“Hey, Stewart, you must be really busy.” Being a full-time perv and all. “Don’t let me keep you. I know how important you are around here.”
He moves forward until he’s blocking the door, crowding out any space left in the bathroom. I reach for a hand mirror. I am the stepdaughter of Captain Iron Jack, wrestling phenomenon, and I know how to use this thing for more than checking my lipstick.
“I know you’ve got that boyfriend, Bella. But word is you two are having problems.” Stewart leans back against the wall, with mere inches between us. “So any time you want to stay after the show and get a few free rides on the Ferris wheel, you let me know. There are all kinds of privileges of dating a carnival manager.”
Knock! Knock!
I sag with relief when the door flings open.
“Stewart?” A voice calls.
“Sounds like someone needs you.” And it sure isn’t me.
I pop my head out to see Luke standing in the office. His eyes flit to me, then to Red Fritz’s son.
“There’s a problem with one of the horses. The trainer said he needs you immediately.”
Stewart’s lazy gaze travels back to me. “I’m sorry. I guess we’ll have to pick up our conversation later. But you get all nice and pretty in here, and I’ll see you after the show.” He slides out of the bathroom, his chest puffing as he passes Luke. “Don’t you have work to do?”
When Stewart shuts the door behind him, my shoulders all but fall to the floor in relief.
“What in the heck do you think you’re doing?” Luke demands. “Never be alone with that guy. Are you crazy?”
“He wasn’t going to hurt me. Besides, I wanted to peek around in here.”
“Oh, I’m sure he has plenty to show you.” Luke shoves his fingers through his hair. “When I couldn’t find you and someone told me they saw you going in here with Stewart—” He shakes his head. “You have no idea.”
“I’m not even speaking to you, so you can just leave now.”
“Not without you.”
Had he not dunked me in the tank an hour ago, I might’ve found that hot. “Look, I have things to do here.”
“Like what?”
“I have hair to fix and drawers to open.” I wave my hand. “So unless you’re going to help, get out.”
Luke looks back over his shoulder toward the door. “What are we looking for?”
I make quick work of drying my hair, then join Luke in the office, where he sits at a computer.
“See anything?” I open a file drawer and thumb through each one, checking the window for anybody walking by.
“No suspicious e-mails that I can find. Though Red seems to have an online girlfriend.”
“I’m sure the top hat is a huge turn-on.” I move on to the few folders and files on the desk. Bills. Check stubs. “Wait. What is this?”
I flip through a giant-sized checkbook.
“It’s Red’s pay system. Looks like he still writes his checks by hand.”
Curious to see how much Betty was paid, I flip back a month.
“That’s strange. Betty had been with the circus longer, but Alfredo made quite a bit more.”
Luke stands near and peers over my shoulder. “Looks like Alfredo made more than everyone.” His hand snakes around me as he runs a finger down the book.
Between Luke’s light cologne and the fear of getting caught, my heart beats loudly enough to scare the circus animals. I flip through the pay book backward. “Look—in November Alfredo got paid less than Betty and most of the others. But by December, his check got a major bump.”
Luke’s voice rumbles near my ear. “Maybe he took on more work.”
“What, made more rabbits disappear?” I turn my head and draw in a breath at the closeness of Luke’s face. If I just leaned the slightest bit, our lips would be touching. Omigosh, focus! “Um . . . but December would be about the time Alfredo started seeing Betty.”
Luke lifts a brow, seemingly unaffected by being a breath away from me. Of course, he wouldn’t be. He’s got Ashley Timmons now.
“Could be just a coincidence.” Luke’s voice at my ear sends chill bumps down my neck.
“But it might not be.”
“You think he was paid off for seeing her?”
I slowly nod. “That was my thought.”
He pulls an errant piece of hair away from my cheek. “Any other thoughts in there?”
Just that I’m an idiot to let myself feel this for you. That you draw me in like a sale at Bergdorf ’s, and I can’t stand the thought of you and Ashley. “Nope. That’s it.”
