Read mystic caravan mystery 02 - freaky lies for Free Online Page B

today too soon?” Percival asked, beaming.
    That sounded good to me. I … wait … what?

4
    Four
    “ W hat just happened?”
    I couldn’t wrap my head around the turn of events. Not only had Raven announced Percival was hired without seeing what he could do, she’d also proceeded to lead him outside to take him on a tour of the grounds.
    “Raven hired the hot British guy without talking it over with anyone and you just sat there like a lump,” Luke replied, studying his fingernails. “Do you think we can get manicures when we go into town tonight?” He’d seemingly lost interest in the conversation – and interviews.
    “He wasn’t that hot,” Kade argued. “Trust me. I know hot and he was not hot. Wait … that came out wrong.”
    “Don’t worry. You’re hotter.” I gave his wrist a reassuring squeeze. “I still don’t understand how we hired that guy before he even auditioned.”
    “I think it has a little something to do with his accent,” Luke said. “Women go weak in the knees for a British accent. I like to think of it as James Bond Syndrome. You can’t seem to help yourselves. The way they talk makes you think of being snogged and such.”
    I arched a challenging eyebrow. “Snogged?”
    “You know … sex,” Luke replied, unbothered. “It doesn’t hurt that this guy is smoking hot. Alas, since I find him attractive, he’s obviously straight. If I didn’t have bad luck I would have no luck at all.”
    “He wasn’t hot,” Kade argued. “He was … average … at best.”
    “Oh, someone’s nose is out of joint,” Luke teased, flicking the end of Kade’s nose before moving out from behind the table where we sat. “Let’s go to town. This whole clown thing was a bust. I knew it would be.”
    “We can’t go to town yet,” I said. “I have to fire the clown, interview him and then possibly rehire him. I don’t have time to stalk the unsuspecting residents of Lincoln to help you find a crush right now.”
    “You promised you would find something to distract me,” Luke reminded me. “I’m bored. You spend all of your time with Captain Can-Do here, and I need someone to entertain me.”
    “I think that says a little something about you,” Kade said.
    “It does. It says my mind – and other parts of me – need constant stimulation,” Luke said. “Come on, Poet. Forget the clown. No one cares about the clown. Pay attention to me.”
    “While I don’t agree with Luke’s suggestion about spending time with him, I do agree about the clown,” Kade said. “No one cares about the clown.”
    “I care about the clown,” I countered.
    “Well, then watch him during this weekend’s show and fire him on our way out of town,” Kade suggested. “There’s no better audition than seeing how he interacts with the crowd.”
    “I really don’t want to agree with Bishop Biceps, but he has a point,” Luke said. “We can fire him Sunday if he’s not any good. As it stands, I can’t tolerate another interview. Besides, Raven seems to like Prince Clown of Wales, and that’s good news for you because it means she won’t be drooling all over your boyfriend.”
    I think Kade fancied himself above petty jealousies and female fights. I couldn’t help but notice the way he puffed out his chest, though. “Fine,” I said, giving in. “His accent was pretty interesting. I don’t blame Raven for being blinded by the hearts flying around his head.”
    Kade stilled. “I’ll bet that accent is fake,” he said finally. “Have you ever seen a British clown? I haven’t. He’s just doing that to schmooze the women.”
    “Oh, right,” Luke intoned. “Dressing up like a clown is a surefire way to reel in the chicks. He’s probably beating the women off with a stick – or those big floppy shoes – at every turn.”
    Kade narrowed his eyes as he locked gazes with Luke. “You’re really starting to bug me.”
    “Pay less attention to me and more attention to your girlfriend,”