Ingenue Part 14

Lorraine dug her nails into her palms. Shead wasted enough tears on Hank in the past twenty-four hours. After theyad found Lowell Carmody in Gloriaas old apartment and arranged for him to come to Gloriaas debut, Hank had told Lorraine they needed to have a talk.

Turned out he wasnat just a bartender after all.

He was an FBI agent.

He and his team had been after Carlito and Puccini for a while. Hank had gone undercover and had been using Lorraine.

Hank listed the many crimes head seen Lorraine commita"aiding in the sale and distribution of alcohol, concealing Tony Giaconias murder, and a oh, a bunch of other things Lorraine had stopped paying attention to. Long lists had always been hard for her to follow.

She was thunderstruck by Hankas confession. He didnat love her? He didnat even like her?

Suddenly her image of herself strolling around the Barnard campus had been replaced with a vision of herself doing hard time. She couldnat go to jail!

No, the only way Lorraine was going to get out of all of this with a clear record was by doing exactly what Hank told her tonight. Carlito and Puccini would think they were about to nab Gloria and Jerome, but Hank and his FBI buddies would bag Carlito and Puccini instead.

And she was going to help make it happen.

Lorraine ran a well-manicured hand through her hair and gave Hank one last wistful look. Even though she knew he was nothing but a lying scoundrel, she still wanted him to like her. How messed up was that?

Just then, the Gramophone stopped and the gold velvet curtains parted. The show was about to begin! The members of the band were in matching gray suits. The man called Jonesy held the mouthpiece of his saxophone to his lips, and the lead horn, Bernie, raised his trumpet. The ba.s.sist, Rob, sat to the left, bow in hand over the strings of his upright, and Jerald the percussionist twirled his drumsticks. Jerome sat poised at his piano, the dark, vibrant heart at the center of this group of white men onstage. Antic.i.p.ation hung in the air, thick as the smoke that filled the dim speakeasy.

And then Gloria walked out. The crowd hushed and then burst into applause.

She looked absolutely gorgeous. The white beads on her dress gave her an ethereal glow. The pale pink dress was almost too innocent, more befitting the blushing ingenue Gloria had once been. But her red lipstick was sultry, and the slit running up the side of her dress was incredibly s.e.xy. When Gloria had sung at the Green Mill, shead been full of nervous energy that the entire audience could feel. But this Gloria was sleek and coola"the ideal bluesy vixen.

The trumpet played a mournful introduction; Gloria took center stage and turned her green eyes toward the audience. When she opened her mouth and began to sing, it was as though she were singing to Lorrainea"and everyone in the rooma"personally.

Once I lived the life of a millionaire, Spending my money, I didnat care; I carried my friends out for a good time, Buyina bootleg liquor, champagne, and wine.

When I began to fall so low, I didnat have a friend, and no place to go; So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again, Iam goina to hold on to it till them eagles grin.

Gloria and Jerome had been practicing, but theyad never sounded this good. Even the scattered cl.u.s.ters of young girls whoad been talking as the band began to play shut up in a hurry.

In the past six months, Gloria had grown up. Her voice now was filled with all the hurt and longing that singing the blues required. Her loss and loneliness poured over the audience, and not a single person could look away. Lorraine was thunderstruck: What had Gloria gone through that made her understand true sadness so well?

When Jerome rattled off a solo, Gloria leaned against the piano and watched him play. When she began to sing again, she gazed directly into his eyes. It was scandalous in so many waysa"but they were all the right ways.

Oh G.o.d, Lorraine thought. This is going to be a hit! The Opera House is going to be a huge success with this duo!

And then she remembered. This show was going to be a one-night-only engagement.

When the song ended, the applause was thunderous. Gloria and Jerome launched straight into another tunea"this one more upbeat. Women grabbed their dates and dragged them to the center of the club to dance.

aSheas a h.e.l.luva lot better than I remember,a a raspy voice said. aItas almost a shame we canat keep her.a Lorraine glanced down and saw Thor standing next to her. His flinty eyes glared at her from under his black bowler hat. He barely reached her waist.

aAinat it, though?a Lorraine said. aSo, uh, whereas Carlito? I wouldave thought head be here by now.a aOn his way,a Thor said. aAnd be a little louder, why donat ya? Donat think everyone in the room could hear you.a Where had Lowell Carmody disappeared to? Lorraine scanned the audience for his bright hair and eventually saw him standing close to the bar. His arms were crossed and his face was red. He seemed more timid than she would have imagined, but perhaps he was just shocked. She couldnat exactly blame him. And then she saw another familiar face and had to steady herself against the wall.

