Wonderland (27 page)

“When the park was still World of Wonder.”

“Yes. He and my uncle Nick were friends. They’d both been through a lot.” Bianca paused. “With Jack Shaw.”

“Are you aware Glenn’s been arrested and is in our custody?” Vanessa asked.

“Jesus Christ,” Bianca said. “No, I didn’t know that. Earl didn’t tell me.”

“It’s not Earl’s job to tell you.” Vanessa leaned forward. “Glenn Hovey had several items belonging to Blake, Aiden, Kyle, and Tyler hidden in his home.”

Bianca stared at her. “He killed them?”

“We’re still piecing it together,” Vanessa said. “Do you yourself have a personal relationship with Glenn Hovey?”

“I . . . oh, Christ.” Bianca squinted, as if a headache had just come on, and she removed the pins and elastic holding her bun in place. Her hair was longer than Vanessa expected, and a vibrant shade of red that couldn’t be natural. But it was gorgeous nonetheless, and as she massaged the tension out of her scalp, Vanessa could finally see the appeal she might have on a young male Wonder Worker.

“I used to torment him a long time ago,” Bianca said. “I was nineteen, and I’d been at the park for maybe two years, and I was a very angry person. Back then, Hovey was in his thirties, and he was very socially awkward. The only reason my uncle kept him around was because Uncle Nick had an extreme sense of loyalty to those he’d felt helped him. I didn’t know the whole Jack Shaw story back then, and suffice to say, I wasn’t the kindest person. I teased Hovey a lot about his shyness around girls, not realizing he was quite sexually confused at that point. One night, just for fun, I came on to him. We didn’t actually have sex. He had . . . performance issues. Which I made him feel ashamed of.”

“How did Glenn Hovey help your uncle Nick?”

Bianca closed her eyes, continuing to massage her scalp in circular motions. “Uncle Nick told me that Hovey killed Jack Shaw,” she finally said. “He went to his house when Shaw’s wife was away. Dumped gasoline over him while he slept. Lit a match.”

“Are you kidding me?” Vanessa’s mind flew back to the conversation she’d had with Oscar while they were in bed, when she’d asked him if he knew who killed Jack Shaw. Oscar had said that if he knew, he wouldn’t tell her.

“I don’t know if it’s true,” Bianca said. “I didn’t ask questions. After Shaw’s house burned down, I know that Uncle Nick had a lot of intense conversations with Carl Weiss, whose little brother was one of Shaw’s victims. Carl spoke to the fire chief, and the fire was declared an accident—just your run-of-the-mill natural gas explosion. But nobody was sad Jack Shaw was dead. Nobody wanted to know how it happened. They were just glad it did.”

Vanessa felt her own headache coming on as she worked to process this. If Nick Bishop and Carl Weiss both knew the truth, then obviously Oscar did, too. They’d all covered it up.

“You can’t possibly understand it, but Shaw’s death was a good thing for everyone,” Bianca said. “I understand if you’re going to arrest Hovey for Aiden Cole and the other Wonder Workers, but for Jack Shaw? Even if he did it, no jury within two hundred miles of Seaside would convict him for that one.”

“And then your uncle bought the park a few years later,” Vanessa said. “Turned the place around. Turned Seaside around.”

“Along with the assistance of the banks here in town, the support of Seaside PD, and the old mayor, yes. Everybody wanted Uncle Nick to succeed with Wonderland.”

“So who all knows the truth about Shaw’s death?” Vanessa wondered just how deep the conspiracy went.

“You mean, who was aware of what Hovey told Uncle Nick?” Bianca was choosing her words carefully. “Just Earl, the fire chief, me . . . and Oscar Trejo.”

Vanessa did her best not to react.

“There’s nothing Oscar doesn’t know,” Bianca said. “And there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to support Uncle Nick, or the park, or me personally, for that matter. We’re extremely close, he and I.”

Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat. “In what way?”

“We’ve known each other a long time.” Bianca finally offered a small smile. “First we were friends, and then it turned into something more. We’ve had our ups and downs, and we’ve been with other people during that time, but I think we’re on the right track now.”

“Romantically, you mean?” Vanessa found herself holding her breath.

