Heart of Flame: A Tale Of Sauron

Informant

"Miss McKee, please come in."

Ivy cagily stepped into the detective's office. The grainy light of the summer sunset, blurred by the hazy banks of smog hanging over the city from the heat of the day, grazed the faded oriental rug under her feet. The office was neat, the walls mostly covered in accolades from the city and pictures with local politicians. All except for one wall where hung several framed maps of constellations.

"I'm Detective Kelly Silver," the gentleman said, extending a hand to her as he came out from behind his desk.

Her eyes grazed over his common face towards the constellations once more. His eyebrows arched as he peeked over his shoulder towards them.

"Are you a star gazer, Miss McKee?" He motioned towards the chair in front of his desk as he turned.

Ivy compliantly took a seat. "No. I was just surprised to see something like that hanging in a police station."

"You been in many police stations?" His expression was playful, one corner of his thin lips lifting, but his voice sounded serious.

With a breathy laugh, she folded her hands in her lap. "Only once."

"Yes, I know," he continued, his smile fading as he perused through a file in front of him. "Not too long ago it seems."

"Just the one time. When the theater where I danced was raided."

"It seems the judge let you off without a scratch. That's something unique in this town for a girl without any connections." He dipped a spoon into the clean, white coffee cup by his hand and stirred it. "Well. Any connections that we knew of at the time."

Ivy swallowed hard, but fought to keep a placid expression on her face. When she had left practice earlier that afternoon, she had hoped to enjoy a quiet night for once. Her headaches had gotten worse. The last thing she needed was them interfering with her dancing, especially as the night for her debut drew closer. 

She hadn't even made it a block after getting off the subway when the cop car had picked her up. The officer had been polite, but insistent. Not that she was in any place to argue. Working under a man that she suspected of being involved with bootlegging, she decided it best if she went peacefully.  

"My employer was kind enough to step in and say a good word for me... for all of us. There were quite a few dancers that were picked up that evening. I was merely one of many," she explained, trying to keep her words from cramming together out of nervousness.

"Yes. But you quickly became one in a million. I see that you are soon going to be headlining a new show at the recently renovated Gilded Cage." Detective Silver picked up his saucer and cup, sipping it casually. "That's a big step in this town."

Ivy twisted her hands in her lap. "Yes."

Silence fell between them, only interrupted by the occasional bark of laughter from an adjoining room. Ivy's eyes trailed back to the star maps, their cool blue backgrounds and familiar shapes lending gravity to the moment. 

She never should have stayed at the theater. After the Chauffeur had told her about her employer's connections, she should have resigned the next morning. It wasn't worth the chance getting thrown in jail again. This time with no chance out.

The cup tinkled as he set it back down on the desk. "Miss McKee. Would you like a cup of coffee? A cigarette?"

"No, thank you."

Detective Silver sighed. "You're not in any trouble. Don't be afraid. I'm not one of those police officers who likes to pick on girls half my age for a thrill. I have a couple daughters around your age actually."