Tainted Money: Book Ii

By Rose Marie Ash

This information is not available at this time. Author will provide once available.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796018233

Book preview

Chapter 1

Brian Douglas never intended to come back to Los Angeles so soon. He had been away for nearly three years, and missed city life. It was not by his choice-either. He still had a sizable bank account, but not enough to continue financing his current life style. When he arrived in Los Angeles, the concierge from the Hollywood Hotel had sent a car to pick him up from the airport.

The Hollywood Hotel was expensive, but the elegance of the hotel back in the Fijian island chain where he had been staying was incomparable. The Hollywood was one of the best in Los Angeles, but there was no style, no abeyance, like the hotels on the Fijian islands. Even the hotel in Hawaii was more elegant then the one he had just checked into. Brian had booked a five-room suite. The suite overlooked the inner courtyard and swimming pool area, from eight stories above. He had a balcony, where he could sit outside and enjoy the cool California evenings.

Brian had the bellhop unpack his clothes, and had ordered a light lunch from room-service; he then called the concierge to check on his lunch reservations at the Brown Derby for tomorrow afternoon. When Brian checked in, he had given the concierge $100 to get him into the Brown Derby’s exclusive sitting area reserved for movie stars and other important people.

Brian still had his little black book; so he called one of his old girlfriends to go with him. A person needed an escort in this town. One did not go anywhere without an escort, man or woman.

Vivian, its Brian, Brian Douglas. Brian didn’t know if Vivian would want to even speak to him. He didn’t let her know that he was leaving town, three years ago. She was a steady date, when he couldn’t find someone to go out with him. Vivian was available at all hours. She was a blond with green eyes. She was fairly tall, and had a very shapely figure. As a dancer, she had to keep her body well-toned.

Why, you SOB. Where have you been hiding? Vivian couldn’t believe it. He had stood her up so many times. She thought of hanging up on him, but changed her mind. She believed in giving a person a second chance.

I’ll explain at lunch tomorrow. Are you game? Brian waited for an answer.

Depends. Where at? Vivian thought an invitation to lunch was a lame way to make up for skipping out on her.

How does the Brown Derby sound?

The Brown Derby! Since when can you afford lunch there? Did you rob a bank or something?

Something like that. Do you want to go or not? Brian was getting impatient and his tone of voice reflected this.

Sure, I want to go. Vivian was too overwhelmed by Brian’s lunch invitation to the Brown Derby to notice his tone. She would be crazy to turn him down.

Now, don’t get too dolled up. Keep it simple. Lunch is in the day time.

That’s very funny, Brian. I think I know when lunch is at. Vivian’s tone sounded indignant.

Look, I’ll pick you up at 11:45, outside of your place. Be ready, Brian was hoping that she would get dressed up but not to cheesy looking.

Okay Brian, I’ll be ready. Vivian hung up the phone, too excited to go back to sleep. She worked nights along with her sister Monica. "Monica, Monica! Guess who called me out of the blue? Vivian came into Monica’s bedroom and shook her awake.

Lawrence Olivier? Monica didn’t bother to open her eyes. She was in no mood to play guessing games. She had worked late last night, and she needed her sleep. She didn’t bother to turn in bed to face her sister.

Don’t be silly. It was Brian, Brian Douglas. You remember, the red headed guy who used to work at the hospital.

Oh, yeah. Didn’t he leave town a while back without letting you know? This time Monica turned around and faced her sister.

Yeah that’s him. Now he pops up out of the blue and wants me to go to lunch with him.

And like a ninny you’re going to go to lunch with him, Monica didn’t like guys who left her sister high and dry, and there had been plenty of them. This Brian person was a jerk, in her book, but she could not convince Vivian of that.

Well…this ninny is going to lunch at the Brown Derby, tomorrow, Vivian waited for Monica to respond to that bit of news.

You got to be kidding? Monica was now fully awake, and could not believe it. Why would Brian call Vivian after three years and want to take her to the Brown Derby? Monica thought as she got up and put on her robe, and sat at the edge of her bed.

