The Dragon’s Teeth by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

nuisance-fender all in one. Hollywood was excited. An unknown extra, Cinderella in rags, turned into a wealthy heiress overnight! All the studios wanted her—to sing, to dance, to act; for epics, newsreels, anything … but sign here please, Miss Shawn! The newspaper syndicates offered fabulous sums for her life-story. An army of cameramen followed her wherever she went. Tradespeople sent representatives in all humility, offering their best for nothing—wouldn’t Miss Shawn do them the honor of shopping in their establishment? Anything, anything her heart desired. As a gift of the management. If Miss Shawn would only … She was offered contracts, silver foxes, imported automobiles; she was deluged with invitations to premières, to swanky parties, to the castles of Hollywood’s great.
    In all this madness Beau and Vi moved quietly by her side, hemming her in, Vi practical and cool, Beau silent and with his hatbrim shading his face.
    Kerrie moved through events with a vague smile, as if she were floating in a dream. At the party she insisted upon having, she walked among her friends like a shy and, happy child. Every one she knew in Hollywood was there, and they were all the poor, the strugglers, the fringe, the people of the frayed and starched clothes and the starved fixed smiles. But many of them wore new clothes that night, and looked well-fed, and their laughter was real.
    â€œIsn’t she grand?” sighed Violet Day to Beau. “Just like Lady Bountiful. She told me today she thinks she ought to do something for Inez. Inez has the bugs, and Kerrie’s going to send her to Arizona. And Kerrie’s financing Lew Malone’s ulcer operation, and goodness knows what else!”
    â€œShe’s drunk,” smiled Beau.
    â€œWhat? Say, Queen, I don’t think you like Kerrie very much!”
    â€œWho, me?” said Beau.
    Kerrie refused to move from Argyle Avenue. “I’m going to be in Hollywood just a little while longer,” she said firmly, “and I won’t have my friends think I’m putting on the dog. Nothing doing, Vi; we stay here.”
    But they had to. take two rooms more to hold all the clothes and trunks she bought. The landlady actually beamed. She raised her rents from six to eight dollars a Week; but when Kerrie heard about it she threatened to move out, so back went the rents to six dollars.
    It was like that for an incredible week—driving from shoppe to shoppe in the rented Isotta; exciting hours in the beauty emporia patronized by only the starriest of the stars; furs, evening gowns, sport clothes, wraps, jewels; the Brown Derby, the Clover Club, the Beverly-Wilshire; prevues and premières, until Kerrie’s conscience began to bother her.
    â€œAren’t we spending too much money?” she asked Beau.
    â€œThere’s more where that came from, kid.”
    â€œIt’s a wonderful dream! Like a fairy tale. Magic money. The more you spend, the more you have. Well, maybe not quite … Ellery, did I tell you I heard from Walter Ruell? He’s back home in Ohio and darned glad of it. Poor kid—”
    â€œKerrie, I’ve had three wires from Goossens.” Beau did not mention the four from Ellery. “He can’t understand what’s holding us up here. I tried to explain—”
    â€œOh, darling, so soon!”
    â€œAnd don’t call me darling!”
    â€œWhat?” Kerrie was surprised.
    â€œIt’s a bad habit,” muttered Beau. “For a gal who’s promised not to tangle with men.”
    â€œOh, but, Ellery, I don’t say ‘darling’ to any man but you! You wouldn’t sue me for breach of promise, would you?” Kerrie laughed.
    â€œWhy pick on me?” said Beau sullenly.
    â€œBecause you’re my own special darling, my—” And Kerrie stopped short. Very short. Then she said in a subdued voice, not looking at him: “All right,