Robert leaned closer. He heard the detective’s faint voice. “Rachel, Rosemary, and Lana tried out for the same movie.”
Audra looked at Robert, a look of mute appeal as she slouched forward. “The same movie?”
“Yes.” Static invaded for a moment. “That’s the only tie we’ve found other than the friendship between Rachel and Rosemary. Looks like the producer and director liked Rosemary for the lead, Lana for the second female lead. Rachel would have had a smaller role, unless something happened to Rosemary.”
Audra gazed at Robert without seeming to see him. She wore a glazed look that concerned him. “Then why was Rachel leaving town?”
“Not sure. Maybe she was disillusioned in spite of the role. Maybe she never knew.” The detective paused. “Has anything else happened that I should know about? Anything Detective Brown wouldn’t know or might overlook?” Detective Franklin’s voice, though scratchy, managed to have authority even across the miles.
Audra filled him in on the attacks.
“That concerns me. You must be closer to an answer than you think.”
“I suppose.” Audra’s brows pulled together in a worried pucker.
“Keep people around you at all times. No wandering off on your own.” He sighed. “I’d like to order you off the caravan, but I know that won’t do any good. Remember most of the men on that train are on the list of names in your sister’s book. And think about what these three women had in common. You might come up with something we’ve missed. Watch your back though. I don’t want you next.”
His words sent a chill through Robert. He didn’t want her next either. What did the three women have in common? He’d be in a better position than Audra to figure that out.
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” She hung up and turned to Robert. “There’s not much there to help us.” She turned back to the phone and asked for the long-distance operator again. Silence settled over them as they waited for the call to connect with her parents. He held her against him as she chatted for a couple of minutes with her mother, managing to keep a light tone and spin a few stories about her adventures on the caravan. Audra glazed over Lana’s death, downplaying what had happened but hurrying off the call after that.
She hung up and stayed within the circle of his arms. “Mother’s worried.”
“She should be—imagine how worried she’d be if you’d told her everything.”
“Which is exactly why I couldn’t. I need to see this through and then go home knowing I’ve done everything I could.”
“Come on, you two. No looking glum and down in the mouth.” Audra jolted to her feet at Victoria’s words. Victoria bounced toward them across the lobby, looking immaculate in a smart suit with a striking hat topped by a long plume. She linked arms with Robert and Audra. “We’re going to forget everything for a bit. Anything Detective Franklin told you can wait. Well, unless he told you I’m the killer.” Victoria laughed, but Robert didn’t find anything amusing in her statement.
Together the three walked out of the Winecoff and went next door to the department store. It overflowed with people perusing goods of all sorts. Reminded him of a Macy’s or other nice store. The floor was marble with jewelry and cosmetics stands in the center. Behind it a sweeping set of escalators led to the mezzanine level.
Audra allowed Victoria to lead her to a cosmetics counter. A woman quickly approached them, clucked when she saw Audra’s cheek, and brought another woman over to assist her. They started pulling out cosmetics in an assortment of tubes and containers. It looked like torture to him.
“I’ll be over there and will keep an eye on you.”
Audra smiled apologetically as she climbed on to a stool. “Time to get beautiful.”
He chucked her under the chin. “You already are.”
“All right, you two love birds.” Victoria pushed Robert away. “You have a mother, right? Go shop for her.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
__________
That night Audra stumbled into her hotel room. While shopping with Victoria had diverted her, she’d never forgotten Robert stood in the background ready to come to her aid.
The fact that she needed a bodyguard horrified her.
Yet she’d also felt safe and protected.
So when he’d suggested again that they have dinner together, she’d quickly agreed. Now, as she collapsed on the bed, she considered ordering room service instead. Anything to avoid moving. A long soak with lots of bubbles and a good book sounded like a recipe for forgetting. Although, an evening staring into his gorgeous blue eyes would be better, even if it meant she’d have to freshen up and prepare for an evening out.
