Zeke shakes his head. “I think it may have turned and created a blockage, inadvertently locking him inside.”
“Does that make sense, though?” I ask, heading to the other side of the glass box. “I mean, it still would have lifted on this end. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s right.” Jasper heads over and points to the same hinge on the other side. “Unless, of course, this one was dislodged as well.”
Caleb climbs up and gives the latch a jiggle and it spins like a top, proving that it’s loose enough to turn just enough to have created a death trap.
Jasper and Leo exchange a look.
“Caleb?” I look up at the stunned man. “Do you think he checked to see if the equipment was faulty?”
“Absolutely,” Zeke pipes up. “If Julian Fletcher was anything, he was a perfectionist. He wouldn’t risk a smaller stunt to go wrong, let alone a whopper like this.” He’s too damn egotistical to let that happen.
Caleb nods to Archie. “What do you think?” he asks as he looks to Jasper and Leo. “Archie is a fellow magician. He knows this business inside and out.”
Archie gives a somber smile. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’m small-time compared to Julian. Julian was one of the greats.” He was also a thief and a liar—and those are just his finer points. “I’m not sure why the latches would be faulty. I know this tank has been in storage for a bit. Maybe Julian didn’t have time to test it.”
A thief and a liar?
Jasper nods to Leo. “Just to be on the safe side, I’m opening this up as a homicide investigation.”
“What?” Zeke howls as he stalks on over. “Look, Julian is gone. And the last thing my brother needs is for that piece of trash to tarnish his wedding.” He glowers at the rest of us. If only they knew what a jackass Julian really was. They’d throw a party now that he’s gone. “Sorry for the outburst, but this is just like Julian.” He takes off, and I glance to Jasper with surprise.
Caleb shakes his head. “My apologies. Do whatever you need to do, Jasper. I can promise you, it’s not tarnishing my wedding.” He rakes his fingers through his hair in haste. “I’d better find McKenna.” He speeds off as well just as Sherlock and a handsome looking Siberian husky with brilliant blue eyes stride up.
“Sorry, big guy.” Archie gives the husky a pat on the back. “You just missed him.” He winks over at my sister. “This is Lucky.”
A flirtatious giggle bounces from her, and I cringe as she sashays his way.
“And here I thought I was the lucky one. Macy Baker.” She holds out a hand his way and he shakes it obnoxiously slow.
Obviously, the two of them have forgotten all about the tragedy that just unfolded.
Sherlock barks over at Lucky. This is Bizzy. He nuzzles his nose to my leg. The one I told you about.
The adorable husky vocalizes once again. Sherlock says you can understand us. What’s happening to Caleb? He’s not to blame for this tragedy, is he?
“No, no,” I say, giving Lucky a scratch behind the ears. “Everything is just a bit of a mess right now. Let’s go find Caleb. I’m sure he wants to get McKenna home.” I lean toward Macy’s ear. “And don’t you dare take anyone home.”
I spot McKenna by the exit, and both Sherlock and Lucky follow me over.
“McKenna.” I offer her a firm embrace and her kitten, Misty, squirms between us. “Oh, sorry.” I give her a quick pat. “Lucky was looking for Caleb.”
She nods as she glances down at the cute pooch. “Caleb just stepped out to see if he could catch his brother. I told him I’d find Lucky and meet him at the car. What a disaster. Poor Julian. And Caleb said something about a homicide?”
“That’s right,” I say just as her sister, Michaela, heads over.
The blonde wraps her arms around herself and shivers.
“I’m taking off.” Michaela gives McKenna a quick hug. “I’m sorry this put a bruise on the night.” She glances to the carpet. “But I promise I won’t do anything to ruin your wedding.” Her lip tugs to the side and she runs out of the ballroom before her emotions get the better of her.
McKenna gives a hard sigh. “That’s just like Michaela, always over apologizing. Taking the blame for things she has no control over. We were raised by the same two people, and yet she’s always so hard on herself.”
“Maybe there’s something going on that you don’t know about?” I’ll admit, my curiosity is more than a little piqued at the thought of her apologizing even loosely about something like this.
That scene from earlier this evening plays through my mind. I distinctly saw Michaela and Julian arguing. She pushed him in the chest.
McKenna tips her head to the side. “Who knows? Everything seems upside down right now. I’m just glad Caleb’s mother didn’t think the kids should be at the show tonight. That was a pretty grisly scene. Poor Julian.” She pats Lucky on the back as he nuzzles up to her. “Goodnight, Bizzy. I’ll be in touch about the wedding.”
“Don’t worry. This was just…”
She makes a face. “One of those things? An accident? According to Caleb, it just might be murder.” She squeezes her eyes shut. “As selfish as it sounds, I’m going to try to focus on my wedding, and I want you to do the same with yours. Face it, the nuptial trains have left the station. I’m afraid we’re going to have to roll with all the punches the universe has to offer. Oh, and your mother mentioned you still need a dress.” She gives a little shrug. “For what it’s worth, Michaela works part-time at Minty’s. You should probably head over.”
“Isn’t that a high-end boutique out in Rolling Oaks?”
“Yes, and I want you to sneak away tomorrow and head on over. No excuses. I’m sure she’d love to help you find something.”
A dull laugh
