The Vaudeville Star

“I’ve identified the body. She’ll have a proper burial.”

Ruby tried to stem the feeling of uneasiness rising inside her. “Not her burial, King. Her killer. He’s still on the loose.”

“I really don’t know, Ruby. I’m not the police. I imagine they’ll continue to search for clues and question people.”

Ruby felt her head pounding again. Instead of comforting her, the entire conversation with King had caused her uneasiness to expand, and she knew that something was not right.

“Perhaps you can offer a reward. That might bring people forward,” she suggested.

“Perhaps you can mind your own business. Lourdes’s death does not concern you. Why should I offer a reward?” he said hotly, and under his breath he uttered, “She was a little tramp.”

Ruby tried to stem the chill that settled over her. “Offering a reward will make you seem sympathetic. The police will look on it as a good sign,” she whispered.

In a second, his manner changed. “Do you think so? A reward?”

Ruby swallowed. “Yes. The newspapers will like it too.”

King nodded and took his empty glass to the bar. “A reward. Yes. I’ll do that. And maybe even give an interview. I’ll talk about Lourdes and how much I miss her. Yes!” He warmed to the idea, rubbing his hands. “You see, Ruby! You have a cool head, even in a crisis.”

He came to her suddenly, pulling her from the couch and wrapping his arms tightly about her. Ruby shivered as he pulled back and touched his lips to hers briefly.

“My dear Ruby. You are a godsend. Indeed you are.”

“I should return to my hotel,” she said, moving away from him.

“Yes, yes. Of course with this damned death, we won’t be entertaining. Damned inconvenient! I so wanted to play host and hostess with you.” He grinned.

The butler had taken the liberty of getting her a cab, and King said good-bye as she sprinted to the waiting driver. As the cab pulled away, she was filled with a sense of overpowering apprehension and felt quite sick to her stomach.

By the time she arrived back at the hotel in the pouring rain, she knew that she had to tell Ford everything. He would know exactly what to do. But she learned from the front desk that Ford had left the hotel on business and was not expected back for several days.

Ruby climbed the stairs to her room as she felt a huge weight settle over her. She must continue to perform and play the part while in the back of her mind King’s odd behavior preyed on her. Once inside her room, she didn’t bother to remove her shoes but laid upon the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, her performance was spotless, and Ruby threw her nervous energy into performing and found that she could funnel herself into the show. The audience loved her as she smiled and pranced about the stage. The hoots and whistles grew louder. She received several baskets of flowers left backstage for her, two notes, a poem, and one offer of marriage.

As her popularity in London grew, so did Zeta’s disdain for her. She treated her rudely and even barreled into her while backstage, though she apologized weakly.

It was just another thing to worry about, and Ruby pushed Zeta’s jealousy to the back of her mind. She wondered again where Ford was. She had left a note at the front desk to have him contact her once he was back in town, but so far she had not heard from him. She thought it odd. After what they had shared and their mutual desire to wed, his sudden disappearance disturbed her.

After the next evening’s performance, she returned to her dressing room to find King waiting for her. He had removed his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves and was dipping his hands into the basin of water. He threw the water onto his face.

“Ah, Ruby! There you are! I was just availing myself of the water. Refreshing,” he said as he took a small towel and dabbed at his face and hands. “I thought we could sup together.”

“I’ll need to change,” Ruby said, though in truth she didn’t want to dine with him.

“I was thinking that we should marry in New York, Ruby. We can have a society wedding. A grand wedding. In fact, in Paris we will visit the House of Worth and have them make your wedding gown! After all, I can’t have my wife seen in anything less,” he said, rolling down his sleeves and picking up his

jacket.

Ruby noticed some marks on his forearm but paid it no attention. “King, I’m very grateful for your support. You’ve been very generous,” Ruby began.

“It’s the reason I like money,” he said, smiling. “You can spend it on people you care about.”

“I’m sure that’s true. However, I cannot marry you,” she said quietly.

“Ruby. Come now. Let’s be serious. From the beginning, I’ve planned that we should marry after the tour. It’s the reason I arranged it in the first place. To give you something to enjoy. Because after we marry, you will no longer be onstage.”

“Yes, King, and that’s just it. I have no intention of giving up the stage. When I return to New York, I want to plan a US tour,” she said, facing him squarely.