Ingenue Part 9

Had she run into Harris half an hour earlier, she would have looked stunning and completely put together. But now?

In a split second, however, she made the decision not to be embarra.s.sed. Not in front of Harris. She broke out her brightest grin. aI was looking for a regular bath, but all the tubs were filled with alcohol. Sometimes a girl has to make do.a Harris laugheda"a jolly, bubbling noise that Clara had once adored. He stepped closer. aYouave got a lot of nerve showing up here after sending me packing like that back in Chi-town.a He moved so close that they were practically touching.

To get away from him, Clara would have to barrel through a wall of people or climb over a couple of chairsa"risky maneuvers for a girl in a towel.

She looked around. aWhere is the birthday girl, anyway?a Harris pointed to the dance floor. An admittedly very pretty blonde in a low-cut black dress was dancing to a hopping tune. aGood, isnat she? Twiggy dances with the Follies.a aHow nice for you. I mean, for her. Now, if youall excuse mea"a aClarabella,a he said, his fingers trailing down her bare arm. aWhy are you still fighting me? Iam free now to do what I want, and youare finally back where you belong. Why donat we go back to the way things were?a Clara just smiled grimly and said nothing.

Harris looked toward the front entrance to the ballroom. aWhere is that Ivy League twit, anyway? The one who was trailing after you in Chicago like a puppy?a aOh,a Clara said. The large amount of booze in her system had her a little at a loss for words. She stared up into Harrisas bottomless blue eyes. Suddenlya"and inexplicablya"she found it impossible to talk about Marcus, to say that she was dating someone. She wanted, just for a second, to let Harris think she was still available.

aThatas over,a she said quickly.

aIs that so?a Harris asked. He took her chin in his hand and tilted her face to one side. aThen why is he standing right behind you looking so blue?a She spun and saw Marcus standing near the entrance. He was still wearing the tux he mustave worn to the Met exhibition, and he looked gorgeous, even with the crestfallen expression on his face.

Then all Clara could see was his back, moving away.

aMarcus!a she called, cinching the towel tighter and shoving Harris aside. But when she emerged into the hallway, Marcus was gone.

VERA.

Vera looked over the directions to Connieas Inn one more time.

She had allowed Gloria to slip through her fingers not once but twice.

She doubted shead get a third chance.

She adjusted the belt of her off-white dress as she walked. It was simple, but its dropped waist and pleated skirt flattered her slim figure. Evan had given her some cash to buy it. She didnat like that. Yes, she needed to spend her time finding her brother, not waitressing or dancing in a chorus, but she didnat want to start depending on Evan too much.

It would have been one thing if Evan had been her husband, or even her boyfriend a When Evan had put together that picnic in Central Park, Vera had thought head done it because he liked her. Liked her liked her. And then head talked about her to the guys at the Cotton Club as if she were his girl.

So why didnat he act like it?

He hadnat so much as held her hand since that afternoon in the park, and they hadnat gone on any more anot-datea dates. Vera should have been thankful for thata"the last thing she needed was the drama of dating the only friend she had in this city.

But she wasnat grateful at all.

Because shead realized that she definitely liked him.

What girl wouldnat? Vera had never really cared about jazz until shead heard the gorgeous, mournful tones Evan could tease out of his trumpet. He was talented, handsome, and sweet. Maybe now that he was working at the top nightclub in the city, he had started to realize how far out of Veraas league he truly was.

She wasnat good enough for him.

When she arrived under the narrow black awning of Connieas Inn, she found a line of men and women that snaked down the front stairs to the door of the club. She nudged a tall man with a mustache. aWhatas the rumpus?a aTheyare auditioning today. Are you a dancer?a the man replied. He looked Vera up and down. aYou look like a dancer.a Vera thought fast. aYep. Do you know where I should check in?a aYou donat need to check ina"as long as youave got an audition time, youall be fine.a aYeah, but I actually forgot if my audition is at three or three-thirty, so I really need to check.a aGo ask Frank. You canat miss hima"big guy with the clipboard.a The door at the foot of the steps was propped open with a slab of wood. The club didnat look so ritzy in the daytime. Chairs were stacked on top of the round tables, and the tables had been pushed against the walls. Vera followed the line of hopefuls all the way through the room, past the pillars at each corner of the dance floor. There a man dressed all in black was teaching a group of scantily clad women some steps on the gleaming, brightly lit wood.

