Ingenue Part 11

Carlito smiled at Vera when she and Demartino reached the poker table. aWell, well, look whoas in the Big Apple. Itas one surprise after another in this town.a He elbowed the man on his left. aFirst Joey here nabs the wrong guy auditioning under the right name, and then the sister of the guy we are looking for comes a-calling. Weare catching everybody but the one person we actually want. Joey, be a gentleman, why donat ya?a The man scrambled out of his chair.

aHave a seat, Vera,a Carlito said. aHatchet, how about you get us a couple of drinks? And how about the rest of you give us some privacy?a The other men drew their chairs away, leaving only Vera and Carlito at the poker table. Once they had both been supplied with drinks, he gave her a long, hard stare. aYouare looking for your brother, arenat you? I donat believe for a second that hooey Hatchet said about you knowing where Jerome and Gloria are. If you knew, you wouldave left town with your brother and his gal right away, taken aem somewhere far away from where I might find aem.a Vera had picked up her drink; now she set it on the table without taking a sip. aWhat makes you think I wouldnat turn them in to you? I might get a nice reward out of it.a a aCause you ainat that type of girl,a he said. aBut you obviously know more than you should. So how about you spill the beans before one of my guys here spills your blood all over the back alley?a Vera put all her willpower into not shuddering at his words. aNo oneas noticed you missina from Chicago acept for that nice father of yours. I should pay him a visit when I get back to Chicago, pay my condolencesa"a aStop!a Vera said. The image of her fatheras face had been too much. She pointed at Carlito. aYou may play at being the big, tough gangster boy, but youare only twenty. Barely old enough to grow a mustache. n.o.body would listen to you at all if your daddy werenat standing next to hima"Al Capone. So donat try and get all tough on me. You ainat nothing but a spoiled brat.a aYou donat really think youare going to walk out of here, do you?a Vera took a deep breath. aIall get straight to the point,a she said. aI was on the docks the night Sebastian Grey was shot.a She didnat give herself any time to gauge Carlitoas reaction. aWe both know that you and my brother are next on the killeras list.a For a second, Carlitoas eyes registered shock. Then they went back to their normal dead quality. aYouare making no sense, doll.a aDonat play me for a fool, Carlito,a Vera said. aYou ran because you two were set up. Bastian got iced, and Iam here to tell you that the torpedo, the hired gun, is in Manhattan, looking for you. But I can deliver her to you. I know who she is.a Vera was no closer to knowing the ident.i.ty of the a.s.sa.s.sin than she had been in Chicago. She had nothing real to offer Carlito in exchange for Evana"so she needed to make this lie convincing.

She ever so slightly opened her purse, her fingers grazing the silver pistol.

aItas pretty simple, really. Forgive my brother, let go of your grudge, and give me my boyfriend back.a Carlito smirked. aBoyfriend? Since when is my old trumpet player in love with you?a Vera figured it was smarter to refer to Evan as her boyfriend. As Gloria had proved, a person in love would do anything. aI know the killer is here because I saw her following Gloria Carmody two weeks ago. And then I saw her again earlier today.a Vera let out a full-throated laugh. aOh, and by the way? I know that Gloria actually was the one who killed Tony.a Carlito coughed at this bit of news. aSo why donat you just drop this thing about my brother already?a Carlito sat in an angry silence. He fussed with his chips, stacking them again and again.

From the corner of her eye, Vera saw something glitter. She looked over: Another woman was in the steakhouse after all.

Maude Cortineau was perched in a chair against the wall, smoking a cigarette. When Maude noticed Vera looking at her, the blond moll glanced down at the floor. But it was clear shead been listening to Vera and Carlitoas entire conversation.

