They descended to the Texas deck, named after the state where this steamboat feature had been invented. Some of the crew’s cabins were on this deck, along with economy passenger cabins, and there was a lovely small lounge called the Texas lounge at the bow.
The next deck down was the cabin deck with its larger cabins and library in the middle, as well as the lavish forward lounge where they’d just been for the reception.
“Plenty of lounges for one to hide from the other guests,” Aunt Julia remarked.
Giles, blissfully unaware that Aunt Julia’s comment probably meant the lounges provided lots of places to stash a murder weapon or provide a false alibi, beamed with pride. “I want the guests to have plenty of places to socialize. The best part is on the main deck with the supper club, the first floating supper club of its kind.” He gestured for them to precede him down the stairs.
The stairs to the dining salon were much nicer than the metal stairs that separated the decks. These were wide and carpeted, with fancy wooden bannisters polished to such a shine that Nora’s hand practically slid off the railing. The smell of lemon polish gave way to the scents of roasting meat as they descended.
The dining room was already set up. Crisp white tablecloths draped round tables set for eight, with elegant white china that had the ship’s logo stamped on it in gold. Crystal glasses sparkled under glittering chandeliers. The parquet floor was laid in a subtle checkerboard pattern of light and dark wood. At one end a stage sat several steps higher than the dining floor. A large space was open in front for a dance floor.
“I think you can see the dining will rival any fine restaurant.” Giles gestured toward the stage. “And the entertainment… well, I’m sure I don’t need to say anything about Delilah Dove.”
“Indeed not. How in the world did you manage to hire such a talent?” Aunt Julia asked.
“It happened to be good timing. She was in between engagements and I made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. There was stiff competition, too, but I practically stole her right out from under Glen Meyer’s grasp!” Giles headed toward an unobtrusive door at the end of the room. “Would you like to see backstage? Normally this area is off-limits, but since you’re with me…”
“I’d love to!” Aunt Julia was across the threshold before Giles could even get the door completely open.
The utilitarian look of the backstage area was quite a contrast to the lavish dining room. Back here the hallways were narrow, the doors plain and the walls white. Industrial tiles lined the floors. Some of the dressing-room doors were open and Nora could see a saxophone in one, with band outfits lined up on a rolling garment rack. People smiled and nodded, but no one engaged them in conversation.
“These are the dressing rooms. Our musicians’ sleeping quarters are further down the hallway.” Giles pointed down the hall where several doors, which were rather close together, lined the wall. Nora imagined the sleeping quarters were probably as plain as the hallway and much smaller than her stateroom.
The doors, other than those that went to the sleeping quarters, were open except one. Naturally Aunt Julia tried the knob. “What’s in here?”
“Oh, that’s just storage for the stage sets and decorations for holidays and such. Oxley keeps that locked tighter than a drum. He takes this very seriously, you know,” Giles said as he ushered Aunt Julia along the hallway. Poor Giles. Didn’t he realize that telling Aunt Julia she couldn’t get into a room would only make her more determined to see what was inside?
Nora glanced in another room as they passed. A young woman, her hair in the short curly-bob style of the day, sat at a lighted mirror applying bright-red lipstick to cupid-bow lips. Costumes hung on hooks on the wall.
“Most of the musicians share dressing rooms, but the star gets her own.” Giles stopped at a door that bore Delilah Dove’s name under a large gold star. He knocked. “Miss Dove?”
He waited a second then put his hand on the knob. “I guess she must not be in there. Would you like to see?”
“Of course,” Aunt Julia said.
Giles cracked the door. It was a step up from the other dressing rooms, with soothing blue-gray walls and a large dressing table. A full-length mirror hung on one wall and there was a couch against another. At one end of the room was a long clothes rack stuffed with gowns. The wall opposite the dressing table was crowded with photographs of Delilah, both by herself and posed with performers from various shows. The dressing table had groups of similar photos that looked to go back several years.
A young woman stood next to the rack, her eyes wide as they piled into the room.
“Oh, Miss Sumner, sorry. Didn’t realize you were in here,” Giles said.
“That’s okay, I was just tending to Miss Dove’s costumes.” The girl darted a nervous glance at the open door.
“Julia, Nora, this is one of the backing singers for Delilah Dove, Lily Sumner.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Lily said. Her voice was sweet. She seemed a little shy as she fingered the silky material of a turquoise gown.
Activity at the doorway drew their attention in that direction to where Clifford Oxley stood frowning in at them. “Where is Delilah?”
“She’s not here apparently,” Aunt Julia said.
Clifford’s frown deepened. He turned to Giles. “And what are passengers doing back here? It won’t do to have them traipsing about.”
Giles seemed unruffled by Oxley’s rude attitude. “These are my guests. Julia and Nora Marsh.”
Aunt Julia stuck out her hand, giving Oxley no choice but to shake it and introduce himself. Nora did the same. His hands were clammy, and she resisted the urge to wipe her hand on her dress.
Clifford’s gaze drifted over to Lily and his perpetual scowl deepened even further. “Have you seen Delilah?”
Lily shook her head.
He backed into the hallway. “Well then, I expect you’ve seen everything there is to see down here.” He looked from Giles to Nora to Julia.
Giles cleared his throat and glanced at his watch. “Yes, I think we have. Dinner will start shortly, and I assume you ladies would like to freshen up. I will escort you upstairs.”
As they headed back down the hall, the hairs on Nora’s neck tingled. She glanced over her shoulder to see Clifford Oxley staring after them as if wanting to make sure they really did leave.
Lily Sumner slid the silky fabric of the sleeve through her fingers, stopping at the rhinestone-studded cuff. Turquoise and lime-green stones of all shapes and sizes glittered in a wide band that matched the plunging neckline. She laid it on her wrist, imagining what it would be like to wear it center stage under the spotlights. Lily’s costumes weren’t anywhere near this quality or as flashy. They were plain, black polyester, nothing showy, not even one hint of sparkle. Delilah wanted her backup singers to blend into the background.
Why couldn’t Delilah get laryngitis or something? Then they’d have to let Lily take the lead. All she needed was one chance to show them that she could shine. She was sure her career would take off once she was out from underneath Delilah’s shadow.
“What are you doing in here?”
Lily whipped around to see Delilah in the doorway, her hands on her hips, her expression angry.