To the right, a muscled white man in a fedora and suspendered trousers checked off items on a clipboard. Frank.

aExcuse me?a Vera asked in her sweetest voice. aI was wondering if a piano player by the name of Jerome Johnson was hired recently.a Frank looked up from his clipboard, startled. aJerome Johnson? No, he hasnat been here yet.a aYet?a Vera asked.

aNo one by that name has come by.a Frank gave her a dead-eyed stare. aWhatas it to you?a aI just thought that maybea"a Vera began, her voice cracking a little.

She jumped when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turned and saw Evan. He was dressed casually in tan trousers, a white shirt, and a tan blazer, the brim of his brown derby tilted back. Shead forgotten that theyad agreed to meet here after he finished rehearsing at the Cotton Club for the day.

He glanced around the club. aI take it youare not having any luck?a aNoa"Jerome never auditioned here.a The trumpet player whoad just finished his audition walked over. aI canat believe ita"Evan Montgomery? What are you doing in New York? I thought you were sticking around the Windy City for good!a Evan shook the older manas hand. aItas a long story, Mike.a He looked at Vera. aVera, this isa"a aEvan Montgomery?a Frank interrupted. aYou had a slot for ten a.m. but you never showed.a Evan backed up. aI havenat got the slightest idea what youare talking about. Iave already got a gig.a Veraas eyes widened. aWhat instrument is listed for Evanas audition?a Frank glanced at his clipboard. aPiano. Weare looking for a piano player.a Evan had to be realizing the same thing as Vera: Jerome had stopped by Connieas Inna"and had used Evanas name to book an audition. Head probably used fake names at all of his auditions, which was why it had been so tough to track him down. But he had never shown up. Why?

And then Frank supplied the answer: aIam not the only one who missed you, neither. There were two scary-looking jamokes asking after you. After a few hours they finally gave up and skedaddled.a So not only was Jerome using fake names, but the Mob was on to his ruse. No wonder head never shown up.

Frank glanced at Evan once more. aSo let me get this straight: Youare Evan Montgomery, but youare not this Evan Montgomery?a aExactly,a Evan said. aThatas someone whoas been using my name, who weare trying to find.a Frank patted his pockets. aYou know, why donat I go on in back and get the audition form the other Evan filled out, and you can tell me who it is if it ainat you.a aThat would be wonderful!a Vera said. aThe audition form probably has Jeromeas address!a aNo problem. But why donat you two wait outside? Weare trying to run an audition here. Iall send someone to get you after Iave found the paperwork.a aSounds like a plan,a Evan said. aI could use a smoke.a He gave Vera a quick hug and her stomach flip-flopped. aI told you wead find him,a he whispered.

As he went out to the street, Vera said, aI have one more favor to ask.a Frank scowled. aWhat now?a aMay I use your powder room?a Frank burst into laughter. aSure thing. Thereas one backstage there.a He pointed, then shuffled into the office.

The restroom was so tiny that Veraas knees banged the back of the door when she sat. But what did it matter? Using the splintered mirror over the d.i.n.ky sink, she touched up her lipstick and grinned: In just a few short minutes, she would have Jeromeas address.

She would be able to see her big brother, to embrace him. To talk to him again after months of silence. To warn him that someone was coming after him.

When she walked out, Frank was still in the office. She listened to a woman sing an off-key rendition of aAfter Youave Gone,a and finally Frank returned. He was mopping at his head with a handkerchief.

aYeah,a he said, distracted, athere wasnat much on the form. But here it is.a He handed her a sealed envelope.

aThank you!a Vera said, and she stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek.

