Page 99 of Royal

“He was found backstage at the theater,” Phoenix continued, “near a fountain that was used as a prop. The fountain was empty, but the killer had propped Fry up against it. There weren’t cuts on his body. There was only a single stab wound to his stomach.”

Phoenix rubbed his hands over his face before his expression calmed. I knew he was inwardly beating himself up for not realizing sooner that it was the same guy.

“We didn’t think it was the killer we were after because it wasn’t as polished as the other crime scenes,” he said, standing from the table. “It was messy and seemed more like a crime of opportunity. Not as carefully crafted as the others.”

“So, with what we know now about Ameinias, was there anyone in Fry’s life that fit the profile?” Ruby asked.

Phoenix typed something into the browser and read over another article. “It says some of the performers from the theater were questioned in relation to the murder. Many believed Fry’s fiancé killed him, because he went missing right after. People suspect he fled town.”

“And only a guilty man flees,” I said.

“However,” Phoenix added, looking back at the screen. “One man mentions someone named Alex. Doesn’t give a last name. He said Alex was quiet and gave him a bad vibe. He also went missing after the murder, but everyone was convinced the fiancé did it, so no one followed the lead.”

The answer slammed into me like a freight train, and my heart jumped out of my damn chest. It was the one place we would’ve never thought to look.

“The King Opera House,” I said, feeling the blood wash from my face. “That’s where he is.”

“Hasn’t it been under construction for the past month?” Ruby asked. Then, her eyes gleamed with understanding. “So, it’s been closed off to the public.”

“And the noise would’ve drowned out any cries for help during the day,” Phoenix added. “At night, the place is too big for anyone outside to hear.”

I glanced at the clock. Royal had been missing for four hours. There was no time to waste.

I took off, running out of the room, and headed toward the parking lot. Ruby was close on my heels. Phoenix called out to his team, and they followed suit. I felt it deep in my bones that we were right this time. All of this would finally come to a head.

Ruby and I got into my car before I peeled out of the parking lot and turned on the sirens. Phoenix and Luke followed us.

The sun disappeared behind the dark clouds that’d suddenly rolled in. One drop of rain landed on the windshield, and then another. Wind blew the tops of the nearby trees.

As I pulled onto Main Street and drove past the historic buildings, diners, antique shops, and happy couples walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk, the light sprinkle turned into a downpour. I hoped it wasn’t some kind of sign. Aunt Abby, whether it’d been her imagination or a supernatural gift, had helped us figure out what we’d missed for over a month.

And right as we’d left, darkness had taken over the sky.

The rain hit the roof of the car like a morbid applause. Lightning lit the sky before there was a soft rumble of thunder. People scattered from the sidewalk and ran into the stores for cover.

The King Opera House came into view, the building rising high above all the others. A place where countless romances and tragedies had been reenacted.

I wondered which one my own story would be.