Page 60 of Murder By Misdirection

“What?” Chu said, as he stood up to lean across the desk. “How is that even possible?”

Shaut stood up as well and leaned on the desk so his face was inches from Chu’s. “That’s why I wanted to buy it.”

“So I will repeat myself,” Chu said, not moving an inch. “Where did Max go?”

Shaut backed down and returned to his seat. “If Floss was right, he didn’t go anywhere. That’s why Max used it as his last effect. He doesn’t actually disappear; it just looks like he does. In his show, he would vanish, the lights would go out, and then the entire cast took their curtain call with Max in the center.”

Pro got to her feet. “Then take us back to your basement and show us any other exits.”

“There aren’t any other exits, just the one front door. When I had the renovations done, I even blocked off the stairs inside the building so that the only way in or out was that door.”

“Didn’t stop Max,” Chu noted.

“Believe me, I will have my assistant upgrade my security system to include that door from now on,” Shaut said as he rose and followed Pro as she headed out of the building.

“And you’re the only one who goes down there?” Pro asked over her shoulder.

“Only me and my assistant,” Shaut said, as they stepped outside and walked down the concrete stairs.

“Where is Brent today?” Chu asked.

“It’s one of his half days. He’ll be here later to juggle phones if there is an emergency so we can both get ready for the show tonight.”

“That’s right,” Pro said. “A Night Of Wonder is in an off-Broadway theater every Monday night.”

“For twenty-six years,” Shaut pointed out proudly. “It is the longest running magic show in New York—maybe the world!”

They reached the sidewalk and Shaut stopped. “Hey, you guys ought to come to the show tonight! It’s usually a sell-out, but I am sure I can find some seats for a pair of New York’s finest!”

“Mister Shaut, we really don’t—” Chu began.

“We’d be delighted,” Pro quickly put in. Chu looked at her with surprise, but she gave him a nod, and he made no objections.

“Great! I’ll arrange it as soon as Brent gets here. Two tickets under the name of Chu, okay?”

“That will be fine,” Pro said as they moved past the two uniformed officers, which were Bailey and Barker again.

Chu stopped and turned to Barker, who smiled. “CSI all done?”

“Yes, sir, everyone left, detective,” she said, trying to be serious but smiling anyway.

Pro noticed that Chu gave her a wink.

They stepped into the workshop. The crystal prisms were stationery, and everything looked the same.

“All right, so where was he when he disappeared?” Shaut demanded, and went to the nearby control box and activated the power switch.

Chu stepped into the spot Max had achieved his vanishing act. “He was here, about two feet in front of this box.” He indicated the cabinet with the purple and light-red stripes inside.

“Hmm. Well, let’s give it a go,” Shaut said and activated the machinery.

“Are you sure this is safe?” Pro exclaimed.

“I’m not sure of anything,” Shaut said as the prisms began to spin.

“What should I do?” Chu questioned.

“Just stand there,” Shaut said, and hit a button. There was the odd whirring noise again, and the tall crystals spun madly, but Chu was there and quite visible. The deafening whine forced Pro to cover her ears again, and after about thirty-seconds, Shaut hit another button and turned it off.

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