Emma took a deep breath. Leo turned toward her. Her face was pale but focused.

  “Betty Weaver was one of the circus’s two fire-breathers. She was the most well-known one. Her face was on all the posters advertising the Weavers’ act. And she died in a fire she didn’t set.”

  A flash of Penelope Dowe’s face on another set of posters shot across Leo’s memory. “And Penelope Dowe fell to her death in the middle of her trapeze act because her safety lines failed her after being cut.”

  Emma offered him a tight smile. “Right. And then we’ve got Dennis Hammel, a clown killed by a practical joke? A firecracker. He was clowned, to put it bluntly.”

  Denae barked a dark laugh. “You’re onto something, Emma. Strongman Kyle Perkins was taken out by a protein shake meant to make him stronger.”

  Leo’s heart beat faster. “The pattern doesn’t give us motive. But it gives us a look into the killer’s psyche. Into his modus operandi.”

  Emma nodded, stepping closer to him. Leo could practically hear the gears in her brain turning. “The victims are being taken out by their own talents.”

  She was right. He knew it. “The things that are supposed to keep them safe, or make them better at what they do, are being turned against them.”

  “Kyle’s nutrition, safety measures like Penelope’s lines, or separating the fuel trailer from the main camp. Even Hamel’s pyrotechnics certification.” Emma could barely stand still. She bounced on the balls of her feet. “Our unsub has to be someone with access to all of those things, and who knew the performers’ daily routines as well as their acts.”

  Leo nodded. “O’Rourke would have had that knowledge, but he’s off the hook now. Seems like we can focus primarily on the other performers at this point. People who would have a reason to be that close to the victims.”

  Emma started pacing. “But why were these particular members targeted? Why them?”

  Griff’s eyes had gone wide. He glanced sideways at Jacinda even as she continued typing furiously on her iPad. “You were right, SSA Hollingsworth. This is an impressive team you’ve collected here.”

  Jacinda offered him a small smile as she looked up from her electronic records and focused back on the group. “That’s good thinking, especially considering how little rest you’ve all had. Split up into teams of two. Use the original circus list and start hunting people down. Get moving.”

  Bunny’s sobs had grown quieter and raspier, as if the girl just couldn’t create more tears. Leo knew who he wanted to interview first.

  “Let’s go, Ambrose.” Emma strode out of the base tent into the freezing night. She didn’t wait for him to catch up. He rushed behind her. They were on the same page.

  30

  Leaning back into the shadows of a game stand, I worked at remaining still and breathing quietly.

  The agents started to disperse, the majority of them heading into the big tent. Most of the so-called circus family had already gathered there.

  The Feds had come in right on the heels of the fire trucks finishing up. I couldn’t quite believe their speed, honestly.

  Since when did government resources get spent on people like us? Only two thirty in the morning, and D.C. authorities had not only drowned my fire, they’d also found and identified Betty Weaver. I could’ve kicked myself for not remembering to remove her necklace. Might’ve slowed down identification if I had.

  Not likely, though, with Billy and Bunny screaming up a round of panic.

  Still, this had been a lot faster than I’d expected. And their plan to round everyone up for questioning could interfere with everything.

  Two more agents passed by, heading to just beyond the big top, where the sounds of Bunny sobbing on Billy’s shoulder howled through the night air.

  I remained still. I wasn’t worried about them identifying me yet. After cutting away from the burning fuel storage trailer, I’d showered. My concern was the camper. I’d bagged my clothes, hiding them beneath my sink—but they reeked of gas, and that smell only accumulated.

  Can they search the personal campers if they suspect everyone? They can’t…right?

  The worry banged around in my head as I backed my way through a crack in the canvases that served as the game booth’s backdrop. The attraction had offered a perfect location for listening in on the Feds’ plans with all its shutters, but I had to get moving, and fast.

  If they started taking people, including me, to the police station for questioning, I wouldn’t be able to make my next move…the one that would finally destroy Reggie for good.

