Ashley props a hip on the corner of my table. “She really didn’t have a lot to say. Did you warn her not to talk to me?”
“No.” I type a few sentences on a story outline. “But I do have this little remote in my purse, and occasionally I use it to control her.”
Ashley’s laugh trumpets the room only to end with a hard glare.
“I already apologized to you, so what is your problem?”
“I don’t have a problem with you.” As long as you don’t talk, move, or breathe. “You’re completely on your own with Cherry. She’s young and she’s been through a lot. You can’t blame her for not wanting to give you the Oprah interview version of her life. Or maybe she didn’t talk to you because she didn’t warm up to you.” Because it seems like Luke is the only one who can stand next to you and not get frostbit.
She stands up, one hand to her hip, one hand pointing dangerously close to my face. “Look, things got out of hand that night at the carnival. And your relationship with Luke obviously wasn’t strong enough to take it, so I’m not going to take responsibility for one tiny kiss.” Her glossy lips curve in a smile. “But now he’s single, and I’m single. And since you dumped him and are ridiculously incompatible, there’s nothing standing in the way of us going out again.”
“Did he say we’re incompatible?”
Ashley rolls her eyes. “Luke and I have talked about all sorts of things.” She lets the sentence hang, and my mind races with various scenarios of them hanging out, chatting on the phone, texting to their little hearts’ content. Just how many times has he LOL’d her?
“I’m kind of busy here.” I force a smile. “Was there something specific you wanted?” Or were you just needing to gloat?
“I want to do what’s best for this paper and for Luke. So let’s just all try and get along, okie dokie?”
She is about one okie dokie away from me steamrolling her into next week. I stand up and get ready to tell her what to do with her bossy, pseudo-positive attitude. “You know what, Ashley? I think—”
“Good morning, girls.” Luke sails through the classroom, his mouth pulled into a grin.“Glad to see you two working together.” As he talks, his strong hand latches onto my shoulder and forces me to my seat. “I know how much professionalism means to you both.” With a hand at her back, Luke leads Ashley back to her computer, chatting amiably about her current assignment.
I’m halfway through my outline when Luke returns. “You want to tell me why I walked into this room and found you ready to slam Ashley to the mats like Captain Iron Jack just took over your body?”
“That girl is a viper.”
“I like her.”
Let me just pick this arrow out of my heart. “Clearly.”
“I meant as a friend.” He sits on the very same spot his little protégé vacated. “She’s a good writer, Bella.”
“Then tell her to stick to writing and leave me alone.”
His mouth curves in a wicked grin. “Can’t handle her?”
My eyes narrow on his handsome form. “I don’t know what she’s like when you two are alone, but with me, she’s as friendly as a Manhattan mugger.”
His laugh is quiet, but I hear it nonetheless.
“Go away, Luke. I have work to do.” I have an article to write for my next column, a future stepmom to investigate, and all sorts of loose ends at the carnival.
He takes the empty seat next to mine and rolls toward me until we’re shoulder to shoulder. Looking straight ahead at my computer, his voice is still so close it sends chill bumps dancing down my spine. “If I went away, then I couldn’t tell you Red and Stewart went on their treasure hunt every night you were gone.”
“Seriously?” I lower my voice. “Keep talking.”
He turns his head at an angle, leaning his square chin on his hand. “Unfortunately, that’s all I know. They act more agitated every night. And never seem to find anything.”
I stare at the ceiling and contemplate this, trying to block out the clean scent of my ex-boyfriend. “Nothing else happened?”
“Surveillance wasn’t the same without you.”
I look into his piercing blue eyes. “Really?”
“And Ruthie.” His wicked grin is back as he gets to his feet.
He gives my shoulder another squeeze and walks on by. “See you tonight.”
chapter sixteen
This Bozo wig is giving me a scalp rash.” I stick the thing on my head and tuck any loose hair into the elastic band.
