve met him?” Luke poured coffee into all three mugs and set them on the table.

  “Ruby introduced us,” Millie said. “She worked on No Place Like Home all five seasons and took cute little Michael under her wing.”

  “That explains why she let him on the stage,” Pixie said, looking up from her pad.

  Millie sipped her coffee then shook her head. “Shame about his lover committing suicide.”

  Luke gasped. “Ricky Hardin and Michael Dean were lovers?”

  Millie nodded. “Ruby is one of a handful of people who knew about them. At the time, it would have ended their careers.”

  “Would ruin their careers today,” Pixie said, shaking her head.

  “In the beginning, Michael was an unknown,” Millie continued. “After two seasons on the Kids Only Clubhouse, Ricky was already a household name.” She shrugged and shook her head. “Michael is the only one who knows why Ricky killed himself. Ruby told me he burned the note Ricky left and moved to land his family owned in Wyoming or Montana—one of those big, empty western states.”

  “Hard to imagine Michael having a reason to kidnap Ruby,” Luke said. “The guy who took her needs the money or he wouldn’t have come back for the suitcase.”

  “Then why Ruby?” Pixie shook her head. “Ain’t no such thing as a rich drag queen. The money in that suitcase was probably all she had.”

  Millie frowned and shook her head. “Broke or not, Michael Dean doesn’t strike me as the kind of man we’re looking for.”

  “I agree,” Luke said. From the way Michael dressed and tipped, money didn’t appear to be an issue. “But we’ll keep him on the list until we find our guy.” He turned to Pixie. “Who’s left?”

  “Frank Marvin, and Tippy and Amber Berger.”

  “Aunt Callie had lunch with Amber,” Luke said. “Tippy didn’t come because he was ‘indisposed.’ Amber said he hadn’t left the house in days.”

  “Ain’t that interestin’?” Pixie nibbled on the end of her pen. “Mighty suspicious if ya ask me.”

  Millie frowned. “Tippy doesn’t have the guts to pull something like that off.” She shook her head. “But I wouldn’t put anything past that Amber woman.”

  “Aunt Callie would agree,” Luke said. “Okay. I’ll talk to Frank tonight. I don’t think he had anything to do with it, but he might know something.”

  “How we gonna investigate Tippy and Amber?”

  Luke furrowed his brow and stroked his chin for a moment.

  “I have an idea,” Millie said. “Have lunch at the Brougham House tomorrow.”

  Pixie gasped. “Tomorrow?”

  “Running into them is a long shot,” Luke said. “But it’s our best chance, so we might as well go for it.”

  “Darlin’,” Pixie said, shaking her head and patting Luke’s arm. “If you think I’m gonna stroll into the Brougham House in Nashville drag, you got another think comin’ because that ain’t happenin’.”

  “Oh.” Luke let out a breath. “Hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Course not. You ain’t a drag queen.” She pursed her lips and studied the ceiling for a moment. “I can’t go to no fancy place lookin’ like a damn drag queen.” She shook her head. “I gotta pass.”

  Millie looked doubtful. “How you plan to do that?”

  “Simone and Kitty work tonight.” She nodded. “If the three of us can’t make me look like a real girl, it can’t be done.”

  Chapter 19

  LUKE PULLED Bertha into his usual parking spot an hour earlier than he was scheduled to work. Talking with Frank about Ruby concerned him less than talking to Frank in general. Pixie was right about Luke needing a good romp in the sack more than he needed a significant other. Either way Frank was his boss, and, consequently, off-limits.

  He locked his door, checked to make sure the other three doors were locked, and headed for the back entrance. Music from the Green Carnation echoed through the empty corridor. The Garden was a different place in the full glare of the house lights. Dim lighting maintained an illusion of spacious opulence. The absence of dark corners eliminated any ambiguity and made the place look smaller. Nicks, chips, stains, and other flaws were more obvious and contributed to an overall impression of shabbiness that was largely invisible in the dark.

  The music grew louder as he hiked the big spiral staircase to the Green Carnation. He crossed the dance floor and poked his head in the office door. Frank sat at a desk obscured by a mountain of paper. He rose from his chair when he saw Luke and smiled.

