Chapter 20
Dawn had broken by the time they saw the first signs of Vegas in the distance. The mountains stood out black and ominous against the early orange glow spreading across endless sand. The heat had already begun to build and wipe away the coolness of the night.
For the first time in the past three hours, Eva relaxed a little as Martin slowed the car down to below ninety. She was certainly glad they were flying to South America and not driving.
The first civilization they came to was the airport on the outskirts of town. Eva looked at Martin as he swung the car onto the wide drive leading to the terminal building. "I'll be right back," he announced as he parked and walked beneath the canopy to the entrance, carrying the briefcase beneath his arm.
He was a man of his word, returning in a few minutes with a broad grin on his face. "That's settled," he announced. "We leave for Brazil via Mexico City at four."
"This afternoon?" Eva asked, surprised.
"That's right," he agreed, sliding the Caddy back onto the main highway.
Eva was disappointed. She'd hoped to be here longer. But in a short time she forgot everything but staring at the ornate hotels that paralled the road. They left her speechless. It was only then that she really believed that she'd actually left Ralph and run away to another, more glamorous life.
A feeling of joy and freedom surged within her, as if all shackles had been cut. She leaned across and kissed Martin firmly on the mouth.
"Hey," he grinned. "What was that for?"
"For making a new woman out of me," she answered.
Martin pulled into the fanciest of the buildings and was met by a small army of bellhops that surrounded the car. They practically carried the couple, along with their luggage, into the lobby. Eva was all eyes. Although it was only seven in the morning the gambling room was crowded. The muted sounds of gaming devices blended with a red-eyed trio playing on a raised platform above the bar.
The registry signed, they were escorted to a bungalow at the far end of the pool area. Eva hesitated at the open door.
"What are you waiting for?" Martin asked.
"To be carried across, silly," Eva said. "I'm your wife now, remember?"
Martin chuckled and hoisted her into the air.
Eventually, Martin set her down and closed the door. When he turned back into the room. Eva already had the sweater off and her skirt down over her hips. "You're a fast worker," he grinned.
"You made me this way," she pouted.
He took her into his arms. "How?"
"Terribly. Don't you want anything to eat?"
"What I want's already in the room."
"Where?" she teased.
He showed her. Eva moaned and pulled his head tighter against her body.
One thing led to another and it wasn't long before Eva was smiling, watching Martin struggle out of his clothes. When he stood beside the bed she wrapped her arms about him and kissed him, her golden hair brilliant against his darker skin.
"Are you happy?" he asked.
Eva looked up at him. "Terribly," she admitted. "Will it be like this always?"
"I hope so."
She raised her arms to him. "Come to bed, my husband." He did.
Eva sat by the pool, allowing the warmth of the day to soak into her body. She hadn't been able to sleep much and had left Martin behind in bed. Now she watched the activity in the water and felt her body begin to relax. She'd worn the same suit that had created such a sensation back in L.A. but here she discovered that she was just another female. There were women draped around pool side wearing things that made her clothing look like a Mother Hubbard.
So far not one man had paid the slightest bit of attention to her. Eva wasn't sure whether that was a compliment or not.
Eva stretched languidly and enjoyed the wonders of her new life. This was living, she reflected happily. It made her sad to think of how long she'd wasted back in that miserable hole in the suburbs.
Eva tried to imagine what it would be like in Brazil. She'd read about the city but never in her wildest imagination had she thought she'd ever get a chance to go there.
Now, thanks to dear, sweet Martin, she would.
And Eva thought of other things. Of her poor sister slaving at that hot bank back in the city. Wouldn't she be livid with envy if she could see her now. Poor, plain Ruth, a professional old maid.
Between the pleasant thoughts and the sun, Eva gradually grew drowsy. Before she knew what had happened she was asleep.
But she awoke from the nap some time later with a start, aware that she was no longer alone. Eva looked up and saw a short, fat figure grinning down at her, an unlighted cigar stuck in the corner of his mouth.
"Sorry if I frightened you, doll," he said, a grin splitting his chubby cheeks. "I was enoying the scenery."
Eva looked around to see if Martin was in sight. Unfortunately, he wasn't. "Well, go enjoy it someplace else," she snapped.
The stranger chuckled, shifting the cigar to the other side of the mouth. "You got spunk," he said, squatting down in front of her. "That's good. How's business?"
Eva shook her head, not understanding. "Just what do you mean by that?" she said angrily.
"You know what I'm talking about," he said. "Business, hundred bucks a night stuff."
Eva's face turned crimson as understanding came. But this time she held her temper. Maybe for once she could find out what there was about her that made people think that she was a whore. "How can you tell?" she asked, forcing calmness into her voice.
He shrugged and struck a match to the cigar, great clouds of smoke rolling across the pool area. "Simple," he admitted. "First, there's a kind of tired, hungry look in your eyes. All the dames for hire got it." He waved at her body. "And there's the bathing suit. The only babes that wear 'em that brief around here are the ones that are looking for someone to take them off."
