The Dragon’s Teeth by Ellery Queen

Ellery. We’ll go whenever you say.”
    KERRIE was unusually quiet after that. The vagueness went out of her smile; everything sharpened in her face; most of the time she wore a serious expression. Beau was quiet, too. He bought the tickets and arranged for the luggage and took Kerrie’s proofs of identity out of the bank vault and saw the bank manager and wired Goossens.
    Then there was nothing to do but wait for the next day, which was to be Kerrie’s farewell to Hollywood.
    But while Beau was busy with the arrangements for their departure Kerrie shut herself up in one of the rooms and refused to come out, even for Vi.
    Vi said worriedly to Beau that last night: “I can’t understand her. She says she’s all right, but …”
    â€œMaybe it’s the hangover.”
    â€œI guess it’s the idea of leaving. After all, her mother’s buried here, this is about the only home she’s ever had, and now she faces a whole new world.… I guess that’s it.”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œWhy don’t you take her out for a walk, or something? She’s been cooped up here all day.”
    â€œI don’t think—” began Beau, flushing.
    But Vi went into Kerrie’s room and remained there for a long time, while Beau fidgeted outside. Finally Kerrie came out dressed in black slacks covered by a long coat, and no hat, Hollywood fashion, and said with a rather pale smile: “Want to take me for a walk, Mister?”
    â€œOkay,” said Beau.
    They strolled in silence to the corner and turned into Hollywood Boulevard. At the corner of Vine Street they stopped to watch the swirling traffic.
    â€œBusy, all right,” said Kerrie. “It’s—hard to leave.”
    â€œYeah,” said Beau. “Must be.”
    They walked ahead into the forest of neon signs.
    A little while later Beau said: “Nice night.”
    Kerrie said: “Yes, isn’t it.”
    Then they were silent again. They passed Grauman’s Chinese and soon were strolling through the darkness of the residential district beyond.
    Kerrie paused finally and said: “My feet ache. Wouldn’t you think shoes costing twenty-two fifty would fit?”
    â€œThe curse of gold,” said Beau. “It has its advantages, too, though.”
    â€œLet’s sit down for a while.”
    â€œOn the curb?”
    â€œWhy not?”
    They sat down side by side. Occasionally a car flashed by; once a ribald voice shouted at them.
    â€œI really haven’t thanked you,” said Kerrie in a muffled voice, “for having been so grand this week. You’ve been like a—like a brother.”
    â€œBrother Rat,” said Beau. “That’s what they call me.”
    â€œPlease, Ellery. I—”
    â€œI’m getting paid for it,” said Beau gruffly. “Fact, it’s your dough that’s paying. So don’t thank me.”
    â€œOh, money!” said Kerrie. “It isn’t everything—” She stopped, appalled by what she was saying.
    â€œNo?” jeered Beau. “There are a million fluffs who’d give their right arms to be in your shoes—ache and all—this minute.”
    â€œI know, but … Oh, it’s nice being able to do things for people, and to buy and buy without thinking of the price when you’ve had to watch all your life for basement sales and to make over old dresses, but …”
    â€œNo buts. It is wonderful, and you’re a lucky squirt. Don’t spoil it by being—restless.”
    â€œI’m not!” said Kerrie quickly. “It’s just that I’ve been thinking about …” She stopped.
    Beau laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve been regretting that anti-marriage condition already!”
    â€œWell … it might be awfully hard on a girl—under the circumstances—if she … fell in love.”
    She screamed, grabbing him.