Chasing Clowns: A Novel (Girl Clown Hatchet Suspense Series Book 2) Read online

  The boy spent his mornings collecting berries and roots for his mother, then splashed in the river during the heat of the afternoons.”

  “Cool.” Sammy raised his eyebrows. “What does this have to do with m—”

  AJ approached and crossed his arms. An ugly glare sat on his face, but it was hard for Chloe to tell with all the cuts and bruising. She wondered when and why AJ had been beaten with the wrong end of the ugly stick.

  “Shut up, Sam-Sam. Let the lady,” AJ spat this out sarcastically, “speak.”

  Chloe paused to gather thoughts and once more turned her face to the sun. She could picture Mama Nola in a cotton ribbon dress with her hair braided to the side. She swayed in her rocking chair, a knowing but gentle expression on her face, waiting to capture her audience’s attention before starting her tale. The vision brought pangs of pain and joy to Chloe’s heart.

  She opened her eyes and found the young men’s attention focused on her. Even AJ, despite his disdain for her, looked a like child waiting for a bedtime tale.

  She was no longer an Officer, and they were no longer criminals: they were all story.

  Mama Nola whispered, We tricked the eyes, but not the hearts.

  Chloe continued, “One day, a sparrow carrying a blade of grass to her nest, stopped to rest on a branch of a maple tree near the river. She looked longingly at the river for a drink but did not wish to risk dropping the precious golden strand.

  “The boy, who was resting against the very tree the sparrow had landed on, saw her and said, ‘Sister Sparrow, what have you there?’

  “Around the golden blade, she spoke, ‘I have found a piece of the finest grass for my nest. ‘

  “The blade of grass glittered a deep gold in the sunlight, and suddenly the boy desired to have it, so that he might weave a crown for himself. He said, ‘Aren’t you thirsty, Sister Sparrow? It is a hot day; you should drink.’

  “And it was then that the sparrow felt the weight of the sun on her shoulders and she felt very thirsty indeed. She thought to herself, What if I die from the heat? What good would this grass do for my eggs then? But still, it was a strong spear and would keep her eggs protected from the elements and predators. She said to the boy, ‘I am very thirsty, but I wish my children to be protected.’

  “The boy asked, ‘Where is your nest, Sister Sparrow?’

  “She told him, ‘Beyond the river where the willow tree weeps, a little huckleberry climbs its trunk. My nest is in the hollow of the willow, hidden by the huckleberry bush.’

  “He then said, ‘I have heard of the weeping willow. That is far away indeed. Come, let me hold the blade of grass, and then you may drink.’

  “A quiver of doubt ruffled the sparrow’s feathers. She pushed it away thinking to herself; I shall trust the boy, since winged creatures and man have honored the pact of peace since the beginning when spider wove the stolen sun into the sky. So, the sparrow flew down from the Maple and landed on the boy’s open palm, dropping the grass there.

  “She spread her wings to fly to the river when the sparrow felt the boy’s hand close over her and squeeze. The sparrow cried out, ‘Oh, boy, I do not understand. Why do you do this?’

  “The boy said, ‘At first, I wanted your golden grass so that I might weave myself a crown. But then I thought, why not take the golden grass and a bird—so that I might feast like a King as well.’

  “And she said, ‘But my chicks will die without me.’

  “‘I shall eat them, too.’

  “The sparrow said, ‘May the Great Horned One, with its scales of justice, rise from the Earth and avenge me and my kin.’

  “The boy laughed and said, ‘The Great Horned One does not care about a little sparrow.’

  “Before the sparrow could say another word, the boy squeezed her ribs until they broke and the little sparrow died. The boy wove the golden grass into a crown and placed it upon his head. He then carried the sparrow past the river into the beyond. When the boy reached the weeping willow with the huckleberry bush climbing its trunk, he set the sparrow’s body aside and collected twigs for a small fire. He decided he would roast the eggs inside the sparrow’s body; a feast fit for a King.

  “He climbed the trunk of the weeping willow until he reached the hollow hidden by the huckleberry branch.

  “Within the darkness of the hollow, the boy found a strong nest of grass, just as the sparrow had said.

  “Inside the nest, two glowing eyes of ember peered at him.