  “Let me close this door,” Frank yelled as he gestured for Luke to come in.

  Luke’s heart jumped into his throat. He took a deep breath and steeled himself to stick to his guns. Frank was off-limits.

  “There,” Frank said. The bass still shook the walls, but the door muffled the rest. “Much better. We won’t have to shout to be heard.” He moved a stack of paper from a chair to the floor. “Have a seat.”

  “Thanks.” Luke sat down and cleared his throat. “I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Before you say anything,” Frank said. “I need to apologize for the other night.” He shook his head. “It occurred to me later that you probably thought I was coming on to you. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.”

  “Oh. No problem.” Luke was relieved and a little disappointed. “I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  “Good.” Frank’s face grew serious. “Is there a problem? Charlie Ross taking advantage of you?”

  “No,” Luke said, shaking his head. “Nothing like that.” He took a deep breath. “Pixie and I are trying to find Ruby. We’re hoping you can help.”

  “I’m worried about her,” Frank said. “Ruby would never just disappear.”

  The concern on Frank’s face was sincere. If he had anything to do with Ruby’s disappearance, he was a great actor. “Everyone we’ve talked to says the same thing.”

  “I filed a missing person report with the police on Saturday.” Frank shook his head. “Waste of time and paper for all the good it’s done.”

  “I’m glad you did,” Luke said. “We hadn’t because we didn’t think it would make any difference.”

  “The police officers who work security for me said they’d check around, but I suspect they were just being nice.” He shrugged. “I don’t know what else to do.”

  “Pixie and I believe somebody has done something to her,” Luke said.

  “Any suspects?”

  Luke looked him in the eye. “You.”

  “Me?” He shook his head. “Are you serious?”

  Luke nodded. “We heard you and Ruby argued the night she disappeared.”

  “Yes,” Frank said. “And at least five of every seven nights before that for years. We’re like an old married couple. It’s what we do.”

  “What do you fight about?”

  “Everything.” He shrugged. “We fight when she wants to spend money for something we don’t need, and then, when she goes ahead and gets it anyway, we fight until I finally pay her back. Then we fight because I haven’t thanked her enough for the great idea.”

  “That’s odd.” Luke furrowed his brow and stroked his chin. “The way everybody else talks, Ruby and Mother Teresa are neck-and-neck in the race to sainthood.”

  “It’s a complicated game we play.” Frank smiled. “Fighting brings out the best in us. Saying she’s wrong makes her mad, and then she’s out to prove me wrong.” He chuckled. “Want to know what our last fight was about?”

  Luke nodded, but doubted anything about the squabble would lead to Ruby.

  “Crabs.” He laughed. “She claims she got them here and expected me to pay the bill for dry-cleaning all her gowns.”

  “Got them here? At the Garden?”

  Frank nodded. “Isn’t that the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard?”

  “Crazy,” Luke said, forcing a smile. “What does fighting with Ruby bring out in you?”

  “Keeps me on my toes.
” He grinned. “Getting the best performances out of her all this time keeps the club busy, and that makes me a great manager, but don’t ever tell her I said so.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.” Luke smiled. No way Frank had anything to do with Ruby’s disappearance. “We think she was kidnapped.”

  “Kidnapped?” Frank snorted. “And I’m a suspect? That’d be like cutting off my head to spite my face.”

  “No offense. We never really thought you were a suspect,” Luke said. “But I had to rule you out.”

  “None taken.” Frank furrowed his brow. “Why Ruby? She has no family to speak of. I probably lose the most with her gone, and nobody has contacted me with ransom demands.”

  “Pixie thinks revenge is the motive.”

  “Ah.” Frank nodded. “Like Dirk and Fontana. You watch Day After Day?”

  “No.” Luke shook his head. “Pixie does.” Maybe he should start—so he wouldn’t feel left out. “She escape?”

  “Not yet,” Frank replied. “Dirk doesn’t know her memory has returned. She’s waiting to catch him off guard which will probably happen tomorrow to end the week with a cliffhanger.”