Marcus Eastman was leaning against the bar, nursing a drink.

Marcus! Eastman!

It had been so long since she had seen him, since she had obsessed over him and tried to get him to be her boyfriend. She had given up on that dream, but it was still shocking to see him. What was he doing there? He had to be there with Clara, right?

Lorraine could feel her stomach somersault. aIave gotta go check on something at the bar,a she said, not sticking around to see Thoras reaction. She sidled through the crowd to the bar and tapped Marcusas shoulder. aWell, look whoas here.a He turned around and was even more beautiful than she remembered. Those gorgeous cheekbones, smoldering blue eyes, the s.e.xy curve of his lips. No dimples, though, since his usual joking grin was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he and Clara had split up: He did certainly look a little blue.

aLorraine? What on earth are you doing here?a aLong story,a Lorraine replied. aWhat about you?a Marcusas eyes flicked to the stage; then he laughed. aMy story might be even longer. You having a good summer?a aIam not sure agooda is the adjective Iad use.a aYeah, me neither.a His too-blue eyes met hers. aYou look good, though.a Marcus Eastman was giving her a real, live compliment? aThank you.a She tucked her hair behind her ear. aWhereas Clara?a He gave a sad smile. aI donat know where she is.a He picked up his drink and took a sip. aMaybe we were all a little hard on you, Raine. Iam not saying you dealt with it well, but aa He swallowed hard. aItas awful being lied to.a Lorraine felt a sharp poke in her midsection and looked down to see Thor standing next to her. aTime to look alive, kid.a Lorraine turned and saw Carlito Macharelli on the stairs. She glanced back at Marcus. aIave gotta go,a she said. aGood to see you, though.a Marcus tipped his head. aSee you at school in a few weeks, Raine.a Lorraine smiled to herself and walked away. Several of the men and women on the floor turned to stare at Carlito as he and his three a.s.sociates entered the club. Lorraine wasnat sure whether the girls recognized Ernesto Macharellias son from the papers or just thought he was handsome in that deliciously grim, throw-me-over-your-shoulder way.

Carlito did look particularly sharp tonight in an ivory suit and black shirt. And those intensely dark eyes were irresistibly s.e.xy and mysterious. Only someone who knew him as well as she did would recognize his expressiona"he was out for blood.

aScram,a Carlito said to the men already sitting in one of the booths. He extended his hand toward Lorraine. aLadies first.a All too quickly Lorraine was trapped, sitting between Carlito and Thor, the red leather hot and sticky against her bare arms. Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm.

Maude Cortineau squeezed in after Carlito. She looked sensational in a dark-blue dress, a matching headband, and strand upon strand of silver beads.

aYou really packed them in tonight, didnat you?a Carlito asked.

Thor made a face as if he were in paina"he was smiling, Lorraine realized. aYep,a he said. aYou should see the cash boxa"beautiful stuff. Everyone seems to be lovina the band.a Lorraine pitched in: aThor was just saying how it was a shame Gloria and Jerome couldnat stick around. Since theyare so good, you know.a aWeare all set to catch the canary and her fella,a Thor said. aWeall be waitina for aem by their dressing rooms after the show.a aNo!a Lorraine said.

Carlito, Thor, and even Maude all turned to look at her.

aNo?a Carlito repeated, a menacing smile teasing his lips.

Lorraine gulped. aI just thought your men were gonna catch aem out in the alley after the show. A big parade of goons dragging them out will be pretty obvious, donat you think? This place is hopping. We donat want to upset the patrons.a Carlito scooted closer. aI donat remember when I started taking orders from you, Raine. Is there somethina youare not tellina me?a Lorraine started breathing fast. aNot at all, Ia"a aBoss?a a voice called.

