Near Prospect Park

by Lawrence H. Levy

  Fuller mumbled, “Tell my parents that.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh, nothing. I’ve invited art critics. Do you think they’ll make an appearance?”

  “You’re serving food and drinks. They’ll be here.”

  They heard a voice from behind them. It belonged to White, who had entered with Breese. “And if they don’t come, you can rest assured we’ll be here to support our friend.”

  Fuller turned toward them. “Stanford, James, good to see you, but what are you doing here?”

  As they walked to join Fuller and Mink, Breese spoke. “We wanted to make sure that the preparations were going smoothly.”

  White shook Mink’s hand. “This is our very good friend, Armen. Make sure you take care of him.”

  “I take good care of all my artists,” said Mink.

  “We need better than good: excellent, superlative. Hakastar?” It was Armenian for Understand?

  “Shad lav ge hasgnam. Kordzis mi kharnevir.” Mink answered. Perfectly well. Stop telling me my business.

  White looked puzzled. “Sorry?”

  “So you’re not fluent in Armenian?” asked Mink.

  “Unfortunately not. Just a few words.”

  “Enough to impress people at cocktail parties,” Mink remarked.

  “More specifically women—beautiful women. I try to learn a little of every language. They love urbane, sophisticated men.”

  Now Mink looked confused. “You are the most celebrated architect in New York. Isn’t that overdoing it a bit?”

  “I take no chances.”

  “I’ve heard that.”

  “What?” White responded, thinking there was hidden meaning in Mink’s words.

  “That no lady has the willpower to resist you.”

  Relieved, White relaxed. “Hopefully, I can use some of that charm on you for my good friend Lance’s exhibition. Might I prevail upon you to do everything in your power to make it go smoothly? We want his first showing to be a smashing success.”

  “Certainly. I’m a consummate professional.”

  At that point the door opened and Lillian Russell entered.

  “Ah, Miss Russell. So glad you came back.”

  “Don’t act so surprised. I told you I would and I’m a woman of my word.” As she approached the group she said, “Well, well, I suppose you boys are making final preparations for tonight.”

  “Yes, it should be the talk of the town,” said White. “A truly miraculous event.”

  “I expect no less. I’m sorry, Lance. I do have a performance tonight but know I wish you a splendid success.”

  “Thank you, Lillian. That means a lot to me.”

  “Now, gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me,” said Mink, “I have some business to discuss with Miss Russell.”

  “That makes you the envy of all New York,” said White with a twinkle in his eye. “We all would like to have business with Miss Russell.”

  “I’m unaware of the phenomenon, but it might be true,” Russell said, and then continued with pointed sarcasm, “Unfortunately, some will never be able to rise to the occasion.” She turned to Mink. “Shall we, Armen?”

  “Yes, please come to my office.”

  Before they could take a step, Breese said, “Armen—”

  “There’s no need for concern,” replied Mink. “I’ve attended to every minute detail. Let me assure you that the preparations for the exhibit are a fait accompli, along with its success. Ir ngarchutiune shad barz en. Nooynisg shoon me cher havnir.” This meant, His paintings are far too amateurish and wouldn’t impress a dog.

  He headed to his office with Russell.

  “I’ve decided on the landscape, Armen. It’s just the right size for the space on my wall.”

  “Excellent choice. Your taste is impeccable.”

  After they disappeared into Mink’s office, a nervous Fuller turned to White. “What did he say?”

  White had no idea but he wanted to calm Fuller. “He said you’re going to make a lot of people jealous with your considerable talent.”

  “That’s encouraging coming from a man who has that kind of experience, isn’t it?”

  Breese offered, “You should be flying as high as Ben Franklin’s kite right now.”

  “Without a doubt,” said White. “But of much greater importance, whom have you invited?”

  “Everyone I know.”

  “The whole Four Hundred?”

  “Mostly.”

  “But surely you also invited some who are less socially prominent—for lack of a better term, commoners.”

  “Get to the point, Stanford,” Fuller demanded.

  “If you insist. It’s come to my attention that you’ve invited Mary Handley.”

  “How do you know?”

  “You just told me. Never play poker, Lance. It’s a simple matter to bluff you.”

  “She’s a lovely person, Stanford. Stay away from her.”

  “Or what?”

  “It wasn’t a threat. It was a request.”

  “That’s more like it. I’m sure you’re acutely aware that threatening me would not serve you well.”

  “I’m not trying to tangle with you, rather to merely inform you that I have a fondness for her.”

  “So do I, ever since I laid eyes on her at the Players Club. That precedes your maneuver at Luchow’s and therefore excludes your gentleman’s privilege.”

  “I was at the Players Club, too.”

  “Ah yes, but you didn’t engage. You lose. Sorry.”

  “I’m confused, Stanford,” said Breese, who was feeling a tinge of jealousy and could no longer hold his tongue. “This Handley woman is far from your normal preference. You like them young and innocent where she’s obnoxiously cocky and long in the tooth. What could you possibly see in her?”

