Valentine And Jones

Two

 Everyone was questioned. They saved me for last, I'm not sure why but I'll bet it was Rowe. We were all taken to the police station. When it was my turn they took me into a dim room, with cement walls and one table three chairs, two for them one for me. It was weird, out in the waiting room I noticed, over thirty performers, and eleven staff members, all dressed up and all too quiet to be circus freaks.

I sat and two men sat on the other side. One wearing a police uniform and the other wearing a suit.

The one in the suit spoke first. "I'm Detective Jones, this is Officer Baker. We'd like to ask you questions regarding the passing and investigation of Jaxon Harris,"

I nodded.

"Please tell us your full name, your position at the circus and how you knew Mister Harris." Said Detective Jones.

"Paris Valentine, I'm a mime and prop maker for the Madhouse circus. Jax was one of my best friends; we've worked together for years." I said and cleared my throat.

The Officer spoke now. "Is it true that you are the one who found Mister Harris?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Tell us how you found him."

"Um...He-He was supposed to be performing with Webster and Holmes, but he wasn't there, so I was trying to find him. His-" My voice caught in my throat as the memories of blood filled my head.

"Miss Valentine...?"

"I'm sorry." I rubbed my hands over my eyes. "His trailer door was open. And we're supposed to keep them locked unless we're inside them. So I peeked in, and I heard him...Gasping for air. So I went in and he was...on the ground, bleeding and dying."

"Okay, thank you." The Detective stopped me. "Before this time, when did you see Mister Harris last?"

"Earlier that evening, I was helping the clowns get their makeup on." I placed my hands in my lap.

"And if I may ask why weren't you in makeup or performing?" The detective leaned his elbows on the table, and the officer took notes.

"I wasn't on last night because of the show schedule; I only do two of our three shows. Last night was the show where the clowns are the main event."

"And where were you between the hours of five pm and nine-when the call came in?"

"I was behind the curtains, making sure everyone was ready for the show."

"And do you have anyone who could be an alibi for this?" Detective Jones asked.

"Well, yeah, I was with Rowe for most of the night."

"Rowe Westley?"

I nodded. "Yes. You spoke to him before."

Both men nodded.

Jones looked over at the Officer's notes before speaking. "Did you see anything odd last night? Anything at all?"

I raised a brow. "I was at a circus, but other than that no, there wasn't anything weird."

"Is there anyone who would want to cause Mister Harris harm? And we'd like the names of any performers that have worked for the circus before or people that you've worked with."

"Um, No, no one would want to hurt Jax. Everyone loved him, he was the sweetest one of us and we all loved him." I said, clenching my fingers into my chair. "And I would have to get the list from Matt Braun, our director in New York, but I can get you the list."

"Okay, I think we have everything we need. Thank you for your time, We are very sorry for your loss, please take this card and call us if you remember anything."

I took the card I was handed and was lead out and back to the group. My legs trembled and my body was tired.

London moved over on the bench she was sitting on, and I sat, trying to calm my shaking hands. London draped her arm over my shoulder and tucked me to her side. "It'll be okay," London whispered. "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but it will get better, we will come back from this."

I nodded.

We got back to the circus in the late morning, and no one spoke as we passed the mess from the crowd last night, we passed the set-up. We left everything alone. London went to her cats. Webster and Holmes were the quietest; they went to their trailer without looking at anyone.

GG and Penny went to our trailer, and Joey went to his. I stayed away from the trailers; they were all in that circle, the circle where Jax's was still. I didn't think I could see that trailer again without having a full blown meltdown.

So instead, I slid off the jacket that Rowe had brought me, and I placed in on a wooden barrel. After a few minutes of looking, I found where the trash bags were put away, and I began picking up trash. Popcorn containers, empty bottles, tickets, and receipts.

"Paris..." Rowe's voice interrupted my thoughts after a while. "You don't have too clean."

Without looking up at him, I answered. "Someone needs too."

"P, Not right now. We just lost a friend, you don't need to work." His heavy boots crunched the hey covering the ground.

"I'm fine," I said, standing up and tying the trash bag. Rowe looked like shit. He had dark bags under his eyes, his hair which was normally filled with gel and styled up was now messy and sticking in every which way. His costume shirt was untucked from his pants and his suspenders were off his shoulders and hanging around his legs. It occurred to me that I was still in my show clothes. Not as crazy as my performance clothes but still. High-waisted red and white striped skinny jeans and a black and white button-up shirt messily tucked in. and covered in blood. Barf built up in my throat when I thought about that.

"You're not fine." He said. "You need to sleep, and eat."

I started towards the dumpsters. "I will when I'm done cleaning up."

Rowe followed behind me. "Paris," his voice hardened and he grabbed the bag out of my hand. "Please. You need to get changed and you need to eat."

"Rowe," I warned. "I can't see his trailer; I can't see all the police tape." I grabbed the bag, and he moved it away from my hand.

"Paris," He warned. "Just let me take care of you, just for a little bit, and then you can come back to cleaning."

Slowly, I nodded and let my hands fall to my sides. I followed him into the circle of trailers, avoiding looking anywhere but at the back of Rowe's head. I couldn't let myself look at Jax' trailer, The world felt empty without Jax. He was always happy and laughing. Always treating everyone with kindness. There was a sharp pain in my chest; I'd never be able to smile at him again.