Chapter 28 Ingrid
Ingrid
Well, Mother’s presence introduces a terrible complication into Ingrid’s investigation.
Ingrid had planned to stay at Gordon’s, to go to Ada’s premiere, to immerse herself in Ada’s world even more fully, to uncover
something to close this investigation. How is she supposed to accomplish her work if Mother is there? Discretion will be impossible,
and Ingrid will never be able to focus, knowing she might be interrupted at any moment.
Only a few days have passed since their encounter, and already Ingrid feels Mother over her shoulder at every turn. She will
have to return to Gordon’s eventually, but for now she steps into Minnie Musgrave’s office.
“Come to arrange Miss Worthington-Fox’s next exclusive?” Mrs. Musgrave asks in greeting.
“A different proposition, actually. I can share inside information from the hearings. Beyond what Chairman Thomas reveals—and, as you know from the last story I proposed to you, I will keep my word.” Ingrid’s offer has its desired effect.
A greedy light appears in Mrs. Musgrave’s eyes.
“To do so, I need an assurance from you in exchange.”
“How much?” She snatches her handbag, to which Ingrid shakes her head. “No money? A deal, then?” Mrs. Musgrave smirks and
crosses her arms. “Do tell.”
Ingrid draws a breath. This had better work. Until she finds something she can use to satisfy Crenshaw and Stieber, she’s
out of ideas and can’t have anything unexpected contributing to their mistrust of Ada. She produces a folded paper.
“To prove I’m telling the truth, this contains information from the first round of hearings this morning.” She shows it to
Mrs. Musgrave long enough to let her confirm its validity; she will not be handing it over before their deal is finalized.
“If you receive any tips about Ada Worthington-Fox, allow me to help you verify the information prior to publication so you
can avoid spreading anything false about her.”
Mrs. Musgrave clicks her tongue. “Not how this works, doll. I will spin any narrative however you want—favorably, unfavorably,
give Ada an affair, an unwanted pregnancy, a broken heart, a feud with another actress, anything. Alter an entire line of
celebrity gossip about a woman whose film is soon to hit the silver screen—one where she stars opposite her former and possibly
current lover—to include verified facts alone, just to fit your desires? Off limits.”
“Then I’m afraid so are the hearings, thus limiting you to the same information every other publication will receive, because
I highly doubt your existing sources can access what I can access.” Ingrid rises from her chair until she’s standing over
the other woman. “This offer will last until I leave this room. Best make up your mind in five . . . four . . .”
“You don’t strike me as the type to give a damn about a shallow actress.”
“Shallow? You published her exclusive, so you know she’s far more than that.”
Mrs. Musgrave gnaws on her lip, eyeing Ingrid as if she’s just uncovered something beneficial. “A celebrity’s assistant claiming access to the hearings? Does Ada know she hired a Communist hunter?”
Exposing a connection to the hearings had been a risk, of course. A risk necessary to take for Ada. Now the knowledge is in
Mrs. Musgrave’s hands, and Ingrid can’t revoke it or convincingly deny it. But private investigation is all about gaining
the upper hand, and sometimes the way to do so is to allow another to believe the upper hand is theirs.
She lifts a brow in feigned surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
Mrs. Musgrave lights a cigarette and takes a thoughtful drag. “‘Hunting Hollywood’s Vixen’ might do . . . Catchy, isn’t it?
About a dirty government agent who won her way into the Star Society and is determined to prove the up-and-coming actress
has Communist ties. All the politics, drama, and betrayal of an Academy Award–winning film.”
Even if Mrs. Musgrave publishes such lies, Ada will believe her sister over a gossip columnist, surely. Her efforts are to
help Ada, not to condemn her. Still, if Ingrid is exposed and the investigation is ruined, Crenshaw will never forgive her,
and she can’t let him find out she supplied Mrs. Musgrave with information from the hearings.
She replies through her teeth. “Are you threatening me, Mrs. Musgrave? After I got you the exclusive proving she doesn’t have
Communist ties?”
“‘The Huntress of Hollywood . . .’ God, it’s too tempting.”
“Very well, you’ve made your point. What do you want?”
“Information about the Commies, of course—HUAC, the investigations, all of it. And to write whatever the hell I please. Provide
what I want, and I keep you out of my paper. And because you’re annoying me even more than usual, I want to schedule another
exclusive with Miss Worthington-Fox.”
A second exclusive sooner rather than later might not be a terrible idea. With the hearings starting, it will be best for Ada to reassure the public with her newfound reputation for occasional openness.
