Valhollywood: A noir fantasy of murder in the afterlife by Appel Christopher

Author:Appel, Christopher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nikko Press
Published: 2023-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

Despite the success with his building, the morning had raised more issues than it had solved. Where was Barrymore? How could Jake protect his friends without caving into Cohen? And who the hell were the Europeans? Portière had pointed out their foreign nature as if it meant something. What was different in Europe? Ava had painted a grim picture. Did people who had been around for centuries have some power that the Hollywood set didn’t?

By the time he got back to the Lincoln, Jake’s hands were shaking on the steering wheel; between his illness, days of adrenaline rushes, and seeing too much weird stuff, he felt awful. He tried to reach John Wayne at the Athletic Club without success, but Basil Rathbone answered his phone at home. Jake ran down the gist of his meeting with Cohen, the strange, wet jacket, and the ultimatum. He told of his rescue by Mr. Kaiser, Alex, and Akiel, explaining to Basil that there were dangerous new players in town. Rathbone could shed no light on the men; he had been too busy to notice them during the inquest.

“I think I’m okay until noon tomorrow, as far as Cohen goes,” Jake said, but he wasn’t sure he believed it. “Look, you mentioned you could find Barrymore if you had to. He may be missing.” Jake gave a brief rundown of Portière’s plan for a séance and reminded Basil of the symbols appearing around town. “It may sound crazy, but some rival cult may be interested in what Portière is doing. If they killed Nazimova, Barrymore might also be in danger.”

Basil thought this was a long shot but noted the information before they ended the call. The next task on Jake’s list was to track down someone who could open up Selig Polyscope Studios. It was about more than just recovering property now. If Jake could find evidence that would turn public opinion against Cohen’s operations, it might change the balance of power between them. He drove to the Hollywood Brown Derby for his appointment with Roddy McDowall. At the corner of Hollywood and Vine was a hand-painted sign, advertising an Equity Players show at the Pantages Theater, just around the corner from the Derby. Jake found a considerable crowd at the restaurant.

Inside, the high walls were covered by framed caricatures of famous celebrities. Booths of hardwood and leather stretched from the large bar at the far end of the room to the greeter’s station. Here, Katharine Hepburn was playing hostess to the incoming lunch crowd. She sent the party ahead of him to their table before greeting Jake.

“Hello, Mr. Neumann. I’m afraid the Derby is booked today for the Equity Players,” she informed him. To emphasize the point, she pointed to a sign saying as much, and added, “I’m afraid it’s a private function.”

“I’m not here for lunch, Roddy McDowall is expecting me,” said Jake. To emphasize the point, he tapped his badge and added, “I’m afraid it’s an official inquiry.”

“Oh, I see,” replied Hepburn.

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