How had Vera not noticed Maude before? The sequined, sea-foam-green dress was hardly inconspicuous. But Maude seemed to have a talent for disappearing into the background.

aGloria may have pulled the trigger, but they were both responsible,a Carlito said finally. aAnd I can face this killer on my own, especially if sheas just a dame. Thanks for that sc.r.a.p of informationa"seems like the only bit youave got.a He swirled the ice in his empty gla.s.s. a aCause, see, while you have no idea where Jerome and Gloria are, I do. They work for me, not that theyare wise to it. Theyave both got gigs in one of my clubs.

aNo oneall believe the truth about Tony from a girl like you. Especially if youare dead. So be careful what kind of tone you adopt with me.a It wasnat fair! She had come all the way from Chicago, had risked so much, and somehow Carlito had already won. aFine,a she said. aJust let me have Evan and weall leave.a Carlito chuckled. aOh, I donat think so, Vera. In fact, I donat think Iam going to let you go at all.a He nodded at a few of the men sitting at the surrounding tables. Suddenly they stood and created a wall of muscle behind her chair.

Vera reached into the purse in her lap and pulled out Bastianas pistol. She pointed the barrel at Carlitoas head. She could feel the men crowding her chair move back.

aLet him go. Now,a Vera said, proud of the strength in her voice.

Carlito stared at her with his mouth slightly open.

Vera switched off the safety on the gun.

Something s.h.i.+fted in Carlitoas eyes; he knew how serious she was. He looked over her shoulder at one of the men. aOkay, Eddiea"you go and untie him.a Vera kept the gun trained on Carlito while a rotund bald man walked to the corner of the restaurant by the menas room. He opened a heavy wooden door to reveal a tiny closet. In with the brooms and mops was Evan, tied to a chair with a gag in his mouth. He had a black eye and a sc.r.a.pe on one cheek.

Vera gasped.

Gag removed and ropes untied, Evan stumbled a little as he stood and took in the sight of his ex-bandmateas little sister pointing a gun at the son of one of the most powerful Mob bosses in Chicago. aOh my oh my oh my,a Evan said.

Vera didnat move the gun from its aim at Carlitoas head. aStand up. Youare taking a walk with us.a Carlito got to his feet, and Vera pushed the pistol into his back. The room was completely silenta"thugs were standing and sitting, awaiting Veraas next move. aNo one follows us. Unless you want to explain Carlitoas death to his dad.a The men backed against the walls, clearing a s.p.a.ce so Carlito and Vera could walk out of the steakhouse with Evan behind them.

Outside, Vera led Carlito to a black phone booth. aCall us a cab.a Carlito gritted his teeth. aIam going to enjoy cutting that smug smile off your face.a Vera c.o.c.ked the pistolas hammer. aDo it!a He fished a nickel from his pocket and talked to an operator, and eventually a Checker cab pulled up at the curb.

Vera stood between Evan and Carlito, her right hand inconspicuously pus.h.i.+ng the gun into Carlitoas spine. aWhere you off to?a the balding cabby asked.

aJust a minute,a Evan said. He reached over to pat Carlito on the shoulder, then opened the door of the cab. aThanks so much for taking us out after the show tonight, boss.a Evan climbed into the car.

aAnd offering to pay for our ride home!a Vera said with a smile. aThat was just so sweet of you.a Carlito turned his dark glare onto Vera.

She prodded him again with the gun. aAbout ten dollars should do it.a aMaaam, unless you live in New Jerseya"a the cabby began.

aTen dollars,a Vera said again.

Carlito fumbled around in his pocket, muttering something that sounded like adismember your whole family,a then handed Vera the cash.

aThanks, hon,a Vera said. She slowly took the gun away from his back and flattened it against her thigh. aItas always nice to see old friendsa"sorry to cut this short.a Vera climbed into the cab next to Evan. aJust drive, please,a Evan said to the driver.

As the cab took off, Vera looked out the window and saw Carlito staring after them. Once they were far enough away so that he was just a speck in the distance, she felt her entire body tremble. She leaned against the sticky brown seat, breathing hard.

