Chapter2

New York, April1938

Her notesaid:

I’ll be waiting in your bedroom - next tomidnight

Sex always lies to us, but it tells the best stories. Davin Tuck knew what she wanted from him and he’d get down on hands and knees for every bit of it. His heart was ravenous; beating him breathless and willing itself straight tomidnight.

It was black-tie all evening at the British consulate, and Davin found it impossible to listen to anyone, including his friend Jimmy Stark, who was there with his latest arm candy, a chilly blond from Finland. Her cerulean eyes, 12-button white gloves, and hour-glass figure were the talk of the room. Her perfect face reported Nordic-serenity but her grip on Jimmy’s arm was with bothhands.

Arty Crane was also there, leering into New York City’s collective diplomatic cleavage, and telling scotch-floated stories about his connections to Hollywood royalty, “Jack Warner, yeah that bastard’s my dad. My mom worked for Edison Trust and met Warner in New York when he was still a film splicer. Then I show up and Warner scrams to LA. Sent her booze and flowers for years.” Only single malt forArty.

Davin, Jimmy, and Arty were long-time friends but that was ending. Jimmy was always on the prowl and Davin didn’t trust him anymore. Arty was already a mean drunk and now he was drinking more. Heading for a crack-up. Tonight he got drunk enough to hit on Jimmy’s dishy ice princess, creating quite ascene.

Davin saw it. Arty came up to Miss Finland and ran a boozy hand down her gorgeous back, “When you get tired of Jimmy come and see me. Jimmy’s a cheater. Helpless. Ask anyone about Jimmy’s taste in women. Two legs and a smile are all heneeds.”

Jimmy said something to Arty, who threw his drink at Jimmy’s face and hit the French ambassador instead. Then Jimmy and Arty headed outside. Davin followed, mesmeriz