Chapter 5: Romeo Doesn't Blame Juliet
They drove to the circus, where a show was in full swing.
On stage, a middle-aged man was climbing into a box the same size as the victim's. The audience below was clapping and cheering.
Standing backstage, watching the contortionist act on stage, George Stacy crossed his arms and said, "See that box? It's identical to the victim's. Looks like our investigation is on the right track."
Lynn nodded, his gaze fixed on the spirit's wandering form. "George, I'm going to see if I can find any other clues."
With that, Lynn turned and left.
The spirit led the way, and Lynn followed.
Ever since arriving at the circus, the spirit's obsession had grown even deeper.
Its originally translucent body now showed signs of solidifying.
He followed the spirit as it drifted all over the backstage area, until it finally stopped at the door of a dressing room.
Its eyes, glowing red, were filled with deep emotion.
It raised a hand, as if to open the door, but stopped halfway and let it fall.
It turned to look at Lynn, its obsession seeming to spark a trace of consciousness. "Romeo… doesn't blame… Juliet…"
Lynn raised an eyebrow, hearing the words the spirit forced out.
'Romeo doesn't blame Juliet?'
'What does that mean?'
Although he didn't get it, he could see the spirit's intense obsession.
Lynn thought for a moment, then raised his hand and knocked on the dressing room door.
A moment later, a red-haired girl in jeans opened the door.
When she saw the tall, handsome Lynn, the girl froze for a second, then asked, "Hello. Can I help you with something?"
"Hello. I'm Detective Lynn Hall, NYPD Criminal Investigation Division."
He showed his badge and asked, "This morning we found a man's body by the Hudson River. Based on our investigation, he was likely one of your circus performers."
As he spoke, Lynn handed the girl a photo of the victim, watching her expression.
It was obvious. As soon as she heard the words "Hudson River" and "man's body," a flash of grief crossed her eyes.
Beside them, the spirit reached out, wanting to stroke the girl's cheek, but pulled its hand back halfway.
Just as Lynn was about to ask more, a man's agonized wail came from the backstage area, along with the sound of George Stacy's comforting voice.
Hearing the noise, Lynn immediately hurried back.
When he got there, he saw the man who had been performing the contortionist act. He was now covering his face, sobbing.
George Stacy was beside him, patting his shoulder consolingly.
Seeing Lynn arrive, George Stacy said with emotion, "This is the victim's father. He just saw his son's body and broke down."
As a father himself, George Stacy completely understood Wilson's grief.
After all, if it were him, if he saw his daughter Gwen's body, he would probably be crying even harder.
After a long while, Wilson finally recovered from his breakdown.
Wiping his tears, he said to Lynn and George, "David was my son. He was eighteen. He grew up in the circus, just like me, and we toured the country performing."
"He was a gifted contortionist, even as a kid. He was just a bit mischievous. Every time we got to a new city or town, he had to go out and explore."
Hearing Wilson's account, Lynn asked, "When was the last time you saw him?"
"Last night!"
In response to Lynn's question, Wilson's hand, holding the photo, trembled. "He told me last night he was going out for a walk. I didn't think anything of it… but I never imagined…"
Halfway through, Wilson choked up and couldn't continue.
Just then, another man walked over. "I'm so sorry, Wilson. I never thought this would happen. God as my witness, I feel terrible for you…"
Before the man could finish, Wilson clenched his fists and lunged at him, starting a brawl.
Seeing this, Lynn and George Stacy immediately jumped in to separate them.
"Sigh."
The man in the red shirt, having been pulled away, wasn't angry. He just said to Wilson, "I don't blame you, man. After all, anyone would be overcome with grief in this situation."
George Stacy held Wilson back and then shot Lynn a look.
Taking George's cue, Lynn led the man in red to the side. "Is there some bad blood between you and Mr. Wilson?"
"Not 'bad blood,' exactly."
The man took the cigarette Lynn offered. "Wilson's father founded this circus. So Wilson, and his son David, grew up in it."
"I joined when I was sixteen. Wilson's father was my mentor, in a way. He taught me the trapeze."
"At first, Wilson and I were great friends. But then we both fell for the same girl in the circus."
"In the end, she chose me. After that, my friendship with Wilson shattered. We ended up as bitter rivals."
Just as he was speaking, Lynn saw the girl from the dressing room walking over.
The spirit was following right beside her, its eyes never leaving her.
Seeing this, a thought struck Lynn. He said, "I just spoke with your daughter. Were she and David boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Hearing Lynn's question, the man's expression changed. He frowned. "No. David and my daughter grew up together in the circus, it's true. He liked her, but I was firmly against them being together."
"So it was just David's unrequited love."
The moment the man finished, Lynn keenly noticed the girl—Lily—frown.
"Okay. Thanks for your cooperation."
Lynn shook the man's hand, glanced at Lily, and turned to leave.
He rejoined George, said a quick word, and then began looking around the circus grounds.
When he got to a backstage area, Lynn found a small cart with muddy tires and a costume.
He put on his gloves and picked up the costume.
It was one of the performance outfits. Other than being a different color from the one Wilson was wearing on stage, it was identical.
Lynn suspected this must have been David's costume.
Just as Lynn was about to bag it... David's spirit drifted over.
Its gaze instinctively fell on the costume, and a look of disgust flashed in its eyes.
"Romeo… doesn't blame… Juliet…"
"Romeo… doesn't blame… Juliet…"
"Romeo… doesn't blame… Juliet…"
David's spirit kept repeating those words in Lynn's ear.
Lynn stood up and rolled his wrists. "You can come out. You followed me all the way from backstage. You must have something you want to tell me."
As Lynn finished speaking, Lily stepped out from behind a nearby cart.
"Detective Lynn… the truth is, David and I were secretly in a relationship."
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