Big Top Treachery

by CeeCee James

  “You stay here, Sam. Jerry won’t tell if he sees you. I’ll be back soon,” I promised the dog. Then, feeling a million times lighter than when I’d first entered, I left the barn.

  Chapter 16

  The evening light was a pale gray by the time I left the stable. I was on cloud nine as I walked around the corner to the costume tent. I could tell by the light that it was time to get ready for the show.

  My good mood quickly soured when I saw Mark standing at the entrance to the tent.

  He seemed to feel the same way because his eyes narrowed when he caught sight of me. “Well, nice to see you finally show up, lass,” Mark said.

  I bobbed my head in greeting back, even as my stomach somersaulted at the sight of him. Because of everything that happened, I’d forgotten about my little trip through his cabin to get my ruby back. Did he realize the jewel was missing yet?

  As I stood there staring up at him, I noticed the way his eyes turned down at the corners. Was it from sadness? Was I becoming more sympathetic to him because of the picture, or more suspicious? I couldn’t tell. I wasn’t even a hundred percent sure the woman in the picture was Holly, though I’m positive it was her sword.

  Holly really must have been some woman since both Mark and Bernie had remained single all these years.

  He went into the costume tent, and I followed.

  “So, I hope you’ve been practicing your steps. Last night was horrible,” he said to me.

  Any sympathy I felt for him was quickly evaporating at his attitude. I nodded again and looked for an escape. Sally was in the back at her own wardrobe bag. I ran over.

  “Hi, Trixie. What trouble are you getting into?” she asked.

  “You’re just the person I wanted to see,” I said.

  Her eyebrows rose as she realized her casual teasing might hold some truth in it after all.

  “Do you have a second?” I asked. I needed to get her alone so I could talk with her.

  She must have understood the need because she hung her sequin outfit back up and then followed me outside.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, crossing her arms against the chill of the night.

  “Shh,” I whispered and beckoned her to follow me around to the back side of the tent. Once we were there, I carefully checked to make sure no one could overhear us, and then started, “I snuck into Bernie’s cabin today.”

  “You did what? Why would you do that?”

  “I wanted to see if I could find the pawn ticket. After all, the sword did come back to him. I wanted to see if I could track down who picked it up.”

  “Well? What did you learn?”

  “I couldn’t find a pawn ticket for the sword. But there was a ticket for something else. A watch. I called Bullseye and the guy there said they’d seen Bernie recently.”

  “Are you serious? He went back there?” She rolled her head in exasperation. “Oh, Bernie.”

  “Yeah, and did you know it’s not just a pawn shop. They have some kind of gambling thing going on there. I found a newspaper article among Bernie’s thing’s that was dated in December, fifteen years ago. It was about a bust that happened there.”

  “Right after Holly died,” Sally mused. “Why would he have saved that?”

  “I don’t know, but someone had written Gotcha, on it.” I shrugged. “Who could it be but Bernie?”

  “You’re serious?” Her eyes were wide. She put her hand to her mouth, thoughtfully. “How could he have had something to do with that?”

  “I don’t know,” I answered. “Maybe he was the anonymous source who turned them in the first time.”

  “But then, why would he go there again? You’re sure he did?”

  “Yeah. The guy said Bernie’s stuff was about to go up for sale.”

  “Stop!” she interrupted me, grabbing my arm. I froze, startled by her reaction. She stared into the dark.

  Kenny came around the corner. Waking next to him was the German Shepherd.

  I gasped. “Is that your dog?” I asked, feeling my heart sink. Sam wagged his tail at the sight of me.

  His fingers absentmindedly stroked the dog’s ear. “Maybe. Maybe I found him at a pawn shop. You shouldn’t be talking so loudly about poor Bernie.”

  My emotions plummeted even further. He must have overheard my conversation. Had anyone else caught it?

  “Kenny, it’s nice to see you,” Sally ran interference for me. Or maybe that’s how she really felt. I wasn’t sure.

