Mystery of the 19th Hole (Taylor Kelsey, Mystery 1) by AJ Diaz Read Free Book Online Page A

why.  “Sure thing.”

Chapter 9
                  “For being so smart,” Taylor said to Susan, “you do know this is technically a circus, not a fair.  There’s a difference.”
                  “Not to me.  And I think you’re wrong.”
                  “Fairs don’t usually have this many animals.”
                  Taylor and Susan were looking at the various caged animals on display.  They were finally at the circus, and Susan was desperate to find the elephant.  Looking around, Taylor noted that there was no one around them.  Not one single person.  She thought they might be in a restricted area of the circus, but Susan disagreed.
                  “Sue, see the big tent?”
                  “Of course, it’s right in front of us.”
                  “Exactly.  And we’re around the back of it.  We’re back stage!  Look behind us.”  Taylor pointed around.  “Those are the performers’ trailers and cars.  Besides look how dangerous it would be if people were allowed to stand around these cages with the lions in them.  A little kid might stick a hand in and it might get bit off.  I mean, where’s the railing that keeps people back?  And for that matter, where are the people?”
                  Susan mulled it over.  “First, I prefer to call lions panthera leos .  That’s their scientific name.  Second…  I think you’re right.”
                  Taking a few steps back and pointing, Susan said, “Yeah, there’s a bunch of people over there.  Let’s go over there.”
                  “Good idea.”
                  After ducking under several railings they had somehow previously avoided, they found themselves with the throngs of customers walking about, finding games to play, candy apples to eat, and waiting for the night’s circus performance.  There were colors everywhere.  Clowns with red noses and crazy make-up, individuals in different apparel, and many, many rides, from ships that swung up and down, making one want to throw up, to the gravity cages, to high-flying rockets.  Kids screamed and adults talked on phones and game vendors could be heard “ooing” and “ahhing” depending on their customer’s performance.
                  Taylor searched the vendors until gasping.
                  “Let me guess,” said Susan, “Jason.”
                  Taylor started walking toward the dart-throwing booth.  Susan stood there for a moment, considering her options.  It was then that she heard an elephant roar.  She ran to Taylor, who was already ten paces ahead of her, tapped her on the shoulder, and told her she was going to find the elephant.
                  “Good, good,” muttered Taylor, lost in a trance.
                  The dart-throwing booth was of a crude setup.  A dartboard with balloons.  A table separating the customers from the booth worker.  And a great looking booth worker.  That was all Taylor needed.
                  “Hey, Jason,” Taylor said as the last kid finished and she advanced to the front of the line.  “Five darts, please.”
                  “Oh, hey, Taylor.”
                  Taylor collected her darts and stepped back to the chalk line.  She threw the first one and it missed the dartboard entirely.  “So,” she said, “how’s the motorcycle.”
                  “Oh, I don’t know yet.  My mom won’t let me ride it.”
                  “Oh.”  She threw the next one.  Same story.
                  “You know,” said Jason, “you can take two steps up for the woman’s handicap.”
                  Taylor smiled.  “Thank you.”  And took two steps up.  “Do you like my skirt?”
                  Jason looked down, his hair