“You know what I think about?” His voice is as soft as cotton candy.
“That it’s a shame girls don’t want to talk about the SATs and chess on a date?”
“I think about that night on the Ferris wheel.”
“Really?” Ohhh, he’s playing dirty. “I don’t.”
He sighs and smiles, pulling my twirling finger from my hair. “I believe you do. And I think you want a relationship, Bella. But just like that big ol’ Ferris wheel—it scares you. And first chance you get, you jump off. It’s too easy to believe I cheated on you.”
“We really should get out of here.”
“Not every guy is out to break your heart.”
“They all have.” I suck in my bottom lip, knowing I just fell for his bait. “I don’t want to talk about this.”
“I’m sorry about your dad. I’m sure it hurts to be left out of his life.”
“My dad has nothing to do with this.”
“Then there’s Hunter.” Luke takes the payroll book out of my hands. “Total idiot.”
“And where do you fit in, Luke Sullivan?” I turn all the way around and look up into his face.
“Right here.” He angles his head as his arms go around me. His head lowers, and my eyes flutter closed.
The door flings open, slamming the outside of the trailer. “Hey!”
Luke and I jump apart as a pair of hostile eyes take in the scene.
“The time for secrets is over. Tell me why you’re here. Now.”
chapter thirteen
My tongue freezes at the roof of my mouth. But Luke moves fast. He steps away from me and shoves the payroll book behind his back.
“Hey, Cherry.”
Her eyes take in the interior of the trailer. This girl who flies through the air and relies on perfect timing for a living doesn’t miss a thing. “I knew you two were up to something.”
I finally find my voice. “I came in here to dry off from the dunk tank. Luke followed to check on me. That’s all.”
“I meant from the very beginning.” She closes the door with a slam. “You with all your questions.” She gestures at me with her chin. “And this one always prowling and hanging around way after we’re closed for the night.”
I glance at Luke. “Really?”
He nods proudly. “Yeah.”
Cherry stomps her foot and breaks the moment. “I want the truth or I scream my head off for my uncle.”
“You don’t want to do that.” Luke sits down at the edge of the desk. “We’re here to help.”
“Help yourself to my uncle’s checkbook?”
“No.” Luke flips it back open and hands it to her. “About the time Alfredo started dating Betty, he began receiving a substantially larger paycheck.”
She scans a few pages. “So?”
“Nobody else’s pay seemed to go up,” I say. “Cherry, everyone we’ve talked to has commented on how strange Alfredo was with Betty when they first got together. Even you said it. What if he was being paid to date her?”
“That’s ridiculous. Anyone could see he loved her. Especially in the last few weeks.”
I decide to let go of my best information. “I overheard Red tell Stewart to find Betty’s dog. But then . . . Red wants Peg dead. These guys are not to be trusted. He said he had Alfredo’s situation under control.”
“What? No!” Her face pales beneath her stage
makeup. “Uncle Red would never kill Peg.”
Luke steps closer to her, as comforting as a big brother. “Bella and I are here to solve Betty’s murder. We know you want justice more than anyone.”
“But the police say Alfredo did it. I didn’t want to believe it, but we can’t argue with the evidence. His prints were on the murder weapon.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” I ask. “He handled those swords every day. He claims he’s innocent—what if he’s telling the truth?”
Tears gather in Cherry’s kohl-lined eyes. “But my uncle loves me.” She rubs her hand over her nose. “I mean, he’s never been like a dad or anything. But he took me in when my parents died. He saved me from an orphanage—he’s told me about those places.”
“And I’m sure he does love you,” Luke says so convincingly even I almost believe it. “So we don’t want to upset him with anything until we have more evidence, okay?”
“But you think my uncle had something to do with Betty’s murder?”
“It’s really important we find out.” I move toward her and swipe away some dripping mascara on her cheek. “But we need you to act like you know nothing, okay? Can you do that?”