He waved her away. aOh, go on.a Outside, she found the line of performers still there and a few men lounging against the front of the building, smoking. But Evan wasnat one of them.

On the sidewalk in front of the club an almost-whole cigarette lay smoldering on the ground. Next to it was Evanas brown derby.

Where would he have gone without her? Without his hat?

Vera s.n.a.t.c.hed Evanas hat off the ground and whipped around to face the line of people. aDoes anyone know what happened to the man who was wearing this hat?a No one said a word.

aOh my G.o.d,a Vera said, leaning against one of the awningas posts for support. A few people glanced her way, but they didnat stay interested for long. Girls probably acted crazy all the time at these auditions. She couldnat stop herself from quietly weeping.

After ten minutes had pa.s.sed and there was still no sign of Evan, she suddenly knew: The Mob had kidnapped him. Maybe the two guys Frank had mentioned had stuck around, waiting. And then when Evan had come out and fit Jeromeas description a If anyone was going to be kidnapped, it shouldave been Vera. Evan didnat have anything to do with any of this. He was just a sweet boy who had the misfortune to be friends with someone like hera"a girl who brought harm to everyone she cared about.

A woman came and gave Veraas back a few awkward pats. aYou all right? Iam Molly.a aVera,a she said. The girl was stunning, with light brown skin and glossy black curls. She was probably just about Veraas age, seventeen or so.

Molly lowered her voice. aA couple of hard-boiled Brunos took him for a ride in a black Packard. One of aem showed us his gun and told us to mind our potatoes. Said if we was wise, none of us were seeing anything.a Vera almost stopped breathing. aOh no.a aYeah, it was kind of scary. And before that happened? The younger one was working me like a drugstore cowboy, trying to get a date. Like Iam going to go meet him at the Ritz-Carlton now.a aThe Ritz-Carlton?a aYeah. Promised me a fancy dinner. aI always sup at six,a he said. aSupaa"what kind of palooka says that?a Vera wiped the tears from her cheeks. aOnly the worst sort.a Molly shrugged. aI thought about goinga"it is the Ritza"but my boyfriend might not have liked it.a aProbably not,a Vera said. aBut I could go in your place.a aHa,a Molly said. aServe him right! But youad better bring some musclea"those guys werenat kidding around.a Vera clutched her handbag close and hurried away. She had just enough time to get back to the boardinghouse, pick up something shead hidden in the s.p.a.ce behind the bottommost dresser drawer, and get to the Ritz before six.

She was glad shead never gotten rid of Bastianas pistol.

Tonight she might have to use it.

GLORIA.

Gloria was alone.

She sat at the piano in the apartment, trying to pick out the tune of aSt. Louis Blues.a It was well past one in the morning. She hadnat seen Jerome since rehearsal at the Opera House hours ago. Staying out late was how he avoided having to talk to her. They were like two ships pa.s.sing in the night. They barely spoke. They never touched. And a kiss was out of the question.

Gloria had spent the past week feeling absolutely awful. She wanted to tell Jerome how sorry she was, that the worst day with him was better than the best day without him.

But Jerome didnat make apologizing easy.

Her head jerked up when she heard the key in the lock. She mustered a smile and said, aHi!a Jerome hung his hat on the hook and removed his suit jacket, sat heavily in one of the chairs, and started untying his shoelaces.

aAre you hungry? I could make you a sandwich or something.a Jerome shook his head. He rose from his chair, picked up his shoes, and walked into the bedroom. Gloria slammed the lid on the piano and followed. He was changing into his blue pajamas. One look at his muscular arms reminded Gloria how much she missed the feel of them around her. aI was hoping we could talk,a she said quietly.

Jerome sat on the bed, his gaze dark and cold. aItas late,a he said, and lay back against the pillows.

aI just wanted to saya"a Gloria began, but Jerome rolled toward the wall.

aIam tired,a he said.

aFinea"go to sleep.a Gloria stripped down to her slip, turned off the light, and slid into bed. It was strange sleeping next to Jerome while they were in this rut. She wanted more than anything to lean over, to grab him, to break down this invisible wall between them. But she was scared he would pull even farther away.

