The Stars Shine Down

"That's wonderful, darling! When did you decide that?"

"Marian decided it for me. She thought it would be a good idea for me to get out."

"Oh, really?" But you wouldn't go out when I suggested it. "That was very thoughtful of her."

"Yes. She's quite a woman."

I've been stupid, Lara thought. I shouldn't have thrown them together like this. And Philip is so vulnerable right now.

That was the moment when Lara knew she had to get rid of Marian.

When Lara arrived home the following day, Philip and Marian were playing backgammon in the game room.

Our game, Lara thought.

"How can I beat you if you keep rolling doubles?" Philip was saying, laughing.

Lara stood in the doorway watching. She had not heard Philip laugh in a long time.

Marian looked up and saw her. "Good evening, Mrs. Adler."

Philip sprang to his feet. "Hello, darling." He kissed her. "She's beating the pants off me."

Not if I can help it, Lara thought.

"Will you need me tonight, Mrs. Adler?"

"No, Marian. You can run along. I'll see you in the morning."

"Thank you. Good night."

"Good night, Marian."

They watched her leave.

"She's good company," Philip said.

Lara stroked his cheek. "I'm glad, darling."

"How's everything at the office?"

"Fine." She had no intention of burdening Philip with her problems. She would have to fly to Reno and talk to the Gaming Commission again. If she were forced to, she would find a way to survive their cutting off the gambling at the hotel, but it would make it a lot easier if she could dissuade them.

"Philip, I'm afraid I'm going to have to start spending more time at the office. Howard can't make all the decisions himself."

"No problem. I'll be fine."

"I'm going to Reno in the next day or two," Lara said. "Why don't you come with me?"

Philip shook his head. "I'm not ready yet." He looked at his crippled left hand. "Not yet."

"All right, darling. I shouldn't be gone more than two or three days."

Early the following morning when Marian Bell arrived for work, Lara was waiting for her. Philip was still asleep.

"Marian...you know the diamond bracelet that Mr. Adler gave me for my birthday?"

"Yes, Mrs. Adler?"

"When did you see it last?"

She stopped to think. "It was on the dressing table in your bedroom."

"So you did see it?"

"Why, yes. Is something wrong?"

"I'm afraid there is. The bracelet is missing."

Marian was staring at her. "Missing? Who could have...?"

"I've questioned the staff here. They don't know anything about it."

"Shall I call the police and...?"

"That won't be necessary. I don't want to do anything that might embarrass you."

"I don't understand."

"Don't you? For your sake, I think it would be best if we dropped the whole matter."

Marian was staring at Lara in shock. "You know I didn't take that bracelet, Mrs. Adler."

"I don't know anything of the kind. You'll have to leave." And she hated herself for what she was doing. But no one is going to take Philip away from me. No one.

When Philip came down to breakfast, Lara said, "By the way, I'm getting a new secretary to work here at the apartment."

Philip looked at her in surprise. "What happened to Marian?"

"She quit. She was offered a...a job in San Francisco."

He looked at Lara in surprise. "Oh. That's too bad. I thought she liked it here."

"I'm sure she did, but we wouldn't want to stand in her way, would we?" Forgive me, Lara thought.

"No, of course not," Philip said. "I'd like to wish her luck. Is she...?"

"She's gone."

Philip said, "I guess I'll have to find a new backgammon partner."

"When things settle down a bit, I'll be here for you."

Philip and William Ellerbee were seated in a corner table at Fu's restaurant.

Ellerbee said, "It's so good to see you, Philip. I've been calling you, but..."

"I know, I'm sorry. I haven't felt like talking to anyone, Bill."

"I hope they catch the bastard who did this to you."

"The police have been good enough to explain to me that muggings are not a high priority in their lives. They equate it just below lost cats. They'll never catch him."

Ellerbee said hesitantly, "I understand that you're not going to be able to play again."

"You understand right." Philip held up his crippled hand. "It's dead."

Ellerbee leaned forward and said earnestly, "But you're not, Philip. You still have your whole life ahead of you."

"Doing what?"

"Teaching."

There was a wry smile on Philip's lips. "It's ironic, isn't it? I had thought about doing that one day when I was through giving concerts."

Ellerbee said quietly, "Well, that day is here, isn't it? I took the liberty of talking to the head of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. They would give anything to have you teach there."

Philip frowned. "That would mean my moving up there. Lara's headquarters are in New York." He shook his head. "I couldn't do that to her. You don't know how wonderful she's been to me, Bill."

"I'm sure she has."

"She's practically given up her business to take care of me. She's the most thoughtful, considerate woman I've ever known. I'm crazy about her."