She stares down at the floor, where she makes a figure eight with her shoe. As if she has the weight of the world on her shoulders, she lifts her head. “Uncle Red and Stewart are heading out somewhere after the show tonight. I don’t know where. I just heard them talking about looking for something.”
Luke’s eyes dart my way, but I focus on Cherry. “You can trust us.” I pull her into a quick hug. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“You promise?”
I stare at the girl who’s seen too much sadness in her thirteen years. “I promise.”
Thirty minutes after the evening’s final performance, I walk out of the tent into the dark night with Ruthie.
“What an evening, huh?” She holds out her arms and spins. “I unicycled like I have never unicycled before. Did you see the finale?”
“It was riveting.” All I can think is I hope Cherry doesn’t rat me out with her uncle and cousin. I am so toast. This whole thing is .
“Did you see the last part where I fluttered that ribbon behind me? I added that in at the last minute. It was symbolic, you know? I mean, there was a message in there.”
“Shakespeare couldn’t have said it better.” I check my watch. Ten thirty. I’m so tired it might as well be two in the morning. And the night is far from over. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As my car comes into view, so does Luke. He sits on the hood, lounged back on his muscular arms. Geeks should not be this devastatingly good-looking.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Thought we could hang out.” He doesn’t move from his lazy recline.
“I’m sure Ashley Timmons is waiting for your call. Besides, I’m just going home.”
“Sure you are.”
Not once have I ever wished for a crime-solving partner. Not one time.
Ruthie throws a leg over her motorcycle. “You know, maybe it’s because it’s been a night of emotional expression for me and I’m extra-sensitive, but I’m picking up on some vibes here. Yeah”—she waves a finger between us—“I think you two are up to something.
And it ain’t no date.”
“Good night, Ruthie.” I open my car door. “And Luke.”
He jumps off the hood and grabs the door. “Not so fast. We’re a team.”
“A team member wouldn’t dunk me in a water tank.” Every time I think about that, I get ticked. “I’m working solo.” I direct my glare at Ruthie too.
She hops off her bike and scurries to my car. Pushing Luke out of the way, she slides into the backseat. “Where are we going?” She bestows Luke with her haughtiest stare. “I am the sidekick, you know, so don’t get any ideas about taking my title. I have the book and everything.”
A corner of his mouth quirks. “I know a place where we can park the car out of sight and keep an eye out for anyone leaving.”
“Oh, espionage!” Ruthie claps her hands. “I love it. Hey, should I have brought my slingshot?”
“No!” Luke and I yell simultaneously.
After texting my mom that I’m going to be hanging out with Ruthie and Luke, I steer the car onto a side road, and we wait.
Ruthie whiles away the time by humming. “Can you guess that tune?”
“Sounds just like the last three.” Luke rubs the bridge of his nose.
Ruthie sighs. “Did I tell you the story about the time I stapled the church secretary’s skirt to a pew?”
“Yes. And when she stood up to sing ‘Just As I Am,’ her skirt fell down and she farted. Good story.” Ugh, I just want to go to sleep. And get away from Luke. Seriously, the guy almost kissed me tonight. Right? I’m sure he was going to. But why? Maybe now I’m just some challenge to him. I know Ashley sure isn’t.
Luke jerks his seat up straight. “There they go—Stewart and Red.”
We all watch Red’s old Ford F-150 pull out of the carnival parking lot.
“Start the car,” Luke says. “But keep the lights off.”
“Omigosh. This is so CSI!”
I roll my eyes in the dark at Ruthie, and at the count of ten I put the car in drive.
We follow them through downtown, staying back a comfortable distance. They drive to the city park, and I stop the car across the street.
“What are they doing?” Ruthie whispers.
I reach into my purse and get out my little pink binoculars. “They’ve got shovels.”
“They’re stopping at the memorial fountain.”
“Probably gonna scoop up some pennies,” Ruthie says. “I sneak out here and do that every once in a while myself. You don’t get much, but it’s a good way to fund a beef jerky and Yoo-Hoo purchase.”