  “The boy thought to himself, Just my luck! One of the sparrow’s chicks have hatched, and he reached deep into the darkness to snatch it.

  “There was a sharp shake of a rattlesnake’s tail. The boy went to withdraw his hand when he felt a searing prick. He yelped and yanked back his hand. His arm burned and swelled as crimson poison snaked up his veins.

  “Before the boy had a chance to climb down from the tree, he became paralyzed and fell to the dirt below. Despite the boy’s descent, the golden crown remained atop his head.

  “A tiny horned serpent with ember eyes crawled from the hollow and twined its body about the trunk of the tree. It crept down. The closer it grew to the ground the larger it became, so that when it’s head touched upon the earth the horns had grown full, and its body massive. It rose upon its coils, towering over the boy and the weeping willow.”

  Sammy snickered. “Whoa, a snake with horns. Cool.”

  “The boy recognized the Great Horned One. The boy shook with fright as he had heard stories of the great beast and he could not move.

  “The horned beast cried, ‘You have eaten my mother and stolen her crown.’

  “The boy said, ‘She was but a bird with a blade of grass!’

  “And the horned serpent replied, ‘As you have taken from me, I shall take from you.’

  “He felt the serpent’s tail twine about his ribs. The boy cried out, ‘Please, don’t kill me! My mother will die without me!’

  “And the horned serpent said, ‘I shall eat her too, but I will not stop there. I shall consume your people, so that the pact of peace may continue.’

  “The boy’s face filled with horror as the serpent crushed his ribs, just as he had crushed the little sparrow’s. The golden crown fell from the boy’s brow to the earth where it returned to a simple blade of grass. Then the Great Horned One crawled in great haste toward the boy’s village where it devoured the boy’s mother, and destroyed all who dwelt within the heart of the forest.” As she finished, Chloe glanced from Sammy to AJ, then back to Sammy.

  Sammy wiped the sweat off his face. “Damn, that’s a downer. What’s it supposed to mean?”

  Chloe said, “It’s a fable.”

  AJ leaned against the side of the garage. “A fable is like a fairytale, idiot.”

  Chloe replied, “Uh huh. But a story can mimic real life. Like a metaphor.”

  “A meta-what?” asked Sammy.

  AJ scowled. “It means like… Like you would be the sparrow and—” AJ pointed at Sammy. “And your sister would be the baby chick, but not really because Pocahontas—”

  “Officer Jackson.”

  AJ raised his eyebrow and stressed, “Pocahontas, would be the mother—”

  Where was AJ’s hostility coming from? Chloe opened her mouth to speak, but Sammy interrupted first.

  “No. No way. I don’t want to be the sparrow.”

  AJ shook his head, then peered at Chloe. “I don’t get why you told us the story—”

  Sammy interrupted again. “If the boy had been happy with the golden crown, if he hadn’t been greedy and gone into the Beyond to the weeping willow to eat the sparrow’s baby chicks, he’d have been a King and had a feast for lunch.”

  Sammy’s stomach rumbled.

  Amused, Chloe stayed quiet, listening to them work the story out.

  AJ loosened up and turned toward Sammy, and put a hand on his chin, contemplative and fully engaged in the philosophy of the story. “Yeah, I can agree with that.”

 
Sammy said, “So if the kid didn’t get greedy, if he had just kept the crown and the sparrow, he’d have ruled the forest forever.”

  AJ studied Chloe with a pained expression on his brow. It was as if he wanted to hate her and have her approval at the same time. She wondered where his mother was? Had she betrayed him? Perhaps that was where his hate lay.

  AJ said, “Just because the boy wove himself a crown doesn’t mean he would rule the forest. He just thinks he would. It’s a lie he tells himself to justify his actions.”

  Chloe bit her lip thoughtfully and nodded at him. Not bad.

  AJ flushed and stared angrily at her.

  Chloe met his eye and held it.

  Sammy broke the threatening silence. “Lies? Nah, I don’t think he felt bad about it. He didn’t need to lie to anyone. In fact, I think he was honest. The point was that he got greedy.”

  AJ said, “True. He was greedy, but it wasn’t just for physical things like an golden crown or a good meal. It was also envy, lust.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Once you get a taste of power, you want more. It’s like an addiction. So even though the boy thought he could have stopped, he wouldn’t have.”