  Luke had to admit, he was intrigued. “Any idea who Ruby’s Dirk might be?”

  Frank shook his head. “Not a clue. If I think of anyone, I’ll let you know.”

  “That would be great.”

  “I’ll spread the word that anyone who might know something should talk to you or Pixie.”

  “Thanks, Frank.” Luke stood. “We appreciate the help.”

  “No. Thank you. I feel better knowing somebody other than me is trying to find her.” He paused. “How’s your Aunt Callie?”

  “She’s fine.” Luke furrowed his brow. “How do you know Aunt Callie?”

  Frank pushed his hair back over his head and let out a long breath. “We dated in high school—went to senior prom together.”

  “Are you kidding?” Luke shook his head. “I never heard about her dating anyone.”

  “You just haven’t talked to the right people.” Frank smiled. “Your aunt was hot.”

  “Really?”

  “I imagine she still is.” Frank nodded. “The total package. Pretty. Smart. Fun to be around—always the life of the party.” He smiled. “We were the best dancers in the class.”

  “Best dancers?” Luke couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Frank, maybe, but Aunt Callie? “Callie Combs?”

  “Yes, the very same.”

  Hearing how Aunt Callie had been before Luke had come along and messed up her life confirmed his suspicions. And here he was doing it again. If only his parents had taken him on that cruise….

  Frank lifted Luke’s chin with a finger. “Why the sad face?”

  “She’s nothing like that now, and it’s all my fault.”

  “What?” Frank shook his head. “It’s not your fault. People change. Nobody is the same as they were more than twenty years ago. We’ve grown up.”

  “She had to give up her life to take care of me.”

  “Nonsense.” Frank draped his arm across Luke’s shoulder. “You may have given her a reason to change, but the choice was hers.” He chuckled. “And she hasn’t changed as much as you seem to think. She pops into the Green Carnation from time to time, and I promise, the girl still cuts a rug.”

  “Dancing?” Luke shook his head. “Here?” The full measure of Frank’s words hit him. “With who?”

  Frank smiled. “Yes, yes, and you’ll have to ask her.”

  “Did she ask you to hire me?”

  “No.” Frank shook his head. “We haven’t talked since high school. I knew your folks—you look so much like your mother, I asked around after seeing you here years ago, found out your name, and put two and two together. Callie’s great, but growing up without your parents was a raw deal.” He shrugged. “Sometimes a guy needs a break.”

  “Does she know you’re gay?”

  “I don’t really know,” Frank replied. He shrugged. “It’s Lexington. I assume everybody knows.”

  “Why haven’t you talked to her? Don’t you go to the reunions?”

  “We never fell out, if that’s what you’re asking.” Frank shook his head. “Just went our separate ways. As for the reunions, straight people my age aren’t very gay friendly. I came out right after graduation and didn’t want anyone to know, so I kept my distance.”

  Luke could relate. He’d missed his five-year reunion and wouldn’t have gone even had he lived in Lexington at the time.

  Frank reached for the door. “Two things I know for sure. Nobody makes Callie Combs do anything she doesn’t want to do, and doing things halfway isn’t her style.”

  Luke nodded. “Thanks, Frank.”

  Luke left the Green Carnation and descended the steps in a daze. The disconnect between his Aunt Callie and Frank’s Callie Combs had knocked him for a loop. That she’d even set foot in the Garden was shocking enough. Dancing in the Green Carnation was inconceivable. Maybe he didn’t know his aunt as well as he thought he did.

  Chapter 20

  WITH RUBY’S disappearance and the big Halloween party Saturday night, Luke hadn’t expected Thursday to be so busy. Taking care of thirsty customers kept him from thinking about Aunt Callie, Frank, Ruby, or the money he needed. Pixie’s promise of a loan took some of the pressure off, but he’d prefer not to take her up on it. He was twenty-five years old. Time to stand on his own two feet.

  Frank’s voice boomed through the speakers. He welcomed everyone to the Gilded Lily and introduced the lineup: Simone, Kitty Galore, Butch Manley, and Pixie Wilder. Luke had heard of “that man about town” Butch Manley but had never seen him perform. The lesbians were out in full force to show their support.