“They’re digging all right.” I hand my binoculars to Luke. “Right next to the fountain.”
Thirty minutes later father and son climb back into the truck, armed with nothing but their shovels.
“Whatever they’re looking for, they didn’t find it.” I work out a kink in my neck. “Maybe this is what they wanted the dog for—to find something.”
“I totally should’ve brought snacks.” Ruthie pops in her fifth piece of gum. “Some bean dip would really hit the spot.”
We all duck down as the truck goes by, its headlights shining through my Bug.
“They’re turning down Hall Street.” Luke straightens to a seated position. “Let’s go.”
Over the next hour Red and Stewart stop at a pig farm, the Dairy Barn, and a used car lot. Finding nothing at the water tower, the two guys toss the shovels in the bed of the truck.
“Wait a minute. What’s that?” Luke adjusts the binoculars and zooms in. “A piece of paper. They’re reading off some sort of instructions or something.”
“Maybe it’s a treasure map!”
I’m so exhausted I laugh out loud. “Ruthie, this isn’t Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Luke shifts in his seat, his body humming with renewed energy.
“She could be right.”
I lean on my armrest and yawn. “Buried treasure?”
As we follow the truck back to the carnival grounds, Ruthie voices what we’re all three thinking. “Buried something.”
chapter fourteen
The rest of the weekend flies by, with Ruthie, Luke, and me staking out Red each night after the carnival. Saturday night we followed Red and Stewart out to the lake where they continued their strange digging, but they took Sunday off. I guess even suspicious creepy guys need a day of rest.
“I still don’t understand why I’m going to Dad’s again.” I zip my carry-on as Mom pulls a shirt out of my closet to borrow. “I just saw him two weekends ago.”
“We went over this Monday, Bella. And Tuesday.” Mom holds the shirt up and studies herself in the mirror. “I want to see Jake’s first official show in Los Angeles. He needs my support.”
“Because Budge is staying with friends. He’s one wiener medal away from Employee of the Month, and I can’t take that away from him. Plus, you and Robbie can afford to miss three days of school. Budge can’t.”
“But I could go with you. Or stay with Ruthie.”
“Your father was nice enough to get Ruthie a ticket too, so don’t push it.” Mom leans over and kisses the top of my head. “I don’t like how things have been between you and your dad. This is the perfect opportunity to get in some additional father-daughter time.”
“He’s just going to foist me off on his fiancée or make me watch the Disney Channel with Marisol.” Plus, I need to be here. I could miss something at the carnival. Even though Red and Stewart didn’t take any late-night drives with their shovels Monday or Tuesday evening doesn’t mean they won’t resume them tonight. What if they find something and I’m not there? When I asked Red Fritz for the rest of the week off, he jumped on the idea. Why would he be excited about me leaving town? Because I’m definitely an asset to the circus. My clowning skills are pretty much priceless. Yet he dismissed me for the week as if the show can just carry on without me. I mean, yeah, I might’ve mistakenly popped a kid with a balloon Saturday night. And maybe that four-year-old was crying because I accidentally hit him with my shoe, but that’s no reason to be glad I’m gone. What if Red knows I’m onto something? That man is connected to Betty’s murder. I’m just not sure how. Or why.
I give my mom the same wounded expression that used to get me what I wanted—from new shoes to jaunts to Paris. I pout my lips.
I blink until my brown eyes have a misty sheen. My voice is as sweet as the tea at Sugar’s Diner. “Mother, please let me stay in Truman.”
By two p.m. I’m standing at the LaGuardia baggage claim with my dad.
“Hey, sweetie.” He crushes me in a hug, then I introduce him to Ruthie.
“I don’t believe in plastic surgery, sir,” she says, handing him her bag. “I’m all about keeping things as natural as the good Lord intended.”
As she walks in front of me, I stare at her striped beehive that’s a security risk all by itself.
A Charmed Life Page 59