  Let the ringmaster sleep while he could in his cozy jail cell. Soon, he’d hear about Betty, and his old heart would start cracking open.

  Then, when Reggie heard what came after, he’d show himself for the little skeezy worm he’d always been.

  But accomplishing that meant moving before the law could corner me.

  I kept to the shadows on a path toward Calliope’s trailer.

  They’d home in on me eventually. I knew they would. At some point, the facts would come out. They’d search my trailer and find my clothes, along with any number of things that might out me. But that didn’t matter.

  That didn’t matter one bit.

  What mattered was making that old fucker suffer.

  In fact, I figured my imprisonment would be the final nail in the circus’s coffin, ruining Reginald O’Rourke’s legacy forever.

  Who wants to go to a circus plagued by a trail of violent deaths, owned by a sleazy man who allowed his family to get murdered one by one by one?

  Nobody. That’s who.

  The circus would be dead, and I’d be celebrating in a nice warm cell, getting three squares a day and more publicity than old Reggie had ever even dreamed of.

  I stopped a grin just as it started to show, but anticipation made the move hard. I clamped it down even as my chest grew warm with excitement. There was so much to look forward to. And I’d see it play out in real life as well as on the news.

  But first, I needed to make sure Reggie suffered just a bit more.

  Calliope too.

  Her cotton-candy-pink trailer was ugly as sin even in the darkness. Who did she think she was? Circus Barbie? Tonight, the gaudy structure was partly silhouetted by the plume of smoke still rising from the charred camper in the distance. I knocked on the door gently before stepping back.

  From the surprise in Calliope’s eyes when she peered out from the doorway, I figured she expected the Feds. But she’d done as I’d suggested and stayed hidden. Her expression softened when she saw me. Good ole Calliope. She wiped tears from her eyes, smearing tracks of mascara across her cheeks.

  Apparently, Calliope had been doing a lot of crying. She had really liked Betty, just like everyone around the Ruby Red.

  “Hey, babe.” She rushed into my arms. Her soft lips brushed mine before she wrapped me in a tight hug. A little sob escaped her throat. “You okay?”

  Pulling her close, I worked up some tears. It wasn’t hard. That smoke was coming in handy now that the fire was out, I’d give it that. “Kind of in shock, honestly.”

  When I let her go, she slumped against the doorjamb. I’d never seen anyone so destitute. So lost.

  Good.

  I did a little jig on the inside. Bitch didn’t have a single guard up around me.

  Embracing my inner Reggie, I turned on my overly dramatic side. Putting on my best fearful expression, I leaned toward Calliope until my face was only a few inches from hers. “Listen, hon, I know you’re grieving, but we gotta move. I just heard everyone’s about to be arrested. Everyone.”

  “What?” She looked so frantic that I almost wanted to laugh. She pulled me inside and slammed the door hard enough to make her little camper rattle. “Why would they arrest everyone?” She glared at me, hugging her arms to her chest. “You’re not making sense. What did you hear?”

  Her breath came faster, those gorgeous breasts heaving under that V-neck. But I forced my eyes to stay on hers.

  I was her long-term boyfriend, after all. Respecting her and loving her and all that shit.

  That was what made it all so much worse. I did love her…but that didn’t change a damn thing.

  Not after what the little slut had done.

  I gripped her hands, ignoring the stickiness of her snot and tears. “They’re arresting everyone to scare the shit out of ’em and push questions. That’s why I told you to hide. I had to warn you. They think you’re in cahoots with Reggie.”

  Calliope gasped and fell back against the dresser. One hand pressed her chest as she gulped for air. “No…”

  “You know they arrested Reggie. Now they think you’ve been murdering performers together. They think you’ve been in a relationship with him…” I made my eyes go wide. “Imagine that.”

  She clutched her stomach. “I’m going to be sick.”

