This is the next installment in the Ever After Mystery series. Visit the other authors listed at the end of the post.

The electric lights in the auction hall shone bright and sparkled off the glittering dresses of the women gathered there. A buzz ran through the assembly as the audience discussed what pieces they wanted to bid on. 

For me, there was only one item I had my eye on—the poster from Denise’s book. Its bright colors drew me in and spoke to me in a way that very little else did. It was mine, I knew it in my heart. Whatever it took, I was going to own it by the end of the day.

I sat on the edge of my seat as other pieces were auctioned off. There was a music box with a monkey on top clanging little cymbals. There was a bidding war for it, but I stayed out of that. Then there came a mask and some costumes from an opera. None of that interested me.

At last, it came time. My heart pounded against my ribs so hard it hurt. I clutched my paddle in my hand, ready to raise it when the time came.

“Ladies and gentlemen, lot 777, a bright red and yellow circus-style poster. Used in Denise Barela’s book, Silencing the Siren. There’s a small crinkle on the bottom left corner, but otherwise, it is in perfect condition.” The auctioneer motioned to his aid to lift the red velvet drapery covering the poster.

A gasp went up along with the drapery. The poster wasn’t there. I sucked in my breath. The board was empty. Nothing. 

Strange music filled the room. Women screamed and men shouted. As if they were mice caught in the light, everyone scattered.

I did too.

What could have happened to it?

As we raced down the building’s front steps, April Hayman came along side me. “You! You’re the one who stole the poster.”

“Me? Of course not. How can you even accuse me of such a thing?”

“I know you’ve had your eye on that post since long before it came up for auction. You would do anything to ensure that it ends up belonging to you.”

“I would never do such a thing. I was prepared to pay the price to own it.”

I raced away from the building, but Chautona, Denise, Sandy, Marji, April, Rebekah, and Cathe followed me. At last I couldn’t breathe any longer and had to stop to fill my lungs with air. The women surrounded me, pointing at me and accusing me of the most awful things. 

“I didn’t take it. Go search my house. Rifle through my closet and my office. You won’t find it.”

“That’s because you’ve hidden it somewhere. A safe place no one would know to look at.” Rebeckah glared at me. So did everyone else. 

“Not me. I can’t believe that after we’ve known each other all this time, you don’t trust me.”

Marji gave a wry laugh. “What we’ve learned is that we can’t trust anyone.”

I stood straight. “Well, it wasn’t me. I give you my word.” 

“Your word means little.” Chautona almost snarled.

Hands on my hips, I gazed around the cirle of women surrounding me, the breeze blowing the feathers they wore in their hair. At last, my sight fell on Sandy. “She’s the one you should be accusing of taking the poster. I heard her say something about wanting to buy it for as little as possible and then sell it for much more on the black market. Free is about as inexpensive as you get.”

Everyone shifted their focus to Sandy, giving me a chance to make my escape. Thankfully, I wore ballet flats which allowed me to get away without my heels clicking on the sidewalk. I didn’t have far to go until I returned to my apartment. I had no idea if Sandy had the poster or not. If she did, though, I would have to find a way to get it. 

One way or another, it would be mine.

he authors of the Ever After series are celebrating Denise Barela’s release of Silencing the Siren, even more special because it is her premier publication! Woohoo! It’s available today on Amazon. Here’s a little more about her story: 

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her.

Annabel’s connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the “right” girl with the “right connections.” But he won’t do it. He’ll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.

Enjoy the rest of this little bloghop:

Rebekah Jones – Jan 4
Chautona Havig – Jan 5
Cathe Swanson – Jan 6
Marji Laine Clubine – Jan 7
April Hayman – Jan 8
Liz Tolsma – Jan 9
Sandy Barela – Jan 10
Denise Lauren Barela – Jan 11

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway below! Great opportunity to win an Amazon gift card!