"No, Brian said the Brown Derby, and he told me not to get too dolled up. Monica, please help me pick out something appropriate to wear. You know most of my clothes are for nighttime. I have a few items that I think will be nice to wear for lunch. Since we are going to a fancy joint I also need to know how to eat. I’ve seen it in the movies. There are a lot of forks, glasses and plates.

You know how to eat; you just don’t know how to eat soup. Monica couldn’t break Vivian’s life-long habit of slurping her soup.

I might as well get up, since I am wide awake, she thought. Dear, why don’t you put on some coffee for us?

Thanks Monica. You won’t regret this.

I am, already Viv. I am already, Monica thought to herself as she buttoned up her robe and went into the kitchenette.

Vivian was tall like her sister, but with brown hair and eyes. She was two years older than Vivian and felt obligated to take care of her younger sister, after their parents had died. She sat down and started to spread butter and jam on her toast.

Why don’t you pull some of your clothes out and we’ll take a look, Monica told Vivian as she took a sip of her coffee. Vivian went to her room and came out with several outfits.

How’s this? Vivian held up a black see-through blouse and a black beaded skirt. Monica shook her head no, as she took a bite of her toast. Next, Vivian showed her a white chiffon blouse with long sleeves and a blue satin skirt.

Keep the blouse not the skirt. Monica took another sip of her coffee as she looked to see what piece of clothing Vivian would show her next.

All the other outfits she had Monica look at were also for nighttime. I don’t have too much left to show you. I think I have a powder blue skirt and jacket still in a box. Remember Aunt Lulu gave it to me last Christmas? Vivian went to her bedroom and came back with a large dress box. She pulled off the ribbon, took of the lid, and unfolded the tissue paper. Vivian held up the suit.

It’s perfect, Monica exclaimed. She was not too happy about helping her sister to find something to wear in order to please Brian. But she didn’t want for her sister to look chintzy.

Get dressed and we can tackle your eating habits next. Vivian grabbed the other clothes she had thrown on a kitchen chair, and left the blouse and suit. I’ll press these later, with that Vivian went to change.

Monica had the table set with a whole array of flat wear, dinner wear, and glass wear.

What’s all this?

Viv, you have to learn what fork, spoon, and knife to use when you eat at the Brown Derby. Monica said, as she poured water into the glasses. Nothing matched. They collected glass wear from the different places where they worked; the plates and flat-wear from second hand stores.

Monica, I can’t learn all this by tomorrow. She looked pleadingly at her sister.

Look, Vivian, you will learn. It’s just like dancing. Monica knew that dancing was in her sister’s life. She would show her it was like learning a new routine.

Don’t be silly, Monica. How could learning how to eat be like dancing? Vivian looked puzzled.

Let me show you. Monica went over to the record player she had dragged from the living room into the kitchenette and selected a record that would be appropriate to demonstrate to Vivian what she was talking about. While the music played, Monica gracefully sat down, pretending that someone had held out a chair for her. She took the napkin from the plate in front of her and placed it on her lap. Next she picked up a fork, starting from the outside and pretended to eat; she then lifted a glass of water and took a sip; she then reached for her napkin and dabbed the corner of her mouth and placed the napkin back on her lap. All the while she followed the beat of the music as she picked up each item from the table.

Gee, Monica I never seen anyone eat so elegantly as you before. Vivian tried next. She sat down on her chair just like Monica had done.

Don’t forget to take the napkin and place it on your lap. Monica orchestrated all of Vivian’s moves. That’s it. Now take a sip of water. Vivian did, and remembered to dab her mouth at the corners with her napkin. She smiled up at Monica. Next, Vivian picked up the fork with the rhythm of the music and pretended to eat her salad. That’s it. Always start with the outside flatware and work yourself in. When you finish with one, place it on the plate and the waiter will know you are done and he will take the plate away. Okay, now that you got the hang of this part, let’s get to the hard part, Monica was dreading this. She went over to the record player and turned it off.

Why did you do that for?

