Lively swing music was playing, and numerous couples were dancing happily on the floor. Dorothy Wynant was not one of them. Her fiance spun her, trying to talk her out of her depression. "Stop worrying about your father. He'll turn up alright," he assured her.
"Aw, yes but, Tommy, today's Christmas eve." she stated.
"He's just forgotten," Tommy soothed. "You know how he forgets everything."
"No, he never forgets a promise to me. I'm worried. I know something's happened to him."
"What could happen to him, darling? Now, will you stop worrying?"
"Oh, all right." she said, a small smile finally appearing on her lips. Tommy smiled and swung her back onto the dance floor. At the bar, a tall man with bright red hair was shaking a cocktail and instructing the bartenders.
"You see, the important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. On a Manhattan, you shake to a fox trot; a Bronx to a two-step time," he explained, pouring the martini into a glass. "A dry martini you always shake to waltzes," he finished, picking up the glass and setting it on the waiter's tray. The waiter straightened his back before turning and presenting the glass to the speaker. He took the presented glass, lifting it to his mouth and drinking it. Across the floor, Dorothy caught sight of him.
"What is it?" Tommy asked.
"Just a minute," Dorothy answered, making her way to the bar. The red-haired man placed his empty martini glass on the tray and turned back to the bar.
"Now mind you, there's a still more modern trend i...uh, uhm... Let me have that." He stated, reaching for the nuts. "Thank you. Certain people have..." he began, turning away from the bar. He cut off as his personal space was invaded by Dorothy.
"Hello, there." she greeted.
"Hello," he replied. "Uh, another glass," he told the bartender. "How are you?" he asked Dorothy, popping a nut into his mouth.
"You know, we do know each other." She informed him.
"Well, of course we do," he stated with his mouth full. "We've known each other for years."
"Aren't you Axel Charles?"
"Yes."
"You don't remember me," she stated easily. "I'm Dorothy Wynant." Axel paused.
"Not that scrawny, little bit of -"
"Yes." she laughed.
"Well, how'd you ever remember me?" Axel asked.
"Oh, you used to fascinate me, a real live detective. You used to tell me the most wonderful stories. Were they true?"
"Probably not." he stated easily. Dorothy laughed before turning and motioning Tommy over.
"Tommy, this is Axel Charles."
"Hi, Tommy."
"How do you do?" he asked, shaking Axel's hand.
"Have another glass," Axel told the bartender.
"He once worked on a case for my father," Dorothy explained.
"Yeah, some nut wanted to kill him." he told Tommy. "How is your father?"
"Oh, that's what I came to ask you. He's disappeared," she stated.
"Now don't say that, darling," Tommy stated, moving behind her and grabbing her shoulders. "He's just away somewhere working," he told Axel.
"Well I can't find him. I've tried everything," she argued. "I thought you might know," she told Axel softly.
"I don't know anything. I've been in California for the last four years. So what about his lawyer? Used to be some bird by the name of...Mac...uh..."
"Oh, MacCaulay?" Dorothy asked.
"Herbert MacCaulay," Axel agreed.
"Well...I tried him once..."
"Why don't you try him again?" Axel asked.
"Here's a nickel," Tommy stated, pulling change out of his trouser pocket.
"Thank you," she stated, taking the change from Tommy. "I'll be right back," she stated, hurrying away.
"You know, she's got me worrying, too," Tommy confessed as Axel poured himself another martini from the bar.
"Oh, you mustn't worry about him," Axel stated. "Mind you, he's a great guy, but screwy," he finished, tapping the side of his forehead.
In the lobby, a commotion was taking place. A petite blond - arms laden with Christmas presents - was being dragged across the floor by a small wire fox terrier. "Asta! Asta!" the man shouted, unable to stop the dog, who was straining against his leash with all his might. Christmas presents began falling to the floor.
"Sir, I'm very sorry, but no dogs," one of the workers informed the man. "You cannot take your dog in there!" The worker shouted as the dog dragged the man into the bar.
"I'm not taking him, he's taking me!" Finally overbalanced, the man fell to the floor, Christmas presents sliding every which way. Two workers rushed to help the small man up.
