Rehearsal for Murder (Maggie Ryan) Read Online Free Page A

if we come along partway? We’re going to Canal.”
    Ramona locked up and they descended the metal stairs of the old factory building and walked out into the dusk. It had stopped drizzling but was still damply unpleasant. Nick adjusted the flap around his sleeping daughter’s head. Maggie, curious as always, asked Ramona, “What did you mean in there? About still famous?”
    In the dim light Ramona looked downy, her dark eyes and dimples youthful in the frill of pale fur. After a moment she said, “Well, kid, Nick might remember. You’re too young. But in ’fifty-five everyone loved me. A new Garland, they said. An elfin Merman. Et cetera. I was famous. Turned down lots of great parts becaus e Devi l ran two and a half years. After that there were TV specials, and one film. It would have done better but the cutesy photography didn’t work. Hell, I could have done better with a Brownie! Anyway, on to more TV, a splashy tour for the GI’s in Saigon, a couple of nightclub spots. And somewhere along the line I slipped from ‘famous’ to ‘still famous.’ The next step isn’t hard to see.”
    The truth of her analysis was too obvious to debate. Maggie said, “So you bought yourself this show.”
    “Right. All that’s left of the film money. I was very prudent, you see, investing it for my favorite charity or for retirement, in case Simon had a reversal or something. But then my agent brought me an offer for a frozen-food commercial. My God, that’s what I was doing in ’fifty-four!” She gave a short harsh laugh. “And here I am, parading around like the great bitch-goddess. What kind of goddess sells frozen peas?”
    “The Jolly Green Midget?” offered Nick.
    “Yeah, laugh if you want. But I decided if I was ever going to have decent parts again, I’d better get to work and create my own luck. This is it. Ramona’s big gamble. I’m betting it all.”
    “Scary. But necessary,” said Maggie, impressed.
    “It’s a great part,” said Nick.
    “Yeah, Victoria from birth to death. It’ll prove I’m not just a decaying ingenue. I can play a wider range.”
    “Good idea.”
    “Derek’s idea of doing it music-hall style is cute, I think. But of course everything seems to be rock these days.”
    “ The Fantastick s is still going strong.”
    “Well, if I win, we’ll all be set for a while. And if it flops, I suppose we’ll meet again in the unemployment lines.”
    “The true New York Actor’s Club.”
    “Right. Well, that’s show biz. Here’s my corner.” Ramona indicated the lighted restaurant sign at the end of the block.
    “We’ll walk you down.”
    “Absolutely not! You’ve done enough. Slapped me on the wrist and listened to me.”
    “Next time we’ll bring the cocoa too.”
    “No next time. I’ll reform. Last thing I want to do is hurt this show!” She shook her head soberly. “God, I’ve got a lot of fences to mend.”
    Nick remembered the pulsing rage in the atmosphere and had to agree. “We all love the show. People won’t be difficult.”
    “Hope not. Well, see you tomorrow, Nick.” She grinned suddenly. “And congratulations!”
    “On what?”
    “On your quick recovery from hepatitis.”
    They laughed and parted. Maggie peered at her daughter, nestled against Nick’s chest. “How’re you doing , chouchoute ? ”
    Nick looked down at the baby and observed proudly, “She’s sleeping.”
    “Amazing child! What will she think of next?”
    “A prodigy, all right.” He put an arm around Maggie’s shoulders. “Risky, that hepatitis bit.”
    “So was everything else. Ignoring it would have insulted her, right? As for acting hurt and jealous—well, that might be what she wanted tonight, but she would’ve hated herself tomorrow.”
    “That’s true. Up until today she’s been pretty reasonable. Put the show first. I haven’t seen this cruel streak before.”
    “Yeah, you always said she was a good sport. So I decided to risk it. Hey, we’re pretty good,