Up until then, Barbara had been enjoying her visit. Learning she may have made an unwise investment with most of her small earnings frightened her. Almost as much as the sight of a handsome young man who walked into the parlor. From a distance she thought it was Chet Armstrong.
As the tall, slim, dark-haired and very handsome young man walked farther into the room, she recognized him. She had seen the famous pilot-movie producer's picture in newspapers and magazines often enough.
Like an Indian scout, after greeting his hostess and her husband, Howard Hughes looked the room over. He set his sights on Barbara, so Jackie introduced them.
"I've been reading about you flying my pants off," Hughes said with a wicked smile. It reminded Barbara of the men she waited on in the Jackrabbit Cafe who smiled as they pinched her behind. "I have to see Floyd about some business, but how about we sit next to each other at dinner?" He walked away without waiting for her to reply.
When Barbara asked Jackie how she had met one of America's most famous pilots and breaker of speed and altitude records, she replied, "I met Howard last year at Mines Field in Los Angeles. He was working on his racer. You've probably heard about it, it's so aerodynamically advanced. I was testing my rebuilt Northrop Gamma, to fly it in the Bendix. But he asked to buy it, to fly it in a cross-continental race. It wound up, he rented it from me instead and won the New York-to-Miami race flying it."
Barbara looked after the handsome mystery man as he went back outside and sat with Odlum under a shade umbrella by the pool.
"He's always broke, asking Floyd for a loan," Jackie said. "For someone who's supposed to be rich and famous, he only acts famous. And I'll seat him next to you at dinner, but be warned, he'll flirt outrageously. He rarely eats anything. He'll just sprawl his long legs out and talk. He loves to talk, about flying, movies, Jean Harlow, and other actresses. Last time he was here, he brought a very pretty young actress-dancer. Rita something. She's only been in a few westerns, but he says she's got quite a future."
"With him, probably," Barbara replied. "I think the girl must be Rita Hayworth. Her real name is Cansino."
"Yes, that's her. Long legs and kind of Spanish looking.
A real beauty. And you do know your movies!"
"Mister Hughes is very handsome, and exciting."