As if by Magic by Kerry Wilkinson Read Free Book Online Page B

the full length. On the shelves, there weren’t many books, but instead all sorts of paraphernalia, including hats, gowns, photographs and crucially, Jessica noticed, a Rubik’s cube.
    ‘This is where I practice and plan,’ Balthazar said.
    On the walls were various posters, showing tour dates from years gone by. The colours were bright, with big bold letters proclaiming “The Great Benvolio” and “King Balthazar” at various dates. He had been performing since before Jessica was born, although, as she glanced around the room, there didn’t seem to be anything from the past few years. Balthazar seemed pleased with the interest, standing aside and allowing Jessica and Dave to stroll around.
    ‘One of our mates would love all this,’ Jessica said as she looked at a black and white photograph of Balthazar wearing a black cloak and top hat. She couldn’t know for sure but the pose may as well have come directly after a “ta-da” moment given the grin and raised arms. He certainly had a lot more hair in the photo than he did now.
    ‘What’s that?’ Dave asked as he walked along the front of the room near the stage. There was a small platform with three steps leading up to it and an elaborate throne-like chair sitting on top.
    ‘Aah, my latest creation. I’m working on a trick called “the vanishing professor”.’ Balthazar deepened his voice, rolling the first “r” of “professor” extravagantly before throwing his arms wide. The impact was deadened slightly by the fact he was still carrying a glass and at least a quarter of it sloshed over the top on to the ground. He didn’t seem to notice, instead downing the rest of whatever it was and putting the container on the floor next to the door.
    Jessica dug into the pocket of the jacket and took out three bags, each containing one of the stolen items. From the records, they knew Balthazar had registered four other items missing at the same time. If someone was returning them through the boxes, it seemed likely they were either somewhere else around the city, or had already been taken – or binned. She handed the bags to the man and asked if they were his. The descriptions from the file, including the engravings, matched exactly what had been dropped off.
    Balthazar took the bags and began to examine each item without taking it out of the packet.
    ‘Are they yours?’ Jessica asked.
    ‘I think so... yes.’ He didn’t sound quite sure but Jessica could see from the way he was holding the objects close to his eyes that he needed glasses. Given the way he portrayed himself, she suspected he was too vain to wear them. ‘The engravings are as they should be,’ he added as he held the ring a centimetre or two away from his face.
    Jessica nodded, while indicating for Dave to hand across the print-outs he had picked up. ‘We need you to sign these documents,’ she said. ‘After that you can have the items back.’
    ‘Where did you find them?’ Balthazar asked, taking the papers and looking at Jessica. He seemed concerned.
    ‘Believe it or not, they were all left on the streets of Manchester. Do you have any idea who might have wanted to do that?’
    Balthazar patted his pockets, before Dave handed him a pen. He signed the papers and handed them back, shaking his head slowly from side to side. ‘Do you have any photographs of who left them?’
    CCTV of Deansgate Tram Station had been checked and Tony had been seen leaving the box there too. He hadn’t mentioned the extent of what twenty pounds had paid for when Jessica had spoken to him that morning. She didn’t think it was worth mentioning him as she did believe the biggest part of his story, so gave Balthazar the same description of the young man in a suit that Tony had given her.
    Balthazar continued to shake his head slowly. ‘I don’t know anyone who looks like that,’ he said.
    ‘Either way, we know you registered the stolen jewellery and antique watch at the same time, so we are looking