Read Online House of Mirrors by Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon - Free Book Online

The older gentleman reeked of the righteousness Jonah had so often found in church and at school.
    “No, that’s not me, sir,” he said.
    “Can you tell me where I might find him?”
    “Where you can find a Mr. Grimstone, sir?” He stalled and spoke louder. If Grimstone was listening, he might decide for himself whether he wanted to face the man.
    The man tugged on the end of his mustache. “Yes, Grimstone, fool.” When he shifted from one booted foot to the other, his jacket opened, and Jonah saw the glint of polished leather at his hip and a large bulge resting there. A revolver.
    “Nossir,” Jonah said. “I can’t say I know the man.” Another of those nontruths that wasn’t exactly a lie, for after all, he knew very little about Grimstone. Jonah was getting as slippery as an eel. Too bad he hadn’t learned prevarication earlier in his life. Lying might have helped save him a great deal of trouble.
    The man left without speaking another word. Jonah watched him stalk away and considered finding Grimstone and informing him of the man looking for him. He had no notion what the man’s business could be, but that grim air did not bode well. That was worth the risk, so he jumped down and hurried through the crowd in search of Grimstone, leaving the freak tent unattended.
    In the main tent the dog and pony act was about to start. Perhaps he’d find Grimstone there, drawing in the crowd while Jack Treanor worked those already in their seats inside the tent. Treanor’s act in the carnival was as a sad-faced clown with incredibly bad luck. He did some juggling and dancing as well.
    Jonah found the ringmaster helping Miss Jamie check the harnesses on the ponies. “Mr. Grimstone, a man is looking for you, an older gentleman with a big white mustache and an accent sort of like yours. He sounds British.”
    Grimstone straightened. “Where?” He sounded calm but scanned the area the way Jonah used to look for bullies lying in wait after school. Then he focused on Jonah. “Here now, Talbot. Did you abandon your post?”
    “This seemed more important. He didn’t strike me as friendly, and he has a gun.”
    Grimstone seemed more annoyed than frightened. He handed his whistle to Jonah. “Give this to Parinsky. He’s been longing for it, here’s his chance. But it’s a loan. Tell him two minutes to show time, and he’s the ringmaster for the night. He’s not selling his poison at the moment, so you’ll likely find him drinking it in his wagon. I’ll have Jack perform for a few minutes longer than usual. Go on now.”
    “What’ll you do?”
    But Grimstone had already vanished.
    Jonah found Parinsky and delivered the message as he handed over the brass whistle.
    Parinsky turned it in his deft fingers. “He hurt or something?”
    “No.”
    “Why’d he take off with so little notice?”
    “He didn’t say.” He was becoming proficient with these half-truths. “Perhaps you should get going, sir?”
    “Damn. Two minutes! You’re right.” He went into his wagon, slammed the door, then came out less than a minute later shoving his arms into a bright blue jacket with a military cut and huge gold epaulets.
    Jonah watched him hurry off, then made his way back to the freak tent. He climbed up on the platform and began his shouting, but with less vigor.
    He didn’t think Grimstone had recognized the man he’d described, yet he seemed to know someone would be coming after him. Did it have to do with the show, or his past life? Perhaps the reason he’d left the British Isles had to do with a crime.
    Jonah could believe Grimstone had broken the law. Not something truly heinous like murder, but Rafe Grimstone had a mysterious, slightly dangerous air that was a large part of his attractiveness. Jonah wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’d stolen, cheated, or assaulted someone, or perhaps simply angered some official who’d forced him to flee the country.
    “Mister, those ain’t no natural wonders, but a waste