Ferally Funny Freakshow by Ann Charles

Author:Ann Charles [Charles, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: AC Silly Circus Co.
Publisher: Ann Charles
Published: 2018-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

“Did I interrupt something?” Runash asked, nudging her chin toward the curtain leading to my private quarters.

“No. Bruno is looking through some of Clint’s stuff from the box Kenneth sent over.” I lied smoothly, because while she might have a better sense of smell, I was a professional trickster. “I moved him behind the curtain because we’re opening early today, as you know.”

She nodded, sitting down in the chair reserved for paying clients. “I’d prefer we have this meeting in private.”

Bruno stepped out from my bedchamber, his face set. “Why would I need to leave, Runash?” he asked in lieu of a greeting. “You and I are both set on finding the same answer—who killed Clint.”

“Yes, but judging from the scent in the air, Electra has swayed you into believing she is innocent.”

My neck warmed at her hint at the smell of sex in the air. Rather than deny the truth, I owned up to it. “There wasn’t any swaying necessary. Bruno and I have been lovers for a while now.”

Her dark blond eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “You two have been keeping secrets,” she accused.

“Our private life is nobody’s business,” Bruno said with a calm I didn’t feel myself. “If you believe my relationship with Electra compromises my ability to find Clint’s killer, you’ll need to take that up with the owner. In the meantime, I’ll remind you that not only did the owner advise me to seek Electra’s counsel, but that I am lead on this murder case. Your role is only to assist me, as needed.”

Runash’s lids lowered into a menacing glare for a moment, then she blinked it away and gave him a brittle smile. “Duly noted.”

“What is your question?” I asked, bringing the focus back to her reason for showing up in my tent.

“According to Ming, the clown and you were together a lot the last few weeks of his life.” She sent a sideways glance toward Bruno, obviously trying to goad a jealous response from him. “Day and night.”

Bruno didn’t take the bait. He just stood off to the side, listening, his expression interested, but nothing more.

“Clint was a good friend. I won’t deny it.” I thought of the laughs he inspired while trying to help me out of my lovesick funk. I sent a small smile in Bruno’s direction. “He consoled me after Bruno left for his new job, doing his best to cheer me up.”

A shadow passed over his face, one corner of his mouth twitching.

“Did Clint mention anything about his past to you?”

I focused on Runash again, weighing my words carefully. “We both agreed from the start that we wouldn’t ask questions about anything prior to joining the circus.”

“And why is that?”

I shrugged. “There was no need. He was a wereferret and I’m a werecoyote. We didn’t want to know anything beyond that for now.”

“In the wild, coyotes prey on ferrets.”

“In the wild,” I shot back, “cougars prey on every single one of us here at the circus.”

“Touché.” She pointed at the tarot cards I was shuffling.

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