When his breathing became even, she rolled over and looked at him. There was a full moon outside the blinds, and the silvery light fell softly on his relaxed face. When he was asleep, all his anger was gone. He was again the young man shead fallen in love with, who she knew deep down loved her, too.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would wake up early before he left for the day, and she would find the words to fix this. But for now she would have to will herself to sleep. For there was nothing worse than being in a bed with someone who had his back turned to you, who didnat want to hold you. It was worse than being in bed alonea"a reminder of everything you once had, all that you could lose forever.

Gloria was quiet when she unlocked the door the next morning. She had woken earlier than usual to gather ingredients to make an apology breakfast. Who could say no to pancakes and fresh coffee?

Jerome had still been asleep when shead left, and now she put the groceries down on the kitchen table and slipped off her jacket and her oversized hat. Gathering everything she needed had taken longer than expecteda"who knew grocery stores were so busy in the morning?a"but she was ready to get to work.

Immediately, she could see that something was wrong. Piles of sheet music were missing. And there was no sign of Jeromeas clothing from the night before, either.

Jerome was gone.

Not only was he gone, but a quick glance through the dresser and closet revealed that head taken most of his clothing.

Dizzy, Gloria gripped the bedpost for a moment to catch her breath, but her heart continued to hammer in her chest.

It didnat take her long to find the note. It was wrapped around a stack of bills.

Gloa"

I found a room at a boardinghouse. There should be enough money here for you to get a room someplace. A few of my buddies will be by later to move the piano and get my stuff.

We knew going into this that the relationship would be hard, but I guess it was just too hard for both of us. We can still work togethera"we both need the moneya"but I think we should take a break from everything else for now.

Iam sorry.

Jerome After shead read it through a second time, her hand almost involuntarily crumpled the note into a ball. How could Jerome do this? After head given her that speech about how head spent his life fighting for what he wanted? He was supposed to love her.

She would never have abandoned hima"certainly not in a city where he didnat know anyone. So like a musician. All long notes and love songs, but those pretty words and melodies disappeared when times got tough. Head sneaked out while she was gone. Like a coward.

Well. Gloria would be tough enough for both of them.

She suddenly wished she could talk to Clara. And Marcusa"had he moved to the city yet? And Lorraine wouldave known what to doa"she was always so independent. But noa"Lorraine would have lied and cheated her way out of trouble. Gloria was at a low point, but she was still better than Lorraine.

Gloria wiped the tears from her cheeks, opened one of the coffees shead brought back, and walked into the bedroom. In the top drawer of the dresser, beneath her stockings and bra.s.sieres, was the LOST GIRL flyer. She unfolded it, flipped it over, and with a pen wrote: Here I ama"Gloria. What do you want? 161 East 110th Street, 4D Then she folded the flyer, slid it into an envelope, and affixed a stamp to the corner. She wrote Post Office Box 171 in a clear script across the front and tucked it into her shoulder bag.

She knew this was risky, but she didnat care. She had nothing to lose. Carlito might be behind the flyers, but it might be someone else entirelya"a friend, maybe. She had to risk letting Carlito know where she was hiding, just in case he wasnat the person putting up the flyers.

Shead mail the letter, and whatever happened next was out of her hands. She would break the most important rule Jerome had set out for them when theyad arrived in New Yorka"she would let the world know where they were living.

Or rather, where she was living. Jerome wasnat living at the apartment anymore. He had no say in what she did or didnat do. She was finally on her own.

LORRAINE.

Lorraine felt pretty. Desired. Happy.

Finally.

Hank eyed the open crates that filled the office. aWouldnat it make more sense to do this behind the bar?a Bottles of vodka were arranged in rows on the floor. The usual shipment had just come in, and Lorraine had offered to help Hank count out the inventory.

aItas a privilege to spend time with the manager. You should be grateful!a Lorraine giggleda"she found herself giggling all the time now for no reason other than that she was with Hank.