"Are you hurt, sir?"
"Nooo," he stated, standing. "Women and children first, boys," he joked.
"Say, what is the score, anyway?" Axel asked, holding Asta in his arms.
"Oh, so it's you he was after!" The small blond left the workers to gather the presents.
"Hello, sugar," Axel greeted.
"He's dragged me into every gin mill on the block." he informed Axel, ignoring the greeting.
"Yeah, I had him out this morning."
"Mm, I thought so."
"Oh, uh, this is Tommy," Axel stated, remembering his guest. "Uh, my husband." he introduced.
"How do you do," Tommy greeted, nodding his head.
"How are you, Tommy? Tommy, I don't usually look like this. I've been Christmas shopping," Roxas stated, explaining his disheveled appearance.
"Sir," the worker stated, coming up to Roxas. "I'm afraid we shall take the dog out."
"Oh, it's all right, Joe," Axel stated, waving him away. "It's my dog," he informed him, gesturing to Asta. "And my husband," he added belatedly. Roxas paused in what he was doing.
"Well, you might have mentioned me first on the billing."
"The dog's well-trained," Axel informed Joe, ignoring Roxas. "He'll behave himself."
"It might bite somebody." Joe stated nervously.
"No, he's all right," Axel stated, setting Asta onto the floor. "Look. Lie down!" Asta stared at Axel but remained standing. "Lie down!" Axel ordered again, pointing. Asta remained standing. A pause took place, Joe looking at Axel with an unimpressed expression and Roxas trying not to laugh. "Stand up!" he ordered. Asta sat. Axel grinned at Joe, and Joe bowed, leaving them in peace just as Dorothy returned from her phone call.
"Any luck?" Tommy asked.
"Yes, he's just around the corner."
"Your father?" Axel asked.
"No, MacCaulay. I'm just going to go and see him," she informed them, her glance falling on Roxas.
"Oh, uh, my husband, this is Dorothy Wynant." Axel said, introducing them.
"How do you do? I'm sorry we have to rush," Dorothy stated, taking Tommy by the arm.
"Say, we're stopping at the Normandie for a couple of weeks. Drop around, see us," Axel stated.
"Well, we'd love to. Thank you, good-bye," Dorothy said quickly, rushing off with Tommy to see what she could find out about her father.
"Sit down, sugar," Axel stated, pulling Roxas' chair out for him. "Oh, Leo?" he paged he waiter.
"Yes, sir?" Axel motioned to the table, and Leo called, "Two cocktails!" before Axel could say anything else.
"Pretty girl," Roxas stated as Axel sat across from him, draping Asta's leash over the bar dividing the sitting area from the actual bar itself.
"Yes, she's a very nice type," Axel agreed, moving his chair closer to the table.
"You've got types?" Roxas questioned.
"Only you, darling. Lanky blonds with wicked jaws. Leo?" Axel called. The waiter appeared and the red-head handed him the flower arrangement that had been placed in the middle of the table. "Compliments for this evening," he stated as Leo whisked it away.
"Who is she?" Roxas asked.
"Oh, darling, I was hoping I wouldn't have to answer that."
"Come on," he stated, folding his arms on the table and leaning forward.
"Well, Dorothy is really my daughter." He placed his right elbow on the table, leaning his head on his hand and Roxas mirrored his position, leaning his left elbow on the table. "You see, it was spring in Venice, and I was so young I didn't know what I was doing. We're all like that on my father's side."
"By the way, how is your father's side?" Roxas asked.
"Oh, it's much better, thanks. And yours?" Axel replied, folding his hands on top of the table.
"Say, how many drinks have you had?" Roxas asked, crossing his arms.
"This will make six martinis," he responded. They both leaned back in the chairs as Leo placed their martinis in front of them.
"All right, will you bring me five more martinis, Leo, and line them right up here," Roxas ordered, tapping the table.
"Yes, sir," Leo bowed as Axel looked at his husband, eyes widened in shock.
Roxas was still sprawled on the bed in their hotel room when Axel exited the bathroom with an icepack. He gently placed it on the blond's head, trying not to wake him. Roxas sighed, arm coming up to hold the icepack in place.
