Pantomime (41 page)

It has been one week since the tragedy of R.H. Ragona's Circus of Magic on the Imacharan beach. Unfortunately for circus lovers, Ellada now has one less. Due to financial problems with creditors, the circus has gone into liquidation. An auction for circus paraphernalia will be held tomorrow at half past two at Thomson & Farquhar's Auction House.

  The ringmaster, William Hakan Ragona, was found murdered in his cart, the safe open and money missing. A young woman and aerialist, Aenea Harper, was also found dead in the cart, and officials believe it may be a crime of passion, as one of the fugitives was romantically involved with the aerialist.

  The two suspects are missing and wanted for immediate questioning. One is a Micah Grey, a newcomer to the circus, who was the other half of the aerialist act and an actor. Micah is around seventeen with auburn hair and green eyes. The other is Drystan, surname unknown, who was a clown and actor. He is in his early twenties, with flaxen hair dyed white.

  There is a substantial reward for information leading to the capture of these two men. They may be armed and dangerous – their pursuers the night of the attack are in critical condition. Do not approach directly, and proceed with extreme caution.

  Authorities have high hopes that they will bring these two fugitives to justice before the next Penmoon.

  

FROM THE DAILY IMACHARAN

There are so many people who supported me in the making of
Pantomime.
First of all, to my mother for being my rock my entire life and showing me how to be a strong woman who works for her dreams. Thank you to my best friend, Erica, for reading this book many, many times and being wonderfully picky. To my husband, Craig, for his endless love, support and patience with my ceaseless questions and fears. To my father for his encouragement.

  Many people helped me after the draft of the book was written. Endless thanks to Amanda Rutter (and everyone at Angry Robot), who plucked me from the slush pile and saw the promise in my manuscript and gave me another chance to make it shine. To Juliet Mushens, the Leopard Lady, for loving my book and being the best agent and advocate I could ask for.

  I owe Anne Lyle many favors for telling me in one sentence how to fix the pacing. So much thanks to Wesley Chu for being my partner in angst and literary best friend. To the other two-thirds of the Three Amigos: Kim Curran and Adam Christopher. To the rest of the Anxious Appliances writers' group and to Write Club and the Cabal. All of my beta readers have my sincere gratitude.

  Lastly, to my teachers and professors for fostering a life-long love of learning and the importance of craft. To the authors I read that left their mark upon me and my writing.

  And to you, readers, for picking up my book and spending some time in this circus: thank you.

LAURA LAM was raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies. She relocated to Scotland in 2009 to be with her husband, whom she met on the internet when he instant messaged her and insulted her taste in books. She almost blocked him but is glad she didn't. At times she misses the sunshine.
Pantomime
is her debut novel.