“I like mine.” Ruthie gives a curlicue a tweak. “I was thinking of wearing it to graduation. It would look better than those stupid hats they pass out. Hey, did you see all the people out there? I think the whole county’s here. Obviously they’ve gotten wind of Ruthie the unicycle wonder.” She pops her bowtie, sending it to spin. “Everybody’s here but Budge.”
“He’s a workaholic.” I pat her arm. “He’ll show up one of these nights.”
“I hate the Weiner Palace. It’s his real true love. I just can’t compete with relish, onions, and pressed pig parts.”
“Hey, girls.”
“Cherry!” I pull the girl into a loose hug. “How’s it going?”
Her nervous eyes dart around the backstage area, looking for eavesdroppers. “It’s hard to act natural around Uncle Red and Stewart. Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand what they said about Peg?”
“Bella’s got good ears. And if she said she heard”—Ruthie makes a noise and drags her finger across her throat—“then that’s what she heard.”
“We’ll figure it out.” I inject as much confidence in my voice as I can. “Have you overheard anything suspicious lately?”
“Not really.”
“Could you try?” The words slip out of my mouth before I can reel them back in. “Er, that is, nobody’s closer to those two than you.
They won’t think anything of you hanging around listening to the occasional conversation.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” She peels back one of the curtains.
“Dolly’s here.”
“She watches you almost every night without fail.” I follow the direction of her gaze. “Whoa—and Mickey’s with her?”
Cherry nods, the glitter in her hair catching the light. “Yeah, he’s been coming over for dinner some. And he was here Thursday and Saturday night. He’s cool. And I think Dolly likes him—a lot.”
I smile at my own hopefulness. I would give anything to see those two reunited and happy. It’s like life’s been pulling them back to one another for years.
“Red thinks I should move back into Betty’s trailer,” Cherry says. “He says he’ll move one of the other girls in with me. But I really like it at Dolly’s. It’s like a home to me.” She waves away the idea. “It’s stupid to get attached though. By the end of May, we’ll be rolling out.”
“But I think no matter what, Dolly will always be in your life now.”
Cherry bites her lip and smiles. “I think so too.”
Ten minutes later I’m passing out balloons to kids and greeting the crowds. “Welcome to the Fritz Family Carnival!” I pat a little boy’s head. “Have fun!”
“Clowns are stupid.”
I bend to his level. “Clowns are actually a very misunderstood, underappreciated group of individuals who bring joy and gladness to boys and girls of every race, size, and creed.” I step up two more bleacher rows. “Disrespectful mutant.”
“Bella!”
“Hey, Lindy.” I huff out a breath, sending a few multicolored curls flying. “Hi, Bo.” My eyes adjust to the sight of my friend holding hands with a boy.
“How’s it going, guys?”
“It’s awesome.” Bo’s smile is so big, his cheeks are ready to pop off. “I heard there’s a heck of a unicycle ballet. I’m totally stoked for that.”
“Yeah.” I glance toward the arena floor where Ruthie does leg kicks for her warm up. “Who wouldn’t be?”
“Bo”—Lindy pats his knee—“
will you go get me some popcorn?”
He jumps to his feet. “Sure. How about a Coke?”
“Sounds good.”
“I bet a candy bar would hit the spot too. Be right back!” Her track-star boyfriend nimbly makes his way down the packed bleachers.
“I like him, Lindy. He’s such a good guy to you.”
She stares toward the door where Bo holds open the flap for a family. “He’s perfect. He lets me pick the radio station in the car. He carries my books. Notices my hair. Prays for me.”
Shouldn’t she be smiling? “You don’t sound very happy.”
Lindy shakes it off and pulls out a slow grin. “Of course I am. It’s exactly what I’ve always wanted in a guy. I wasn’t even looking for him, and he found me.”
“I’m glad for you.” I think. “Well, duty calls. I have balloons to twist and kids to terrorize.” I leave my friend and walk away with an unsettled feeling awhirl in my brain. Just another one to add to the collection.
After another grueling show, I run to the backstage area and take off my makeup with a wipe. Peons like Ruthie and me don’t get trailer privileges. We get a mirror tacked up on a tent pole next to a hook for our wigs.