"What hit me?" he demanded.
"The last martini," Axel responded drily. "How about a little pick me up?" he teased.
"NO!" Roxas shouted and Axel moved out of hitting distance. "Oh, I can't lie here," Roxas stated, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "I've got to get up and trim that darn Christmas tree." He tried to stand, losing his balance and falling back on the bed. "Say, what's the idea of pushing me?" he asked. Axel opened his mouth in disbelief - totally innocent of the accusations, for once. Before he could say anything the doorbell rang. "Who's that?"
"Probably Santa Claus," Axel stated, exiting the bedroom and heading for the door. He pulled it open, Wynant's lawyer on the other side.
"How are you?"
"Oh, hello MacCaulay. Come in." Axel greeted, shaking hands with the lawyer.
"Dorothy told me you were here. I was going to telephone, but -"
"That's all right," Axel cut him of. "Sit down, won't you? What are you drinking?" he asked as they headed for the sofa.
"Oh, nothing, thanks. Nothing." MacCaulay answered.
"That's a mistake," Axel informed him as MacCaulay sat on the couch.
"I wanted to see you. What's Mimi up to, Mr. Charles?" The lawyer asked as Axel grabbed a glass off the coffee table.
"Mimi? Oh, Dorothy's mother... Does she have to be up to something?" he asked as he poured liquor into a glass.
"She usually is," MacCaulay laughed. "Trying one way or another to get money out of Wynant. I wanted to find out if you were...uh, sleuthing for her."
"Oh, I haven't been a detective in four years." Axel stated, moving to sit in an wooden chair.
"Is that so?"
"Oh, my husband's father died and left him a narrow gauge railway, and a lumber mill, and...oh, several other things. I'm taking care of them. Say, what's the fuss about? Is he in hiding?" Axel inquired. MacCaulay shrugged.
"You know as much about it as I do. I haven't seen him in three months."
"No word at all?"
"He sends word through his secretary, Julia Wolf, when he wants money. I give it to her and she gives it to him." Axel nodded.
"That's still on, eh?" The phone rang and Axel leaned forward to pick up the receiver. "Excuse me."
"Hello?" Roxas asked, still in the bedroom. "Oh, just a minute." Axel handed the receiver to MacCaulay.
"For you." he stated.
"Is there a Mr. MacCaulay in the house?" Roxas asked as he entered the living room, icepack tied to his head. "Oh, pardon me," he added quietly, realizing that the man in question was on the phone. The blond moved to stand by Axel.
"Yes?" MacCaulay asked. "Oh, just a moment," he told the person on the phone.
"My husband." Axel stated with a flourish.
"How do you do?" Both MacCaulay and Roxas asked.
"Yes, what were you saying?" MacCaulay asked. Axel pointed to something on Roxas' chest and the blond looked down. The icepack slipped down; Roxas caught it and pushed it back on top of his head. "He is?" The red-head laughed silently, going to take a sip of his drink. Roxas hit him on the back of the head, knocking him into the glass. "Well, where is he now?" Axel raised his right arm, pretending to backhand the blond. "Oh, very well." Finishing his conversation, MacCaulay looked over at them and Roxas and Axel laughed, knowing they were caught.
"Excuse us," Axel stated, placing his right arm around Roxas' waist.
"He's back in town. Wynant." MacCaulay explained.
"Wynant?" Axel repeated.
"Yes, he's waiting for me now," he stated, pointing to the telephone receiver - which he still held in his hand. "Oh, forgive me, Mr. Charles," he said to Roxas, "but I've been so upset. You know, it's no joke working for a man like that, he's-" he cut off, realizing he was shaking the telephone receiver in his hand. "Well, I guess I'd better be off," he finished, hanging up the phone. "Good-bye."
"Good-bye," Axel stated.
"Good-bye," MacCaulay called again.
"Good-bye," Roxas stated.
"Merry Christmas!" MacCaulay called before shutting the door behind him.
"Same to you," Axel called as the door swung shut.
"The next person that says Merry Christmas to me, I'll kill him!" Roxas stated, adjusting his icepack and stepping onto the step-stool to begin trimming the tree.
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