Evening star., 1951-05-15
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CHAPTER THIRTY-oNE

CHAPTER THlRTY-ONE
At 1880 Anton left Ia
mia at her door, saying. I'm sorry
Gloria showed up at the club,
honey. She's stupid little dope
and I know she upset you. ANY
one with eyesight can see you're
in love with Reynolds, but way he
doesn't do something about it is a
mystery to me. There's no COM
parison between you and Gloria.
He must be mad"
Tania kissed his cheek. Thanks,
Anton. Don't worry about me. It's
my problem. Good night. and it
was a nice evening"
He seemed anxious. Take care
Of yourself" he urged. Lock your
doors. I keep thinking about the
murderer running loose and I
know. as you know, that 1t must
be one Of us, some one from the
show"
I'm sure of that, too." she ad-
mitted. "but who it is, or why
they want to kin me. I have no
idea."
Inside the apartment. alone, she
locked and bolted the door. ALI
evening, from the time she had
left. she had been conscious of
being followed by the man in the
inconspicuous dark suit. Instead
of making her feel safer. his pres
ence had only reminded her of her
danger.
Days had passed since the reve-
lation, by the police that she was
alive. If the killer intended max
ing another try on her life, it
might be soon. 1t might be to-
night. And in her mind, she
thought. Gloria Gray. She hates
me. She didn't bother to hide it
tonight. I wonder if Bill noticed"
Going to the modernistic desk
in a corner of the living room. Ia
mia opened the right-hand drawer
and made sure the .32-caliber au-
tomato was there, and that the
bullets were in it. She had bought
1t yesterday, to protect herself.
The telephone rang and she an
swered it. 1t. Wilson said.
''I've been told that you went out
this evening with Anton Ludovic. =
Eyes, did," she said defensively
'I had to get out of this place for
awhile. The constant worry, the
suspense"
IT know" he said kindly. 1--WE
been working night and day on
the case. Miss Lynn, trying to
turn up something. A lot of things
you told me have begun to fit into
pattern. I'm quite sure we have
a definite lead now. at last.
"In fact, I'm quite sure Of the
killers identity and the motives
behind the murders. I can't tell
you yet. l can only advise you to
be extremely careful.
Don't trust any one. no matter
how well you think you know
them. Do you understand? Not
any one!"
Eyes. I understand. she said
steadily. Are you sure you can't
tell me whom you suspect?"
"It would be too dangerous
for you." he said. You might
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Lynn"
After he had rung off. she lit q
cigarette and sat thinking. Moth
ing would be as frightening if
Bill were with her. Oh. how could
she go on loving a man who didn't
love her? A man who was indif-
ferent to her?
The answer waS-She couldn't
help it. And her stubborn heart
would not, admit that he didn't
love her. It kept remembering his
arms, his urgent loving mouth . =.
The chimes of the doorbell
startled her. Who could it be at
this hour? Nearly l o'clock? Cau-
tiously Tania took the gun from
the desk and slipped it into the
pocket Of her lounging robe, then
she went to the door and said:
"Who is it. please?"
Gloria Gray. I'd Like to talk to
you Tania. Please. It's impor-
tant."
Tania thought. "Al right. If
she's the killer I want to know,
once and for all. I'm not afraid of
her. have a gun and that detec-
tive must be outside somewhere. ;"
She opened the door and admitted
Gloria.
"Sit down if you want to-" she
said. unable to pretend a friend
illness she did not feel.
Gloria perched on the edge OF
the sofa. The pupils Of her eyes
were dilated and her face was con-
torted with resentment. AS she be.
gan talking her small, birdlike
hands snapped and unsnapped the
catch of her gold evening bag.
II just wish you'd leave Bill
Reynolds alone!' she burst out
That's why I had to come here
to ask you to leave him alone.
You're so beautiful you can get
any man you want, so leave him
alone. do you hear?"
81 only danced with him once
this evening"" Tania said mildly
Aren't you excited about nothing.
Gloria?"
"Oh. know you," the other
girl said bitterly. you'll take him