Ten Thumb Sam by Rachel Muller Read Free Book Online Page B

toddlers. There was no sign of either Harriet or the man in the gray suit until Sam reached the edge of a nearby field that was being used as a parking lot. A dark sedan was just pulling away in a cloud of dust on a gravel road leading away from the field.
    â€œThat’s him,” Harriet announced breathlessly as she appeared at Sam’s side. “He got away.”
    â€œWhat happened?” asked Sam. “I looked down when the net fell, and when I looked up again you were both gone.”
    â€œHe stood up just as the net was falling,” said Harriet. “I followed him outside from a safe distance. There was someone in that car waiting for him at the side entrance.” She shook her head in frustration. “I tried to get the license plate number, but it was covered in mud. It was a British Columbia plate, though. I could see that much.”
    â€œIt’s got to be him,” said Sam. “He’s got to be the one sabotaging the Triple Top!”
    â€œToo bad we didn’t actually see him
do
anything,” said Harriet.
    â€œOh, come on! Look how he raced away from the scene of the crime!”
    â€œPretty suspicious, all right,” Harriet agreed. “It just doesn’t prove anything.”
    â€œYeah, I know—it’s circumstantial evidence,” said Sam. “But now at least we know who to watch for. I’ll be ready for him next time,” he promised as he watched the dust on the gravel road settle.

Chapter Twelve
    Sam was stacking dismantled circus equipment next to one of the trailers when he overheard his father talking to his mother the next morning.
    â€œWe just had a visitor, a Mr. Burkenoff,” Max told Irene. “He’s a federal safety inspector.”
    â€œWhat did he want?” Sam’s mother asked.
    â€œHe was here because of what happened yesterday afternoon with the safety net,” said Max. “We’ve just been fined ten thousand dollars for having an ‘improperly installed safety device.’ If we don’t pay the fine in full by the end of the month, Mr. Burkenoff is threatening to shut us down.”
    â€œOh dear,” Irene sighed. “This has really gotten serious, hasn’t it?”
    â€œDad,” Sam broke in, “I was going to tell you-Harriet and I saw someone yesterday—”
    â€œHold on a second, Sam,” his father said as a black limousine drove toward them. “Looks like we have another visitor.”
    The limo came to a stop a few yards away. The driver got out first and walked around to open the door for a large, cigar-smoking man.
    â€œCan I help you?” Max asked.
    The visitor tapped his cigar with a sausage-shaped finger, and a chunk of ash fell to the ground. “Beaverwick’s the name. I heard there was a circus set up out here. Thought I’d drop by and have a look-see.”
    Max shook his head. “Sorry, I’m afraid you’ve missed us. We’re just packing up.”
    â€œWhere are you headed next, if you don’t mind me asking?” said Mr. Beaverwick.
    â€œAll the way to Thunder Bay.”
    â€œFine city, Thunder Bay,” said the visitor. “I might be heading there myself on business later this week. Perhaps I’ll catch your show there, Mister—?”
    â€œStringbini, Maxwell Stringbini.”
    â€œAh. The famous magician, Magic Max.” Mr. Beaverwick stepped forward to offer his hand. “And this is?” he asked, turning to Sam’s mother.
    â€œIrene Stringbini,” she said.
    â€œTruth is, Max, Irene, I have a particular interest in circuses.” Mr. Beaverwick reached into the breast pocket of his pinstriped suit and withdrew a small card, which he handed to Sam’s father.
    â€œCircus Enormicus,” Max read out loud. He handed the card to his wife.
    â€œIncorporated, since 1979. I’m the chairman, CEO and majority shareholder,” Mr. Beaverwick said as he