As I walk out, I catch Luke’s eye from where he stands at the sound-control table, shutting things down for the night. He gives a curt nod, a signal that we will be doing some undercover surveillance tonight.
The evening air hangs with the strong odor of impending rain.
I inhale deeply, loving that heavy smell that will usher in green pastures and sprouting flowers. And hopefully an end to this case. I’m just not convinced the Amazing Alfredo is our guy.
I spot a group of people I have come to know and love, and meander in their direction. Ruthie, still in clown uniform, stands surrounded by Officer Mark, Cherry, Dolly, and Mickey.
“Good job in there.” Officer Mark pats Ruthie’s polka-dotted shoulder. “When you wheeled out, it was like watching Cirque du Soleil.”
Her posture straightens as she considers this. “Well, I don’t know who that is, but if they ever need pointers, I guess you could send them to me.”
“There’s another one of our favorite clowns.” Dolly catches sight of me and hugs me tight. “You did great in there too.”
“Yeah, I think I only made three little kids cry tonight.” A huge improvement from last week.
As Cherry talks with Dolly and Mickey, I pull Officer Mark off to the side. “How’s the investigation going?”
He rubs a hand over his badge and shakes his head. “Just once I’d like to be greeted with ‘Hi, Officer Mark. How are you?’ You don’t even pretend to be courteous.” He flashes a smile under the carnival lights.
“Any progress? Anything you can share?”
“You know the answer to that. I can’t give you anything. But I don’t know much anyway. The county’s got this one covered. And for all intents and purposes, Alfredo’s our man.”
“I want to talk to him. Could you arrange that?”
“Only family.”
“I’m his circus family.”
Mark laughs. “That’s just a creepy thought.”
“If Alfredo did it, I don’t think he acted alone.” I share with Mark all I know, leaving out nothing except my prowling through trailers. I still need to go back and try to find my flashlight. That’s a loose end I’ve got to tie up.
“Bella, you know the routine. You stay out of it and let the professionals do their job.”
“But I’m on the inside. Your professionals are sitting behind desks thinking they’ve got their man.” I back off when I see his fierce scowl. “Just relay my information to whoever’s in charge. I think this case is deceptively simple.”
“That’s the only kind you stumble onto, isn’t it?” He blows out a breath, briefly shifting his eyes to look at something over my shoulder. “I’ll pass on your information, but they’re really tied up with a series of gang incidents in Tulsa. Your job is done. If you’ve got a burning in your heart to be a clown, that’s your freaky business, but otherwise, I think you better consider retiring from the carnival life.”
“And miss all the satisfaction I get from spreading joy and happiness to circusgoers?”
Officer Mark snorts as he steps away. “Butt out, Bella. I mean that.”
When I return to the group, I see Luke has joined them. As Dolly talks about homeschooling, Luke doesn’t take his eyes off her. But I know he knows I’m there. It’s that whole magnet thing. I think we could find each other in a dark tunnel, even if we were on opposite ends. I don’t know that I like being that aware of someone.
“I hear Jake had another great night last night,” Mickey says, his voice laced with pride. “I’m going to fly out to Seattle and see him next week.”
“How’s your mom doing?” Dolly asks, her eyes sharp and knowing.
“I guess she’s struggling with him being gone so much. Seems to be stressing everyone out.” And when I say stress, I mean as in the kind of pressure that can fracture something. Like a marriage. “Jake says he’s still trying to find his balance. I hope he finds it soon.”
Dolly smiles. “He’s a smart guy. I have faith he’ll figure it out.”
“Sometimes it’s easy to take your family for granted,” Mickey says, his expression guarded as he looks at Dolly. “And sometimes it takes doing without to see what you had.”
At this, the conversation lapses. Around me I hear the sounds of families making their way to vehicles, the roller coaster still zipping, and carnival workers calling for someone to take a chance for a buck.
Dolly wraps her arm around Cherry and kisses the top of her head. “You did so good tonight, girl. Ready to go home?” They head toward the south parking lot.