  What I saw next was that she gave him a big old bear hug. Kenny’s eyes widened briefly as her arms enveloped him. Then they closed, and his head lowered into her neck. That hug looked real, on both sides.

  Feeling like the odd man out, I edged away. Don’t mind me, just going to head over to this tent over here.

  Sally didn’t seem to notice. “How are you?” she asked Kenny. “You hungry?”

  I heard him answer, “Nah, I ate,” just as I skirted around the side of the tent. That was awkward. I tore at the edge of my thumbnail as I mulled over how Kenny had suggested that he’d overheard what I said. Why had he shared that? Was that a threat?

  What alarmed me the most is that I could have sworn there had been someone next to him. I’d been so shocked at the sight of the dog that I didn’t take proper notice. And when I had, they’d disappeared like smoke. Maybe I’d imagined another person there, anyway.

  The thought of the German Shepherd made my steps feel like I was wearing bowling ball shoes as I trudged to the chow tent. My heart felt bereft and empty. Sam wasn’t mine, after all. I wiped at a tear at the corner of my eye. I was silly, wasn’t I? Feeling broken hearted over a dog that was only mine for a day.

  I sighed as I thought of Sam. As happy as the dog seemed to be when he saw me, he hadn’t moved from Kenny’s side. In fact, he looked contented.

  Ugh, there was that heart punch again. Honestly, that whole encounter stole my appetite away. But I’d learned early on in life never to turn down food, and I better not start now.

  In line, I grabbed my tray of cornbread, chili, and a glass of lemonade, and took it to my favorite hiding place. I needed some time to lick my wounds.

  It wasn’t a warm evening, but the solitude was comforting. I meandered through the Christmas trees in search of the box that I always hid away in. I breathed in the cold air. Being among the twinkling lights made me feel like I was transported back into one of my childhood favorite fairy tales. I could just imagine being in Alice’s Wonderland, or perhaps Narnia. Even now, in the midst of worry, my imagination pulled at me until I’d only be slightly surprised to see a little faun come out and say hello.

  It turned out, I could still be startled. Only it wasn’t by a faun, but by Jerry.

  “Hey,” he said, his lip turning up in the corner in an amused grin. “I thought we could have our date for coffee.”

  “A date. Oh, I’m sorry,” I sputtered flustered. I still couldn’t half-believe that he liked me. Me? The shortest, ugliest choice of the circus bunch?

  But he did, and his smile now proved it. It was warm and vulnerable as he glanced down bashfully. “Yeah. I was hoping you weren’t just saying you wanted to. I mean…”

  “Just saying it?” I was confused, still caught in the disappointment about Sam and the fear of eavesdroppers. I tried to pull my thoughts together. “What do you mean?”

  “Trying to let me down easy. I know I’m no sword swallower.”

  I was shocked by the insecure waver in his voice. Surely he wasn’t serious. He was so cute, he could have any girl meeting him for coffee.

  Yet the way he raised his gaze and held mine—his shy smile acknowledging my glance— showed me that he very much wanted to impress me. It made me both blush and want to stand taller (if that was even possible) at his response. His sincerity was adorable.

  “So? Coffee?” he prompted.

  “Of course.” I held up my tin tray. “Maybe after dinner.”

  “Oh, let me join you.” He pulled an apple
from his pocket. “I’ve had dinner. I’ll now have my dessert.”

  We sat together on two close gift boxes, hidden among an array of twinkling lights. I took a bite and warned myself not to say anything weird.

  In the end, he ate his apple, and I finished my chili and split my cornbread with him. And I said weird things the entire time. But he still walked me back to the chow tent to return the plates. Then he walked me to my tent.

  We had an awkward moment in the dark before my cabin when it seemed he didn’t know exactly where to put his hands. He lightly touched my shoulder, my elbow, caressed my hand, before jamming his both back in his pocket.

  Then he leaned in close, and I looked up expectantly, the moon brilliant behind his head. He only exhaled deeply, whether from taking in my scent or sighing, I wasn’t sure. The breath was warm against my cheek, and my lips pushed forward on their own, wanting to meet his.