Carlito looked up at the mustachioed man standing next to the booth. aWhat?a aProbably nothing,a the bodyguard said in a deep voice. aBut we noticed a pretty blond girl movina toward the targets. Should we stop her?a Carlito, Thor, Maude, and Lorraine all slid out of the booth. Almost immediately, Lorraine spotted Clara pushing her way to the stage.

Good old Country Clara looked like a Hollywood starlet. Her sleeveless gold-and-silver dress had a boldly graphic teardrop design, and Lorraine immediately was jealous. Clara looked fabulous. A sharp-looking man with wavy dark hair followed her hesitantly through the crowd.

aSignal Tommy to grab her. But letas not leave anything to chance,a Carlito said. He pushed through the EMPLOYEES ONLY door that led backstage.

Thor took off along the edge of the audience. His small stature made it easy for him to move fast through the crowd, and he reached the stage before Clara did.

He bounded up the steps at the side of the stage, ran along its lip, and launched himself at Clara. But Clara saw him a moment before he leaped, and dodged right. His body struck the floor with a m.u.f.fled thud.

When she saw Thor, Gloria immediately stopped singing.

Lorraine didnat know what to do. Should she run to help Gloria or try to catch Carlito? Hankas stupid plan was falling apart. She stood frozen, a spectator like everyone else.

Jerome grabbed Gloriaas arm, and as Clara finally reached the stage steps, the two of them pushed past the confused musicians in the band toward the wings, all the while waving at the audience as though this were part of the show.

But then everyone stopped in their tracks.

Carlito walked out from the wings. The gangster shoved aside Bernie, who dropped his trumpet with a loud clang. Thor clambered back onstage, his hair a mess and his jacket askew. Gloria and Jerome stood center stage with Thor on one side and Carlito on the other.

And then someone blew a whistle.

It was Hank. Suddenly a half dozen men on the dance floor flashed FBI badges, while others stormed the stage. More agents came down the clubas staircase, blowing whistles and holding pistols aloft.

And then all was chaosa"women shrieking, gla.s.s shattering, people throwing drinks to the floor and surging toward the exit. Lorraine just stepped back against the wall and let it happen.

aCarlito Macharelli!a Hank yelled as he approached the stage. aYouare under arrest!a Carlito stood proudly in the spotlight, staring out into the club. aUnder arrest? What for?a he asked calmly. The microphone broadcast his voice. aI just came out to see the show. Like the rest of these good people.a He jerked his thumb toward Jerome. aThis is the boy you should be arresting. He shot one of my men back in Chicago.a The audience gasped.

Jerome stepped forward. aItas true. I shot and killed one of his men.a Lorraine stared at Jerome. Here was a man who was willing to go to jail for a crime he didnat commit, just to protect a woman. He really did love Gloriaa"more than Lorraine had thought a man could ever love a woman. The way Lorraine herself wanted to be loved.

And she had betrayed them both.

CLARA.

Claraas jaw dropped at Jeromeas lie.

aItas true. I shot and killed one of his men.a She already knew how much Gloria loved Jeromea"her cousin had given up a life of chandeliers and champagne for him. Gloria had suffered the scandal of a white girl falling for a black boy. Shead even killed for him.

It seemed Jerome loved Gloria every bit as much in return.

aIam impressed,a Parker whispered in Claraas ear, startling her. aI never expected youad have a story like this up your sleeve.a Parker didnat look the least bit concerned about the doomed lovers onstage. Instead, he was a hungry wolf, thrilled by the hunt. The man really didnat have any morals. All he saw were stories. And Clara was turning out to be just like him.

She was still working out how to respond when she heard Gloria clearing her throat. aJerome didnat kill anyone. Heas lying, to save me.a Gloria took a deep breath and stood up a little straighter. aI was the one who shot Carlitoas man.a The crowd buzzed: aThese singers all work with the Mob, darlinga"you canat expect them to be the least bit respectable.a aHas she killed anyone else?a aDoes she have a gun on her now?a as.e.xy, talented, and she can shoot a pistola"boys, I think Iam in love.a But most of the audience, like Clara, just stared at the stage in stunned silence.

aIt was in self-defense. He was going to kill both me and Jerome,a Gloria continued. aBut that doesnat change what happened. The gun belonged to my fianc, Sebastian Grey. I have it right here.a She reached under her dress and withdrew a silver pistol from her garter.