  Chloe was surprised at AJ’s depth and insight. The kid was more than just muscle, and she respected that, criminal or not. She wondered if AJ had gained this insight from watching his Uncle and his Uncle’s clients.

  Sammy seemed to take what AJ said personally and replied as if it were a personal attack. “Hey, the boy could’ve stopped if he wanted to.

  “No,” AJ said this with authority. “He could, but he wouldn’t have. Once lust, greed, envy, power—whatever you want to call it, has invaded your heart, there’s no going back.”

  Sammy poked AJ hard in the chest. “Yes. He. Would. Too. Stop.”

  AJ clenched his fist.

  Chloe broke in before a fistfight started. “Have either of you thought of why there was the horned serpent in the nest instead of the sparrow’s eggs?”

  Both men quieted.

  Sammy, obviously without an answer, nudged AJ with his elbow. “Yeah, Ghandi, why was the horned snake in the sparrow’s nest instead of the chicks?”

  AJ’s forehead crinkled before a dawning lighted in his eyes. “He had already eaten the chicks. Their life gave him strength.”

  Sammy looked at Chloe, “Is that true?”

  Again, Chloe was stunned by AJ’s insight. Of course, his insight was coming from the point of view of someone who had been bullied. She gave him an alternative view. “Perhaps. But there’s another possibility.”

  AJ rubbed the stubble on his chin, thinking, but refused to reply.

  “The Great Horned One hatched from the sparrow’s egg. The most powerful come from humble beginnings.”

  Sammy said, “Oh, mama, a bird and a snake? I do not want to think how that works!”

  AJ repeated her words, lost in his thoughts. “‘The most powerful come from humble beginnings.’”

  Sammy punched AJ in the arm. “Oh, man, you should get that tattooed on your arm, AJ.”

  Chloe raised her eyebrows.

  Sammy reached for AJ’s sleeve. “Show her your tats, AJ. Show her your—”

  AJ growled, “Shut up, pinky dink.”

  “Hey, you know how I feel about you calling me—”

  Chloe cut them off. “In Cherokee folklore, the Uktena, also called the Great Horned One, was the most beautiful and powerful of all. He was feared and loved. He was hunted for his heart, a great ruby. He who owned the heart of the Uktena, ruled the world.”

  Sammy said, “You’re saying the boy never had a chance at ruling the forest.”

  “But he thought he did,” said AJ.

  He and Sammy exchanged hostile glances.

  Chloe said, “The boy had a warm home, a mother he supported, and entire village who was rich with the gifts of the forest. He had everything he could ever want or need. His people had honored a peaceful pact for thousands of years. In a single moment of desire, the boy broke that trust. Not only did it destroy his family, but his entire village.”

  Both young men became silent, each keeping thoughts to themselves in a rare moment of clarity and contemplation.

  Chloe tilted her head to the side, glancing back and forth from Sammy to AJ, then back to Sammy.

  Sammy’s face flushed, and he gulped. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was AJ’s Uncle who broke the silence.

  “Hello, Officer? Anything my boys or I can do for you?”

  Martinez grinned liked a wolf. Charisma sparked in his chocolate eyes. He was now wearing a black fedora, which he removed, revealing slicked black hair. He thrust out his hand with an authority and grace that Chloe was not expecting. “Martinez.”

  “Officer Jackson.” She met his eye and shook.

  The grin dropped from Martinez’ face. The tip of his tongue touched his upper lip as stroked Chloe’s palm twice with his middle finger.

  Surprised, Chloe dropped his hand. What was that about?

  He smirked and adjusted the cufflinks at his wrists. “What brings you here, Officer Jackson? Our excellent service, I hope.” His gaze settled on Chloe’s chest. “We take exceptional care of our customers.”

  Chloe found herself tugging her belt tighter around her jacket before realizing what she was doing, rather what he was doing. She ignored his question entirely. “I was just telling these strapping young men a story.”

  Martinez said, “Ah, yes, a tale from your Native American heritage, no doubt?”

  Sammy said, “Uncle Marty, it’s the coolest story. It’s about a sparrow and a snake. And a boy eats the sparrow, so the snake eats the boy and his entire village.”

