The Vaudeville Star

“I know. I received it today when I checked in.”

He pulled her close to him and smelled her hair and kissed her temple. She let him hold her tightly until he released her.

“I’ve missed you, Ruby.”

“I’ve missed you too. So much.”

“I should have told you where I was going and why, but I thought it best not to.”

“You thought it best not to? Why? What’s going on?”

Ford turned away from her and walked to the window. “I’ve been with the agency for a year or so. I’ve made friends in that time. And when I had a hunch, I asked them if I could follow it. Even though it wasn’t something we would normally involve ourselves with.”

Ruby nodded. “Go on.”

“You see, Ruby, I’ve spent a lot of time with King Parker. I’ve done jobs for him, and I always liked him. Though he’s a powerful man, and men like that are usually a law unto themselves. I suppose you don’t get to own all of Manhattan by being choir boys. You take my meaning?”

“I do.” She nodded solemnly.

“He seemed straightforward enough. What you see is what you get. Owned real estate and had his mother and wife.”

“Yes.”

“When he took to you and started courting you, I didn’t like it, I’ll admit. But he was married, and I knew you would never be a man’s mistress. So I left well enough alone.”

Ruby nodded.

“When his wife died suddenly, I thought it was strange. Too convenient. Much too convenient. But again, I kept my feelings to myself. And then King wanted me to come to Europe with him.” He looked out the window.

“Ruby, when I asked the agency to do some digging on my own, they didn’t know the nature of it, and I wanted it kept secret, so I was happy when they asked no questions.”

“Yes?”

“So I did,” he said quietly.

“And that’s where you’ve been?” she asked.

“Yes. Looking for answers.”

“And the question?”

“Who killed Lourdes.”

Ruby nodded and felt the tears well up.

He knelt before her. “Ruby. Calm yourself. Why are you crying?”

“You don’t know what I’ve done. You don’t know what he asked me to do,” she said, shaking her head.

“Who asked you?”

“King.”

Ford stiffened. “What did he ask you to do?” he asked hoarsely.

Ruby shook her head even as Ford clasped her to him. “Shhh. It’s okay. Whatever you did can be undone. I’m sure of it. Tell me,” he whispered into her ear.

“He came to me,” she sniffed, “and asked me to say that I was with him all night. He said there had been an accident. I knew nothing more than that. The police arrived the morning after the Devonshire Ball and asked me. And I lied. I told them I was with him. When in fact, I had been with you that night.”