As Mary spoke, she shot the burly man a meaningful look.
The man immediately stepped forward, snapped the lid shut, and deftly fastened the iron lock.
Goring's gaze lingered on the closed lid for two seconds, a flicker of anger rising in his eyes.
"I'll buy these two."
He stood, pulled a checkbook from the inside pocket of his suit, tore out a check, filled in the amount, and handed it to Mary.
Mary accepted the check, lowered her head to verify the amount, then neatly folded it and tucked it into her pocket. "Thank you, young master Goring," she said with a fawning smile.
Goring tipped his chin toward the men behind him. "Load that wooden crate onto the truck-and be careful. Don't hurt the people inside."
Two of his men lightened their touch and lifted the crate, one at each end, carrying it steadily into the back of the second truck.
Mary saw the two trucks off. She stood on the dirt road until their taillights vanished around the bend, then turned and hurried toward the Ringmaster's tent.
She had to wake Bill from his drunken stupor first, then grab the money she had saved over the years and disappear into the night...
As for the mess left behind at the circus, whoever wanted it could deal with it.
She lifted the tent flap and walked in. The spot on the ground where the Ringmaster had been lying was empty-
All that remained on the bedding were rumpled creases and several irregular drag marks.
Beside those drag marks lay a dark red patch of blood that had yet to dry...
The trucks left the circus, bumping along the dirt road for a while before turning onto smooth asphalt.
Goring sat in the passenger seat, unconsciously rubbing his