  AJ shook his head. “The boy didn’t eat the sparrow, moron. He killed it.” He faced his Uncle. “He was going to eat it and her chicks. Then, the horned serpent went and ate the boy’s Mom, and went apocalypse on the boy’s village, wiped everyone out, because,” he pointed a finger at his Uncle. “The—”

  Sammy interrupted him. “The humblest always comes from the most powerful.”

  AJ shook his head. “What Pocahontas said was,” He glanced at Chloe, and she rolled her eyes. “and I quote, ‘The most powerful come from humble beginnings.’”

  “I liked what Sammy said better.” Martinez raised his eyebrow at AJ who frowned, then turned back to Chloe. “An interesting fairytale, no doubt. Where I come from vengeance would be carried out on this… snake.”

  Chloe said, “The horned serpent carried out unbiased justice. I’m afraid where you come from would no longer exist.”

  “Bam!” screamed Sammy, pumping his arm. “Uncle Marty’s been owned!”

  AJ put a hand over his eyes and shook his head.

  Martinez cursed the boys under his breath and before he could say anything more. Chloe looked at Sammy. “Uncle Marty? Are you two related as well?”

  “Oh, no,” said AJ. “He’s my friend.”

  “Oldest friend,” said Sammy.

  Martinez wrapped his arm around Sammy’s shoulders. “I’ve known this one for years. I have no children, both AJ and Sammy are like my very own.” He spoke this warmly, but his eyes were ice, and they held steady with Chloe’s. She felt chilled. This man wore many faces. She would need to be careful.

  Sammy said, “Shucks, Uncle Marty, I didn’t know you felt that way.” His cheeks flushed.

  Chloe noted the look on AJ’s face, obviously jealous of his Uncle’s affection for Sammy.

  She said to Martinez. “You own the shop?”

  “Sure do. For fifteen years now.”

  Chloe tucked away her notebook. “The reason I’m here Mr. Martinez—”

  “Please, call me Marty.”

  Chloe smiled, then said, “Er, Marty.”

  He mirrored the expression back, but it was tight and empty.

  “Sammy here is my parolee. He’s missed a few days of work at Carnival Circus.”

  “Yes, because he works for me. I am swamped.” Marty Martinez fanne
d his hand out toward the parking lot that was indeed full of cars. “I am sorry if Sammy helping me out has caused any trouble, Miss Jackson.”

  Chloe smiled. “Officer.”

  Martinez replaced his fedora and grinned like a wolf once more, repeating, “Officer Jackson.”

  She said, “What I can do is put this business on file as a second part-time job. Will that work?”

  “Yeah, good thinking,” Sammy said.

  “Eh, what will that include?” Martinez dropped the smile and slid his hand down the middle of his button-down shirt.

  Chloe said, “Nothing much. I just need to know when he’s working and when he’s off. And I may swing by for an occasional drug test.”

  “No, no, that will not work for me.”

  “What?” said Sammy.

  Martinez shook his head. “I am sorry, Sammy. I cannot have my work interrupted like that.”

  Chloe said, “Oh, I wouldn’t interrupt anything. And I’ll be sure to call beforehand.” This wasn’t exactly the truth, but Chloe thought she’d be able to squirm her way around it if need be.

  Sammy said, “Please, Uncle Marty, I need the extra money to support my sister and the baby.”

  Chloe felt it was a phony act, and noted AJ’s eye roll. Sammy could be dumb, but nobody was that dumb.

  She wondered if Sammy held as many faces as his role model.

  Sammy fell to the ground at Martinez’ feet. “Please, oh please, oh please.”

  It looked ridiculous, and Martinez fanned him away even though he was clearly angry. “Oh, all right.”

  Chloe wondered exactly what he was hiding, and she also wondered how deep AJ and Sammy were into his empire. Her guess was… Not very far. “Ah, that’s great. You’re a good man. Here’s my card and let me know if a schedule changes so that I can write it down in his file. And Sammy?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ll need a calendar of the days and hours you are working where. Can you get that for me?”

  “Sure. Email?” asked Sammy.

  “Yes, my email is on my card.” She handed it to Sammy. “Can I expect that email by this evening?”