Chapter 25
Noah
Lottie heads over to me and Bear, who’s still trying to coach me through juggling without sending me to the hospital.
Past her shoulder, through the opening in the tent, I spot my mother at the Cutie Pie booth, handing over a box of cookies with a smile that doesn’t read genuine. I’m planning to talk to her before the day is over.
“Hey,” Lottie says, grinning at Bear. “How’s the instruction going?”
Bear laughs. “Your detective here is a natural disaster with bowling pins. But he’s getting better.”
“I’m not sure he’s telling the truth,” I mutter.
Lottie looks at Bear, then at me, then back at Bear, a mischievous smile playing at her lips. “So, Bear. You know Everett’s twin daughters are staying with us this week, right?”
Bear nods. “I heard. How’s that going?”
“Well.” She bites down on a grin. “Let’s just say you’ve got two new fans. And by fans, I mean they’re head over heels in love with you. You’d better watch your back.”
Bear gives a wistful laugh. “Lucky for everyone, my two-timing days are over.” He nods toward the trapeze, where Keelie practices her routine. “I’ve only got eyes for one girl, and she’s right over there.” He starts to go, then narrows his eyes at me and at Lottie both. “You two behave yourselves.”
He’s halfway across the ring before either of us can mount a defense.
Lottie turns to me and scoffs. “Did he just—did Bear Fisher just imply I’d be unfaithful?”
“Pretty sure he was teasing,” I say.
“And I’m pretty sure I’m married. To a judge. Who happens to be terrifying when provoked.”
“I’m aware.” And I am. I’m not afraid of Everett, exactly. Mostly. As of late, he’s started packing heat.
She crosses her arms. “Anyway, I have an entire gaggle of children. I don’t have time to be unfaithful even if I wanted to.”
“Also, very much aware.”
“The audacity.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Are you done?”
“For now.”
I set down the bowling pins before they can do any more damage to my ego. “So. What did your latest suspect have to offer?”
Lottie fills me in on Poppy. The affair. The secrets Jump held over half the company. The blackmail. I let most of it wash past and catch on one detail.
“The circus is bleeding money?”
“That’s what she said.”
“Money’s a strong motivator. People kill for less.” I take a slow look around the tent, and my gaze snags on the Cutie Pie booth again. My mother is still there, still smiling at the customers, and yet somehow it registers like a threat. “We need to talk to Graham.”
We find the circus owner in his office at the back of the main tent, a cramped space of old posters and a massive wooden desk drowning under paperwork. Graham stands to greet us. He looks tired, but the smile is friendly enough.
“Detective Fox. And Lottie. What can I do for you?”
There’s a large blue accounting ledger open on his desk. The cover reads Sterling and Sons Financial Records in faded gold. Lottie catches my eye. I catch hers right back.
I need a distraction, and I need it to last longer than thirty seconds.
“Graham.” I pull out my phone. “I wanted to run a few things by you. Details on the timeline. Mind taking a look?”
I hold up the screen with some vague notes, and he leans in to read. Behind him, Lottie drifts toward the desk and starts snapping photos of the ledger, quiet as a kitten in socks.
Graham straightens halfway through. “Now, the intermission, you said—”
“Backstage.” I angle the phone so he has to turn with it, putting his back square to Lottie again. “We’ve got a gap there. Walk me through it.”
He buys it. He leans back in, frowning at my notes, and Lottie keeps working. The whole operation takes under three minutes, which is about two minutes longer than my heart rate appreciated.
“Interesting,” Graham says, still studying my phone. “I didn’t realize Jump had been backstage that long during intermission. He usually schmoozed with the audience as much as he could.”
“I’m still piecing the timeline together.”
Lottie gives me a small nod. Done.
I pocket the phone. “I appreciate your time, Graham. We should sit down again soon if you can spare it.”
“Certainly.” He tips his hat. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
We head out, and the second we clear the tent flap, Lottie giggles.
“We did it,” she whispers. “We make a great team.”
“I’ve always known that. Glad you’re coming around.”
She grins, then pauses. “But why not just ask to see his books? You do come bearing a badge.”
“Two reasons. One, he could have something to hide, and people guard what they hide.” I let the next part sit a beat. “Two, I like watching you work.” I pull her into a sideways hug. “You never cease to amaze me, Lot.”
“You amaze me too, Noah Fox.” She pokes a finger into my chest. “Just try not to crack your skull open with a bowling pin. No offense to Bear, but he can’t hurt himself no matter how many pins bonk him on the head.
You, though. The citizens of Ashford County are counting on you to keep your noggin in one piece. ”
A grin gets away from me. “And you?”
“I’m not only counting on you.” Her voice softens. “I desperately need you. After watching what thirteen-year-old girls are capable of, I don’t have it in me to raise Lyla Nell to adulthood without backup.” Another poke. “So don’t you dare get yourself hurt, Noah Fox. Or I’ll kill you myself.”
I laugh. “Noted.”
We both glance toward the Cutie Pie booth, and the laughter drains out of both of us. Mom is helping a customer with her face drawn tight and her movements stiff. She looks ready to detonate, scowling at the circus tent as if it were Jump himself.
“This case is still far from over, isn’t it?” Lottie asks quietly.
“Unfortunately. For me and for my mother.”
Because the deeper we dig, the worse it looks for her.
And I’m running out of ways to prove she didn’t do it.