"I'm sorry, Sam, is this a bad time to call you? You sound very irritated."
It was Barcelona.
"Sorry if I sounded . . . distant. I had other things on my mind. This is a perfect time to call."
"I'm going to be free tomorrow morning as well as the afternoon, so I thought we could spend most of the day together. But I'll have to be back to the theater no later than six-thirty. Are you up for that?"
"Yes, and if I wasn't, I'd make free time for you. I was just thinking and hoping that we'd have more time together tomorrow. I'll pick you up in the morning at eight. Or is that too early for you?"
"No, that's okay. I'll set my alarm and be ready for you when you arrive. Will you be coming by taxi?"
"No, I'll bring my car so we can have breakfast out of the city. Have you ever been to the zoo?"
"No, but I've heard it's a great one."
"It's one of the best. I'll see you tomorrow morning at eight, in front of your building."
I was riding high. I was going to spend most of the day with the woman I was hoping that someday would not only be Barcelona Jones, but the new Mrs. Sam Jones.
Chapter 16
Friday
I picked up Barcelona right on time, and we drove out of the city for breakfast at a place I'd stopped many times before, on the way to my folks' home. The breakfast was always good: eggs basted, bacon crisp but not burnt, and country fried potatoes that were the best I'd ever eaten. Plus your coffee cup was never empty.
I ordered the same for both of us. I knew I couldn't go wrong.
During our meal I brought up the interview I'd had with John Ashland, now that he was out of hospital. I wanted to get it out of the way so the rest of the day we could zero in on other things: like where is our relationship going? Or, can I see you again? And again? Just thinking about it made me a little nervous.
I asked Barcelona, "John Ashland said that at one time you two had a disagreement. What was that all about?"
"It was over a part in one of the plays we were doing together. I'd already worked with John a couple of plays back. He wasn't very nice to some of the cast players, but was okay toward me though. When I did my next play there were two who were up for the male lead, and John was one of them.
"The director, producers and I had a meeting. I suggested we use the other actor. John heard about it and got very angry, saying some terrible things to me. A few days later he called and said he was sorry and would I forgive him. Of course I said yes.
"During the next couple of years we ran into each other many times. He was always sweet and apologetic. When this play we're doing now came up, and his name was mentioned, I agreed he'd be great for the part.
"I also agreed he'd be great for the movie. My contract says I can meet with the producers and help choose who will be the male lead to play Billy the bully. We narrowed it down to John Ashland and Charlie Long. But so far no decision has been made."
"Are you leaning to anyone special who you'd like to work with, and feel would be the best Billy?"
"They both would be great, but I'm thinking of Charlie Long. The times I've met him he appears very nice, and is someone I could like to work with either in this picture or one in the future -- if there is another one. Everyone I've talked to says Charlie is great to work with and always congenial. I'd like working with someone like that, especially making my first movie. I think John would be a little more difficult and demanding. Charlie is flying out here and we'll be meeting and reading together for the director. I'm hoping to get to know him better."
I must have had a concerned look on my face, for Barcelona said, "Don't worry, Sam. He's bringing his wife. Would you like to meet him?"
I assured her I would. She said that she'd make the arrangements and that maybe the four of us could meet for lunch or dinner. They would be here on Tuesday to review the play, and that maybe we could all meet on Wednesday afternoon.
I mentioned about the poison that had killed Michael Sparks, and that it was from a highly poisonous fish called fugu. She said she'd never heard of such a fish.
As we left the restaurant, I said, "Let's not talk about the case any longer. Let's just enjoy the rest of the day."
Barcelona agreed, and I told her a little about the zoo that had many types of animals, and that the grounds were very beautiful. I said that it was huge, and we could spend all day there and still not see everything.
"Good, I love animals of all types. And I hope they have popcorn and corn dogs. I love them. In a few hours I know I'll be hungry again. They do have them, don't they?"
"I think so. I'm not sure, but if that's what you want for lunch, I'll do my best to find them for you."
When we arrived, there was a waiting line to enter the gates. It was a great day and there was no need for even a light sweater. The day was perfect. Just what I was hoping for.
Barcelona was like a little kid enjoying every moment, and of course I kept falling more and more in love with her.
As we looked in every cage of each animal I would play like I was one of them, just as I'd done when we looked into the store windows while walking on our first date. That night, I had mimicked being a mannequin in the windows!
This was much more fun. When we saw the monkeys I acted like one of them, throwing my arms in the air and walking like them. When we looked at the bears I pounded my chest like I was Tarzan. When we gazed at the lions I roared and prowled around. Coming to the giraffes I stretched my neck as far as I could, moving it back and forth while strutting like I was one of them.
I didn't care who was watching me or what the other people were thinking and, as far as I could tell, neither did Barcelona.
She laughed, held her stomach and wiped the tears from her eyes. And as I looked into those eyes I could see something else in them besides the tears of joy falling down from her cheeks. There were moments when the looks she gave me and the smile on her face were revealing to me that she was also falling in love.
