Circus of Shadows: A Deadly Performance

Chapter 72: Bella's Intermission Encounter

Felix rushed through the circus grounds, his heart pounding with anxiety, until he reached Sofia's trailer. With urgency etched on his face, he burst through the door, finding his twin sister amidst the familiar circus paraphernalia.

"Sofia," Felix gasped, barely catching his breath. "I need to talk to you, now." Slamming the door behind him.

Sofia turned, concern etched across her features as she noticed the distress in her brother's eyes. "Felix, what's wrong?"

Felix paced the small space, recounting his conversation with Detective Black and the dire situation he found himself in. "Someone planted those contracts in my bag, Sofia! And now with the knife Victor gave me for protection it's making me look guilty again."

Sofia's brow furrowed as she listened intently, her mind racing to grasp the gravity of the situation. "Who would do such a thing, Felix? But a knife really? Was that needed?"

Felix's thoughts spiraled as he struggled to find an explanation. "I don't know... Could it be Ms. Delights? You said she couldn't find my rucksack when she went looking in the forest, could she of found it?"

Sofia shook her head firmly. "No, Felix, that doesn't seem right. We know Jessica, and she wouldn't do such a thing, she had been there for us so many times. That can't be it."

Frustration and desperation clouded Felix's features as he pondered aloud, "Then who, Sofia? Who could it be?"

Sofia's expression turned serious as she contemplated the possibilities. "Think about it, Felix. Who had the most to gain from Ralph's death? Who had issues with him?"

Felix's mind whirled, considering Sofia's questions. "Marco and Rosa," he murmured, the realisation dawning on him. "They had constant disagreements with Ralph, especially about the direction and ownership of the circus."

Sofia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. They're the ones with the most motive as with him out of the way look what they gain. They'd want to divert attention from themselves because of it I'm sure."

Felix's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. "And they'd have access to those contracts, I told the detective only Rosa could of seen me sneaking into his trailer that night as I passed her in the ticket booth" he concluded, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and realisation.

Sofia placed a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder. "We need to be careful, Felix. The truth might not be what it seems at first glance. If this is true we have to be certain before we make any accusations."

As the weight of suspicion settled on Marco and Rosa, Felix couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and determination. The quest to unravel the mystery of Mr. Ortiz's death had now taken an unexpected turn, pointing fingers at those closest to the heart of the circus—a revelation that would shake the foundation of their tightly knit community.

Detective Black's gaze remained fixed on her case notes as she then decided to knock on Bella's trailer door. As Bella opened it her expression was serious, Detective Black apologised as she had one more line of questioning she needed answers on. She then broached yet another delicate subject. "Bella, multiple witnesses place you at Ralph's trailer on the night of his demise. Can you confirm your presence there?"

Bella hesitated, her eyes reflecting a mix of fearfulness and reluctance as she thought she had got away from needing to explain this to the detective. "Yes, Detective, it's true. I was there."

The detective leaned in, her tone measured yet insistent. "What prompted you to visit Ralph that night?"

Bella sighed, a hint of remorse in her voice. "I saw him leave Madame Hattie's trailer earlier, visibly troubled. I felt compelled to check on him, to see if he was alright."