  “Long in the tooth, maybe, but I think we can all agree she’s quite well preserved. And I must note that I find her cockiness a fresh challenge.” He noticed Breese’s discomfort and tried to ease his concern. “Absolutely, positively, nothing else changes. It’s merely part of my desire to grow by having new experiences. Surely you’re aware of that by now, my friend.”

  “Yes, variety is the spice of life and all that. I wholeheartedly concur, and watching her cockiness transform into submissive desire could be entertaining. However, it’s not enough. Frankly, I don’t see the attraction.”

  “I do,” said Fuller.

  “Yes. Well, I guess it’s going to be the best man wins, and we know who that is, don’t we, Lance?”

  Fuller looked at White and then Breese. He had never before felt so impotent.

  22

  Mary had devoted a good portion of Tuesday to getting ready for that night. The majority of her time involved planning how she was going to handle the situation, including reading everything she could find on chloral hydrate. There were some other preparations. That is why on late Tuesday afternoon she and Josie were at Sarah and Walter’s house. She needed the right outfit for an art exhibition opening with God only knew how many of the Four Hundred present. Sarah had a wardrobe suited for every event imaginable.

  Mary stared at her oversized closet. “You couldn’t possibly have worn all of these clothes. There aren’t enough days in the years since you were born.”

  “You say that every time you see my closet. Honestly, Mary, you’ll have to come up with a fresh line.”

  As Mary rifled through the row of formal dresses that were hanging there, she replied, “A fresh line? Well, it appears as if Walter’s new interest in playwriting has influenced you.”

  “He’s so happy when he’s writing.”

  “And he isn’t when he’s practicing law?”

  “He is, but it’s a different kind of happy.” Sarah stopped to help Mary
. “If you don’t see anything you like here, I have more in another closet.”

  “You have more?”

  “You might as well stop, because I refuse to allow you to goad me into a reply.” Mary smiled and Sarah continued. “Writing is different. I can’t explain it. There’s a glow around Walter when he’s had a productive writing day.”

  “A glow? Maybe he’s allergic to the ink in his typewriter?”

  “Don’t you dare ridicule, Mary. I saw that same glow on your face when you first began detective work.”

  “I’m sorry if it appeared to be ridicule.”

  “Didn’t appear. Was.”

  “I was attempting to make light of a difficult situation. You no doubt realize that choosing writing as a career is highly speculative. The odds are very much opposed to any notion you might have of ever being able to pay for a home like this or even put food in your children’s mouths.”

  “Oh my God, Mary, you know who you sound like?”

  Mary winced. “My mother?”

  “If I had closed my eyes, I’d have sworn Elizabeth was right here denigrating your dreams.”

  “That’s frightening.”

  “I’d be careful if I were you. I’ve met women who spent their whole lives diametrically opposed to their mothers before essentially turning into them.”

  “What a terrifying thought. I’m sure I’ll have nightmares tonight.” The two of them laughed as Mary continued searching. She picked out a sleek red dress. Narrower dresses were all the rage. “This is perfect, exactly what I want.” Then she continued, “I wholeheartedly apologize if I gave that appearance. I love you and Walter very much, and the concept of you experiencing any disappointment and pain is abhorrent to me.”

  An odd expression appeared on Sarah’s face and Mary noted it. “That wasn’t like my mother, was it?”

  “I was just thinking. Even if nothing at all comes of Walter’s writing aspirations, it might not be so awful. I’m already incredibly proud of him for spreading his wings, and that has brought us closer.”

  “I’ve never met a couple who were any closer than the two of you, so that is a feat in itself.”

  “You can always get closer, Mary.”

  Mary suddenly felt a sadness encompassing her. If she had gotten closer to Harper by eliminating the wall of secrets she had erected between them, maybe his death could have been prevented.

  Sarah instinctively knew what her friend was thinking. “I wasn’t referring to you in the slightest. I hope you realize that.”

  “It has nothing to do with anything you said. These moments overtake me once in a while and probably will for some time. Intellectually, I realize I have to learn to accept them if I am to heal, but my emotions have a tendency to disagree with my mind.”

  Sarah hugged her friend, and Mary gladly accepted her comfort. After a while, Sarah spoke again.

  “It’s funny. Though I desperately want Walter to succeed, it has occurred to me more than once that soothing him after a disappointment on that scale might be helpful for both of us. We’ve been very fortunate in life and except for that matter a while ago which you fixed so wonderfully, we haven’t faced much adversity. I believe a marriage needs those tests periodically to continue to grow and succeed. So in my mind, no matter what the outcome, we can’t lose.”

  “Sarah, that’s a very mature and advanced outlook on life, and—”

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “Not one word, not for one second.”

  “There are good and bad ramifications for having a lifelong best friend like you. The good is that we know each other inside and out. The bad is that we know each other inside and out.”

  “And that’s why your rationalizations will always fall on deaf ears.”

  Sarah stomped her right foot on the floor in a childlike manner. “I so much want them to be true.”

