Extra Sensory Deception by Allison Kingsley

thought I recognized that voice.”
    The soft tone was familiar, and she frowned.
    The man tilted his cowboy hat with his thumb. “Guess you don’t know me without my makeup.”
    Clara’s brow cleared. Of course. Marty Pearce. He looked totally different from when she’d last seen him. He was older and thinner than she’d thought, with deep lines cutting into his forehead and at the corners of his eyes. His face looked drawn, but the dark eyes smiling at her were the eyes of the clown.
    Letting out her breath in one big puff, Clara gave him a weak smile. “Hi, Marty.” Tatters was still bristling in front of her, and she gave a warning tug on his leash. “I was just taking my dog for a walk.”
    “That’s one handsome dog.” Marty grinned at Tatters but made no move to approach him. “I thought I heard someone out here. I take a walk every morning to loosen up the muscles.” He waved a hand at the fairgrounds. “It’s not easy to get away from all that hubbub going on over there. It’s nice to find peace and quiet for a little while.” He tipped his head to one side. “So what are you doing out here, hon? Planning on joining the rodeo?”
    Clara laughed, beginning to feel more at ease. “I don’t think I’d do very well. I’ve never been on the back of a horse.”
    His eyes lit up. “No kidding. You don’t know what you’re missing. It would sure be a pleasure to give you a lesson or two.”
    “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. I’m not really into horses.”
    “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
    Clara hesitated. Now was her chance to warn the clown of possible danger—but how to do it without sounding like a complete idiot? She began cautiously, trying to sound unconcerned. “I was so sorry to hear about the murder of Lisa Warren. That must have been such a shock to everyone.”
    Marty’s smile vanished. “Yeah. She was a great gal. We’ll all miss her.”
    “You knew her well, then?”
    “Most of us regulars knew Lisa. She traveled on the circuit for a few years. Then she met Paul Eastcott. He sets up rodeos all over the country for the Hill Top chain. He was looking for an assistant, and Lisa took the job.”
    He shook his head and continued. “What a waste. Bad for business, too. We were shut down last night, and who knows if we’ll make that up. People are gonna think twice about going someplace where someone’s just been murdered.”
    “Well, perhaps the police will catch the killer and put everyone’s mind at rest.”
    “Yeah. I couldn’t believe the cops arrested Wes. He’s got a bit of a temper, but murder?” He lifted his shoulders. “Just goes to show you can never really know people.”
    Clara frowned. “The police let Wes go.”
    Marty nodded. “Lack of evidence, so I heard. They’re still asking questions about him, though, so I guess they haven’t ruled him out.”
    “Do you think he killed Lisa?”
    Again the shrug. “Who knows? It could have been anyone, I guess. But the murder weapon belonged to Wes, and everyone knows he was chasing after Lisa.” His eyes hardened. “Lisa was always real blunt about the way she felt about people. Maybe she upset him once too often.”
    Clara was about to answer when a cold wind seemed to blow up from nowhere. One minute she was standing on a woodland trail and the next she was in the darkened parking lot again. A pickup truck barreled toward her, barely missing her as it roared past. When the dust cleared she could see the clown lying on the ground, his black and white costume smeared in blood.
    She cried out loud, and the scene vanished. Tatters whined, and she looked down to see the dog staring up at her.
    “Are you okay?” Marty was staring at her too, concern written all over his face.
    She patted her stomach. “Just a bout of indigestion. Guess I’d better get something to eat.”
    Marty looked relieved. “I’ll walk with you if it’s okay with your guard dog.”
    Clara laughed, though