You have to learn how to eat soup without slurping it. You’re going to have to hear a pin drop. I filled the bowls with water. I’ll try first then you, Monica reached for a soupspoon and dipped it into the water. She brought it up to her mouth and poured the liquid into her mouth. You try it. Vivian did everything like her sister showed her, but then she got the spoon to her mouth a big slurping sound came out of Vivian’s mouth. Viv!

What? I did it just like you.

Yeah, but not with the sound effects. Let’s try it again. This time try to remember not to slurp. Vivian picked up her spoon again and gently dipped into the water. She brought the spoon to her mouth and swallowed the water without a sound. But she was too stiff. Relax, Viv. Try it again. Vivian tried again and again, each time making the slurping sound. Viv how can I get you to stop making that noise while eating your soup?

Gee, Monica, I guess I won’t order soup. Monica looked at her sister and started to laugh.

Sis, you’re brilliant. That is exactly how you are going to play it. Don’t order soup. Order a salad with the main course. Order a glass of wine. White if you are going to order fish or chicken, and red if you order meat.

That sounds easy. Please put the music back on so I can practice my movements. Monica complied. They spent the rest of the morning pretending that they were eating at the Brown Derby.

Both Vivian and Monica were off from work for the weekend so they didn’t bother to go back to sleep. Vivian pressed her suit and later they polished each other’s hand-nails and toes.

Chapter 2

Brian had rented a car, a sporty looking red convertible. He had to make a good impression at the restaurant. He arrived right on time to Vivian’s, and began honking the car’s horn so she could come downstairs.

Monica was helping Vivian with her hair when they heard honking coming from the street. He’s here! I won’t remember everything, Vivian looked terrified.

Yes, you will, just don’t order soup, Monica kissed her sister’s cheek, while smoothing back down an errant stray hair on her sister’s do.

I’ll tell you how it went when I get back. Bye. Vivian rushed out grabbing her handbag and ran down the stairs. She got into the car, and Brian sped off.

He didn’t say anything to her. Gosh Brian, it’s good to see you after all this time. I didn’t know you were back in town until you called me, Vivian was trying to make conversation, but Brian’s thoughts were somewhere else. He had plans to booster his bank account. Living the high life had cost him plenty of money. He had grown accustomed to living easy. He did not want to go back to working for a living.

What, doll? Brian finally paid attention to his lunch date.

When did you get back in town? You know a girl can only wait so long, Vivian rattled on and on about him not calling to tell her he was leaving town.

Well, doll, I’m here now, aren’t I?

Yeah, but…

Aren’t I taking you to a fancy restaurant, and weren’t you the first one I called? Brian was growing impatient with her chatter. Look, doll, I had to leave town in a hurry. I’m back now and will be seeing a lot of you… Okay?

Well gee, Brian I kind of missed you too. Brian was glad that they pulled up to the Brown Derby. He had forgotten how talkative Vivian could be. A valet opened her door, and then ran around to the driver’s side, to let Brian out. Brian placed the keys in the valet’s hands and a folded bill. Finally, Brian noticed what Vivian was wearing. Nice outfit, and not too flashy, Brian thought as he escorted her to the entrance. A doorman opened the door for them, and they walked in. There was a velvet rope stopping them going farther into the restaurant. The maître d’ was at a podium looking at the lunch reservation list. It was a must to have a reservation here. Brian had to bribe the concierge at the hotel to get him a reservation. This town was no different from the rest of the world. A few twenties thrown here and there got him into places that he would not have been allowed to enter. Grease some palms and you’re in, was Brian’s mantra.

Sir, do you have reservations? The maître d’ looked at Brian and the woman who was with him and instinctively knew that they did not belong here. Brian sensed the maître ď s distain.

Yes, I do, Brian’s tone was not polite, much like the tone of the maître d’. It was tit for tat. Brian gave him his name. The hotel’s concierge had pulled in a favor at the Brown Derby. She had got them a table in the Star section. This section was reserved for movie stars or any one of note in Hollywood. The general public, if they were lucky enough to get a reservation, were kept away from the important people. The Brown Derby’s management wanted to keep their patronage by being a place they could eat in in peace without being hounded by autograph hunters.