  “As you may know,” Frank continued. “Ruby Dubonnet disappeared after her performance last Thursday night.” A hush fell over the crowd. “The police are keeping an eye out for her, but with no evidence of foul play, have yet to launch an investigation.”

  The crowd buzzed like an angry nest of hornets.

  He waited for the murmuring to die down before continuing. “Luke Tanner, behind the bar—give ’em a wave there, Luke.”

  Luke raised his arm and wiggled his hand. His wave was as pathetic as his handshake. Maybe Pixie could give him lessons.

  “He and Pixie Wilder, the star of our show tonight, are trying to find her. If you have information that might be helpful, please let one of them know. The Garden is offering a five-hundred-dollar reward for her safe return.”

  Luke gasped. The audience cheered and applauded. The excited response was as big a surprise as the reward and the public announcement. Everyone wanted to talk to him.

  Many repeated rumors he’d heard before. Quite a few asked for his phone number. If the right guy came along, Luke might make an exception. Anyone else was encouraged to call the Garden with any new information.

  Charlie Ross made a megaphone with his hands and yelled, “No waiting over here, folks.”

  His call went unheeded. Nobody minded waiting for a moment with Luke. Most were simply curious—about his interest in finding Ruby, his relationship with her, his relationship with Pixie, and what he and Pixie had learned about Ruby’s disappearance. Luke didn’t mention the kidnapping theory, but saying he was helping his friend clear her name no longer rang true.

  He was too busy to catch more than bits and pieces of the performances. Simone and Kitty passed by in a blur. Butch Manley performed “Tiny Dancer,” wearing star-shaped glasses and a mint-green three-piece suit trimmed with gold and a matching Derby-style hat. The jacket and pants were embellished with dozens of shiny gold stars. Tufts of hair that matched pork chop sideburns sprung from the top of the vest.

  Pixie came out in a shimmery silver cocktail dress and pulled Butch Manley onto the stage behind her. Everyone sang along as they performed “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” The duet was a huge hit and brought down the house.

  After the show, Pixie scurried over to the bar in
a floor-length velour bathrobe and fluffy slippers with a scarf wrapped around her head. She put her hands on her hips and scowled. “You could have warned me!”

  “Sorry!” Luke raised his hands in surrender. “I’m as surprised as you are. Frank said he’d spread the word. I had no idea he’d announce it, and he never mentioned a reward.”

  Charlie drifted over again. “It’s great that you’re looking for Ruby. Found out anything?”

  “Not really.” Luke shrugged. “Nobody knows anything we didn’t already know.”

  “It’s like she vanished into thin air,” Pixie said. She headed back to the dressing room and stopped. “Polly Jo’s? We can compare notes.”

  Luke nodded. “Good idea.”

  “I hope you find her,” Charlie said, returning to his end of the bar. “Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

  Luke thought about what he’d heard as he cleaned up and broke down the bar. Just the same stuff, over and over. If there was a clue there, he was missing it. He ran upstairs and gave Frank his bank and deposit.

  Frank dropped the bags into the safe and closed it. “Hear anything new?”

  Luke shook his head. “Nothing we didn’t already know.”

  “Damn.” Frank shook his head. “I was hoping the reward….”

  “Don’t give up,” Luke said. He checked his watch. “It’s only been two hours since your announcement. Give it some time.”

  He nodded. “You’re right.” He tapped his forehead in a salute. “Thanks again. See you tomorrow night.”

  Pixie was waiting for Luke when he got back to the Gilded Lily in a rabbit coat, skintight jeans, and spike heels with her poodle wig tied into a ponytail on the side. He looked her over and smiled. “Hot date?”

  “Not yet.” She smiled. “What time is it?”

  Luke checked his watch. “Coming up on one o’clock.”

  “Still plenty of time. You ready?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Luke said. He offered her his elbow. “Shall we?”

  “Yer darn tootin’.” She grabbed his arm. “Don’t let me fall off these damn heels.”