A groan came from behind the desk. Spark lowered his newspaper. aCould you two pipe down? Iam trying to do the crossword here.a He coughed.

So Hank technically could have counted these bottles by himself. And it did make more sense for him to do it behind the bar. But ever since head kissed her in Central Park, being in a room that didnat have Hank in it had become pretty much impossible. Lorraine had to be where Hank was, and she couldnat be out in the bar right now: Gloria was rehearsing.

Lorraine had been so afraid Hank would be like other boys. They always made excuses the day after late-night necking sessions: Theyad been drunk! Theyad been bored! Theyad been out of their minds! Or worst of all, they ignored Lorraine completely.

But the morning after her kiss with Hank, head shown up at her door with coffee and croissants. Since that night in Central Park, head called her honey four times and darling twice.

Lorraine was longing to ask him if they were officially going together. But this was the closest thing to a real relationship shead ever had. She wasnat about to screw it up by actually calling it a relationship.

Spark folded the newspaper, stood up, and stretched. aI should go check up on our new piano player. Make sure heas working well with the band.a Lorraineas head jerked toward Spark. aWaita"what? You never even told me you fired Felix!a Spark made a great show of rolling his eyes. aYou told me to. I asked the new singer, and she suggested this black kid shead worked with, Jerome. I hired him a few days agoa"a week, maybe.a Jerome had been at the Opera House for an entire weeka"and Lorraine hadnat sent word to Carlito! aSince when do you hire anyone without consulting me first?a she asked. aIam your boss! I can make or break you, Spark!a Hank cleared his throat and said, aSixteen, seventeen, eighteen bottles of vodka.a aI mean a never mind about the making or breaking stuff. Obviously, I would never hurt you, youare very dear to me. Like my own childa"except youare older than me, and a well, you know what I mean. I just like to be informed, you know?a aWell, geez, boss,a Spark said. aYou always scram when the band practices. Figured you didnat care.a Lorraine peeked out the window to the barroom. Sure enough, there was Jerome, pounding out scales on the piano. She couldnat see him all that well through the two-way mirror, but she would have recognized him anywherea"by the sure way his long fingers skimmed over the keys, if nothing else.

And there was Gloria on the other side of the stage, shuffling through sheet music and talking to Bernie, the trumpet player. aWe have to send a wire, p.r.o.nto,a Lorraine said.

Spark sighed heavily but turned back to the desk. He picked up the pad of telegram forms and a pen, then looked at her. aAll right, shoot.a aUh, it should say aI hired him.a Scratch that. How about aA second bird is in the cagea?a No, that still wasnat much of a code. aIave got it. It should read, aThe canary has found a blackbird a to play the piano.a a Spark looked up from the pad. aAre you opening some kind of bird shop on the side or somethina?a aJust get someone to take the telegram over to Western Union,a Lorraine snapped. aAnd do it yesterday.a aAll right, crazy lady, Iall go get Joe to do it.a After Spark had shut the door behind him, Hank looked at her, concern obvious in his eyes. They were brown like hot cocoa, which made Lorraine think about being warm in front of a fire with him, maybe with a blanket wrapped around them. It would be the dead of winter, and they would have been dating for months while she attended Barnard, and she would say witty things to Hank about Descartes and Plato, and Hank would laugh and start unb.u.t.toning her blouse, and wasnat that what life was all about? Wasnat it?

aLorraine?a Hank asked. aIs something wrong?a Lorraine sighed. How to begin to explain this stuff to him? She didnat want her dealings with the Mob to scare him away. She just wanted to kiss him some more. And maybe bring him to a party at Columbia in the fall so that she could show him off in front of Marcus Eastman. aNo, itas justa"a she was beginning, when the door swung open.

It was Puccini. aHi there, Raine,a he said in his eerily jolly tone. aWhy donat I come in?a aI, uha"Of course, come in.a She hated how unnerved she sounded.