All she wanted to do was forget everything but Robert. Then maybe she could return to Indianapolis and be content. As much as she wanted to believe that her time in Hollywood and on the caravan hadn’t marred her, she only had to look at her face to see the truth. And that didn’t begin to address her hidden scars.
Audra tugged open the drawer on the bedside table. A Gideon Bible nestled inside. She pulled it out and held it to her chest. Father?
The one-word question was all she could murmur.
He was God. He was everywhere, could be with her anywhere. Yet His presence had been so hard to find. Was it something she’d done? Was it where she was? Her heart ached for His presence. All she felt was empty.
She set the Bible in her lap and it fell open in the Psalms. With a few flipped pages, Audra turned to Psalm 126. She reread verses 5 and 6. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Would those days come for her? She touched her cheek and thought of all the tears she’d cried. For Rosemary, for Andrew, even for Lana. She thought of the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.
Father, please give me wisdom. Keep me and everyone on the caravan safe. And can You bring that time of rejoicing? Please. The words throbbed in her mind, matching the pounding of her pulse.
Audra closed the Bible and slid it back into the drawer. She needed to hurry if she wanted to be ready when Robert called for her. Her satchel didn’t contain clothes appropriate for dinner, and she hadn’t found anything at Davison’s that she could afford on an assistant’s wage. Hopefully Robert would be equally ill-prepared for an elegant dinner, and they’d eat somewhere informal. She dabbed more of the foundation on her face and topped it with powder. She eyed her cheek in the mirror, and it looked like the cosmetics had done their job. Only the faintest discoloration showed.
Grabbing her handbag, Audra took the elevator to the lobby. As she entered the area, she spied Robert sitting on one of the brocade-covered couches, reading a newspaper.
“Any news I can’t live without?”
He lowered the paper, and a slow grin crept onto his face. “Hey, good-looking.” Robert folded the paper and placed it on a glass coffee table. He winked. “What do you say we ditch this popsicle stand?” He held out his elbow, and she wrapped her arm through his.
She wrinkled her nose, unsure exactly what he meant. “I’m ready for that dinner you promised.”
“Right this way. I checked with the bell station. They had some great recommendations. But since we’re keeping tonight relaxed, we’ll try a café that made the list.”
Audra relaxed, relieved to follow Robert’s lead. This surprised her. She’d spent so much time in college and then law school trying to show she could compete with the men in her classes. Then, when she graduated from law school, all of her efforts had been for nothing when she could only find work as a glorified secretary. At that point, she’d buried her head in her work, hoping and praying for a chance to show she’d learned everything the men had. Now she walked Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta on the arm of a star, content to let him set the direction for the evening.
For the moment, she would ignore the reasons and events that led to this point. Instead, she would enjoy every minute o
f the evening.
Cars crawled up and down Peachtree. The sun still shone, but the humidity had faded a bit after a late afternoon shower that left the sidewalk damp. Audra soaked in the scene as Robert wound their way through pedestrians and other couples strolling in the early evening.
“I’ve been thinking about who could have attacked you this afternoon.”
Audra stopped walking and placed a finger on Robert’s mouth. “Shhh. Let’s forget all that for a minute. Please.” She smiled up at him, quirking her head at an angle.
He stared at her, electricity zinging between them. “I don’t know that I can.”
“For a moment. At least until we reach the restaurant.”
“I need a distraction.” His gaze traveled to her cheek, in a gesture so soft she could almost feel the caress, then traveled to her lips. She closed her eyes, wondering if she should break the moment, let him talk about whatever he fancied. Instead, when she opened her eyes, she found herself lost in the depths of his eyes. People moved around them, vague images at the edges of her vision, but she focused on Robert.
His arms circled her, and she longed to sink into them.
Slowly, ever so slowly, until she thought the moment would never come, he lowered his mouth to hers. The hint of a promise flowed between them, until her breath nearly disappeared. He eased back, eyes searching hers.