  He pulled away, and the cold that rushed in to take his place was more frigid than any I’d felt before. He did manage to tuck some hair behind my ear, which brought me some relief, before he said goodbye. And then he left, leaving me to feel a butterfly of happiness, and yet empty in a strange way.

  It was only later that I realized he hadn’t asked me why I wasn’t eating with the others. Oddly, that very fact made me feel even more accepted by him.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, started out like business as usual. Always the morning person, Sally had already left for the chow tent by the time I woke, leaving me to the cabin by myself.

  I normally relished being alone and having the space to do what I wanted. But something was off.

  I glanced around. I couldn’t figure out what it was. All of Sally’s things were neatly in order on the desk. Her bed curtains were pulled back and her bed was made. I had some clothing left on the floor from the night before, but otherwise, all of my stuff was tucked away in the nooks and crannies of where they belonged.

  Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling. As I made the bed, I caught a whiff of something unusual. I sat on the edge of the bed and inhaled deeply, trying to distinguish what it was.

  The scent was familiar yet I could tell it had been a long time since I’d been around it. I closed my eyes, still breathing in. Something curled around the edge of my memory.

  Gone.

  My eyes flew open. Gah! What was it? The fact that the memory kept skirting away from my grasp made me chuck the pillow I was holding in annoyance.

  It wouldn’t have bothered me nearly so much if my instinct hadn’t also been flashing a danger neon sign. I sighed and hopped down to retrieve the pillow. I’d remember when I remembered, I guessed.

  After brushing and braiding my hair, I opened the door. It was there, on the steps, that I came to a dead stop. I felt like a fish yanked out of the water and stood there with my mouth gaping.

  Fluttering from the overhang was my rainbow decoration from above my bed. And scrawled across it were the words “I know where you sleep.”

  I stared around wildly as if the person who had done this would still be around. Not seeing anyone, I tried to snatch the decoration down. It took me several jumps, but I was finally able to yank it free. My hands trembled as I held it out to read it again.

  Who would have done this?

  It was then that I recognized the odor. It was the same cologne my grandfather had once worn. He was gone years ago, but I could still remember the smell. Old Spice.

  The reality of what happened hit me, and I grabbed onto the door post. Someone had come into my cabin while I was sleeping. Someone had looked down at me and taken my decoration. This was a threat like no other. But who was I getting close to that would do this to me?

  Only Sally knew what I was thinking. I thought about Kenny walking up the day before. Was it him?

  I glanced at the paper rainbow before going inside and stuffing it in a basket under the bunk. A string hung above my bed from where the decoration had been torn down. Now that I’d identified the smell, the cologne seemed even stronger in here and made me want to gag.

  I turned my attention to the lock on the door. It seemed fine, but when I inspected it from the outside, there were definite scratches. So whoever broke in didn’t have a key.

  I had a big decision ahead of me. Do I tell Sally? She was one of my first friends here, someone who really took a chance on me. I didn’t think she’d been too happy with my questions the other night. I didn’t see how it would go well for me today. What do I say, I think Kenny may have broken into our cabin last night? Does he wear Old Spice aftershave?

  Frustrated and worried, I walked to the chow tent. But inside the tent, I was shaken once again. How could I be sure it was Kenny? The lock had been picked. Everyone around me looked like a suspect. Was it that clown over there? Was it Bill? Was it Mark?

  I have to get out of here. I grabbed a waffle and hurried outside.

  Quit thinking paranoid. Not everyone is out to get you. Think smart. I munched on the waffle. There was no syrup, but the waffle didn’t need any. It was crispy on the outside and fluffy inside and melted in my mouth. I savored each bite as I tried to come up with a plan.

  Kenny and Mark. Those were my two most prominent suspects. Kenny because he showed up the day Bernie died with a possible grudge. And Mark because of the conversation where I’d overheard him saying that Bernie had gotten what he deserved. Not to mention the framed picture by Mark’s bed and the fact that he’d swiped my ruby away when he saw it. They both had a reason for revenge.

