Page 6 of Ashes To Ashes
"He wasn't a freak?"
"He was normal, just like you, only he was real strong."
"Was there any trickery to his feats of strength?" Lincoln asked. "Hidden wires and pulleys?"
"No," Irwin said, sounding offended. "He was as real as I am." He grabbed a fistful of hair on his forehead and tugged. It didn't come away.
Seth's swallow was audible. "We believe you," he said quickly. "Just trying to establish facts. So you can't think of anyone he wronged?"
"No," Lizard said, as Irwin shook his head.
"What about women?" Lincoln asked.
"What about them?" Irwin said.
"Did any go to his room?"
"On occasion." He glanced at Lizard.
Lizard nodded. "Go on. If it'll help find who did this, tell him."
"He would meet up with one of the dancers sometimes," Irwin said. "I could hear them through the wall."
"Her name?"
"I don't know. She's a Polak, I think."
"Ela," Lizard said.
"How do you know?"
Lizard winked at his friend. "I asked her."
Irwin blinked. "Oh. Of course."
"She's very beautiful," Lizard went on. "She's got hair like midnight and skin like milk. If you wait for the dancers to finish the show, you'll see her. She's the prettiest and has the best figure." His tongue darted out and licked his lower lip. Lincoln wondered if he knew it made him even more lizard-like. Perhaps that was why he did it.
"Thank you." Lincoln walked out of the tent.
A moment later, Seth caught up to him. "That was interesting," he said. When Lincoln didn't respond, he elaborated. "Perhaps the killer didn't kill the strong man because of his supernatural ability. Perhaps it was Irwin. Did you notice the way he spoke about the dancer? I'd wager he was in love with her, but she shunned him for the better looking man. When Irwin saw her with O'Neill, he killed him out of jealousy."
Lincoln shook his head. "His account of last night wasn't fabricated.
"How do you know?"
"I just do." Lincoln's psychic senses may not be very strong, but he could sometimes tell when he was being lied to, although not always. Irwin was what Lincoln called "readable." The man hadn't lied.
Still, Seth might be right. The strong man's death could have nothing to do with his supernatural power. It shouldn't be too difficult to find out if anyone wished to kill him out of jealousy.
"Are we going to find Ela the dancer?" Seth asked, keeping pace.
"Yes."
"Good."
Lincoln rolled his eyes but Seth was looking forward and wouldn't have seen.
They made their way back to the main building, where two men stood guard at the rear doors, ordering curious onlookers to move on. Applause filtered out from inside, and the band struck up a bold, brassy tune.
