“It is, indeed. But—”
“Oh, heavens!” Janet had looked at her watch. “My man’s waiting at the gate.”
“Never keep them waiting,” advised the schoolteacher. “At least not very long. I lost one that way.”
But the girl had already sailed out of the door. Something impelled Miss Withers to shadow her and see this shining young man of hers, but the phone suddenly came alive. It was Mr. Cushak.
“Miss Withers? Put your mind at rest,” said the studio executive. “I have good news. It’s all just a false alarm!”
“What?” she gasped indignantly.
“Reed’s death was natural, or at least accidental, according to the Los Angeles county coroner’s office. They just reported that he died from the effects of poison ivy.”
“Stuff and nonsense,” said Miss Withers, but she said it under her breath.
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THE HILDEGARDE WITHERS
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