The Clark Gable and Carole Lombard Murder Case by George Baxt

Author:George Baxt
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781627797160
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Six

“He looks like a department store floor walker,” said Carole.

“He can walk my floor anytime he likes,” said Kay.

“He’s wearing a wedding band,” said Miriam, toying with the pearls hanging around her neck.

“That could be camouflage,” said Carole. “Maybe he was warned about the predatory ladies of Hollywood.”

“He has nothing to worry about here,” said Miriam. “I didn’t invite Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford.” She now wore her gracious hostess and movie star smile as Herb Villon returned her greeting and introduced Carl Arden to everyone. Arden didn’t hear Miriam Hopkins say “He should be played by Errol Flynn.”

“Not at all,” disputed Kay Francis. “The FBI don’t carry concealed swords.” She extended her hand and said to Carl Arden. “How nice to meet you, Mr. Arden. Have you come to our wescue?”

“If it’s kidnappers you’re referring to, I’m happy to tell you it’s a false alarm. The men who vanished from Los Angeles did so of their own volition.” He didn’t elucidate and trusted neither would Herb. “You can send your bodyguards on their way.”

Roy and Sammy looked stricken. A tear trickled down Carole’s cheek. “Oh Roy! Oh Sammy! I’ll miss you terribly.”

Clark went into his hail-fellows-well-met routine. “There’s no reason to miss them. They can come visit us anytime. They’re like family.” He smiled at the boys, flashing his trademark dimples and his set of very expensive dentures. “Phone first.”

Carole said, “Where’re you going?” The boys had turned to leave. “You stay and enjoy the party. Have a good time!”

Miriam had her arms intertwined with one each of Sammy’s and Roy’s. “I wouldn’t dream of letting you boys go!”

Kay said sotto voce to Carole, “I’ll give you odds before the evening’s out she’ll have them both chained in the basement.”

“Hee hee hee.”

Groucho boomed, “How can you all forget Lydia Austin? The poor sweet innocent girl has been missing for days!” He asked Herb, “Haven’t you any new leads? Any new supporting players? And speaking of nobody in particular, here comes Oscar Levitt lumbering over the horizon. Hey Oscar, come meet Carl Arden. Any relation to Eve Arden, Carl?” Arden didn’t get a chance to speak. “She was in my movie, A Day At the Circus. You’re not as good-looking as she is.” He turned to Hazel. “And neither are you.”

Hazel ignored him. She was too busy badgering Herb to join her on one side away from the others and give her the scoop on Carl Arden. Herb knew better than to do battle with Hazel when she wanted information. “We’ll be right back,” said Herb, hoping he knew what he was talking about. The day had been a long one of questions with few answers and he was in no mood for more. As Hazel walked him away down the beach, he looked around for any sign of Jim Mallory and Nana Lewis and briefly had a sinking feeling that they might have detoured to a motel for a let’s-get-acquainted quickie. Hazel had her pad and pen at the

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