Evan pulled her into his arms. aItas all right, Vera, weare all right.a She dug her head hard into his shoulder. aIam so glad youare okay. When I came out of Connieas today and you werea"a aItas okay.a His hand smoothed her hair. aI was so worried they might have someone waiting for you, too. Not that they wouldave been able to do anything.a He gave a low whistle. aI always knew you were smoking, Vera, but I didnat realize you were packing heat.a She lightly touched the dark bruise around his eye. aYouare hurt.a He covered her hand with his. aIam fine, thanks to you.a He moved her hand so that her palm skimmed his lips. aReally, thank you.a Then he chuckled. aSo Iam your boyfriend? Thatas what you told Carlito.a aWell, you told your band at the Cotton Club that Iam your girl.a She could feel his breath on her cheek. aI do talk about you an awful lot. I canat help myself.a He tucked her hair behind her ear. aI think Iam in love with you, Vera,a he said, the words rus.h.i.+ng out. aOr at least a in a whole lotta like.a Vera couldnat help ita"she was glowing. But there would be time for canoodling later. Right now, she had to focus. aEvan, Iam in a whole lotta like with you, too. But we need to find my brother now. You heard what Carlito saida"he could get Jerome and Gloria anytime he wants. I donat think he was bluffing.a aTurns out I may have an idea about that,a Evan said.

aYouave got a lead?a Vera said. aWell, donat keep it to yourselfa"spill!a aWhen I was in that closet, that scrawny girl, Maude, took pity on me. When Carlito and his guys were out, she talked the boys into letting her feed me.a aShe fed you?a Vera felt a weird pang of jealousy. aPut food in your mouth?a aNot exactly. She brought me a steak sandwich and untied my hand so I could eat. And then while I ate, she talked up a storm at me. I tell you, it was like a different kind of torture.a Vera laughed. aI remember her.a aAnyway, she wanted to know if Iad ever met one of Gloriaas old friendsa"this girl Claraa"at the Green Mill. Seems Maude had b.u.mped into Clara at a party here in New York. And she was mad because Clara hadnat mentioned shead appeared in Maudeas favorite magazine.a aWhich is?a aSome rag about flappers in New York called the Manhattanite. Apparently somebody wrote about how Clara is damaged goods and how she should stay in Brooklyn Heights.a aReally? Did Clara know where Gloria was?a aMaude didnat really discuss that with me. I was done eating, so she tied my hand back up and took her bag-oa-bones self and her magazine back outside.a But simply knowing that Clara lived in Brooklyn Heights wasnat much to go on. aDid you get her last name? Or where exactly she lives?a Evan frowned. aVera, I was in a closet. Tied up. Blind.a aOkay, okaya"I hear you.a Vera sighed with relief. Maybe everything would work out. aLetas get a copy of this Manhattanite magazine.a Evan put his arm around her shoulder. aYouare not tired after all that? Youare amazing.a Before she knew it, head leaned in and kissed her. At first her eyes went wide with surprise, but then she closed them and enjoyed the moment. For a few seconds, Jerome, Gloria, Carlito, even the mysterious a.s.sa.s.sina"all of it left her mind. Her whole world was Evanas lips.

Evan pulled back. aIave been wanting to do that ever since that day in Central Park,a he said, leaning his forehead against hers.

She couldnat help smiling. aYeah? Iave been wanting you to do that ever since before we left Chicago.a She looked back in the direction of the steakhouse. aI guess weall have time to do more of that after we find Jerome and Gloria. If we find them.a Evan squeezed her hand. aWe will, Vera, donat worry.a aThanks.a She kissed him again. aAnd, Evan?a aYeah?a aI think youare pretty amazing, too.a GLORIA.

Gloria tried in vain to close her suitcase.

She opened the case again and pulled out her tattered day dresses, leaving the pricier garments shead brought from Chicago: a beaded black Chanel dress, a silky green blouse from Paris that matched her eyes exactly, a headband made entirely of artfully intertwined pearls.