  It was Mary’s turn to comfort Sarah. She hugged her. “Don’t underestimate Walter. No matter what happens, I assure you he is strong enough to withstand any disappointment of this kind.”

  “That’s probably very true, but am I?”

  Sarah’s innocent concern touched Mary again and she gave her another hug. When they broke, Sarah changed the subject.

  “So you’re taking the red dress; excellent choice. And here…” She reached into her jewelry box and pulled out a bracelet. “Wear this pearl bracelet with it. It goes perfectly with the dress.” She handed it to Mary.

  “Thank you. It’s beautiful,” said Mary as she stared at the bracelet.

  “Just your style: elegant yet understated. What about a necklace?”

  “I have a beaded one that will match up nicely.”

  “Also an excellent choice.” Sarah stared at her for a moment, then said, “Why are you doing this, Mary?”

  “You mean attending an art exhibition?”

  “You know perfectly well what I mean. The bracelet and necklace fit you to a T. That’s my Mary, the one I’ve always known. The red dress, though, is…different.”

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  “I’m fully aware of that. I am the one who bought it. It is also far too flashy to fit the tastes of the Mary I know.”

  “I choose what I like. What would you have me wear?”

  “You’re avoiding my question. I can repeat it, you know.”

  “I see that Walter’s lawyer tactics are rubbing off on you.”

  “Mary,” she said meaningfully in an attempt to get to the truth.

  Mary paused and exhaled. “I’m thirty-two years old, I’m a widow, and I have a baby. Not exactly what society would call a desirable mate for any man.”

  “When did you ever care what society thought?”

  “I don’t, but sometimes there are certain facts that are hard to ignore.”

  Sarah stared deep into Mary’s eyes. She didn’t believe her friend, but she knew this was all she was going to get from her. She held up the dress. “Shall we see how you look in this? It’s possible we may need to make some last-minute adjustments.”

  Glad the interrogation was over, Mary quickly answered, “Thanks, Sarah. I would love to.”

  “Good, and I believe I have some shoes that will look absolutely exquisite with this outfit.”

  “In your other closet?”

  “Not that one, the shoe closet.” She immediately tried to ward off any comments by pointing her finger at Mary and saying, “Don’t you dare.”

  Mary laughed. As she started to try on the dress, her relief was nearly palpable. Sarah noticed but decided not to comment.

  Mary didn’t want to needlessly worry Sarah, so she decided not to tell her that she was about to offer herself as bait to the rapists who had killed her husband.

  23

  It was Tuesday afternoon and Lillian Russell opened the door to her home in order to let Diamond Jim enter. He charged in like a man on a mission.

  “Are you okay, Lillian? Is it Junior?”

  “We’re both fine, Jim.”

  “Then what in God’s name is so important that I had to rush over here in the middle of lunch? Roger said he couldn’t tell me.”

  “He couldn’t because he’s a gossip, and I’m not in the habit of giving vital details to gossipy maître d’s.”

  “Vital? Tell me.”

  “Jim, what do you think of my new painting?” She pointed to a landscape covering what had once been an empty space on the wall.

  “Help me understand this. I cut my lunch short to rush over here because you want my opinion on a new painting?”

  “You’re partially right, but speaking of lunch, I see you’ve splashed some duck sauce on your brand-new custom suit.” She pointed and he looked down at it.

  “This is your fault, Lillian. It never would have happened if you didn’t upset me
with your message.”

  “Are you saying that you continued eating after my urgent call for help was delivered to you?”

  She had caught him between the proverbial rock and a hard place. If he said yes, he was an insensitive friend. If he said no, his accusation was a lie. He decided on a third choice: ignore the question.

  “Are you going to tell me what this is all about?”

  “I was at the Mink Gallery picking up my painting today.”

  “Yes, lovely piece. Go on.”

  “I’m so glad you like it, Jim. It was between this one and a seascape. I personally felt the seascape was too—”

  “Lillian, please, the urgent matter.”

  She enjoyed toying with him, but it was time to be serious. “Well, your three buddies were there.”

  “What three buddies?”

  “The usual trio: Stanford White, Jim Breese, and Lance Fuller.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you? They’re not my buddies.”

  “Do you prefer ‘chums’?”

  “They’re not that either. They’re business associates.”

  “I’ve heard that before: business associates with whom you do no business.”

  “Once again, I may not do business with them, but they have a good amount of influence with friends who are indeed my customers, large customers, I might add, whom I don’t want to lose.”

  “I’m not asking you to alienate them, though it might boil down to that.”

  Jim was now officially exasperated. “Please get to the point. What are you asking of me?”

  “You really need to calm down, Jim. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack.”

  “Lillian.”

  “All right, I’ll get to the point. I went into Armen’s office to pay for the painting, and he left the door open. Now, you know my hearing is fabulous.”

  “Not as fabulous as the rest of you, my dear.”

  “Why, thank you, Jim. Now who’s delaying?” At his perturbed look, she continued. “I overheard White and Breese planning to do something awful to our friend Mary Handley at Fuller’s art exhibition tonight.”