Puccini stepped into the office. He wore a green, oddly shiny suit and a striped tie. His fat fingers clutched the edges of a gla.s.s jar filled with chocolate bears. He always bit the little bear heads off first. aYou want one? The dark chocolate ones are my personal favorite.a aNo, thank you.a aWhatas wrong, doll face?a Puccini asked. aYou seem surprised to see me.a aIam just not used to seeing you here during the day.a The owner rarely arrived at the speakeasy earlier than eight. Lorraine liked it better when Puccini was somewhere else, doing whatever it was he did: hurting people, she supposed, if not killing them. He was a gangster, after all.

aYes, well, I came in todaya"earlier than usuala"especially to have a little chat with you,a Puccini replied. And then he smiled.

Oh G.o.d, it was creepy. Lorraine knew that smiles were supposed to be rea.s.suring, but a smile from Puccini made her think of a cat sizing up a wounded bird. aThatas just,a she said, agreat.a Hank was suddenly completely focused on his bottle-counting, as though aOne bottle, two bottles, three bottlesa took every ounce of brainpower he had.

aCarlito is in New York,a Puccini said in a low voice. aHave you heard from him?a Lorraine nodded, even though shead had no idea Carlito was here. But somehow, things had all worked out. Her job was donea"shead hired Gloria and Jerome, gotten them into the club at the same time. And now Carlito was here. Phew! aI know,a she replied. aI wonat be working here too much longera"not now that Carlito is in town.a Puccinias grin transformed itself into a scowl. aI donat know what made that punk kid think youad be a good manager. Look at this! What are you thinkina, unloading the shipment in the office?a aSorry, boss,a Lorraine said, her voice cracking. aWe didnat unload by the bar because, uh, the lightas better in here and I thought we could read the labels better, avoid another whiskey sour incident.a Puccini stared at her. aFair enough. But hurry it up. You know what happens at the end of an opera, right?a Lorraine smiled a little. Freedom from this place was so close she could taste it. aThe diva gets a standing ovation?a she said with a nervous laugh.

Puccini didnat smile back. aNo. She dies.a Lorraine put her hand to her chest. aAm I the diva?a He nodded. aSo letas make sure this isnat an opera. You understand?a aPerfectly, I understand perfectly.a He patted her arm. aNow thereas a doll.a He looked around at the crates and picked up his jar of chocolate bears. Then he walked out, humming a cla.s.sical tune in a deep baritone.

Lorraine slumped against the desk, breathing hard. She jumped when Hank put his hand on her shoulder. aRaine, are you okay?a aSure! Iam fine! Totally fine!a she replied. After all, Puccinias threat would never come close to becoming a reality. She had Gloria and Jerome right out there in the barroom, and it wouldnat be too long before Carlito was on his way.

Hank looked at the closed door. aI didnat realize Puccini was such a monster. Why do you work for a man like that?a aHank, you donat understand. I have to.a aYou donat have to do anything you donat want to, Lorraine.a She let out a harsh laugh. aOh yeah? Whoall protect me? My invisible white knight in shining armor?a Hank laid his large hand over hers. aIall protect you.a Lorraine looked down at the scarred desk top, lost in the tingly feelings of his touch. aOkay, well, if weare done counting these,a she said at last, clearing her throat, awe can leave the ones for the bar on the desk. The rest of the crates go into storage. Iall show you where that is.a He hefted a crate and carefully followed her down the hall, all the way to the last door on the left. She yanked the string on an overhead light, illuminating a tiny room piled high with liquor. Most of the bottles were in crates, though a banged-up bookshelf held several loose bottles for easy access.

aMaybe we should swipe a bottle for the next time we break into Central Park,a Lorraine said. aI know you donat like to take your worka"a Hank interrupted her by reaching over and pulling her lips to his. After a minute with his large hands wrapped around her back, she felt sad when he pulled away, but she supposed all good things had to end sometime.