  I gave her a good shake to make her refocus on me. “Now that Betty Weaver…” I made a choking sound and leaned back against her camper door for effect. “Now that she’s…gone…they think it’s confirmation Reggie must’ve had a partner. They’ve landed on you. When they start questioning everyone, asking about how close the two of you were…”

  Whore didn’t show any sign of guilt. Only shock.

  How would she look if she knew I’d heard her and the old man?

  I waved my hand in front of her face, and the bitch didn’t flinch. Good. I had some time, since I’d reached her little camper so fast. Her place was positioned on the outer range of the camper cluster. The Feds would need time to realize she was missing from the group and get over here.

  “But I didn’t do anything!” Her voice cracked.

  The hell you didn’t.

  Snot dripping from her nose, she lunged forward and landed on her knees in front of me, clutching my hands.

  Jackpot.

  “Please, you have to believe me. I didn’t do anything!”

  “I do, babe. Of course you didn’t do anything.” I held her hands, gripping them as tightly as she gripped mine. “That’s why I came. I know you’d never hurt anyone. Babe, I love you. You know that. I had to warn you so you’d have time to get away.”

  Her tears came faster. “Where would I go? This is my home. And they know where I live!”

  I pulled her up into a hug, forcing myself to take my time. Make her believe I was thinking about what we should do. “Well…hey, what if you go hide in the costume-and-show-supplies trailer? I’ve still got my key, so I can get you in. They won’t be looking for performers there. They don’t have reason to think anyone’ll be hiding from them.”

  She sniffled, hugging me tighter as she thought about it, then nodded into my shoulder. “Let me get my shoes on. I owe you, babe. And you’ll stay with me? Please? I don’t…I don’t want to be alone, okay?”

  Her big blue eyes were gorgeous, even with her pretty blond hair all messed up and makeup tracked across her face.

  “Of course I will. I’m here for you.”

  She grabbed her overpriced sneakers from beside the door, jamming them onto her feet as she quieted her sobs. Girl had the common sense to know she’d have to be silent on the way to the costume trailer.

  I made a show of searching outside the trailer to make sure the coast was clear. And I didn’t even have to fake that.

  The girl trusted me, and her hand clutched mine like a fucking lifeline.

  Why wouldn’t she? I’m her boyfriend. She’s supposed to trust me.

  Hell, I thought she might even love me…just not enough to avoid screwing Reggie, as it turned out.

  Which meant I’d be doing a hell of a lot more than screwing her, this time around.

  Time for the finale, motherfuckers.

  31

  Emma had wanted to talk to Bunny Weaver immediately, but the girl and her father were still speaking with the local police after confirming it’d been Betty’s remains in the burned-out trailer. Leo kicked at the ground outside the big tent, sending a spray of dirt and pebbles scattering.

  “We should’ve pushed for them to talk last night.”

  Leo wasn’t wrong, and Emma had no reply other than a grimace of pain from knowing they might’ve prevented another murder if they’d been more adamant with the Weavers. Then again, with O’Rourke in jail, they’d need to examine everyone who was close to the victims.

  “I’d say we should push to talk to them now, but the locals have them both on a psych watch. We can probably rule out Billy as a suspect, unless he’s a really good actor. I heard he fell apart when they showed him the necklace…just crumpled where he stood.”

  “And Bunny?”

  “She’s eleven, Ambrose. She’s not a killer.”

  “Not what I mean, and you know it.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. This case just keeps getting worse. They talk about being a big family, and one of their own has been taking them out.”

  “Who else can we talk to, then?”

  Emma checked the interactive list of interviewees on her iPad. Denae’s name appeared on-screen, showing her updating the list. Two more names were crossed out. Emma scrolled through the remaining open names. Three stuck out to her.

  Ty Belloise, knife thrower.

  Jamie Hearn, contortionist.

  Calliope Langley, makeup artist.

  Three people no one had laid eyes on since the fire, and all of them involved in the performances.