  I didn’t know where Kenny was, but I’d definitely keep my eye out for him. In the meantime, I decided that I was going to have a little spy mission on Mark. Maybe I’d learn something new that would button this case up.

  I waited at the inside entrance of the costume tent where I could peek out at anyone leaving from breakfast. Mark was still in the chow tent, but the last I saw of him, he’d been walking around with a mug of coffee which was a good indication that he’d be leaving soon. I just hoped no one caught me standing like a loon with one eye at the door flap.

  It turned out well, and Mark exited a few minutes later. I watched him for as long as I could see him and then headed out. I kept to the edge of the tents and followed after him.

  I don’t know what I expected to find, but I was sorely disappointed. He did nothing out of the ordinary—greeted a few other workers, admonished a dancer to keep practicing—eventually heading into the rehearsal tent.

  I crept along the back of the tent to see if I could overhear what he was saying inside. Again, that was a bust since all he did was count steps over and over. “One, two. Three, four.”

  He didn’t act like a guy who’d just broken into my cabin. But you never knew. I had one more idea up my sleeve. I’d get him to sign something. Maybe that would help to compare his signature with the words on the rainbow.

  What had the threat said? I know where you sleep. I rubbed at the skin prickling on my neck and went to get a pen and paper. Now I needed a question that would get him to answer with some of the letters that were in the threat.

  The answer came to me in an instant. Armed with a request, I hurried into the tent.

  He stood at the edge of the stage and clapped his hands to keep a beat. Oh, boy. This was going to take some finagling.

  Finesse, my inner voice reminded me, after my blurted statements from earlier.

  I can finesse, all right. I waited a moment until he gave me his attention and then smiled sweetly. “I’m sorry to bother you. I was wondering if you could write out the name of the song that I dance to?”

  Of course, I knew what the song was already—All I Want for Christmas is You. It was the perfect thing to have him write out. It had the words, “I” and “you” in there, as well as several of the same letters as were in the threat.

  “You need me to write it down?” His lips pursed as if trying to appear nonplussed.

  Trixie, don’t you hum before you say this next bit. I took in a big brea
th. “Yes. The Ringmaster told me he’d have Knuckles play it so that I could practice. I just need the name of the song.” Oh boy, oh boy. I’d told some whoppers before, but this was the biggest one. And I’d dragged the Ringmaster into it! I tried to look unconcerned as I passed the paper and pen over, but inside I was a quaking mess.

  Sighing heavily, he snatched the paper and pen from my hand and scribbled out the title.

  Feeling victorious, I thanked him and forced myself to leave normally, rather than let my legs run as fast as they could carry me.

  I did it! I did it! I wanted to cheer out loud.

  “Hey, Miss Trixie! You look happy!” Stanley the clown yelled as he dragged a helium tank past me.

  I laughed and waved in response, then hurried to my tent.

  I couldn’t wait to compare the writing.

  Chapter 18

  I ran up the cabin steps and slammed the door behind me. The cologne scent was still there, fainter, but so intrusive that it felt like a slap on the face. I ignored it as best as I could and dropped to my knees to find the rainbow decoration from under the bed.

  My breathing was light with excitement. I spread out the rainbow paper and then smoothed the handwritten note next to it. Eagerly, I compared the two.

  And, just like flushing a toilet, all my excitement and hope went down the drain. They were nothing alike. Mark’s y’s and w’s had odd tails, the complete opposite from how the threat had been written. I suppose he could have disguised his handwriting, but my gut told me they weren’t composed by the same person.

  I felt stuck in a swamp of disappointment as I folded the rainbow and placed it back in the basket. Now, I better find Knuckles and see if he would practice with me. I didn’t want to get caught in the lie I told.

  It took me a while to track him down. Knuckles was helping Larry in the animal husbandry tent. He told me he’d help me when he finished cleaning the cages. With nothing to do but wait, I headed over to my thinking spot.

  The big show wasn’t for another few hours, but the circus gates were open. I sat on the gift box and watched the children filter in to see Santa. Stanley, dressed as Santa, was doing a good job. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear his jolly laughter from here.