I turn to Luke and motion for him to follow. “My car’s out this way too.”
We all walk together and say our good-byes for the evening next to Dolly’s Jeep.
She unlocks the vehicle just as Cherry squeals. “Peg!” Cherry points through the crowd, and I see the collie tearing toward her.
“Oh my gosh! You came back!” Cherry drops to her knees as the dog pounces, running into her outstretched arms like a lost child. She licks her cheeks, her nose, her chin. Cherry giggles and pulls her closer.
“I can’t believe it,” Dolly says. “Where in the world has that dog been?”
“It’s a miracle.” Tears glisten in Cherry’s eyes. “Dolly and I said a little prayer for you, Peg, and you came back. It’s a miracle, isn’t it, Dolly?”
I walk around the Jeep and run my hands through the dog’s fur.
“Wherever she was, they didn’t extend bathing privileges.”
“Dolly?”
I feel my blood drain at Red Fritz’s scratchy voice. “Go! Distract him!” My whisper comes out in a frenzied rush as I push Cherry toward the other side of the Jeep. Toward Red.
Red’s voice grows a bit stronger. “Cherry, it’s time you came back home. I know the loss of Betty was a shock, but as we say, the show must go on. Your home is with us.”
“She’s thriving with me,” Dolly says, just as I slink into the back of the Jeep, scooting along the floorboards.
Luke picks up the dog, and she gives a little bark.
“What was that?” Red demands.
Luke shoves the dog at me, then throws back the seat. “Just smashed my finger in the door.” I watch Luke shake out his hand as he shuts me inside the Jeep.
Where the dog goes crazy.
“What’s going on in that car?” Red asks.
I stick my head up. “Just me! I’m changing clothes!” I make swirly motions with my one hand and hold down Peg’s head with the other. “No peeking!” Omigosh. God, please don’t let this dog bark again.
“We’ll talk about this later, Red,” Dolly says. “I’ve got to get Cherry home now. She needs her rest.”
“This isn’t over, Cherry. You know where you belong. Stewart and me—we’re your real family.”
My
whole body jerks as seconds later the door is flung open.
The first person I see is Luke, staring into the floor. He’s surrounded by Dolly, Cherry, and Mickey.
Luke’s mouth quirks. “If you smother the dog, Bella, you’re the one who’ll have to perform mouth-to-mouth.”
I look down to see I’m completely rolled on top of Peg, with all four limbs wrapped around her like a vise, both hands clamped on her snout.
“Not a word, Luke Sullivan. Not one word.”
chapter seventeen
As I drive to the carnival after school Tuesday, I punch the button on my phone with as much consideration as one would give the command for a nuclear bomb.
“Bella?”
“Hey, Hunter. It’s me. I know, surprise, right?” Never thought I’d be calling my ex-boyfriend, pond-sludge sucker that he is. “Yeah, I’m good. Um, there’s kind of a reason for my call.”
“Missing me?”
Boys. Do they all think they’re God’s gift to the planet?
“No, I do not miss you.”
“Give it time. You will.”
Yeah, like the flu. I turn down my stereo as Hunter Penbrook prattles on about changing, turning his life around, mending his ways. Blah, blah, blah. Heard it all before. Even fell for it once. But never twice.
“Hey, Hunter, I hate to interrupt your dissertation on your virtues, and I think your new vegetarian diet is very noble, by the way, but I need your help.”
Silence.
“The last few times I’ve been to see Dad, things have been pretty weird.” I explain my odd Christina moments. “There is definitely something going on there, but I can’t be in two places at once. Time is of the essence because Dad’s getting married in June. So if Christina’s not on the up-and-up, and I strongly suspect she isn’t, then I need to get proof of that soon. I can’t just go to him with suspicions.”
His deep voice fills my ear. “So what do you want me to do about it?”
“Remember the last time you were in Truman—you know, when you were pretending to be someone you weren’t because Jake’s reality show was paying you?”
His excuses and apologies come in sputters.
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