Love, Art, and Murder – Mystery Romance

“How did you do that?” I scanned the sky for the knives. They had disappeared. “Where did they all go? How did you get the bird in your mouth?”

The silver man with the glittered face shrugged and walked off to a new couple.

“Wait a minute, how did you do that?”

Elle tapped my shoulder. “You might as well give up. He’s not going to tell you. What would be the fun in that?”

“But it’s insane.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s his secret to tell and it doesn’t look like he wants you to know.”

Someone tapped my arm. “A drink, sir?”

A woman in a huge gown twirled my way with a small tray attached to her waist. She looked like a character from one of those period films Hex loved to watch, with the huge wig that rose a foot high in white curls. Her face was powdered and painted, her dress an elaborate design of crushed velvet bows and satin. And that tray remained connected to her waist as if it had been built into the dress. Several glasses of sparkling champagne sat on it.

How did she not fall in this dress or spill any of these glasses?

“A drink, sir?” the woman repeated.

“No, thank you.”

Elle dragged me forward. “Let’s check out some more.”

It must’ve taken Elle a good hour to show me everything. She was like a little kid at a carnival. She pointed to the flamingos strutting next to the small pond with hundreds of pink glowing candles on top of lily pads. Three elephants carried tiny ladies in clear leotards that left little to the imagination. The creatures wore huge hats with big ostrich feathers at the end. On the right, men in black drawstring pants shot flames out of their mouths and swung blazing shapes around their bodies. On the left, a man in a tuxedo showed the onlookers his huge saw and pointed to the beautiful woman in the box in front of him as he prepared to show the audience that he could magically cut her in half without bringing her any harm.

“Isn’t this incredible?” Elle asked.

“Oh yes.”

“You’re probably just saying that. You’ve probably been to tons of parties like this.”

“I don’t usually go to Hex’s gatherings, but I can assure you that this is the biggest party he’s ever thrown.”

“If you’ve never gone, how do you know this is the biggest one?”

“Because I always pay the bills.”

“Good point.” She pulled me forward. “Oh wait. I have to show you the clowns up ahead.”

I tensed. “No thank you. We should go dance.”

“It’ll be real quick. These are the coolest clowns I’ve ever seen.”

I stopped in the grassy path and refused to go any farther. “I don’t really like clowns.”

“No?” She quirked her eyebrows.

“They’re just not my thing.” I risked a look in the direction where she’d pointed. A clown walked on stilts far ahead. I cringed.

She chuckled. “Oh my God. Hex was right! You’re afraid of clowns?”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of them. I just choose not to be around them.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“So if I call a clown over here, then what will happen?”

“I’ll probably scream like a little girl, punch him in the face, and run away.”

She covered her face and did her best to stop her laughter, but it spilled out of her just the same.

“Fine. Laugh at me if you want, but it’s not nice to laugh at somebody who has coulrophobia. It’s a serious thing to be afraid of clowns. Not that I’m afraid of them.”

“Of course not. You just choose to not be around them.”

“Exactly.”

She waved her hands and still giggled. “I know . . . it’s just. You’re just so big and. . . .” She laughed even louder.

“You’re a mean one, Elle.” I smirked and guided her away from the wretched monsters in colorful wigs. “Wait until I find the things you’re afraid of. I bet I’ll have a good laugh, too.”

We took our time moving through the crowd and headed toward the dance floor. Minutes passed. We talked about the movies we liked and some of our favorite actors. For once in a long time, I had no worry on my mind or task to complete. For once, I relaxed and enjoyed the moment before me—a beautiful party under glittering stars with a captivating woman next to me.

“Should I make sure there aren’t any clowns on the dance floor?” she asked.

“Very funny.”

As soon as we reached the dance floor, I gathered her in my arms. Her body stiffened for a few seconds and then molded against mine. I battled with the groan that dared to leave my mouth. Pillowy breasts pressed into my chest as she rested her small arms on my shoulder. I had to focus all of my energy on keeping my hands at the center of her back and not letting them slip down to the curve of her behind.