Eva had heard enough. She started to her feet, only to be pressed back down with his hand on her arm. "Easy, kid," he said, smiling. "I'm not on the make. I got a proposition for you." He tapped an ash on the ground before continuing. "I got a show at the El Palmetto down the highway. It's a Paris review. I need some fresh stuff. With that chest of yours we could knock the customers clear out of the first three rows. I pay a hundred bucks a week and all the romance you can handle between shows is yours.
Eva felt her mouth grow dry at the unexpected offer.
"You get out of here," she said, so angry that she could hardly make herself be heard.
"Now don't be like that," the man protested. "It's a legitimate offer. The name's Max." He got to his feet, turning around for a parting shot. "Think it over. The job'll be there when you show."
Eva looked around for something to throw but there wasn't anything close. She felt the heat boil to her head. She'd never been so insulted.
By the time Eva reached their cabin she had cooled considerably. She decided not to tell Martin. It would only get him all upset.
Eva pushed through the door quietly, careful in case he was still asleep. She smiled when she saw him awake on the couch. "Hi," she smiled.
Martin looked up from the papers he had spread in front of him. His face looked strained and it seemed an effort for him to smile. "You been up long?" he asked.
Eva bent down and kissed him. "I have, sleepy head." She glanced at the papers. "You looking for something?"
Martin shook his head. "Just keeping up with the news." He looked at his watch. "We better get packed. There's only an hour to catch the plane."
"We have some time," she said suggestively.
Martin shook his head. "No," he said nervously. "We'd better get going."
Eva stared at him for a moment, wondering about his strange anxiety. But she told herself it was natural, after all he was running away from his faimly. And in California that's illegal.
She stripped off the remaining half of her bathing suit and started for the bathroom. "I'm taking a shower. Care to join me?"
Martin didn't hear. His eyes were back scanning the paper. Eva shrugged her disappointment and took the bath alone.
The closer they drew to the airport, the more nervous Martin seemed to become. Eva was aware of it, watching his eyes dart from side to side as they sped down the highway well above the legal limit.
As they pulled into the terminal parking lot Eva thought of something. "What about the car?" she said. "You just going to leave it here?"
Martin nodded grimly. "That's right. In a week they'll check up on the registration and send a notice to my home. I'm sure Helen will be only too happy to come and claim it."
"That bitch," Eva spat.
He patted her leg, showing one of his few smiles of the day. "Don't worry," he soothed. "We can buy ten like it."
"One for me?" Eva said. "With a pink ribbon yet."
Eva liked this kind of life where money seemed to mean absolutely nothing.
They checked their luggage and validated their tickets at the counter and then strolled through the small terminal, waiting for the announcement of boarding. Only-after the details were finished did Martin seem to relax.
Eva saw the slot machines against the wall and turned to Martin. "I haven't even played one of those. May I?"
He reached into his pocket and handed her some change. "Be my guest."
Eva used the dollar machine. She cranked in two coins and nothing happened. On the third three oranges lined up in a row. Eva squealed happily as silver dollars spat into the tray. She scooped them up and had counted to fifteen when Martin grabbed her by the arm.
"Come on," he said anxiously. "They're boarding our plane now." He led the way, clutching the small attache case beneath his arm.
The noise outside the terminal was deafening as an incoming plane taxied towards the ramp.
Eva was almost out of breath from keeping up with the hurrying Martin. They had to slow down at the gate. As he handed over his ticket for inspection, Eva noticed that his hands were shaking. She saw something else too that was puzzling.
Standing in the intervening space between the gate and the ramp were two men dressed in uniforms. They each held a rifle beneath their arms. As Martin stepped into the clearing the men nodded at each other and moved towards him.
Eva started to run to catch up to him. But before she took a step, Martin looked up and spotted the policemen coming towards him. His face went ashen and his expression turned to pure terror.
Eva stood rooted to the spot, unable to believe the melodrama she was seeing. She screamed Martin's name but he didn't hear over the noise of the arriving plane.
For an instant the three men stared at each other. It was Martin who made the first move. He bolted and began running. One of the policemen raised his gun but when he saw the belly of the incoming plane in his sights he lowered the gun.
The second cop was quicker. He started after Martin, yelling something as he went.
It was the woman standing beside Eva who saw the obvious danger first. "My God," she screamed, "He's going to run into the propeller."
Martin, in his anxiety to get away, wasn't paying heed to where he was going. But at the last minute he did look around, only to see the deadly whirling blade of steel directly before him. He threw up his hands to his face. But it was too late. Above all other noise there was a deadly 'whump' and the airport apron was suddenly filled with the solid rain of hundred dollar bills.
Eva saw little of this. She lay crumpled on the concrete in a dead faint.