“Yes,” the CEO said. “We’ve been spending a lot of time together. Yesterday, we both canceled everything and just spent time together alone, reconnecting. I’ve spent a lot of years pushing him away, but that’s all done now. He’s my equal, and that’s what I need. No more Wonder Workers. I want a stable, normal relationship with someone who knows me and loves me, despite my flaws.”

Doesn’t every woman?
Vanessa had to refrain from expressing the thought out loud. Well, that explained why Oscar hadn’t bothered to return any of her texts. She was surprised by how she was feeling right now. She was sadder in this moment than she expected to be, and more jealous than she’d ever been in her entire life. With great effort, she forced to herself to put her feelings aside and focus on why she was here: to solve a series of murders.

“If you were here at the park when Blake Dozier climbed the Wonder Wheel and when Aiden Cole’s body showed up, how is it possible you didn’t see anything?” Vanessa pointed at the window. “Look at this view. You have a clear shot right to the midway. I don’t understand how you couldn’t have noticed someone climbing the wheel, or someone dropping off a dead and partially decomposed human body.”

Bianca winced. “I didn’t see anything. I was sleeping.”

“You didn’t see Glenn Hovey? He was scheduled to work that night.”

“I was sleeping,” Bianca said again. “If I saw him, I’d have said something.”

“As I said before, that’s not much of an alibi.” Vanessa stood up. “I think we should finish this conversation at the police department.”

“What? Why?” Bianca stood up, too. “I was here all night. And do you really think I’m strong enough to drag a dead body across the park? If anyone killed Aiden, it was Hovey.”

“And we’ve arrested Hovey because he’s our main suspect,” Vanessa said. “Especially in light of the evidence we found, and what you just told me about him killing Jack Shaw. But it’s not the whole story, and I think you know more than you’re telling.”

“What reason would I have to lie?” Bianca said. “You don’t think I want whoever’s murdering these boys to get caught? Of course I do. It’s terrible publicity for the park—” She stopped, realizing what she’d just said. “Obviously it’s a tragedy. But I had nothing to do with it. Hovey’s always been obsessed with boys he can’t have, and I’m probably partly to blame for why.”

The CEO had already confessed to sleeping with each of the missing boys, which alone was enough for probable cause. She was hiding something more, though, and Vanessa could feel it.

“Until I can clear you, you’re a suspect,” she said. “Maybe you helped Hovey. Maybe you were upset that your boy toys were leaving you, and you had him do your dirty work. You have no alibi for where you were—”

“Okay, fine. You want a better alibi? I was trying to protect him, but—” Bianca took a breath. “I wasn’t alone that night, okay? I was with someone, and he’ll vouch that I was nowhere near the midway when Blake Dozier climbed the wheel, and when Aiden Cole’s body was dumped.”

“I’ll need a name.”

“Oscar Trejo.”

Vanessa blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I was with Oscar that night,” Bianca said. “All night long. You can ask him yourself. I didn’t want to say before because I didn’t want Oscar to be involved. He’s already thinking of leaving the park, and something like this—I wanted to keep him out of it. But that’s who I was with, and it’s easily verifiable.”

Of course it was. It was easily verifiable because Bianca Bishop was
so certain
that Oscar Trejo would cover for her. Even if it was a barefaced lie. Oscar hadn’t been with Bianca that night—he couldn’t have been; he was with Vanessa. But the CEO obviously didn’t know that. Whatever she said, she was certain her VP of operations would cover for her.

Because he probably always had. And if they were back together, then he probably always would.

What else had Oscar done for Bianca Bishop?

“Come with me,” Vanessa said. “I’d rather not walk you out in handcuffs, but I will if you’re resistant.”

“You’re arresting me? For what?”

“Obstruction of justice. Making false statements. Conspiracy. Take your pick.”

“Talk to Oscar! He’s right down the hall.” The panic was beginning to show on Bianca’s face. “Earl won’t stand for this.”

Vanessa pulled out her handcuffs. “Bianca Bishop, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you can or say will be used against you in a court of a law. You have the right to an attorney . . .”

