Night Beat
Chapter 10: Entering the Lion's Den
Early Saturday morning Daphne Jones checked out of the Fairfield Hotel by phone, all charges to be placed on her credit card on file and a receipt be sent to her home address which was also on file.
One half hour later Daphne Jones bought a one way airline ticket to Coolsville. She had breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, jam and two cups of coffee while waiting to board her flight. The man sitting at the next table followed her when her flight was called for boarding. He waited until she boarded the plane before he pulled his cell phone out and dialed a number he had been given.
"Your 'problem' just flew home. She won't be a problem any longer." he reported as the plane lifted off the tarmac.
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"Think Mrs. Jones is home now?"
Phillipe looked over the top of his reading glasses at the red head sharing his breakfast table. A glance at his watch and after a quick mental calculation stated, "She should arrive in about thirty minutes" he folded the paper he had been reading.
"I hope this works" his companion said, sipping her coffee. Noises of children playing in the back yard floated in through the open window.
"It should buy us some time" he took note that Daphne looked better than when he had picked her up after her frantic call the night before but there was still an undercurrent of unease in her voice. "I don't want you going out today until it's time to leave for the ball. Do you know who cut your dress?"
"Knowing and proving are two different things. That's why I have to go to that ball. The proof I need is there in White Haven. Speaking of which shouldn't we..."
"I don't want you going out! I've made other arrangements" he said sternly. Perhaps too much so when he saw her recoil at his words. "Sorry, we both are under a lot of stress. I'm only concerned about your safety, especially after what they did to your dress."
The dress that now lay hidden in the trash bin he didn't need to add...so he didn't.
"I don't like the thought of you going into the lion's den without some sort of backup. If anything should go wrong..." he left the implied threat hanging. "I have to go out. Momma will be here if you need any thing. You need to rest and get ready for your big entrance tonight."
The last thing she wanted was a big entrance but Phillipe was right about one thing. She did need rest after her harrowing flight from the Fairfield. She had wandered the streets of New Orleans until she realized she was more vulnerable on the streets and entered an all night diner. She wasn't hungry but needed a reason for being there so she ordered a cup of coffee and a salad. A phone call and Phillipe had picked her up shortly afterwards.
Phillipe had not returned by the time Jacques knocked on the door with the finished dress. Jacques had been right; the few extra tucks had the dress snug where it should be snug but left room enough to breath comfortably. A perfect fit.
"Would you like some tea before resting?" Momma asked when Jacques, finally satisfied, had left along with his assistants.
"What I really need is help getting out of this gown" a smiling Daphne responded.
-----------Xxxxxx
After visiting with Momma while sipping at her tea Daphne had been able to lie down and take a nap; she awoke refreshed, relaxed and ready for whatever the evening had to offer. She found Phillipe had returned, eager to share what he had been doing wile he had been away.
"A cab just isn't good enough for your arrival at White Haven so I arranged for something appropriate. I said I didn't like you going alone without some form of help so I made sure you won't be alone; help will be there ahead of you just in case they are needed. Hopefully they won't be needed but bear with an old man's concern for your wellbeing. You commented about proof, I have something here that might help. I'll show you how it works before we leave" he wouldn't explain further as it was time to get ready for the ball.
'Something appropriate' turned out to be a Rolls Royce. So much for an understated entrance but it was so beautiful, Daphne just couldn't say 'No'. With Phillipe at the wheel in full chauffeur attire, they made their way from the turn off to the circular driveway, he opened the door, assisting Daphne out of the Rolls. "Got everything? Remember you do have help if you need it" he reminded her.
White Haven could rightfully be described as a mansion. Where Far View was dark and foreboding, White Haven gleamed brightly in the large flood lights and the dying sunlight. Where Far View welcomed no one, White Haven with its manicured lawns and abundance of flowers that bordered the sidewalk to the front door welcomed all comers.
With a deep breath Daphne entered the lion's den.
A man serving as butler welcomed her and a pretty girl took her shawl. No directions were necessary as Daphne and another couple followed the music to the largest ball room Daphne had ever seen. Pictures of the plantation through the years hung on the walls, one corner had been set up to accommodate the live band.
Daphne's entrance didn't go unnoticed as several young men began gathering around her like moths to a flame. A red haired flame in this instance. This was not an unusual occurrence experienced by Daphne; she was also experienced in deflecting unwanted attention.
She accepted the offer of a dance by a middle aged man (he would introduce himself as 'George') who rescued her from the young men; she managed to keep George from stepping on her toes too many times. The dance did yield several pieces of useful information. One was that she had a chance to look over the crowd. She was looking for a certain reaction from a certain person or persons. Her appearance would be a shock to whoever thought she had flown home.
She also took the opportunity to look for the help Phillipe had said would be available. Waiters circulated around the edges of the crowd with champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The help wouldn't be coming from the kitchen personnel, they were too far away if anything happened. That left the guests themselves. If help was available, she couldn't spot it.
The second was George pointing out their host: a tall man with thick white hair. He held a pipe in one hand, waving it around in a frolicsome animated manner as he talked with his guests. Daphne extracted herself from George, promising another dance later. A promise she hoped wouldn't be fulfilled. She wasn't sure her toes would survive a second dance. Making a calculated circuitous route, she made her way toward her objective, her host. She kept part of the crowd between them, picking up a flute of champagne from a passing waiter along the way.
He had his back to her when she asked, "Are you the host of this wonderful ball?" he turned to see who addressed him and Daphne got the shocked reaction she had been looking for! The shocked look passed quickly as he recovered. "My momma always told me to pay my respects to my host and hostess"
Daphne sipped at her champagne.