She wadded the cheaper dresses in an empty record crate at her feet. All the 78s and the Victrola were with Jerome, wherever he was stayinga"along with his share of the rent. Even with the gig at the Opera House, she couldnat afford this apartment on her own. The money Jerome had left her would get hera"at mosta"a room at a boardinghouse, like the one theyad stayed in when they first got to the city, before they found this place. Not that shead be safe here even if she could afford it.

What had she been thinking, responding to that flyer? aHere I am.a Such a dumb move. Her mother might have suspected she was in New York, but there was no way she could pay someone to go around town putting up flyers. She didnat have the moneya"she had been cut off by Gloriaas father. And since new flyers kept turning up, the possibility of their being linked to Bastian had been eliminated.

So now Gloria was leaving. Her only hope was that by the time Carlito sent his goons, she would already be safely set up somewhere else.

Someone knocked on the door.

Gloriaas heart fluttered. Who could it be? Jerome had a key, and anyway, he wasnat coming back.

Carlito!

The knocking came again, this time hard enough to rattle the door in its frame. Gloria looked frantically around the apartment for a place to hide.

Maybe she could just sit here quietly and they would go away. She silently sat on a chair, watching the door. If she could wait them out, she could escape the back way. Not that the flimsy lock would stop a determined person for longa"

The door wasnat locked.

She stood up. Maybe she could shoot the bolt home without the thugs on the other side noticing. Maybe shea"

The doork.n.o.b turned.

Gloriaas breath caught in her throat, her feet frozen to the floor.

The door swung open, and her fears were confirmed: Two burly black men in blue boilersuits stood outside, their bulk completely filling the doorway. One man had close-cut hair, while the other was bald. The bald one crossed his muscular arms and looked down at Gloria.

aSo you been here all this time?a he said in a deep baritone.

The other one said, aYou know why weare here.a Gloria let out a shaky breath. She put her hands out, palms up. aI will go peacefully,a she said. aI am ready for the worst.a Both men stared at her as if she were a crazy person, and the one who had hair looked as if he was trying to stifle a laugh.

aUh, lady,a the bald one said, aweare just here for the piano.a Gloria blinked, then thought back to the note Jerome had written to her: A few of my buddies will be by later to move the piano and get my stuff. She had completely forgotten.

She jumped up and pulled the door open wider. aSorry about that. I was, uh, expecting someone else.a The men walked over to the piano, the bald one pus.h.i.+ng a dolly in from the hallway. Gloria stood back by the kitchen table. aDo you two want some water, or maybe some coffee?a Maybe she could get some information about where Jerome was staying. She was still angry with him, of coursea"the only words theyad exchanged at the Opera House since head left had been spiteful ones. But she couldnat help wanting to know where he was, whether he was all right.

Whether he missed her.

The men shook their heads. aNah, weare fine. We just need to get this downstairs.a They took a few minutes to wrap the piano in thick gray blankets and then tipped it sideways. There was a soft confusion of chords. They strapped it to the dolly, tipped it back, and rolled it toward the door.

aSo, where exactly are you taking this thing?a she asked. aNot too far, I hope. It looks heavy!a The bald one glanced back. aWeall be okay.a Gloria followed the men out of the apartment, leaving the door open. They were easing the piano down the stairs gently, taking the steps one at a time. She leaned over the railing. aCould you please tell me where Jerome is staying?a she called. aI just want to know how heas doing.a The bald one grunted as he continued to step carefully backward down the stairs. aDonat you worry your pretty little head about Jerome.a The men turned the piano on the landing and moved out of sight.

Jerome had told his friends not to tell her where he was? What baloney! She dashed back into the apartment and donned her floppy hat and coat. Then she hurried down the back stairway, crossed the tiny lobby before the men with the piano had reached it, and, for the first time ever, went out the front door.

A large white truck was parked outside with RONaS MOVERS painted in bold letters across the side. The back of the truck was open and a ramp was extended, awaiting Jeromeas piano. Without pausing, Gloria broke into a gallop and ran up the ramp.

