Chapter Twenty-two
SHADOWED!
Despite Helen's whisper of warning, Janet never missed a stride. Ifanything, she quickened her pace.
"Keep up with me," she replied, "and don't look around."
From somewhere behind Janet could hear steady footfalls that quickenedas they walked faster.
"Are you sure someone is following us?" asked Janet.
"Positive," replied Helen. "There was someone back of us on the avenueand he turned onto this street right after we did."
"But it must be coincidence," insisted Janet.
"But remember what Curt said about our knowing too much of themysterious events that went on during the last days of the filming of'Kings of the Air,'" said Helen. "He warned us to watch out."
There was no answer to that for Curt had warned them and Janet was gladthat they were near the bright lights of Broadway. She felt safer now.As the noise of that great artery of traffic deepened, they slowed theirpace and Janet turned and looked around.
There was no one on the street behind them. She grasped Helen's arm andboth girls stopped.
"There's no one following us," smiled Janet. "It was just imagination."
"It wasn't imagination and you know it," declared Helen. "Whoever it wascould easily have slipped into a doorway. Maybe he's watching us thisvery moment."
Janet felt a shiver of nervousness race along her spine. It was notpleasant to think of being shadowed, especially in New York where therewere so many people and so few friends.
They turned into Times Square and entered the lobby of their hotel. Atthe desk they inquired for mail and each received letters from home.
Once up in the privacy of their rooms, they undressed, slipped intocomfortable pajamas and dressing gowns, and read their letters. Therewas little actual news from Clarion, but just hearing from their fathersand mothers was nice.
"Dad is anxious to hear the first part of the program," said Helen asshe finished her letter. "He says they'll all be over at our housegrouped around the radio when we go on."
"Nervous about it?" asked Janet.
"Not particularly about the program, but there's something about thewhole thing that has me uncertain. The company seems to be on edge asthough there was some danger hanging over the heads of everyone."
"Perhaps talk about the trouble on the coast has reached them,"suggested Janet.
"That may be. But I'm so anxious for the program to be a success. Thispicture has meant so much to Dad; it's the air epic that he has wantedto do for years. If it goes over in a big way, the Ace Company willrenew his contract for a substantial time and give him a big increase insalary."
Shortly after that they retired and both girls slept soundly.
Next day at the studio the pressure was on again and Director Adolphiwhipped them through the rehearsals at a terrific pace. Several changesin script were necessary and the director sent a page to the scenariodepartment on the run. He returned in a few minutes with Jim Hill, thewriter who had handled the continuity for the radio play.
"Listen, Jim," he snapped. "This sequence is punk. It will fall flat onthe air and too much money is being spent on this program. Get somepunch into this or I'll see that another writer gets the job."
Jim Hill was tall, lean and pleasant, with dark eyes that shot backsparks at the director's criticism.
"You okayed this script once," he reminded Adolphi, "but I'll see what Ican do about it."
Dark, pretty Rachel Nesbit stepped forward.
"I'm pretty good at that sort of thing," she declared, flashing awinning smile at Jim Hill. "Perhaps I could help on the rewriting."
The continuity writer looked at her glumly.
"Your stuff is all right for lighter things, but this is straight actiondrama," he said shaking his head.
"But I can at least try," insisted Rachel, and the worried continuitywriter finally acceded to her insistent requests. He left the studiowith Rachel accompanying him.
Janet turned to Curt Newsom.
"I thought all of the work on this script was being handled with theutmost precaution and that no one outside was to do anything on it?"
"I guess that's right, but Rachel can hardly be called an outsider sinceshe belongs to the studio's stock company."
"But she sells some of her radio skits free lance," insisted Janet.
"That's right," agreed Curt. "I hadn't thought of that."
He hastened over to Director Adolphi.
"No one with any outside contacts is supposed to work on this script orin the company," he told the director.
"That's right," replied Mr. Adolphi. "There's an iron-clad contract withthe Ace Motion Picture Corporation to that effect."
"Then you'd better get Rachel back here. She'll read the rest of thescript and know what the final broadcast will be."
"Oh, but Rachel's all right. Of course she does a little free lancestuff, but she can be depended upon."
"I'm not arguing that point," said Curt firmly. "I'm just telling you toget Rachel back here unless you want a violation of your contractreported to the Ace Company."
"I didn't think you'd stoop to such a dirty trick," sneered the radiodirector.
"You don't even need to think," snapped Curt, his eyes flashing. "Youjust live up to the agreements of that contract and you'll have no moretrouble."
With his temper considerably ruffled, Mr. Adolphi left the studio andother members of the company stared wide-eyed at the husky cowboy starfor most of them held their director in awe, but Curt had spoken firmlyand there had been nothing else for Adolphi to do unless he violated thecontract.
He returned to the studio in less than five minutes with Rachel Nesbitat his heels. The minute she entered the room, she rushed toward Janet,her hands clenched and her eyes snapping sparks of anger.
"You're responsible for this insult," she stormed at Janet. "I'd like tostep on you."
"Oh, calm down, Rachel," said the director. "It was this skinny cowboywho started the trouble."
The radio actress and continuity writer whirled toward Curt Newsom.
"Go ahead and step on me," he grinned, and a titter of giggles ranthrough the rest of the company.
Rachel's dark cheeks flamed anew with anger, but she kept her tongue andturned away in silence.
The rehearsal continued. They were getting well along in the productionand Janet felt that it was going smoothly. It was a condensed version ofthe real story of "Kings of the Air" and so to Janet and Helen it wasfamiliar material.
Promptly at noon the director stopped the rehearsal.
"Half an hour for lunch," he announced and the company scattered atonce.
Janet and Helen walked down the long corridor to the reception roomwhere a hurrying figure almost bumped into them.
It was Jim Hill, the continuity writer. He stopped suddenly and his facelighted up as he recognized them.
"Just the girls I'm looking for!" he exclaimed. "Lunch time?"
Janet nodded.
"Then have lunch with me," and before they could remonstrate, he hurriedthem toward the elevator and they dropped downward with a suddennessthat always unnerved Janet.