The Body Came Back (15 page)

She turned and held the receiver out to Shayne, “They’re ringing her.”

He went across the room and took it from her. He heard a young girl’s voice say, “Hello? Yes?”

“Is that Vicky?” he asked.

“Yes, it is,” she caroled. “Who is this?”

“Could I speak to your mother, Vicky?”

“Sure. Hey, Mom! It’s for you.” Shayne waited until an older, more resonant voice came over the wire: “Yes?”

“Is that Carla Andrews?”

“Why… yes.” The voice sounded doubtful. “Who is this?”

“I’m Michael Shayne, Miss Andrews. Brett Halliday has told me…”

“Michael
Shayne?”
The voice was charged with surprise and happy recognition. “My Gawd! Now my visit to Miami is complete. When I was flying in yesterday, I
thought
about trying to call you. I’m so happy you did.”

Shayne said, “I want to ask you one question, Miss Andrews. This may come as a surprise, but think about it for a moment. Do you know… have you ever known… an actress named Vergie Powers?” Evidently Carla Andrews didn’t have to think very long. “Vergie? Sure. I haven’t heard from her for years. But she played some bit parts in a few of your television shows while I was writing some of the scripts. What’s with Vergie? She was a pretty good actress…”

“She’s one hell of an actress still,” Shayne told her. “It’s a long story, Carla, which I think you’ll enjoy hearing. In the meantime… how difficult is it to get invited to Vicky’s wedding this afternoon?”

“Michael… Shayne?” Carla’s voice was laughingly affectionate. “We’d be honored. Vicky will be delighted. Do you mean to say you really want to come?”

“My secretary would love to.”

“How absolutely wonderful, Mike! Lucy Hamilton! My Gawd! The lines of asinine dialogue I’ve put into her mouth. Of
course,
you must both come. I’ll apologize to both of you for those lousy scripts the producer made me write.”

Laughing, Shayne told her, “We’ll be there, Carla. Until this afternoon.”

He hung up and turned to tell Lucy, “I hope to God you’ve got something appropriate to wear to a very fancy wedding.”