Archie engages in more of his magician babble as he waves his gloved hands over my sister once again. The smoke puffs over her, and this time his hands are empty.
“No underwear?” he asks, and the audience screams with delight.
Macy clears her throat. “I gave at the office.”
Another roar of laughter ensues.
Archie snaps the tablecloth from underneath my sister and gasps emit from the audience as Macy seems to float in the air, stiff as a board. Her eyes are open and she seems to be awake, but her body looks as if it’s frozen solid with her hands lying crossed over her chest like a corpse in a coffin.
The music grows serious, something akin to a drum roll as an assistant brings out a large hoop and a fishing pole of some kind that it’s attached to.
“And now”—Archie says it low and determined as he lands the mouth of the large hoop around my sister’s feet—“it’s time for our hot date.” No sooner does he say those last words than the hoop catches fire with a giant whoosh.
“Oh no.” I grip Jasper’s hand so hard you’d think it was me in that fiery hoop.
Archie quickly carries it from one end of my sister to the other, narrowly missing her blonde locks before he shouts something unintelligible and the flames go out with a hiss. A riotous applause breaks out once again and my sister breaks out into a huge grin—of relief, I’m sure.
“Jasper?” I pull him close. “How is she suspended like that?”
He shakes his head. I have no idea. But she seems to be perfectly still—almost unnaturally so.
I nod in agreement.
The music works its way to a crescendo. Archie snaps his fingers and Macy collapses, allowing him just enough time to get his arms beneath her as he breaks her fall.
The audience stands to its feet with thunderous applause for him, and Jasper and I join the effort.
Macy comes back and takes a seat, and Archie does a few more acts, each one just as miraculous as the last until the show finally comes to a conclusion.
The houselights rise just a notch, and once he takes a bow, Archie heads this way.
“The marvelous Miss Macy.” He bows once again her way, and the applause continues to grow.
Georgie waves her napkin at him. “That was fantastic! I’ve got some wrinkles you could make disappear if you want.”
Juni edges her way over to him. “And I’ve got those underwear you were looking for, hot shot.”
Macy links her arm through his. “Sorry, ladies, this one is taken.”
“You were great, Archie,” I say. “How in the world did you make my sister float?”
He belts out a maniacal laugh. “A magician never shares his secrets.” He winks to Macy. “But seeing that she’s as light as a feather, it wasn’t a problem.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet?” Macy purrs at the thought. “I’ll be sure to reward you properly for that.”
“I’m sure you will.” He gives a cheesy wink.
A thought comes to mind amidst their raunchy exchange. I bet Archie might know the name of that second missing girl.
“Hey, Archie? Have you been at the Magic Castle a while?”
“Six years on and off.”
“So do you know the name of the girl who went missing a while back?”
He glances to the ceiling.
“Anita something? Yes, I think I’ve seen her poster out and about. We have one in the lobby, I believe.”
“Anita Dolman.” Jasper nods. “But I think Bizzy was talking about someone else. A woman who used to frequent the place?”
“Emerson, Emery?” I shake my head at him. “Does that ring a bell?”
He takes a quick breath. “I’m afraid it doesn’t.” Is she talking about Embry? He shakes his head. I’m not going there tonight. God knows there are enough bad vibes floating around these days. Julian’s death is hanging over this place like a plague. Of course, none of these people realize how magic works. How important it is for someone like me to stave off an aura of darkness. “If you’ll excuse me, I must mingle with the guests in the lobby. I’m contractually obligated.” He whisks my sister off that way, and I turn to find both Juni and Georgie talking to a few handsome men in suits by the bar.
“Jasper, look at that.” I nod their way, and he quickly inspects them. “Those men gave Juni and Georgie their numbers at Minty’s, and here they are—on dates.”
Jasper squints their way. “I think I’d better go over and introduce myself.”
“Please, go ahead,” I say as Bernie starts to clear the dishes from the next table over. “I’ll be there in a sec.”
He takes off, and I head her way.
“That was some show,” I say. “I almost forgot to ask if you knew McKenna or Caleb. They’re having their wedding at the inn.”
She blinks hard, looking momentarily confused.
“I don’t think I know either of them.”
“Oh?” I’m about to ask what she was doing at their party the other night but think better of it. That’s funny, though, she didn’t look as if she wanted to see Julian there, and yet maybe it was him she came to see—and kill.
Her eyes widen a notch.
“That’s right, it was a private party.” She averts her eyes, but it looks like a contrived action. “I was—um, friends with Zeke.”
“Caleb’s brother?”
“That’s the one.” Zeke. My heart aches just thinking of him. “Anyway, we didn’t even talk. Julian drowned, and I just took off. Once the sheriff’s department showed up, I’m assuming everyone else did, too.”
“You’re right. Hey, Bernie, can I ask if you knew anyone who was angry with Julian? Or maybe someone who could have been holding a grudge?”
Her face bleaches out. “They really think someone killed him, don’t they?”
Bernie sighs as she glances across the room.
Zeke hated Julian more than anyone I know. He could have easily killed Julian. God knows he promised me he would do just that. He wasn’t being literal, I
