The Holy City Express: A Duke Dempsey Mystery by Ron Plante Jr

Author:Ron Plante Jr [Plante, Ron Jr]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Freeman's Point Press
Published: 2024-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Coincidence

Duke stared out the window as the streamliner roared through the beautiful snowcapped Blue Ridge Mountains toward Asheville. There wasn’t much action in the café yet except a couple of servants and Mrs. Clara Ford enjoying a pastry on the other side of the car. It was a clear and beautiful morning and Duke took a sip of his coffee as Lizette walked into the café. Duke stood up and instantly noticed a difference in Lizette’s demeanor from when he’d left her the previous night. There was a bounce in her step and even her presentation seemed more jovial. Ever since they’d met, Duke knew her as someone beautiful yet stoic and social yet guarded. She always glided into a room with grace and elegance but that morning she marched with purpose. She had worn her standard ruby-red lipstick but traded in her backless Hollywood gown for high-waisted sailor pants and a long-sleeved blouse.

Duke couldn’t help but smile as Lizette sat opposite him with a look of excitement. “All right, doll, spill it,” he said in jest.

Lizette was so overwhelmed with excitement that she could barely wait to sit down before telling him what happened. She began talking a mile a minute, and it seemed she didn’t leave out any detail except the fact that her performance was based on a true story. She kept that to herself. He sat back and listened as he sipped his coffee interrupting her just long enough so she could order something to eat. He was a little taken aback by the information that Dinah didn’t go anywhere near the vault before dinner. According to Lizette, Dinah was working on sound checks with Victor the bartender in the Rail’s End Lounge. He didn’t peg Samuel McGee as a fibster, but the two stories did not add up. What made things even more interesting was Duke corroborated Samuel’s alibi in the café before Lizette arrived. Someone was lying, and he needed to talk to Victor the bartender to find out who. Lizette was adamant about Dinah’s character and felt strongly about her ability to be involved in such an incident. Duke wasn’t ready to check her off the list just yet but made a mental note of his partner’s feelings.

Lizette’s breakfast arrived and Duke had a cigarette as his. “So, what is our next move?” she asked as she placed the napkin in her lap.

“Our next move?” He stared at the starlet as she took a bite of her toast. “So, what happened?” Duke asked.

“I told you everything that happened,” she said as she continued to eat.

“Not with Dinah, but with you. I left you last night, and you were like a deer staring into headlights. This morning you are Nancy Drew. What changed?”

“I don’t know. When I was in the moment, the adrenaline was flowing, and it was like I was back in front of a camera. I had trouble falling asleep afterward because I was so excited. It hit me that I enjoyed playing the role.

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