Evening star., 1951-05-17
CHAPTER THlRTY-THREE
ct don't know" he said.


Tania," Bill told her. IT always
come back to the idea that it
must have been Nina. not you the
killer was after. It's the only
explanation that makes sense.
II told Wilson. and he didn't
disagree with me. He said he'd
thought of that. too. and maybe
all of us had been barking up the
wrong tree. thinking it was you.
He said he was working on that
angle"
1T doesn't explain Jeremy's
shooting" she objected.
mo" he agreed. But Jeremy
knew her. didn't hep"
She nodded. "A long time be-
fore I met him. He had written
her letters, too. Probably she'd
been blackmailing him as we'll as
the others. That still doesn't ex-
plain anything" She frowned.
Except this, Bill. That night
you followed me. and some one
shot at me in your car. had
been to Jeremy'S apartment. I
told him I was Tania and bor-
rowed some money from him"
She went on, telling him about the
open bedroom door which had
silently closed.
''If some one had been hiding
in there. they might have killed
Jeremy later to prevent him from
telling you or the police" Bill
reasoned.
Tania sighed. Still it doesn't
make sense. And I've been con-
stantly worried about Mickey
Rollins. Where is he? Why hasn't
he turned up? I'm sure he went
to Chicago. He had a notion he'd
find some definite clue there.
Does his disappearance mean the
killer got to Mickey? Wilson
hasn't been able to find him" She
buried her face in her hands. Her
shoulders trembled.
Bill stood up, his blue eyes
shadowed by anxiety. He said,
There were only three people at
Jeremy's the night he was killed
George NARROW. Anton Ludovic
and Gloria. Both of us have elm
mated Gloria. Could it possibly
be George or Anton?"
Tania shivered. What reason
could either of them have?"
Bill started toward the door.
Anyhow. don't let either of them
come up here alone" he warned
He put on his trench coat, belted
1t and picked up his soft-brimmed
felt hat.
Tania looked up at him, her
great brown eyes fearful and
pleading. Suddenly, as if he
couldn't help himself, he gathered
her into his arms and held her
close. She felt his lips brush the
top Of her head. Her fingers
frightened on the lapels Of his
coat and she raised her lips to
his.
He kissed her, then, a kiss
meant to be brief and friendly
but when their lips met all of
their pent-up emotions broke
loose and drowned them.
For an endless time they stood
there, wrapped in each others
arms. their eyes closed, their lips
interlocked with sweet, tender
ardency.
When Bill let her go there was
anger IN his face, anger at him
self, for he said: 'I didn't mean
that to happen, Tania."
He opened the door and hurried
Closing the door she leaned
against it. But it did happen!"
she whispered fiercely. "He did
kiss me! He wanted to as much
as 7 did"
During the rest of the day she
alternated between hope and
despair. First she believed that
Bill did care for her, then she
told herself that he never would
because she would forever re-
mind him of Nina and when she
considered this, the very idea of
his loving her seemed impossible
It seemed a cruel trick Of fate
that her face had to be similar
to another girls. even though the
girl was dead now. It was like
having an evil twin sister.
Around seven o'clock, as she
finished a light dinner, alone,
George NARROW telephoned. I'll
have two tickets for a new show
tonight, Tani," he said. Would
you like to go with me?"
An icy finger seemed 10 press
against the nape of her neck. She
thought. George NARROW and
Anton Ludovic, the only two sus-
poets left!" and it did seem strange
Georges invitation. He had never
invited her anywhere before.
I'm sorry, George" she said.
"1'm busy this evening. How did
you happen to call me?"
He sounded embarrassed. "Well
truthfully, my date stood me up
at the last minute, Tani. Then I
thought of you because I realized
you might like to get out for awhile
and take your mind of what's
happened" His voice was frank,
80 genuine. that she decided it
could not be George who had
planned murder. In her mind
she conjured him up-nice gray
eyes. curly fair hair, clean young
face.
Thanks, George" she said. I'm
sorry I can't go. Pm sure you1l
flnd some one"
Another restless unhappy hour
passed. Her nerves were jump
ing like Mexican beans. From the
street. three floors below, any one
who was curious could tell she
was at home by the lights.
Twice she tried to reach Wilson.
but he was not at the station. Then
at 10 o'clock, when she felt her
nerves would snap. Anton Ludo-
vic called.