Mrs. Musgrave extends a hand. Ingrid accepts it, nearly gasping at the tight grip before the elder woman lowers her voice.
“Law and order don’t exist in Hollywood. Don’t leave your world if you’re not ready for ours, doll.”
Ingrid doesn’t falter. “I will speak to Miss Worthington-Fox regarding the exclusive, but if you write anything I don’t like
about either of us, all information about the hearings will cease, and the exclusive will be off. If I have connections to
these hearings, best to consider what other connections I might have within our government. Ones you might not want in your
path. Do keep that in mind.”
As Mrs. Musgrave’s satisfied smirk disappears, Ingrid jerks her hand free and departs, leaving the woman sitting behind her
typewriter in a cloud of cigarette smoke. People really should stop attempting to hold leverage over her. She can just as
easily do the same to them.
Ingrid’s next errand takes her to Melrose Avenue and Windsor Street, where lush shrubs and palms surround a two-story white
Spanish-style building and a prominent sign indicates Lucey’s Restaurant. Inside, she spots a young waitress—Beverly Tolbert.
Just the woman Ingrid was hoping to find.
The restaurant is quiet, so after asking Beverly for a private word, Ingrid follows her to a secluded table.
“I’m in town for Ada’s premiere, and since you’re her friend, I was hoping you could help me,” Ingrid begins. “You are aware
of concerns regarding Communist influences in your industry, I presume?”
Beverly stiffens. “I am not a Communist. Why? What have you heard?” When Ingrid says nothing, waiting for her to continue, she passes a hand over her face.
“God, it’s because I’m represented by Gordon, isn’t it?
His damn political views have nothing to do with me.
Did Ada tell you he’s more than just a Communist?
He’s—” She lowers her voice to a whisper. “Different.”
“Different,” Ingrid repeats slowly. “Meaning . . . ?”
“Meaning your young, charming, absolutely gorgeous cousin lives with him and spends hours half naked by his pool, and the
man has never once given her a second glance.” Beverly raises an eyebrow, prompting Ingrid to understand.
“You think Gordon is attracted to men.”
“Have I seen him with anyone? Technically, no.” She shrugs. “He’s a private person regarding certain matters and perpetually
absorbed in work, so that doesn’t mean anything.”
Not quite the sort of subversive behavior Ingrid was expecting to uncover. Still, a combination of prioritizing privacy and
having no interest in Ada—who is half his age, she suspects—is hardly grounds for such speculations.
“Haven’t you heard about the G-men all over the place? Wait until they find out I have a Communist, homosexual agent.” Though
the words are low and sharp, Beverly looks around as if to ensure no one overheard. “They’ll think I’m subversive too, and
then my career will be destroyed before it’s even had a real chance to begin. No one will want to hire me, and no studio will
protect me because I’m a nobody in this industry—unlike that charming little Brit Gordon decided to make a star.”
A flash of what can only be jealousy and anger sparks in her eyes, accompanying the cynical remark. She would do well to remember
she’s speaking to that charming little Brit’s blood. A talent agent knows talent when he sees it. Before Ingrid can remind
her of this, Beverly lets out a shaky breath.
“The government might be starting with the unions, but they won’t finish there. Most actors aren’t worried, and maybe I’m overreacting, but at least I’m being cautious. I don’t want to lose my career.”
“All you have to do is cooperate. These measures are being taken for protection, not harm, so if you’re honest, that’s not
a reason to condemn you, is it?”
She considers, then nods vigorously. “You’re right, of course you’re right. This won’t reflect poorly on me unless I allow
it.”
How this conversation developed into one about Beverly, Ingrid can’t quite figure out. As she prepares to redirect back to
Ada, the restaurant door opens, announcing new patrons. Beverly pulls a tube of red Max Factor lipstick from an apron pocket,
reapplies it, and excuses herself, so Ingrid lets the matter go and exits the restaurant.
As she takes a cab back to the Biltmore, she jots down notes from her errands, ruminating on Beverly’s confirmation of Ingrid’s
fears. Some actors are paying attention to what’s occurring; others are not. Some are associated with Communists by choice
or otherwise; others are not.
Ingrid bites her lip as the ink on the page runs together in her mind. All will be well. The hearings at the Biltmore this
week will remain quiet and, ideally, identify subversives before they have a chance to reflect poorly on people like her sister.
Then this will be over.
After finishing her notes, Ingrid tucks them into her briefcase while the cab lets her out at the Biltmore. As she makes her