Night Extra

He followed her down a hallway to the kitchen, and took a seat at a counter that ran out flush from the range and broiler unit. Everything in sight was automatic, self-operating, studded with rheostats, gauges and clocks. To his inexperienced eyes it looked very formidable.

“Ours wasn’t much like this,” he said. “We had a wood stove and a pump.”

“Ah, a farm boy.”

“That’s right. Iowa. Corn farm.”

She smiled at him. “Are you serious? I’m from Davenport.”

“The big city, eh? Is that where you met Eden?”

“Uh-huh.” She put a cup of coffee beside him on the counter, and bowls of cream and sugar. “I won a band audition in my first year at college, and that was good for a month’s work at a local club. Eden was working there, too. She was wonderful to me, and told me to keep in touch. So I did. Eden kept insisting I should go back to college, but—” She moved to a narrow aluminum ironing board and picked up a blouse from a little pile of rolled-up garments. “Well, so here I am. Hanging onto Eden’s apron strings. She thinks I might get a job at The Mansions.”

“Singing?”

“Well, yes. I’m not awfully good, but I stay on key. And older men like me. That’s important, I think.”

“Yes, indeed,” Terrell said, nodding soberly. She was busy with her ironing, and he realized that he had never seen a pair of more beautiful legs. Even in loafers they looked wonderful; slim and smooth and brown, with light muscles that played gracefully when she lifted her feet.

“Do you know Mr. Cellars?” she said.

“Ike Cellars? Just slightly.”

She turned and looked at him. “Why do you say it like that?”

“My voice quivered with respect. That’s all. Have you met him?”

“No, but Eden says she’ll arrange it.”

Terrell’s intuitions began to work. “Have you met Frankie?” he asked casually.

“Frankie Chance? Just for a second last night. He came in for a drink — it must have been pretty late.”

Terrell smiled faintly. Eden’s break with Frankie obviously had been repaired. Or had there ever been a break? Terrell glanced at his watch and got to his feet. “Thanks for the coffee, Connie, but I’ve got to get going. Tell Eden I stopped by, will you?”

“No message?”

“I’ll give her a ring later.”

It was then that they heard the clatter of high heels in the front foyer. Connie said, “Here she is. It’s a good thing you waited.”

“It’s my lucky day,” Terrell said.

The high heels came down the hallway and Eden Myles pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen. “Connie, were there any calls for—” She stopped, staring at Terrell.

“Hello, Eden,” he said. “We were just having our coffee break. It’s something the unions got for us.”

“What do you want, Sam?” She glanced at Connie, suspicion sharpening her eyes. “What was he snooping around here for?”

Connie said, “He told me you were friends.”

“That’s very funny. Newspapermen are a notch below cops in my form book. Okay, what did you want?”

“Coffee,” Terrell said. “Like a cup, Eden? It’s wonderful.”

“What do you want?” She didn’t relax. She stood tall and angry, her flat model’s figure framed effectively in the doorway. The contrast between the two girls was remarkable, Terrell thought. Eden was a striking brunette, with a face made for fashion magazines, drawn, gaunt and dramatic. She wore a black suit with a stand-up collar, and only one piece of jewelry, a heavy silver bracelet on her left wrist. Beside her Connie looked like an urchin — a clean urchin with beautifully shaped legs.

Terrell said casually, “What are you seeing Caldwell for, Eden? That’s what I stopped to check on.”

Eden took it very well; she stared at him for at least ten seconds in silence, and then she said, “Would you go now? I’ve got things to do.”

“Won’t talk, eh? No comment.” Terrell lit a cigarette. “That’s what Sarnac said at first. But he finally gave in. I’m not using the story until I get his okay, Eden. I just wanted background.”

“Get out of here!”

Terrell said, “Okay, Eden, if that’s the way you want it.” He studied her for a second or so, and then shook his head slowly. “I don’t get it,” he said. “You’re a handsome woman, very elegant, very lovely.”

“I didn’t know you cared,” she said drily.

“When Ike Cellars finds out that you’ve been indiscreet, you won’t enjoy looking at yourself in mirrors any more. Has that occurred to you?”

“Get out, I said.”

Terrell tossed her a little salute and walked down the hall into the living room. Connie ran after him and caught his arm before he reached the door. “Please don’t go,” she said. “She’s frightened about something. She wants to talk to you, I know.”

Terrell said, “Listen!” They could hear Eden’s footsteps in the hallway. “Psychology,” he said.

“You’re a good bit of a heel.”

“That’s just a majority opinion.”

Eden entered the living room looking weary and beaten; the proud tension was gone from her body, and all of her careful grooming couldn’t conceal the fear in her face.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “Can’t we play the scene over with a little less volume?”

“Let’s try,” he said.