She walked Wonderland’s CEO out the door of the administrative building and down to her unmarked amid a flurry of whispers and stares. Once she had Bianca secured in the backseat, she called Donnie Ambrose on her cell phone.

“I’ve arrested Bianca Bishop,” she said. “And I’m on my way back to the department with her right now.”

“Holy shit.” The detective almost choked on whatever he was eating. “Are you out of your mind? Does Earl know?”

“Haven’t talked to him. Listen, I need you to come to Wonderland immediately and bring someone else in.”

“Who?”

“Oscar Trejo,” Vanessa said. “I’d have done it myself, but I only have one pair of handcuffs.”

Recipient(s): All Wonderland Staff

Sender: Nick Bishop

Subject: Reminder About Sexual Harassment Policy

Dear Wonder Worker,

The concept of sexual harassment is a tricky one, and while all of you were required during your orientation to watch a video on the subject, here is how the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission defines it:

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.

We at Wonderland have taken it one step further. As defined in the Employee Handbook, sexual harassment is any type of behavior that makes another person feel uncomfortable. This includes sexual jokes or innuendo, unwanted flattery, comments made about one’s physical appearance (whether positive or negative), and touching of any kind for which the other person has not given consent.

If any of the above has happened to you, please report it to your supervisor immediately. We’re always striving for a happy, healthy, professional work environment. That’s the Wonderland Way!

Yours sincerely,

Nick Bishop

Owner, Wonderland Amusement Park, Inc.

THIRTY-FIVE

T
he creepy janitor was hovering just outside Ava’s dressing room door inside the Clown Museum. She felt trapped, and she couldn’t call anyone to come rescue her. The park’s Wi-Fi didn’t work inside the museum, and the cell signal, even on a good day, was nonexistent. Maybe when Xander showed up later, he could give Carlos Jones the evil eye, and the janitor would stop staring at her once and for all.

Yes, Ava had finally decided to forgive Xander. Earlier that morning, she’d received a long, heartfelt text from him about how sorry he was for how things went down. Because of their age difference, it wasn’t right for them to be more than friends, but their friendship was important to him, and he missed her. Things with the “other person” had cooled, and while he was disappointed, it was probably for the best.

She had texted him back immediately, and a few texts later, they had made up. She didn’t ask what had happened with Bianca Bishop; she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. What she did know was that she was looking forward to seeing her friend again. Xander had invited her to a bonfire party at the beach that started at 8 p.m., and Anne-Marie had agreed to let her off early.

Ava hadn’t told her mom she was going. No way would her mom be cool with her hanging out at the beach with an eighteen-year-old—at night, no less—so she’d said she was working till close and sleeping at Katya’s afterward. She didn’t feel good about the lie, but it was no different than what Ava had been doing most of the week anyway. Her mom was so wrapped up with work she seemed almost grateful her daughter wasn’t at home alone. John-John would once again be spending the night at his friend Jaden’s house, whose parents were aware that Vanessa Castro was Seaside’s deputy chief, and who were happy to help out.

Vanessa Castro, Mom of the Year, queen of passing her kids off to other people. When she was younger, Ava had hated it. She’d hated being stuck at people’s houses when her dad was deployed and her mom was working, but now that she was fourteen, it kind of worked in her favor.

A creak outside her dressing room door caused her to freeze, and she cocked her ear toward the hallway once again. The door opened and Ava jumped, but it was only Anne-Marie.

“Kristie’s sick,” her manager said. “She picked up a bug and went home with massive diarrhea.”

“Um, TMI.” Gross though it was, Ava’s heart sank. She already knew where this was going.

“I’m going to need you to work your full shift after all.” Anne-Marie gave her a sympathetic look. “Sorry. But the bonfire goes till midnight, right? If you get out of here right at ten, you’ll make it with plenty of time for s’mores.”

“It’s okay,” Ava said. “I’ll stay. Is that janitor still out there? He was hovering outside the door when I first got here.”

“I didn’t see him. He’s still bothering you?”

Ava raised an eyebrow. “I actually asked my mom to run his name through the police database. So yes, it’s safe to say he creeps me out.”

“What did she find?”

“Nothing came up. But it doesn’t make him any less creepy.”

