Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Charlotte’s emotions overcame her. She felt like the times when she had stood up too quickly. Faint and light-headed, her vision faded to black. She could no longer feel her body, only falling, falling, falling… Tumbling and swirling around a hub. In the center at a dizzying pace. Like that diagram of an atom in the study of her father.
Then she felt arms around her, and her body pulled. Unable to see, her eyelids, like her body, were leaden, but she could still hear voices.
“Is she alive?”
“Seems to be.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Does she need to go to the hospital?”
“Maybe.”
The pain in her neck was excruciating. She wanted to scream, stop moving me, but no words would form. Blackness overcame her, and the nothingness sucked her in.
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Inside his sleeping train car, wearing a hastily donned dressing gown, Big Boss sat in his large, overstuffed armchair with dingy plaid fabric. His foot, at the end of a very hairy leg, was tapping incessantly from agitation. The large man mopped his brow as he listened to Edward’s story delivered in hushed tones regarding the Strong Man’s erratic behavior and attempted rape.
When Edward finished, the top dog growled, through clenched teeth to prevent yelling, “Damn bull! His balls do nothing but get him into trouble!” He pulled his silk robe tighter around his girth. Then to reassure himself that they were still there, Big Boss readjusted his hidden crotch. He leaned his right elbow on the threadbare armrest and placed his forehead in his hand. “He did it. George killed her and dumped her body somewhere. I just know it,” he mumbled more to himself than to Edward. Looking up, he asked Edward, “What are we going to do, Magic Man?”
“First, we have to secure George somehow. Do you think Arnie could talk to the authorities and we can get him locked up temporarily?” Edward replied in a soft tone.
“I suppose…” Big Boss nodded his head reluctantly.
“The next thing that needs to be done is finding out what happened to Madame Glass and where she is.” Not wanting to rattle the boss even further, in a soothing and reasonable voice, he added, “We don’t know that bodily harm has come to her and we must be sure. Until we find her, we will be uncertain.”
“Yes, yes, of course you are right,” Big Boss agreed and let out an audible sigh of frustration.
“We must mount a manhunt for her but only with trusted people. This must all be kept undercover so that the townspeople don’t find out and the Clan are satisfied that we are doing something. My suggestion is that I control the search for the fortune teller. And that the carnival goes on as normal so as to not arouse suspicion.”
Nodding, liking what he was hearing, Big Boss sat forward and listened intently.
Edward continued, “I will question the girl that was with George. I have a feeling that she will be a valuable asset in our investigation.”
“But what about George? I don’t think he will go willingly with the police.”
“Glad you asked. I just happen to have something that will help.” Edward pulled two small vials out of his waistcoat pocket and showed them to Big Boss. “I carry these with me at all times. You never know when you might need them.” He held out one of the vials. “These are smelling salts. We don’t need to revive George.” Replacing it in his vest pocket, he gave the other vial to his employer. “This one is laudanum, a tincture of opium.”
Unsure of what to do, the bigwig looked at the vial in his palm.
Edward took back the liquid drug. “Perhaps, you can invite him in, be stern but understanding. Make him sit and suggest you two have a whiskey to calm your nerves. Then tell him how valuable he is to the carnival. Tell him that you understand how aggravating these Clan women can be and that you know about his frustration with the Madame Glass situation. Tell him he is in trouble with the authorities but that you have his back. You just don’t know how much pull you have. Then say that the Clan are angry and you are worried about what they’ll do to him this time. Maybe some solo time in jail would be the best for all. Keeps everybody happy and safe.” Emphasizing the last word, Edward paused and then delivered the ploy. “Do this while you are pouring him the drink. It is easier to deliver and be received when your back is to him.”
The illusionist walked over to the tea cart that Big Boss used as a bar. Picking up a tumbler, he placed it in front of the others and then counted out seven drops into the glass. Indicating to Big Boss how much alcohol he should pour in, Edward assured, “This will help everything to go smoothly and as planned.” The magic man gave the carnival kingpin a conspiratorial wink.
**************************
The obnoxious smell of ammonia brought Charlotte to her senses. She felt the gentle touch of a hand closing over hers. Her eyelids fluttered open. Looking at her were the kindest and greenest eyes she’d ever seen.
Up Next: The Magician’s Hat No. 2: Part 1-The Hunt for Madame Glass