“I’m falling in love with you, Audra Schaeffer.” The sincerity of his words wrapped around her.
Did she want him to love her? What would that mean for her plans of returning to Indianapolis? The questions paralyzed her.
“Don’t, Audra. Let’s enjoy tonight and leave the future in God’s hands.”
Someone jostled her, pushing her deeper into the circle of Robert’s arms. His stomach rumbled, and he flushed. “Guess it’s time to get to that café.”
Audra grinned, almost relieved at the break in mood. “Lead away. I think your stomach has voted for a quick filling.”
“Before I do, there’s one little thing I need.” Robert leaned down and gave her a peck on one cheek and then the other.
“I think that was two.” Audra touched her cheeks where he’d kissed her.
Robert shrugged. “I never was good at math. Come on, Good-looking, let’s see if this restaurant lives up to its billing.”
The inside was cheerful, each café table covered with a blue-and-white checked oilcloth that was topped with a tiny vase containing a daisy. Some tables held small white candles as well, soft light flickering from them. The scent of roast and something savory swirled around them as they waited for a waitress to seat them. The two gals ran among tables, busy enough to make Audra wonder why they didn’t have help. Could so many people already be working in factories that it put the pinch on businesses like this?
After waiting several minutes, one of the waitresses ran by them. “Help yourselves to a vacant table. One of us will get with you as soon as we can.”
Robert chuckled. “We should have done that when we arrived. Where to?”
“How about a window table?” She’d love to watch the pedestrians and enjoy Atlanta’s energy.
After they’d settled into their seats and the waitress brought them cold sweetened tea, Robert studied her. “All right to bring up our mystery?”
Audra studied her Mason jar. The amber liquid looked as cloudy as the tangled events. “I suppose.”
Robert reached for her hand. “I want to find whoever is behind this before something worse happens to you.”
“Or you.” She winced as she took in the faintest outline of a bruise still discoloring his face. She touched the fading spot. “I’m sorry you had to take that punch for me.”
“It wasn’t enough. And I wasn’t there when you needed me today.”
“No one could have predicted another attack.”
“That’s the thing. I think we should have. The first attack happened before Lana’s murder. But I shouldn’t have assumed everything ended with her death.”
Audra shook her head. “The last few days passed quietly. They lulled me to a sense of well-being.” She rubbed her temples, pushing against the building pain. “Lana’s death must be linked to Rosemary and Rachel’s. The question is how? But it’s too much to be a coincidence. Isn’t it?”
Robert put his menu on the table. The waitress hurried by, stopping long enough to take their orders. After she picked up the menus, Robert drummed his fingers on the table. “Didn’t Detective Franklin ask you to think about how the three women intersected?” Audra nodded, and Robert’s fingers tapped faster. “Have any ideas?”
“Other than the movie Detective Franklin mentioned? No. Rosemary only mentioned Rachel once, and I don’t remember her ever talking about Lana. First, Rachel was killed, then Rosemary.” Audra ticked the events off on her fingers. “After I join the caravan, someone attacks you when you follow him following me. Then, Lana’s murdered, and I’m attacked.”
“And the police have no leads?”
“That’s what Detective Franklin tells me.” Audra nibbled her lower lip. “Could this have anything to do with Rosemary accompanying men around Hollywood?”
Robert shook his head. “I don’t see how that would tie to Lana. She’s never been involved in that—at least not that I’m aware of.”
“You went around with her?”
“Rosemary?” At Audra’s nod, he shook his head. “No, the only time I should show up in her calendar is when Artie set us up to attend an event together like the USO fundraiser. It would be like Victoria and I appearing at the same fundraiser. Nothing to get worked up about.”
“It could be possible, right? We know all three shared an agent. And if Artie had Rosemary and Rachel serving as escorts…” The word felt like gravel on her tongue. “…Couldn’t he have forced Lana to do the same?”