Chapter 17
We walked across one of the three bridges in the park-like setting in the zoo grounds. Each bridge crossed over a small man-made lake, known by many as the zoo with the three bridges. When we arrived in the middle of one of the bridges we stopped. Both of us leaned over and rested our hands on the railing. I bravely moved my hand until it touched hers.
In silence, we watched as a mother duck led her four babies to the other side of the lake. As if on cue we both stood up and faced each other . . . this was the time. I leaned my head down, almost touching her lips. I waited, she moved toward me and our lips met. I can't say I saw fireworks, but I heard the sounds as they were exploding in my head.
We broke away. I kissed her lips again but this time very gently. I told her that I loved her. She responded with the words I wanted to hear. "I love you too, Sam."
Just then we heard from the other side of the bridge, "Peanuts, popcorn. Come and get your peanuts and popcorn."
Barcelona took my hand and we both ran to the vendor, laughing all the way. I felt like a little boy excited about what was happening.
After we got our popcorn we saw a bench under a huge shade tree. I led Barcelona to it, both of us with our popcorn bags in hand. As we settled down on the bench, Barcelona said, "In my wildest dreams I never thought anyone could fall in love with someone on a second date. Especially me."
"It's possible," I said. "After all, I fell in love with you before our first date."
We leaned forward to each other as our lips met again. We didn't care that our popcorn bags had slid off of our laps and spilled all over the ground.
All I could think of was my heart and the sound that was coming from it!
Chapter 18
On the drive home, I asked Barcelona, "You never told me how you got your name. Is it for real, or is it a stage name? I understand many stars give themselves a new name, or their agents do."
"Sam, Barcelona is my honest to goodness real name."
"How did you get it?
I remember you said that your parents had their reasons."
"Good memory, Sam. It was their second wedding anniversary. They were in Barcelona, Spain celebrating. Many of my school mates used to ask me the same question. One day I asked my parents about it. They looked at each other, smiled, and my mom said, 'We were wondering when you would ask us that.'
"My father cleared his voice, and said, 'Well, you got your name because you were conceived in Barcelona.'
"Up to then, my name to me was just a name. Now I was embarrassed each time somebody asked me about it. So I began telling everyone that it was my great grandmother's name who was born in Barcelona, Spain. Then one of my so-called friends sold the story of my real name to Photoplay Magazine. Since then, I'm not asked about it very often anymore. But now I must confess my friends get a laugh out of it when somebody does ask. They wait to see my reaction and hear what I tell them."
"Great story, my love. I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so I must say I'm happy my folks didn't name me Chattanooga!"
"Sam, you're so funny. That's one of the many reasons I fell in love with you."
We arrived at the theater a little early, which Barcelona was very pleased about. I walked her to the back stage door where I leaned over to kiss her. She put her hands on my chest to restrain me.
"Sam, there are things we must talk about. Even though I've confessed to you that I love you, my career is still very important to me. I want to make sure you're not going to ask me to give it up."
"I'd never do that, just as I don't expect you to ask me to give up being a private detective because you may think it's dangerous. Your career is you. I'm in love with you. Why would I ask you to change?"
"Thanks, Sam. That means a lot to me. And don't worry, I'd never ask you to give up your work."
"When will I see you again, Barcelona? Soon will not be soon enough!"
"Tomorrow and Sunday are out for me. We have a matinee and an evening performance on both of those days each week. Monday I'll be meeting with the producers and the director. Charlie Long will be there from Hollywood to discuss the movie roll. I'm not sure about Tuesday. They may want me to meet again with all of them. I also would like to spend some time getting acquainted with Charlie."
I put my head down, looking worried about the part of Barcelona spending time with Charlie Long. She looked at me and patted my head. It was more like how one would pat a little dog.
"Remember, Sam, he's married, and his wife's coming with him. We'll all be meeting for lunch or dinner soon after they arrive."
I nodded my head, put my tongue out, panted and wiggled my backside like a happy little puppy.
I gave Barcelona a kiss on the forehead and then a quick kiss on the lips. I said my goodbyes and told her I'd be looking forward to Tuesday.
I turned and wiggled my way to my car, only turning around when I reached it. She was waving and shaking her head. I watched until she entered the building and closed the stage door.
Chapter 19
I had almost forgotten that I had an appointment the next day myself. This one was with Mike Larson, the agent. I was also hoping I'd be able to spend some time with Charlie Long alone, as I had a few questions I wanted to ask him too. I was thinking that maybe Tuesday would bring me the opportunity.
I stopped off at the first florist I saw and ordered a dozen white roses. I remembered that somewhere in our conversation over the last two dates Barcelona had said that she loved white roses. I also ordered one red rose to be arranged in the middle of the dozen white ones. I wrote on a card, the red rose represents my heart that i have given to you . . . sam. I gave the florist the address and told them to deliver the roses in the morning.
I have continued to send Barcelona this floral arrangement on special dates that mean a lot to the two of us. After we were married and on the twelfth of each month, I give her a heart gift of some kind. The twelfth is the date of our wedding day. I guess I'm just a romantic.
