Free McGrave's Hotel by Steve Bryant

might happen if he kept her out too late. If Fawn’s father looked terrifying checking in to a hotel, what would his wrath look like?
    “Okay,” James said. “Only until we meet with Mr. Nash. Only until we find out what’s going on.”

Chapter Ten

     
    The Godfrey Girls
     
     
    By the time James and Fawn reached the skeletons at the Boneyard Club entrance, Miss Charles had caught up to them. On her high heels, she clicked along with the interrupted dinner date as they all headed toward the Front Desk. They needed to see Mr. Nash.
    The heads on the skeletons spun a full 360 degrees as the trio passed.
    “James, whatever is the matter?” Miss Charles said. “I could see trouble brewing from across the room.”
    “Oh, Mr. Lesley seems to be up to his old tricks, bothering actresses,” James said. “Plus something has upset the Egyptians. Not to mention that somewhere we seem to have a fatality. Some story about a missing head. The police are on their way. Other than that, everything is peachy. We’ll probably read all about it tomorrow in Mr. Quinn’s newspaper column.”
    “This is my fault,” Miss Charles said. “I should have seen this coming.”
    In the midst of deep concerns, James remembered his manners. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “Fawn, Miss Charles. Miss Charles, Fawn.”
    “Hi, sweetie,” Miss Charles said.
    A look of relief crossed Mr. Nash’s face upon seeing James, Miss Charles, and the girl approaching. James had helped Mr. Nash with many sticky situations since his coming to McGrave’s, and he knew the night manager would welcome his help.
    A half dozen men, some in police uniforms, surrounded Mr. Nash.
    “Jim, boy, you’re right on time. This is Detective Dan Durbin and his boys. We were heading up to the Bridal Suite to check on an accident. Meanwhile, could you, ah, check on that little matter in 3913? Again?”
    With an exchange of looks, James and Fawn silently agreed to extend their dinner date a little , only long enough to comply with Mr. Nash’s request. Meanwhile, Mr. Nash didn’t seem to be aware of any situations with the Egyptians, and James knew best not to raise the subject in front of the police. James planned to look in on the Egyptians himself as soon as he dealt with Victor Lesley and returned Fawn to her father.
    “And, Miriam, could you—I mean, Miss Charles—could you watch the desk?” Mr. Nash said. He looked slightly embarrassed at betraying any familiarity.
    “Go!” Miss Charles ordered. Time was wasting.
    The parties took separate elevators. During the ascent, James filled Fawn in on his previous visit, and they could hear the hubbub from Mr. Lesley’s suite as soon as they stepped into the thirty-ninth floor corridor. Once again, the hallway drew its share of spectators peeking out their doors.
    Despite the ruckus, a bewildering sight kept James and Fawn from barging into the room. A girl was standing outside the door at 3913. More specifically, three girls were standing there, but they were all the same girl. They each had wavy blond hair like the movie star Jean Harlow, and their backless white dresses contrasted with their bright red lipstick. James figured they couldn’t be over seventeen years old.
    “It’s getting good in there,” one of them said.
    “I think she’s going to clonk him,” said the second.
    “He deserves it,” said the third.
    “Who are you?” James asked.
    “We’re the Godfrey girls,” the first replied.
    “We’re triplets,” the second added.
    “We’re here to audition for the play,” the third explained. “We’re going to be Dracula’s wives.”
    This was more than James could tolerate. The girls were so young, and Mr. Lesley was such a Broadway wolf. He felt he had to do something.
    “You can’t,” he said. “I’m calling off the auditions.”
    It was a bold announcement, but the Godfrey girls were having none of it.
    “Oh, no,” one said.
    “Not possible,” said another. “We’re perfect