Page 11 of The Other Lady Vanishes

Adelaide went around the end of the counter and selected a teapot. She exchanged a glance with Florence, who bobbed her thin brows up and down a few times. They both knew that Madam Zolanda was good for business. She was not a film star, but her clients were. The press and the public were well aware of it.

Normal conversation resumed in the tearoom. Adelaide arranged the pot of Enlightenment and a cup and saucer on a tray. She added three dainty tea cakes and carried the tray to Zolanda’s table.

“Thank you,” Zolanda said. “By the way, I have a small surprise for you.”

Adelaide set the tea things down and straightened. Her first thought was that Zolanda was about to offer her a free psychic reading. She tried to think of a polite way to decline.

“That’s not necessary—” she began.

Zolanda interrupted, raising her voice so that everyone in the tearoom could hear her. “As I said a moment ago, I will be giving a performance at the Palace Theater tomorrow night. I would love for you to attend.”

Adelaide struggled to come up with an excuse. She was living on a strict budget these days. It allowed for the occasional dinner and a movie with her friend, Raina Kirk, but she was not keen on springing for an expensive ticket to attend one of Madam Zolanda’s performances.

“That would be wonderful,” she managed weakly. “But I’m sure the performance will be sold out—”

“Of course it will be sold out,” Zolanda said. She waved one hand in a grand gesture that set the bangles on her arms clashing. “I always play to a full house. But that does not mean that I don’t save a few special seats for special people. There will be a ticket waiting for you at the box office tomorrow night. Remember, the show starts at seven thirty sharp.”

“That’s very kind of you but I expect tomorrow will be a very busy day here at the tearoom. I’ll probably be too tired to go out.”

“Bring a friend.” Zolanda made another sweeping gesture. “There will betwotickets waiting at the box office. Surely you know someone who might be thrilled to attend the performance with you?”

Another hush had fallen over the tearoom. Adelaide realized that this time she was the center of attention. Everyone, including Jake, was waiting to see if she would take the generous offer. There was no graceful way out.

“Thank you,” she said in low tones. “I’ll look forward to it.”

“Excellent,” Zolanda said, delighted. “I’m so glad. I sense that my connection to the spirit world will be especially strong tomorrow night. The moon is almost full, you know. A full or nearly full moon always enhances the experience.”

“Really?” Adelaide said, somewhat weakly. “How interesting.”

The Rushbrook Sanitarium staff had maintained that the patients got crazier than usual on nights when the moon was full. There had been a full moon the night she escaped.

“I hope you and your lucky friend enjoy the performance,” Zolanda said.

Adelaide went back across the room. Florence bobbed her eyebrows again.

“Who are you going to take with you?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Haven’t had a chance to think about it. Do you want to come?”

“Nope. You should ask Truett.”

“Are you kidding?”

“No, I am not kidding. Ask him.”

“I’m sure he’s got better things to do than watch a fake psychic pretend to commune with the spirit world,” Adelaide whispered.

“No,” Jake said quietly behind her. “I don’t have anything better to do.”

Startled, Adelaide whipped around. Jake was lounging against the counter looking like a man who was waiting to pay his bill. Adelaide glared at him.

“You must bereallybored if you want to attend Madam Zolanda’s show with me,” she said, careful to keep her voice to a near whisper.

“I was planning to invite you to go to the art museum with me, but Zolanda’s show sounds more interesting.”

Florence beamed approvingly. “I’m sure it will be a lot more entertaining.”

What the heck, Adelaide thought. According to Florence, Jake Truett would only be around for a few weeks, if that long. He had made it clear that he was already bored. When he’d had enough of resting his nerves by the seaside, he would head back to Los Angeles. She would never see him again. There was no risk of a long-term relationship. No risk that he would ask too many questions that she would have trouble answering. All in all, he was the ideal date.