The Shrouded Figure
The circus is loud, buzzing with the sound of everyone trying to distract themselves from Mr. Evan’s murder. Meredith is on edge, she has been since Timothy’s first nightmare, but the little boy seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself, staring in awe at the animals that walk past, from the slow-moving elephants to the rambunctious monkeys. Once they find a place inside the main tent, he jitters listlessly in his seat, impatient for the show to start. Moments later, a woman sits beside him, and Meredith recognizes her as Stephanie Lovett. She seems just as antsy as Timothy, but it appears to be out of anxiety as opposed to excitement. Once she sees the little boy, though, a smile stretches across her face. They’re quick to begin talking. The seven-year-old is usually shy around strangers, but he sits comfortably talking to this woman he’s never met before, discussing the animals. Meredith lets the two talk and instead focuses on the crowd around her. Though most everything seems norm...