“I don’t know. I’m going to the library to see if the information in the book is different.” I shook my head, so confused. “If history changed—” I let out the breath I felt like I’d been holding all morning. “I might be able to stay in San Francisco after all.”
“Ally.” Mama put her hands on my arms as if to hold me there with her. “If history did change somehow, do you really want to stay there?”
“I married Sam, Mama. Of course I want to stay there. I love him.”
“Enough to stay?”
Nothing had ever felt so hard—or so easy—as what I said next. “Yes.”
She pressed her lips together and lowered her arms as she fought for control over her emotions. “You would think, after all the times I’ve said good-bye in my life, that this would be easier. There was a small part of me that thought we’d be able to keep you, that you would change history there and stay here.”
I hugged her as tears burned the backs of my eyes. “I still don’t know. Perhaps history didn’t change. I might still need to save him and forfeit that path.”
She nodded as she pulled back and used her apron to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I know. I just—” She let out a breath. “I just wasn’t as prepared as I thought I would be.” She readjusted her shoulders with certainty as she said, “Fight for your husband, Ally. For as long as you can. Never give up. He’s the most important person to you now.”
“Thank you, Mama.” I hugged her again and then said, “I’m going to the library to look for information.”
I knew she was worried, but she nodded. “Just be careful. And take one of these banana muffins with you.”
I wasn’t hungry, but I took one and then left the house to walk to the bus stop.
Thirty minutes later, I entered the Hollywood Library.
“Miss Bennett! How wonderful to see you again.” Miss Clampett’s face brightened and then dimmed. “I heard about you and Mr. Hayes. How unfortunate for you that things didn’t work out. How will you manage to sit beside him at the premiere ofLittle Women? I must confess, my girlfriends and I are thinking about going to Grauman’s Theatre just to see you two together. It’s all everyone is talking about. They say he broke up with you because of your sister.” She leaned across the counter. “Is it true?”
Though it had only been four days,Film Dailyhad already gotten wind of the breakup. Someone had seen us arguing at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and watched us part ways. No one had any idea what really happened, but the prevailing theory was that Vicky came between us. Someone had found the girl in the park and interviewed her. The story was blown out of proportion. But it sold copies, and that was the goal.
And the publicity would help the movie premiere.
“I’d rather not talk about it,” I said with a tight smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m here to find a book.”
“Of course.” Miss Clampett stood straight. “I’m so sorry, Miss Bennett. Do you need me to help you?”
“No, thank you.” I left her at the counter and walked toward the back of the library whereThe Annals of San Franciscowaskept. As I passed a man sitting at a table, reading a newspaper, the headline caught my eye.
“Party Raided at the BeverlyWilshire Hotel—Twelve Arrested.”
I paused, my eyes growing wide as the picture under the caption showed the very party that Spencer had brought me to. I recognized the flappers, George Cryer, and even Kent Kane Parrot.
“Excuse me,” I said to the man.
He pulled the side of the paper back, irritation on his face until he recognized me and then fumbled to stand. “Yes?”
“May I see the newspaper just for a moment?”
“Yes, of course, Miss Bennett! It would be an honor to share it with you.” He shoved it toward me as he stared.
“Thank you.” I closed it so I could see the front-page headline better.
Hollywood—A private party at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel was raided by US federal agents on Monday night with twelve people arrested and charged with gambling, prostitution, and the illegal possession of alcohol. Undercover agents have been working for months to apprehend members of the so-called City Hall Gang. A trial is pending as this story develops.
The article shared the names of the men and women arrested and the charges that were filed against them.
Spencer’s name wasn’t listed, which led me to believe he’d helped the feds, just as he said he was doing.
“Thank you,” I said to the man as I handed the newspaper back to him.
“Any time.” He continued to watch me with wide eyes as I left and went to the aisle where the book was located, distracted by the news.