There were more gasps, a few screams, and Spark yelled out, aSheas got a gun!a Someone touched Claraas shoulder. She turned and saw Lorraine and a wan-looking blond girl in a dark-blue dress.

aRelax, itas just me,a Lorraine whispered. aSo skittisha"youad think our best friend was confessing to a murder or something.a aMaude Cortineau,a Clara said, recognizing Carlitoas moll.

aYou didnat even tell me you were in the Manhattanite!a Maude said. aI love that magazine!a aYou should meet my date,a Clara said. aHeas the magazineas editor, Parker Richards.a She looked around but didnat see Parker, only more and more FBI agents flooding the club and shouting out that no one was to move. aLorraine, was this your plan to help Gloria?a Lorraine made a more-or-less motion with her hand. aSort of.a She pointed at the good-looking bartender-turned-FBI-agent. aSee, thatas Hank. We were dating untila"a There was the deafening sound of a gunshot.

Half the women in the club screamed. It took Clara a second to realize shead been one of them.

aDrop your weapon!a the man whom Lorraine had called Hank shouted. The room grew silent.

A series of clicking noises filled the air as all the agents unholstered their guns, pointed them at Gloria, and c.o.c.ked the hammers.

aDrop your weapon!a Hank repeated.

Gloria laid the gun at her feet and raised her hands. aIt wasnat me!a On the left side of the stage, Carlito Macharelli coughed. He coughed again and fell to his knees, his mouth open. Head been holding his right hand over his chest. When he moved it and looked down, a red stain blossomed on his white lapel. Carlito stared at the growing stain, confused.

aCarlito!a someone yelled. A short, fat man rushed forward, his cartoonish features contorted not so much in concern as in fear.

aThat would be Puccini,a Lorraine whispered to Clara. aHeas the owner.a Carlito watched as Puccini lumbered up the steps to the stage. aI a,a Carlito said. aYou aa His eyes rolled back and he slumped to the ground.

aOh my G.o.d, oh my G.o.d,a Lorraine muttered over and over till Clara was ready to slap her.

Gloria and Jerome had moved to a corner of the stage with the musicians, as far from Carlitoas body as they could get. Gloriaas face was pressed into Jeromeas chest and his arms were around her back.

Puccini knelt down beside Carlito. The chubby gangster looked terrified. aSpark!a he yelled.

There was a commotion at the stairs, where the gangly would-be manager Clara had met was arguing with an FBI agent. aYou really think Iam gonna let you out?a the agent asked Spark. aNo one here is moving a muscle, especially not you.a aWho fired his weapon?a Hank shouted.

No one said anything.

aIn that case,a Hank said, ano one leaves this h.e.l.lhole until weave searched it top to bottom.a He waved his gun hand. aEverybody take a seat on the floor.a Parker suddenly appeared and grabbed Claraas hand. His face was pale and damp. He wasnat the slick journalist anymorea"he was afraid for his life.

Just like everyone else. No one in the crowd was wasting time with gossipy whispers anymore. Everyone was looking left and right, to the mahogany bar, to the booths, and back to the stage, searching for the source of the gunshot. For the gun that could go off again any second.

Someone cried out, aLet me go!a and there was a rustling from the wings. A moment later, two burly FBI agents led a woman onto the stage.

What Clara saw surprised her: The woman was a stunner, an older beauty with flawless skin and a glossy platinum-blond bob. Her sleeveless red dress was a little on the long side, but it was sheer in more places than it wasnat. This was Carlito Macharellias killer?

Doubtful.

But as the woman squirmed, Clara caught sight of an empty leather holster strapped to her thigh. Maybe there was more to this sheba than met the eye.

The agent on the womanas right held a black gun out of reacha"it was bigger and bulkier than Gloriaas little pistol. The kind of gun a person needed know-how to use.

Hank climbed up onstage and looked down at the glamorous blonde. aRuth Coughlin. What brings you to New York?a The woman spat in his face. aI ainat telling a bull like you a d.a.m.n thing.a Hank calmly took out a handkerchief and wiped his cheek. Then he handcuffed her.