Saturday morning I got up and had my coffee and a piece of toast. I went to the office and called the Chief. He said he also had talked with John Ashland. We compared our notes and couldn't find anything different. The Chief had even checked with Ashland's doctor and confirmed that the actor did indeed have a serious reaction to peanuts. Besides, John Ashland wasn't our suspect. We were both leaning on the agent, Mike Larson. I was looking forward to our interview and hoping that after it was through, the case would be closer to being solved.
I took care of some paperwork and received two phone calls. One was a return call from a new client who was looking for a lost brother whom the caller thought might have been murdered. The other was from Charlie Long in Hollywood.
I said that I knew of him, and he told me that he had received two threatening notes on his life. He said he hadn't told anyone about the notes, not even his wife. He also said he'd be in New York on Monday, and since I was highly recommended by a friend, he was wondering if I could meet with him.
We set up a time on Tuesday evening. I told him I was sorry but I had to end our conversation as I had a client in my outer office waiting to see me. Before we hung up, I did ask him where the threatening notes were mailed from. He said from one of the post offices in the L.A. area.
I looked up in surprise when Donna escorted Mike Larson into my office. I had thought of him being older and a little overweight. Don't ask me why, because I don't know. Just a mental picture from what I'd heard about him. I often do this when I speak with someone on the phone, but I'm usually wrong after I meet them. And I was wrong again.
Mike Larson was in his early thirties, and as the saying goes, fit as a fiddle. He was dressed smartly and expensively right down to his shoes. But what amazed me the most about Mike the agent was that he was very personable. I liked him right away. I had to remind myself that he was one of our prime suspects for the murders of Peter Holmes, Anthony Sparks and the attempted murder of John Ashland.
Chapter 20
Mike Larson said yes to the coffee I offered him, which most people don't. In fact, I remember he poured his own coffee, picked up his cup and walked over and sat in one of the chairs facing my desk. I watched him as he did all this with so much confidence. I was wondering if he was putting on an act for me, or if this was really his personality. I also wondered if he knew he was our prime suspect in the case. He gave no indication of either.
My first question to him was why did he fly to Hollywood to talk to the actor Charlie Long? While I was watching him, the thought came to me that he could have mailed the threatening notes to the actor while he was there.
His answer was calm, and with much confidence he said, "Not sure how you knew about that, but I had heard that Charlie was looking for a new agent. His agent had retired and he wasn't happy with the one who was taking his place. So I flew out there to see if I could sign him up. Charlie's very hot right now, and I wanted to pitch myself to him.
"Besides, when I called him to make the appointment he was very impressed that both John Ashland and Peter Holmes were my clients. I'd set up the appointment some days before Peter was murdered, and before the attempt on John's life. "
"How long were you in the L.A. area?"
"Three nights and four days. I met with Charlie twice while I was there. I'm known in this business as a go-getter. Charlie's a really nice guy and not affected by his overnight stardom. Both times we met, his wife was also there. She didn't say much, but you got the feeling that she would have a big influence on his decision. She's beautiful enough to be a movie star herself, and also, by the way, just as nice as he is. They make a very handsome couple."
I was wondering if he knew that Barcelona and I were a couple, and also if he would have given us the same compliment. Probably not. Barcelona of course is very beautiful, but me, that's another story.
"Tell me, Mike . . . if I may call you that." He nodded, so I continued. "How long have you known John Ashland, and what happened when the two of you had lunch together the day he was poi
soned?"
"I've known John for about seven years. He was an up-and-coming actor and wanted to change agents. At the time, I was just starting out as an agent and looking for clients. A friend introduced us and we hit it off okay, so I signed him up for a ridiculously low percent. I saw great potential in him, which is why I agreed on a low percent of his earnings.
"Our lunch meeting was to inform him that if I sold him to the producers and director for the movie roll for Murder on Broadway, I would raise my take to ten percent. I had a contract with me for him to sign if he was agreeable. He knew that I was also representing Peter Holmes and had met with the head honchos for the movie on his behalf."
He went on to say that John Ashland agreed and signed the contract, and that the rest of their lunch meeting was frivolous although a little cold in conversation. He said that he didn't think Ashland was happy about the contract, but he didn't want to look for a new agent at this late time of negotiations. He felt he had a pretty good chance of being given the part, and didn't want to make any waves.
"Mike, John Ashland said that some other people came to your table and talked to him, mostly about the death of Peter Holmes. Did you notice anyone close enough to his meal who might have been able to slip some kind of peanut extract onto his dish of food? You do know he's allergic to all kinds of peanut stuff, right?"
"Of course I do. Anyone who's ever worked with him or is a friend of John's knows of his allergy. There was no one whom I saw standing that close to him who could have put anything on his plate."
"Did either you or John leave the table for any length of time?"
"Yes, I saw a new client at another table and went over to say hello, and to tell him I was negotiating for a part for him in a movie. It wasn't the lead but a minor part. But it was a speaking part. He was very excited. When I returned to the table, John excused himself saying he was going to the restroom. That's about all that happened that I can remember."
"And that's about all I have, Mike. Thanks for coming in. And if you think of anything that might help the case, please give me a call."