I see your name, Mr. Douglas. Please come this way. He lifted the rope, picked up a couple of menus and escorted them to a table in the exclusive section.

Madam? He pulled out Vivian’s chair.

Thank you. Another waiter pulled out Brian’s chair. He gave no response.

Your waiter will be right with you in a few moments, the maître d’ told them, as he left their table.

What a rude SOB, Brian thought, as he was looking through the menu. He had run into this kind of attitude from a lot of people, during the last three years. His experience taught him that money paved a way to the good life. He needed more money, to continue to convince the little people of his high class status. The only thing wrong this afternoon was that he did not know any high class women in Los Angeles. Hopefully Vivian wouldn’t embarrass him too much. He looked at Vivian from across the table studying the menu. She isn’t bad looking, but could tone down in the makeup department. Brian saw that Vivian was having a bad time deciding what to order. He would make the decision for her.

The waiter came to their table to take their drink order. Madam, sir, what would be your pleasure?

Vivian?

Oh, a glass of white wine, please. Vivian remembered Monica’s instructions…White for fish or chicken, red for meat.

Thank you, and you sir?

I’ll have a Whiskey Sour.

Yes sir, thank you.

You’re welcome, Vivian remembered her manners. Brian, there’s so much to pick from. I’ll like a tuna salad though.

Vivian, you can order more than that. How about adding a soup?

Soup, no! She thought. What am I going to do? Vivian was beside herself. She did not expect for Brian to order for her. The waiter came over with their drinks, and to take their order. Before Vivian could explain to Brian about her soup eating habits, he ordered for her.

The lady will have a tuna salad and your soup of the day. I will have the turkey sandwich and your cream of broccoli soup.

Very good, sir. The waiter collected the menus putting them under his arm and left the table with their order. Vivian was beginning to feel nervous now. She could not eat the soup. She was trying not to look nervous, so she started to glance around the room to take her mind off what would be coming up once the soup arrived at the table. She suddenly saw Cary Grant sitting nearby.

Brian, look, over there at that table. It’s Cary Grant, Vivian almost squealed with excitement.

Look, doll, don’t stare at him. We’re here to be stared at, not stare at them, Brian did not want to give the impression that he didn’t belong in this setting.

But, Brian, I’ve never seen a real movie star in person before, and so close up, too. Vivian was trying really hard to please Brian. Her mouth was getting dry. As she was reaching for her glass of water, she knocked it over. Brian had to stand up very quickly before the water ran over the table and onto his lap.

You stupid, clumsy fool! Brian yelled at Vivian. The other restaurant patrons turned around, upon hearing Brian lash out at his lunch partner. Brian then realized that he had made a mistake-a big mistake. The waiters who were nearby came to pick up the glassware and wipe up the water, and the melting ice from the floor.

I want the check. I want it now, Brian barked to one of the waiters. He wanted to leave as quickly as possible. Vivian started to cry.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Vivian said this over and over.

Shut up, Vivian, Brian told her under his breath, while grabbing her arm. He laid down a fifty dollar bill on the table. Come on, let’s go.

But we didn’t get to eat our lunch, Vivian was beside herself.

Lunch, lunch, you just ruined lunch. Come on, let’s get out of here. He forced her to go around the tables to the entrance of the restaurant. He got the attention he wanted, but not the right kind. Everyone was looking at them. Some of the people had sneers on their faces others were whispering comments to their lunch partners all the while keeping their eyes on them. Vivian felt flushed, and could only imagine the red hue Brian’s face was turning to. She was still wondering what she had done so wrong. Everyone spills water. When they passed the maitre d’, she said Thank you.

You’re welcome, my dear. We hope to see you soon, His reply to her was for Brian’s benefit. He would remember not to let this bore in this place again.

