Circus of Shadows: A Deadly Performance

Chapter 79: Unveiling the Dark Circus: The Lombardi Confrontation

The air in the station was heavy with anticipation as Detective Black escorted Rosa and Marco Lombardi through the corridors to the interrogation rooms. Gesturing to her colleague PC Williams to take Marco to room two, Detective Black led Rosa to interrogation room one. Doing so she had noticed the discomfort etched on Rosa's face, a manifestation of her anxiety. Rosa's plea to keep her and Marco together, thinly veiled under the guise of cooperation, didn't sway the detective. She remained firm, masking the anxiety bubbling within her.

The room's stark ambiance heightened Rosa's unease. The fluorescent lighting cast sharp shadows across the walls, creating an atmosphere that felt confining, every corner brimming with secrets waiting to be unraveled.

Detective Black maintained a calm but firm demeanour. She gestured for Rosa to take a seat and explained the necessity of the separation between her and Marco during questioning. Rosa's attempts to steer the conversation were skillfully sidestepped by the detective.

Detective Black's strategic evasion left Rosa bewildered, forcing her to confront the possibility that the new evidence was far different from what she anticipated. Her unease grew palpable as the detective settled herself across the table, silently signaling the imminent intensity of their conversation.

As Detective Black took a seat opposite Rosa, her eyes fixed on the woman who exuded an air of control despite her apparent distress. "Rosa, we have new evidence that I need to discuss with you," the detective began, her tone unwavering. "This isn't about the circus deeds. It's something else."

Rosa's brows knitted together in puzzlement, her lips tightly pursed as she considered the implications of Detective Black's words. The air in the room became thick with anticipation as Rosa waited for the detective to reveal the nature of the evidence against her.

Detective Black leaned forward on the table as she sat across from Rosa, her gaze probing, "Before we move onto the new evidence I've found. I wanted to explore the circus deeds further. We now have you as the sole owner of the circus, almost 30 years on, from when you had to hand over your share of the circus. This was for money from your former partner Lorenzo, to help pay for Marco's upbringing after being cruelly blackmailed. It seems a strange turn of events don't you think?"

Detective Black was waiting for a response. Rosa, caught off guard by the detective's tone and sinister demeanour. She attempted to maintain her composure, though her eyes betrayed her shock and unease.

"Detective, I'm not sure what you're implying," Rosa began, her voice unsteady. "Yes, Lorenzo made me sign away my shares years ago for financial help. And yes, I did reclaim my ownership half from Marco a year ago, but that was entirely legal. I had every right."

Detective Black's steady gaze didn't waver. "It doesn't appear that way, especially when considering the timing.
You somehow managed to change your son's share of the circus deeds and transferred them into your name just 12 months ago. 'Reclaiming' your shares coincided with Ralph's demise, leaving you as the sole owner of the Carnival of Curiosity so you had the most to gain from his demise. Care to explain?"

Rosa's facade of confidence faltered greatly, realising the implication of Detective Black's words. "I had no reason to harm Ralph. He was... a business partner. We had disagreements, but that's hardly a reason to..."

The detective interrupted, her tone firm. "I understand this is difficult. However, you must see how this appears. The timing, the motive-"

Rosa cut in, her voice rising with a mix of frustration and apprehension. "I know how it looks, but it's not what you think!"

Detective Black leaned forward, her expression unwavering. "Then explain it to me, Mrs. Lombardi. Explain your reasoning and the sudden transfer of the circus deeds."