4. Secrets
"What?"
"Her real name, Joe, is Pamela Brackett."
"Why would she hide something like that?"
"You know this year is an election year, right? The cabinet members all have to pimp themselves to us and kiss ass?"
"Yes, I know."
"Well, Miss Pammie Brackett owns a burlesque house inbetween London and Southampton. It seems that in about mid-February, one of the cabinet elect hopefuls went into the burlesque house for some entertainment," Pitman winked and Boxhall wished he hadn't. "It was closing time and he demanded... you know. All the dancers were gone by then and Pam had no choice but to oblige him."
"It was just dancing, right?"
"No. The popular rumor is that Pam went shall we say full force? Anyway, word leaked out and Pam refused to shut her place down. She wasn't going to be held hostage for some politician's escapade. He did it in his own mind and she would not be responsible for it."
"Smart girl."
"Yes, but the press acted like vultures, taking everything they knew about her and making it very public. The politician's wife is out for her blood. The politician has made Pam the face of his campaign, using her to highlight the problem of burlesque houses near the cities and corrupting politicians."
"That lying git!" Boxhall clenched his fists in rage.
"Calm down," Pitman shushed his friend. "anyway, Pam might not be as innocent as you think."
"What do you mean?"
"She's been seen lurking around the politician's house after hours when his wife's out of town. Everyone thinks she's shall we say, servicing him." Pitman lit his pipe and watched as Boxhall turned red in the face.
"There's nothing you can do about it." Pitman puffed quietly. "Don't go getting involved. I know you like her but still. The White Star Line would not want your good name dragged into it as well. You know they'd fire you."
"True. I'll see you at supper, mate." Boxhall went into the library, needing some alone time so he could get his throughts organized.
Two hours passed and Boxhall, while calm now, still wanted answers from Violet-now Pamela, to get her side of the story. He'd gotten fond of her since they met on the Carpathia and she seemed to reciprocate his feelings. The least he could do to keep her friendship was to get her side of the story so he could make up his own mind about whether to keep her as a friend or not. He straightened up and checked himself out in the mirror, then went to go see her in her stateroom.
Pamela was emerging from her bathroom, her hair soaked and tied back in a simple ponytail. Wearing a tan colored dress with white lace trimming, she undid the ponytail and brushed out her long hair, weaving it into a braid. She started a little at the knock on the door, but bade entry anyway.
Boxhall came in and looked at her for a moment as she finished with her hair and tied on her black belt she was so fond of. "It's still an hour before supper, Joseph." Pamela stood up and went over to him.
"You can stop pretending now, Pamela," he hissed angrily. She stepped back like he'd struck her. "why would you hide that from me?"
She sank down on the couch, one hand on her belt buckle. "Because, Joe, would you really like me after you knew I had done some things I'm not proud of?"
"What? I came here to get your side of the story." he sat down in the armchair beside her.
"I'll give you that much," Pamela nodded her agreement. "I was a bit of a spoiled brat in a house full of girls. I had 5 sisters. When I moved out, I was penniless and I discovered that burlesque dancing gave me an outlet for my creative and sensual sides. I love doing it and I love the fact that I get paid for doing it. Then I set up a burlesque house where there are a lot of sailors and single men who just want shall we say, some action but not long term?" Boxhall was a bit red faced as she talked. "my girls and I did it, we were paid well, and my business is still thriving. Anyway, we were doing well until February when he came in."
"The politician?"
"Yes. His name is Anthony Baron. I admit he came in after hours and paid me well for my dancing, then he wanted to take it further than that. I hesitated, but he gave me about 300 pounds for me to have sex with him."
"You accepted it." Boxhall crossed his arms.
Pamela glared at him. "You'll see money differently if you ever own a business, Joe. That money went towards some renovation work that badly needed to be done. With that came more customers. I was happy, so were my girls."
"Then what?"
Looking uncertain, Pamela joined her hands together so that both of them met on the belt buckle. "I was so sure that I was on my monthly but I wasn't."
"Do you mean that you're-"
"Yes."
"My God," Boxhall looked to where her hands were and understood immediately. "what will you do?"
"My friend in Brooklyn set me up with a back alley abortionist but I couldn't go through with it."
"I wouldn't have if I were you."
"Well, I didn't."
"Does Baron know?"
"That I'm carrying his child? No." Pamela looked down at her lap for a long moment. "He's got 2 kids with his wife and I know his wife has people out there looking for me."
"What would she do if she caught you and found out about the baby?"
Pamela snorted. "Beat me to within an inch of my life and have someone abort it. That woman's got her priorities messed up."
Boxhall grinned suddenly. "It sounds like you need someone in your corner, so to speak."
"What are you thinking?"
"If she's got people looking for you, then you can stay with me. I will be taking a leave of absence and do desk work so I can be nearby and protect you if you need it."
"Would you let me?"
"Of course! I heard though, that you were making visits over to Baron's house when his wife wasn't in."
"Oh, that. I don't know why he wants me there every time his wife leaves, which is pretty often, but he does want to have sex with me more. I have to turn him down every time."
"Why do you go there then?"
"His house is en route to the marketplace and he flags me down." she stood up. Boxhall glanced at her figure and noticed nothing was poking out yet. Pamela caught him staring and said, "I've wanted to be a mother for a long time now, Joseph. Come hell or high water, I will have this baby and raise it well."
"I like your attitude," Boxhall smiled and stood up himself. "see you to dinner then?"
"It's still a bit early, but yes." she accepted and they walked to the dining room.