Robert crossed his arms and leaned back. “It’s possible. What about the men on the train? Why would any of them be involved with an escort service? You’ve watched women approach them at every stop. Even the Lester twins. And that cuts out Dexter Snow. He’s rarely in Hollywood anymore.”
“Why not?”
Robert shrugged. “I don’t know. His show’s on the road, I guess.”
“Then why is his name in her book along with all the others? I’ll never believe Rosemary happened to spend evenings with all of Hollywood’s eligible bachelors.” Tension crackled in the air between them.
The waitress set plates of steaming food in front of them. “Can I get y’all anything else?”
Audra inhaled the aroma of fried okra and fried chicken. “No, thank you.”
Robert nodded at the waitress. “Thank you, no.” He reached for Audra’s hand. “Let me pray. Father, thank You for this food and the hands that prepared and served it. Bless it to our needs, give us wisdom and clarity, and keep us safe. Lord, we’re in over our heads and need Your protection and wisdom to solve this puzzle. Help us and guide us. In Your Son’s name. Amen.”
As Robert prayed, a peace settled over the table, and Audra felt the tension dissipate. Even though she had no flashes of insight, tears filled her eyes.
“Amen. Thank you.” Audra met Robert’s gaze and then lowered hers at the realization that a new intimacy had formed between them with Robert’s prayer. Is this what her mother felt when Daddy prayed? She’d always wondered at the connection she sensed between them after one of their prayer times. This glimpse left her longing for more.
She picked up her knife and fork and cut a piece of the chicken and took a bite. “This is wonderful.” A moment passed with the two of them enjoying their plates of Southern delights before she returned the conversation to the train. “Who do you know the least about?”
“On the train?” At Audra’s nod, Robert paused with a forkful of food midair. “Dexter. Elizabeth McAllister is new, as are Frank and Constance. Jim isn’t well known, but still, I can’t see him killing three people. Besides, he’s one of the few people I know in Hollywood who is happily
married. He wouldn’t use a service, let alone follow us around to deliver threatening messages.”
“Then we’re missing something. Somebody on the train living and working with us did this.” Audra wanted to throw her arms up in the air and shout “Who?” Instead, she popped a piece of okra in her mouth. “What about Mark? He assembled everyone who’s on the train. Made sure Lana, you, and I were all on board. You became a natural suspect when your ex-wife died, and he could watch me if he had me working closely with him.”
Robert considered her words then shook his head. “Sure he’s stiff and uptight, but why would he have known Rachel and Rosemary? There’s got to be someone else.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
__________
The soft candlelight didn’t ease the discomfort Audra felt as she stared at her food.
The oppression weighed on her, making her wonder how much more she’d be asked to bear. She prayed it wouldn’t be much.
“Hey.” Robert reached across the table and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “I think it’s time we changed the subject. Tonight we’re supposed to relax.”
“Do you think Dalia got the night off too?”
“Maybe. But where would she go? This is the deep South. I doubt she’d be welcome as a guest at our hotel.”
The realization bothered Audra. “Guess I’m not as savvy as I thought.”
“You’re still pretty spectacular.”
Her cheek throbbed as the aspirin she’d taken wore off. “I really appreciate dinner, but my cheek hurts as much as my mind’s spinning. Can we stroll back to the Winecoff?”
“Before dessert?” His smile faltered. “I’m sorry I’m boring you.”
“It’s not that. I’m just exhausted.” And she needed distance from the man her heart longed to love. The thought made her head pound. She could not live in the city that murdered her sister. It wasn’t an option. Her father’s reaction alone would ensure that.
“Let me pay, and we’ll get on our way.”
“Thank you.” She closed her eyes, trying to block the pain reflected in his. She felt the attraction he did but didn’t have the freedom to chase whether they could have a future. Surely he understood that. Yet, when she opened her eyes and found herself drowning in the depths of his blue gaze, she knew he didn’t.
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