Ruth showed off teeth that were just as gorgeous as the rest of her. aJust take me to the station already. You can play all the games you want with my lawyer.a So this was the woman whoad murdered Bastian, whoad followed Gloria, whoad been out to kill Jerome, and who had killed Carlito. But why?

The two agents led the woman through the crowd and up the stairs, and Hank supervised as agents handcuffed Puccini and Spark, who cried fat, blubbery tears into his ugly bow tie.

The cops didnat handcuff Jeromea"instead, they put the cuffs on Gloria. Then they led her out of the club, Jerome following close behind.

aGloria,a Clara called out as she pa.s.sed.

Gloria looked back for a second and somehow managed to smile. aClara! What are youa"a aThis ainat a social hour,a the agent said, forcing Gloria to keep walking.

aCome see me, okay?a she called over her shoulder. aAnd bring me a shawl? I hear the slammeras pretty cold.a There was a moment, just as Gloria reached the top of the stairs, when she locked eyes with a handsome older man in a brown suit. There was something oddly similar about their features, which made sense: The man was Claraas uncle. Gloriaas father.

Wasnat he going to do something? Say something? His daughter was in handcuffs, for goodnessa sake! She had just admitted to killing a man!

But Lowell Carmody just averted his eyes and walked away.

And then Gloria was out of sight.

Maude placed a hand on Claraas shoulder. Oh G.o.da"shead want to talk about the Manhattanite.

But instead Maude grinned and clapped. aIam free!a she squealed like a little girl.

Clara, Lorraine, and Parker all gave each other confused looks. What?

Maude giggled again. aItas terrible about Carlito dying and all that, but Iave been trying to figure out how to get away from him for ages. Now I donat have to worry about him tryina to kill me!a aOh a,a Lorraine said. aWell, good, then a I guess.a Maude sighed. aEveryone I date ends up dead, you know? I was gonna leave Carlito for Bastian Grey. Say what you want about him, but he was a cla.s.sy guy. And single! But then he got killed.a Maudeas voice broke. aSo I had to come here with Carlito.a She smiled again. aBut I guess it all worked out in the end, huh?a aMaude Cortineau?a a manas voice said. It was Hank. He was even better-looking up close, with his messy almostblack hair, smooth tanned skin, and light brown eyes. aWead like you to come with us to the station. We want to ask you a few questions about Carlito.a Hank gave Lorraine a curt nod as he led Maude away. aGood work, Raine.a He paused. aHave fun at Barnard next year.a Clara turned to Lorraine. Lorraine was watching Hank climb the stairs with a familiar expression on her face: It was the wistful way shead always looked at Marcus. aSo, you and Hank a?a Clara asked.

Lorraine let out a bitter laugh. aOh, you know me. I never seem to get it right when it comes to men.a aDid you know this was going to happen?a Parker interjected.

Clara wanted to pretend that she had. That she had some sort of in with the FBI and had stores of knowledge about the Mob. But it was time to be more honest in her work and in her life. aI only knew a little.a aWell, whatever you knew, good work. How do you know the singer?a aSheas my cousin.a aYour cousin? Thatas greata"we can work the personal angle. Now we head over to the police station and try to get some of these agents to talk to us.a He looked around. aThink thereas a telephone around here? Maybe I could get our photographer to meet us there. That FBI agent Hank and the singer would look great on our splash page.a Clara hesitated. Didnat Parker have any compa.s.sion for Gloria after what had just happened?

She stepped away. aYou want to tag along to the police station?a she asked Lorraine. aI could use a friendly face.a aNo thanks. I need to get far away from the Opera House and everything that goes with it.a Lorraine tugged nervously on her earrings. aCould you tell Gloria I say hi, though? And that Iam sorry? And that she was amazing tonight? Did I mention that Iam sorra"a Clara patted Lorraineas arm. aI will. And, Lorraine a good job tonight. Iam actually kind of impressed.a Lorraineas eyes softened. aThank you, Clara. It was nice meeting you, Parker.a Lorraine turned and walked away.

aClara?a a voice asked as she and Parker were about to leave.