The Other Lady Vanishes (Burning Cove #2)(39)

“I was not one of her clients but I was acquainted with her. She and I were both aspiring actresses at one time.”

“I see,” Adelaide said.

“We showed up at the same casting calls. Occasionally we had drinks together. But when I got the lead in Dark Road, everything changed. It’s very difficult to maintain a friendship between two people who are competing for the same roles.”

“I understand.”

“Believe it or not, I was very happy for Zolanda when she came up with the psychic routine. It seemed to be working brilliantly. She must have been making a lot of money. She had all the publicity she could possibly want. Half the stars in Hollywood were clamoring for private consultations. I can’t believe she took her own life. Suicide makes no sense.”

“Perhaps the police will be able to find some answers,” Adelaide said.

Vera’s eyes narrowed a little. “If you ask me, they need to track down her assistant. I hear she went missing around the time of Zolanda’s death. Sounds suspicious to me.”

“I wouldn’t know anything about that.” Adelaide hoisted the empty tray. “If you’ll excuse me, I should get back to the kitchen.”

“Of course. I’m sure it’s been very difficult for you and that businessman from L.A. who was with you when you found Zolanda’s body. Thank goodness he happened along when he did, hmm?”

Adelaide went still. “I beg your pardon?”

“I just meant that it was a lucky break for you. After all, things could have been a bit awkward with the police if you had been alone when you discovered Zolanda’s body.”

Adelaide decided she’d had about enough. She fixed Vera with a steady gaze. “What makes you say that, Miss Westlake?”

Vera’s eyes widened in an expression of pure innocence. “It just occurred to me that the police might have wondered why you happened to be on the scene of such an unusual death so early in the morning.”

Adelaide managed what she hoped was coolly amused smile. “By any chance are you trying out for the role of a lady detective in your next film, Miss Westlake?”

Vera looked startled for an instant. Then she gave a throaty little laugh. “I admit that, like everyone else in town, I’m curious about the death of Madam Zolanda. She never became a star on the silver screen, but she was certainly a Hollywood celebrity. I know several of her clients. It was amazing how many people fell for her act.”

This was getting dangerous, Adelaide thought. The tearoom was not very large. Although she and Vera had been conversing in low tones, Adelaide was quite certain that those who were sitting at nearby tables had overheard every word.

“I hope you enjoy your tea, Miss Westlake,” she said. “Please excuse me. As you can see, we’re quite busy today.”

Vera’s mouth twisted in a humorless smile. “Nothing like a mysterious death to bring out the curiosity seekers.”

“Evidently,” Adelaide said.

She hurried off to check on a nearby table before Vera could say anything else.

Florence emerged from the kitchen with a pot of tea and a sly expression.

“Your new boarder is waiting for you,” she whispered when she passed Adelaide.

Adelaide hurried into the kitchen. Jake was there. She realized he had entered the tearoom through the kitchen door.

“Florence told me that Vera Westlake managed to snag you,” he said. “I assume she was curious about the psychic’s death?”

“Yes.” Adelaide set the tray on the counter. “I didn’t tell her anything more than what was in the Herald. Evidently she and Zolanda knew each other when they were aspiring actresses. Their lives went in different directions when Vera became a star and Zolanda . . . didn’t.”

“Huh.” Jake looked interested. “Was Westlake one of Zolanda’s clients?”

Adelaide raised her brows. “You’re wondering if Vera Westlake might have been one of Zolanda’s blackmail victims, aren’t you?”

“The possibility crossed my mind. If so, she would have had a motive for murder.”

“I asked Miss Westlake if she had ever consulted with Zolanda. The answer was a very firm no. Miss Westlake doesn’t believe in psychic powers. But she did say she finds it difficult to believe that Zolanda took her own life. She suspects that Thelma Leggett had something to do with the psychic’s death.”

“She’s not the only one holding that theory. A lot of people in town are convinced that Leggett murdered her boss.”

“Why?

“The folks I talked to assume that Leggett murdered her boss in order to steal money or jewelry.”

Adelaide frowned. “Where did you hear all this?”

“The hardware store. Where else? Women get their local news at the beauty shop. Men get it at the hardware store.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“I learned something else about Zolanda today. While she was here in Burning Cove she was a regular at the Paradise Club. The night she died was the one night she did not go to the club.”

“Who told you that?”

“Luther Pell.”

Adelaide stilled. “Florence mentioned that you and Mr. Pell are acquainted.”

“Pell and I met each other a few years ago.”