Phew! There were plenty of places to hide in here: The truck was packed with stuff. She pushed past a couple of boxes and a lamp and found a big black chest. She crawled inside, then folded up her floppy hat and used it to prop open the lid of the chest.

A moment later, the truck sagged on its springs and she heard the men grunting as they pushed the piano up the ramp.

aThat Jane back there was crazy,a one of them said. aA real dewdrop.a The other just laughed. Gloria heard the heavy tread of boots, a clatter as the ramp was unhooked and slid into the truck, and then the closing of the truckas doors.

After what felt like an eternity (though it had probably only been twenty minutes), the truck stopped. The back doors opened and the men climbed inside. aJust a little more elbow grease and weall be done,a one said. They rolled the piano down the ramp.

When she could no longer hear their voices, Gloria climbed out. There was no one around; the coast was clear.

She hopped to the sidewalk and adjusted her dress. Theyad gone much deeper into Harlem than she had ever ventureda"152nd Street and St. Nicholas Place. Unlike on her street, where elderly men and women sat on chairs outside their buildings, this block was completely deserted.

In front of her was a gray boardinghouse with sagging steps and a wooden stoop that sorely needed a new paint job. This must be the place.

Gloria pushed open the door and found a foyer as old and dirty as the houseas exterior. There were cracks in the ceiling and the faint odor of mothb.a.l.l.s. A scruffy old cat that looked as gray and dirty as the rug on the floor let out a faint meow.

A middle-aged black woman sat behind a desk, smoking a cigarette. Her eyes narrowed. aYou get lost?a Gloria stood tall. aI sincerely hope not,a she said in the deep voice shead once used to mimic her teachers at Laurelton Prep. aIam looking for a Jerome Johnson. He used to work at my club downtown, and our till is eighteen dollars short. This is the address we have on file for him.a It was the best story shead been able to come up with while crouched in the back of the moving van. Her now-dirty day dress wasnat the right attire for a club manager, but she couldnat worry about that.

The woman barely shrugged. aHeas in Five F, go on up.a Gloria hadnat expected it to be that easy. As she made her way tentatively up the stairs, she worried that she would b.u.mp into the movers. But she didnat hear them until the last flight. She could hear the dollyas rusty wheels rolling down the hallway.

She peeked around the corner. The men had stopped outside an unvarnished door marked 5F and knocked. It opened, but Gloria couldnat see whom they were talking to.

Whoever it was stepped out into the hall, and Gloria nearly fell over: It wasnat Jerome.

It was a black girl her own age.

She was pretty, with big brown eyes and a short burst of curly dark hair. Her sleeveless canary-yellow dress was cheap, but a girl with her slim figure and light brown skin would have looked good in anything.

aIf you could just put it against the right wall, that would be great,a the girl said.

aSure thing, Marcie,a one of the movers said.

aHeall be back at six,a the girl said.

The men rolled the piano into the apartment and Marcie followed, shutting the door behind her.

Where had Jerome met this Marcie woman? And how could he have found her in the few days since head moved out? He worked fast. Or maybe Marcie was the reason head left in the first place.

A short, hiccupping sob escaped Gloriaas lips as she stomped down the stairs. She didnat glance at the woman behind the front desk as she burst out the door and onto the street. She staggered down the block and eventually came upon a subway station.

Once she was seated on a bench, waiting for a downtown train, she began to cry. She had barely faced the fact that she and Jerome had broken up, and head already found someone else.

Gloriaas relations.h.i.+p with Jeromea"her love for him, the way head taught her to sing, how she had come into her own because of hima"was the most important one shead ever had. It mattered more than her relations.h.i.+p with her father and mother. And certainly more than her relations.h.i.+p with Lorraine, or with Clara, or even with Marcusa"they were all only friends.