“Just keep ignoring him,” Anne-Marie said. “By the way, I’m splitting right at nine thirty to pick up my mother-in-law from the airport, so you’re on your own for closing. I’ll check with the ticket booth before I leave, though. If there are no more guests coming through, you can head out.”

“So I’ll be alone after nine thirty?” Ava frowned, thinking about Carlos Jones.

“Absolutely not. The girls at the front will know you’re back here. They won’t leave without you.”

“My friend Xander was supposed to meet me here at eight to go to the bonfire,” Ava said. “If you see him, can you tell him to come back right at nine thirty for me?”

“Ooh, that tall drink of water?” Anne-Marie winked. “You got it.”

Ava finished applying her makeup at the small vanity table, and then removed her clothes quickly, keeping an eye out for any sign of Carlos Jones lingering outside the door. The dressing room, just an unused supply closet, was small but functional enough. A row of costumes hung from pegs along one wall, and an extrawide full-length mirror was bolted to the other. She grabbed the yellow doll dress labeled “Ava” and slipped it on. Though it fit snugly and was always itchy, she rather liked the way she looked in it—bosomy and ultrafeminine—neither of which she felt when she wore her regular clothes.

She stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the dress until it fit exactly right. She then pulled her wig on, fluffing the ringlets so they hung in perfect spirals. The low-heel shoes—yellow satin to match the dress—were a size too big, but that was better than being a size too small, and at least she didn’t have to walk much in them.

Stepping back, she was pleased with her appearance. She had tried something new with her makeup, and her porcelain doll face appeared as if it had old cracks in it. The effect, when combined with the wig and dress, was eerie and perfect.

She left the dressing room and closed the door firmly behind her. Making her way down the darkened hallway—everything in the Clown Museum was dark or dim, which was part of the ambience—she entered the black room of the Dollhouse and assumed her place on the pedestal.

“You look very pretty,” a voice said from across the room.

Again, she jumped. Carlos Jones was staring at her, and just like the last time, she hadn’t heard him come in. Why was nobody ever around when the janitor was here? His eyes looked like two shiny black holes in the middle of his face, and though he was short, the width of his broad shoulders spanned the doorway.

“I wasn’t going for pretty,” Ava said in a sharp voice. “I was going for strange and disturbing. But thanks, I guess.”

“You’re welcome.” The janitor appeared oblivious to her sarcasm. The yellow lightbulb over his head made his face look sallow and shiny. “So how do you like working here?”

“I like it fine,” Ava said. He was walking closer to her. She was standing on her pedestal, with nowhere to go. “The light’s going to turn on any minute. You should go.”

“Usually they hire sixteen-year-olds for Elm Street gigs,” Carlos Jones said, stroking his goatee. It was the most words he’d ever said to her at once. “But you look a little younger than that. You’ve got that little girl look about you still.”

“Maybe that’s because I’m dressed up like a porcelain doll,” Ava said. “Now please go away so I can work.”

“I heard your supervisor say she’s leaving early. I’ll make sure to keep an eye on you.”

Ava fought back a shudder. “That’s not necessary. My boyfriend
and
my mother are coming to pick me up after my shift. You might have heard, my mom is the deputy chief of police of Seaside.” She said this last part as loudly and clearly as she dared.

“My mom is dead, remember?” Carlos Jones stretched out his neck and pointed to his rose tattoo. “I keep this here to remind me of her always.”

The light above his head turned yellow. Ava made a point to look up at it.

“I guess I’ll let get you to work,” he said. He was out the door just in time for the next guests to pass through.

Since she couldn’t make any physical movements, Ava’s sigh of relief was all in her head.

•   •   •

At 9:30 p.m., one of the ticket booth girls came back to tell her there were no more guests coming through for the night. They would be locking up the Clown Museum early. That sounded good to Ava, and she bolted back to the dressing room to change.

She was pulling off her doll wig when the door to the dressing room suddenly slammed shut. Startled, Ava turned around, but she was still alone.

“What the hell?” she said out loud, and it was then that she heard the door to the old supply closet being locked. And it was being locked the only way a supply closet door could be.

From the
outside
.