  At Jacinda’s insistence, Griff’s officers had awoken and transported the troupe members housed in the nearby hotel. All but a few stragglers had arrived, grumbling but cooperative as far as Emma could tell. They’d congregated in the big top. Emma and Leo stepped back inside, where small groups huddled together for warmth and comfort. A couple of crew members had fallen asleep on the wooden benches. Several had tears streaking their faces.

  News of Betty’s death had reached everyone at this point. The sorrow was palpable.

  But nowhere in the huge tent did Emma see those three members of the circus family.

  Jamie, Calliope, and Ty. Three of the youngest performers, and all were unaccounted for at the moment.

  Emma tapped a name with Leo reading over her shoulder. “You think these three might be in trouble too?”

  “Or two of them, at least.” Leo rubbed the back of his head, as if he could stop some niggling thought there. “Somebody here is responsible for the deaths. Maybe all three of them, Ty, Jamie, and Calliope, have something to do with the murders. Maybe they ran, and that’s why we can’t find them.”

  Emma shut down her tablet with a sigh and tucked the device into her bag. “Jamie and Ty seemed like brothers when we questioned them, so I’d guess they’re together somewhere.”

  Leo looked around the tent, like he expected the two young men to suddenly appear. “We know Calliope’s literally been in bed with O’Rourke. How about we hit her camper first?”

  “Good idea. She’s also the farthest out. Maybe we’ll run into the other two on the way.” Emma started off into the starlit night, Leo following on her heels. She set a fast pace, just short of running.

  Calliope’s tacky pink trailer stood out, even in the dark.

  When Emma knocked, the door swung open. Apparently, it hadn’t been latched. She raised an eyebrow at Leo, asking a silent question. When Leo nodded, she stepped inside.

  She hit the lights, so they’d have more than just an alarm clock blinking three o’clock at them.

  Makeup cases and samples were scattered on every flat surface, with occasional items of clothing folded over the one armchair and the end of the bed. Otherwise, the space had a neat, fresh feel. The dinette area was devoted to makeup. A fast search of the bathroom, kitchen, and dresser drawers offered nothing that wouldn’t have been expected from a twentysomething makeup artist, circus member or otherwise.

  “She’s not a performer, is she?” Emma asked.

  Leo pulled up a bench in the dinette, checking for anything beyond makeup, but got nowhere. “She also assists the knife thrower as the target. Whether or not you consider that performing or talent, or just stupid or brave…”

  Emma scrunched her nose. “Pretty stupid…”

  She caught sight of a tipped-over photograph frame near Calliope’s makeup case. A chill sent goose bumps up her arms. It was face down, like her mother’s photo. Almost without thinking, Emma reached out and set the frame upright.

  “Who’s that?”

  She turned the frame to face Leo. It was a snapshot of Calliope in a glittery costume that matched Ty Belloise’s…who stood with his arm around her.

  “Ty’s unaccounted for too…”

  “Based on that photo, it looks like he’s been sidelined for a much older member of the circus family. And he’s definitely classified as a performer.” Leo replaced the second dinette benchtop in its original location.

  “We don’t know where either of them is.” She kept her tone light, but Leo had picked up on her meaning. He hunched slightly and did a quick 360 in place, scanning the camper as if he expected to be attacked at any second.

  “Best to keep an eye out for knives coming out of the darkness, I guess.”

  “Jamie’s camper is closest. Want to hit it next?”

  Emma gestured toward the door, and Leo took the lead this time. As she followed, she kept an eye on the shadows, just in case a knife flashed through the air. She pulled out her cell and dialed Jacinda.

  “Got something?” Her new supervisor was all business.

  “Calliope Langley isn’t in her camper. Leo and I are on the way to Jamie Hearn’s trailer. Ty Belloise may be our unsub, or he may just be hiding out with a girlfriend. Belloise is the knife thrower, so we should probably consider him armed and dangerous.”

  “Copy that. We’ll have a BOLO for Belloise, and I’ll have Griff send some uniforms out to his trailer. Let me know if you find anything.”