But with Jerome there was heat. There was pa.s.sion. Even when they were angry with each other, or when money was tight, shead always figured she and Jerome had their love. And that it would always keep them together.

But clearly that wasnat how Jerome felt.

Maybe he was happier now. He would never have to hide his relations.h.i.+p with Marcie or feel awkward about introducing her to his friends. Head gotten what he wanteda"someone who understood him in a way Gloria never could.

She boarded the train and was glad to find the car practically empty.

Why had Jerome given up on her so fast?

As she turned the corner toward her old apartment, she saw three police cars parked along the curb. The street was crowded with people whoad come out to see what the ruckus was all about. Two uniformed officers were standing on the stoop, talking to her frazzled-looking landlord.

The flyers! Shead completely forgotten.

It had never entered her mind that the police could have been behind the flyers. But it made sense: The police had figured out that she killed Tony and had used the flyers as a way to lure her into their clutches.

She turned on her heel and walked back the way shead come.

How could she have been so stupid? The charade shead used to get into her apartment had not only allowed her to live secretly with Jeromea"it had helped hide her from the police.

She and Jerome had been so careful for months, going through such complicated ruses, using fake names and never telling their address to prospective employers, never entering or leaving the apartment together.

And now, thanks to Gloria, all of that had been in vain.

The Lost Girl had finally been found.

LORRAINE.

Lorraine wanted to hit someone.

Specifically, she wanted to hit Thor, the nasty little midget who was currently telling her off.

aNaw, this set list is all wrong,a he said in his thick Windy City accent. aWho wants to hear a buncha slow songs at the beginning of the night? Redo it.a Lorraine walked over to the table where the pint-sized gangster sat. She held her hand out for the clipboard. aFine. Iall write a new set list.a aNot so fast, doll,a he said, sneering. aBefore you do this, you gotta get someone to take those posters back to the printers. Theyall look better with red lettering.a She raised her eyebrows. aBut between her hair and her dress a isnat that kind of a lot of red?a Thor puffed on his stogie. aOh, you think so? How about I call up Carlito, see what he thinks about splas.h.i.+ng some red around here? I think head like the idea just fine.a Lorraine s.n.a.t.c.hed the clipboard. aFine, Iall get Jimmy to do it.a aAttagirl. And get that old codger to mop the floor again. I want to be able to see my reflection.a Lorraine counted to ten in her head. And then she made herself smile. aWhy, sure thing, Thor.a She wished she could just ignore everything Thor said, but he was Carlitoas right-hand man, and her safety depended on keeping Thor happy.

He grunted. aI donat know what youare so happy about. Me, Iam never happy. Life is a vale of tears, Lorraine. And when Iam done with you, youall appreciate that.a The day after Jerome and Gloria had slipped out of Lorraineas grasp, Thor had shown up at the Opera House.

aWhat are you doing here?a shead asked him.

aI work here now,a head said.

aNot if I donat say so. Iam the manager!a aNot anymore, sweetheart.a Head beamed at everyone else in the room. aSay h.e.l.lo to your new general manager. Lorraine, why donat you run and get me a coffee?a aLet me guess,a Lorraine had asked. aSmall?a That day shead gone home with an enormous coffee stain down her dress.

Thor had immediately taken full advantage of his new position. Suddenly nothing could be done in the club without the aThor stamp of approval.a As per Carlitoas orders, Thor kept an eye on Lorraine at all times.

Sure, Lorraine disliked Spark. And she practically hated Puccini. But that was nothing compared with the way she felt about Thor.

Thor seemed to take great joy in taunting her and bossing her around. aAnd please tell me you were smart enough to stock the special brandy for when Frankie Balzini comes in with his new moll?a Lorraine blinked as she stepped behind the bar. aIall go get it.a She pulled Jimmy out of a poker game with Spark in the office and sent him off to the printers. Then she handed the set list to Sparka"for once he didnat even complain. At last, she carried the expensive bottle of liquor back to the bar.