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Somewhere in the grand house, the servants were stirring. Voices drifted out from the kitchen. Pots and pans clanked.
“Time to go,” Theta whispered.
The four of them slipped out into the rose garden and made their way back to the clearing. Evie shivered as she crossed the spot where her brother’s fate had been sealed. She felt like a failure for not destroying the Eye. We’re coming, James, she thought.
Once they’d cleared the branches from the car and Evie got behind the wheel, she realized she really didn’t have a plan beyond “rescue Sam.” It occurred to her that driving a dead man’s car might get them noticed.
“We need a disguise,” Evie said, more to herself than to anyone else.
“I thought that’s why we stole—”
“Borrowed,” Theta said.
“—borrowed these costumes,” Isaiah finished.
“I mean a disguise on the road. A way of going to Bountiful without having to look over our shoulders every minute.”
From the backseat, Sam said, “Baby Doll’s right. I say it’s time we run away and join the circus.”
“Oh, Sam, be serious,” Evie grumbled.
“I am serious!”
“Sam! Please.”
“Look, we’re not too far from Cooperstown. That’s where we’ll find my old circus buddies. They’ll just be getting ready to hit the road for the season. And we’ll be going with them.”
“Are you pulling my leg?” Theta asked. “Evie, is he pulling my leg?”
“Theta, I honestly haven’t the foggiest.”
“The circus circus?” Isaiah asked, sounding excited for the first time since they’d left New York.
“The one and only,” Sam said, managing a smirk. “Come on, everybody. Didn’t you always want to run away and join the circus? What better way to disappear?”
WANTED
Henry chanced another look out the window. The Pinkerton agents were boarding.
“How are we gonna get off this train?” Memphis asked.
“They’ll be checking the crew, too, most likely.”
“No one’s looking for me,” Henry said. “Remember? I didn’t even get second billing. Here.” Henry put a bathrobe on over his clothes and removed his shoes. “Nelson, can you bring a tray of coffee and a covered dish in here?”
“I was just clearing the breakfast trays.” He returned with a used one, placing the silver dome back over the messy plate. “It’ll be fine as long as nobody lifts that lid.”
“Memphis. Into the sleeper. Quickly,” Henry directed.
Memphis climbed up. He looked over his shoulder at Henry.
“I hope you’re not claustrophobic,” Henry said.
“I am.”
“Then I’m truly sorry,” Henry said, closing him up inside. “Just hold tight for a few minutes,” he said from the outside.
Memphis’s response was muffled, but it did not sound happy. Henry drew the drapes and settled himself on the seat like a gentleman at leisure.