Once outside, Brian gave his car’s claim check to the valet. That’s what I get going out with a lower class dame, Brian thought as he paced back and forth waiting for his car to come around to the front. The valet drove up with Brian’s car, got out and let Brian slide in the driver’s side. He didn’t tip him at all. Vivian was still standing at the curb, sobbing and daubing her eyes. Her mascara was running down her cheeks. The valet came around and opened the car door for her to let her in the car. Vivian handed him a tip and said thank you. If anyone was going to have some class it would be her. Brian didn’t bother to open Vivian’s door to let her out of his car, when he stopped in front of her apartment building. She got out of the car on her own, and he sped off without a goodbye. Vivian ran up the stairs to her apartment. Monica was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when she was surprised by Vivian’s early appearance.

What happened? Why have you returned so early? Monica asked Vivian, not noticing the ruined eye makeup. Vivian ran to her bedroom and shut the door. Monica got up and went over and knocked on Vivian’s bedroom door.

Honey, let me in, please. Vivian opened the door. Her face was streaked with the mascara from crying. She went back to lay on her bed and started to cry again. Honey, what did that jerk do to you? Monica was determined to get to the bottom of this. Whatever it was, she would make sure that Brian Douglas would pay for what he did to her sister.

Chapter 3

Miriam was out in the back yard enjoying the company of her son Jack Jr., Olivia, his wife, and her first grandchild, Jack Phillip Cordell the III, affectionately known as Jackie to the family. Jack Jr. had come to the West Coast to discuss expansion of Cordell Industry’s holdings in Germany and Japan with his father and brother. Miriam was happy that they decided to stay with her. Olivia’s parents were away on a trip to Chicago, and Steve was on a tennis tour. Jack Jr. had spent the morning at meetings with his father and his brother, Al. He wanted to spend time with his mother, Olivia and the baby so his father arranged for early morning meetings on a daily basis. Jackie was nearly three years old, and was already a handful. He had the run of the yard. The pool area has been fenced, when he was born. The Cordell’s were not going to take any chances that Jackie might fall into the pool and drown.

Miriam wanted to spend as much time with her grandson. Pretty soon Jack Jr. would have to go back to the East Coast and take Olivia and Jackie with him. They would be staying for one more month. Al was still living at home, and dating Isabel McGuire. Al attended night school, determined to get a degree in business management, in Los Angeles, instead of going back to Harvard right after the war had ended. Trace, her youngest son, had stayed in the Marine Corps and was now stationed at the Pentagon. Miriam was making the most of their visit.

Ollie, tomorrow the Ladies League is having their annual luncheon and election of officers. Would you like to attend with me? I am sure that Mrs. Mauler won’t mind taking care of Jackie.

I wound love to. My old school chums are in the Junior League. I keep in touch with them, and they will be there.

Well, it’s all set, Miriam smiled. It’s going to be a beautiful month having you all here. Mrs. Mauler came out with a tray of sandwiches and lemonade. She also had a plate with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Jack’s eyes didn’t leave that plate.

Just for you, Mr. Jack, Mrs. Mauler placed the plate right in front of him. He was holding Jackie on his lap. Like all toddlers Jackie reached for the cookies.

Whoa, son. Those are mine, Jack took the cookie that his son was holding, and took a bite of it closing his eyes in sheer delight as he savored the bits of chocolate in the baked dough. Jackie started to cry when he realized that his father had taken his cookie.

Jack! Give him a cookie. I’m sure that Mrs. Mauler has another batch baking in her oven right now, Miriam scolded her son. They spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying each other’s company.

Chapter 4

Miriam and her daughter-in-law, Olivia, arrived at the Brown Derby for the Ladies League Luncheon. One of the back banquet rooms was reserved for their annual meeting and nomination of officers. They were being escorted to the banquet room when they heard a commotion. Miriam turned toward the loud voice. Everyone had stopped eating to see who was causing the disturbance. Miriam couldn’t believe it. The man doing all the yelling looked a lot like Brian Douglas. But, it couldn’t be. She thought. There was a blond with him. She was crying.

What’s wrong, Mom? Olivia pulled on her arm.

Nothing, my dear, it’s just somebody making a scene. Let’s go, Miriam could not get Brian Douglas out of her mind for the rest of