“That’s just the point; the picture will never be made. It’s been withdrawn from schedule. Butch announced its withdrawal only this morning.”
“What of it? Your contract calls for an eight-week guarantee. So, picture or no picture, you stay here till you collect eight weeks’ salary. Or, to put it crudely, till you’ve wrapped your bankbook around twelve thousand bucks.”
“It’s criminal,” muttered Ellery.
“Nah, it’s life,” said Clark, rising. “Now forget it. Being ashamed to draw a salary! Who ever heard of such a thing?”
“But how can I take it? I can’t just sit around here—”
“He can’t just sit around here,” exploded Lew. “Listen, drizzle-puss, I’m sittin’ around here for a lot less than fifteen hundred bucks a week!”
“Me, too,” sighed the publicity man.
“Work it out in detecting,” suggested Clark. “You’re a detective, aren’t you?”
“I could use some o’ that dough,” Lew grumbled into his raw egg-and-tomato juice. “Say, Queen, how’s about letting me have a couple o’ C’s till next Friday?”
“This is where I came in,” said the agent hurriedly. “Got to bawl out a producer; he’s knifing one of my best clients in the back.”
“Just till next Friday,” said Lew as Clark went away.
“If you let this pirate put the bee on you,” growled Sam Vix, “you’re a bigger sap than you pretend to be. Next Friday! What’s the matter with this Friday? You get paid today, you fat bastard.”
“Who asked you to butt in?” said Lew hotly. “You know I’m savin’ up for my old age. I’m gonna start a chicken farm.”
“You mean the kind that clucks ‘Daddy’?” jeered Vix. “You save for your old age! You’re not going to have an old age. Unless your stomach’s lined with chromium.”
“Anyway, I saw him first!”
“That,” said the publicity man with a grin, “was one tough break — for him. Well, so long. I work for my lousy pittance.”
“By the way, Sam,” said Ellery absently. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Where were you last Sunday?”
“Me?” The one-eyed man looked astonished. “Over at Reed Island, making arrangements for the wedding reception.”
“I know, but when I phoned the Island after the plane was snatched Sunday, I was told you weren’t there.”
Vix scowled down at him. “What the hell you doing — taking Clark’s advice seriously?”
“No offense,” smiled Ellery. “I just thought I’d ask you before Glücke got around to it.”
“Take a tip from me and lay off that kind of chatter. It isn’t healthy.” And Vix stalked off, the black patch over his eye quivering with indignation.
“What’s the matter with him!” murmured Ellery, offering his coffee-cup to the waitress to be replenished.
Lew chuckled. “Some guys are born hatin’ spinach and other guys work up a terrific peeve if you split an infinitive. Sam’s weakness is he don’t think it’s funny to be suspected of a murder. And he thinks it’s twice as not funny in the case of a double feature.”
“Can’t a man ask an innocent question?”
“Yeah,” said Lew dryly. “Pretty soon you’ll be askin’ me an innocent question, too. Like: ‘Was that really you standin’ beside me when this masked guy hijacked Ty’s plane?’”
“Well, you can’t always believe your eyes,” said Ellery with a grin.
“Sure not. I mighta been my twin brother.”
“Have you a twin brother?” asked Ellery, startled.
“You know why I like you?” sighed Lew. “Because you’re such a pushover for a gag. Of course I ain’t got no twin brother!”
“I might have known that the Author of us all wouldn’t repeat a mistake of that magnitude,” said Ellery sadly. “Oh, Ty! Come over here and join us in some breakfast.”
Ty Royle strode over, freshly shaven but looking as if he had spent a hectic night. “Had mine, thanks. Queen, I’d like to talk to you.”
“Yes?”
Ty squatted on the stool Sam Vix had vacated, put his elbow on the counter, and ran his fingers through his hair.
“All right, all right,” grumbled Lew, getting up. “I know a stage wait when I hear one.”
“Don’t go, Lew,” said Ty wearily. “You may be able to help, too.”
Ellery and Lew exchanged glances. “Sure, kid,” said Lew, seating himself. “What’s on your mind?”
“Bonnie.”
“Oh,” said Ellery.
“What’s she pulled on you now?” asked Lew sympathetically.
“It’s that business of yesterday afternoon.” Ty fiddled with Vix’s coffee-cup. “Her saying that dad was behind the — well, the whole thing. I’ve been up all night thinking it over. I was sore as a boil at first. But I found out something about myself last night.”
“Yes?” said Ellery with a frown.
“Something’s happened to me. Since Wednesday. I don’t feel the way I used to about her. In fact, I feel... just the opposite.” He banged the cup. “Oh, what the hell’s the use of fighting myself any longer? I’m in love with her!”
“You feelin’ good?” growled Lew.
“It’s no use, Lew. I’m hooked for fair this time.”
“With all the fluffs you’ve played!”
Ty smiled wryly. “That’s almost exactly what I said to dad when I found out he’d decided he loved Blythe.”
“Yes,” murmured Ellery, “history has a fascinating way of repeating itself.” He sent Lew a warning look, and Lew nodded.
“Listen kid, it’s your imagination and this climate,” said Lew in a fatherly tone. “Jack’s death sort of knocked you out of kilter, and you know what the warm sun does to young animals. Listen to your Uncle Looey. This love stuff don’t get you anything but trouble. Take me, for instance. You don’t see me going woozy-eyed over any one dame, do you? Hell, if I had your pan I’d make Casanova look like Cousin Hiram heavin’ his first pass at the college widow!”
Ty shook his head. “No go, Lew. I don’t want any woman but Bonnie. That stuff’s out for good.”
“Well,” shrugged Lew, “it’s your funeral. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Look, Lew.” Ty seemed embarrassed. “You’re about as close to Bonnie as... I mean, I was thinking you might try to talk to her.”
Ellery shook his head violently over Ty’s shoulder.
“Who, me?” said Lew in a shocked voice. “What d’ye wanta make me, accessory to a crime? I wouldn’t have it on my conscience. I’m no John Alden. Do your own courtin’.”
“How about you, Queen? Bonnie’s convinced that dad — well, you heard her yesterday. Somebody’s got to show her how wrong she is. She obviously won’t listen to me.”
“Why don’t you let matters ride for a while?” said Ellery lightly. “Give her time to cool off. She’ll probably realize by herself, in time, that it’s all a mistake.”
“Sure, what’s the rush? Give the kid a chance to get her bearings. Besides,” said Lew, “there’s Butch.”
Ty was silent. Then he said: “Butch... Maybe you’re right. It is less than a week.”
The cashier at the commissary desk called out: “Mr. Queen, there’s a call for you on this phone.”
Ellery excused himself and went to the desk.
“Hello — Mr. Queen? This is Bonnie Stuart.”
“Oh,” said Ellery. “Yes?” He glanced at Ty, who was listening glumly as Lew waved his arms in earnest exhortation.
“I’ve something to show you,” said Bonnie strangely. “It... came this morning.”
“Oh, I see.” Then Ellery said in a loud tone: “How about lunch?”