The Other Lady Vanishes (Burning Cove #2)(44)
“You can’t live in a hotel forever.”
“Why not? You seem to be doing just fine living on top of a nightclub.”
“That’s different. I own the place. You’re living as if you were still in the import-export business, always prepared to pack a bag and travel halfway around the world at a moment’s notice. Those days are over, Jake.”
Jake exhaled slowly. “I know. But I’ve got to recover that diary before I can think about what I want to do next.”
He lined up the tee shot and sent the ball sailing down the long fairway, straight toward the green.
“How the hell do you do that?” Luther said. “You should have become a professional.”
“Too hard on the nerves,” Jake said. “Mine are already exhausted, remember?”
“Yeah, I did hear something about that.”
Chapter 27
The Paradise Club lived up to its reputation as an eternally midnight realm steeped in intimate shadows and dark glamour. The velvet-covered booths were arranged in semicircles that rose in tiers above the crowded dance floor. Small candles burned on each table, giving off a warm, flickering light that enhanced the drama and encouraged flirtation. Cigarettes sparked in the darkness.
The members of the orchestra wore white dinner jackets and black bow ties. A large, mirrored sphere hung over the dance floor, its faceted surface scattering light across the dancers, who appeared to be gliding and swaying through a storm of sparkling jewels.
The music blended with the hum of low-voiced conversations and the occasional ripples of laughter. The French doors that lined one entire side of the room were open, allowing the night air to cool the space and help dissipate the cigarette smoke.
“How will we know if Paxton is here tonight?” Adelaide asked.
She and Jake were seated at a table that was in the last tier of booths. She was well aware that it was not considered a prime location, but it had two major advantages: It provided privacy while simultaneously allowing a view of the dance floor.
She was sure they were the only ones in the club who were not drinking cocktails. They had both ordered sparkling water. They had a long evening ahead of them. Becoming intoxicated was not on the agenda.
“According to Luther, Paxton always sits at Westlake’s table,” Jake said.
“Yes, but what if she doesn’t show up?”
“I was told that her assistant called earlier to make sure that Miss Westlake’s table would be ready, as usual.”
“All right. How will we know when she arrives? Will Mr. Pell send someone to inform us?”
Jake was amused. “You’ll know when she arrives the same way you know when she enters the tearoom.”
“In other words, she’ll make an entrance,” Adelaide said.
“Management will ensure that she does. The ma?tre d’ will escort her and whoever she’s with to one of the booths at the edge of the dance floor.”
Adelaide smiled. “Can I assume that this isn’t your first visit to the Paradise?”
“I’ve spent some time here in Burning Cove over the years, so, yes, I’ve been in the Paradise. But I’ve also been in a few other nightclubs around the world. Take it from me, they all have a lot in common when it comes to how they treat their celebrity guests.”
“The celebrities pretend they want to be incognito but of course what they really want is to be noticed,” Adelaide said.
“Even if the stars don’t want to be noticed, the studio publicists go to great lengths to make sure that they are.”
“When you think about it, being an actor or actress must be a very stressful career.”
“There’s a price for everything,” Jake said.
“Yes.”
Jake studied her from the opposite side of the small booth. “What did you do before you became a tearoom waitress?”
She hesitated and then decided there was no harm in telling him some of the truth. “I was a librarian. I worked in a research library that specialized in the botanical sciences.”
“Did you enjoy the work?”
She brightened at the memories. “Oh, yes. The library is very highly regarded. The collection is excellent. My colleagues and I conducted literature searches for scientists and medical researchers from around the nation. It was fascinating work.”
“And now you’re in Burning Cove working in a tearoom.”
She tensed. “My parents died. I was alone. No family. I felt that I needed a change.”
She held her breath, afraid that he would press her with more questions. Should have kept my mouth closed, she thought.
But Jake simply nodded in understanding. “I know the feeling.”
She relaxed. “Some people think I’ve lived a sheltered life. They think I’m na?ve. My parents were always afraid that some man would take advantage of me.”
Which was, of course, exactly what had happened, she thought.
“Maybe a dose of na?veté is the price you pay to be a good, decent person,” Jake said. “Seems like the only alternative is to become cynical like me. I can’t really recommend it.”
Adelaide picked up her sparkling water and looked at him over the rim of the glass. “I may be inclined to be na?ve but I’m not stupid. Once I know for certain that I can’t trust someone, I never make the mistake of trusting that person again.”