Contents
Chapter Forty-Four
Overview
Jane suspects Daisy Black came to Little Belmont to find her uncle at Martello’s Circus and that the clown on a poster could be Jasper Black. She tracks the troupe to Runnydown and questions a worker, only to learn Jasper left the circus over a week ago and has disappeared. This collapses a promising lead while hinting Jasper is actively evading notice.
Summary
Jane considers Helen Yaxley’s timeline that Daisy Black arrived in Little Belmont in early May and wonders if Daisy came seeking her uncle with Martello’s Circus, possibly the clown on a poster. She photographs the poster and withdraws cash before returning home.
Alone after Shannon leaves, Jane researches Martello’s Circus, learning it has moved to Runnydown for a week and lists three clowns—Raimondo, Patch, and Mikki—whose makeup obscures identification. With no phone contact available, Jane decides to drive to Runnydown to investigate in person.
Arriving at the rainy circus encampment, Jane steels herself despite her discomfort with circuses and approaches a woman sheltering with a child near the caravans. Jane asks after Jasper Black, presenting herself as a friend of his family, specifically his sister’s.
The woman confirms they know Jasper but tells Jane he is no longer with Martello’s. Jasper left over a week earlier, and no one knows where he went; he has “disappeared.”
This outcome collapses Jane’s tentative link between Daisy’s arrival and the clown on the poster, but it also suggests Jasper is evasive and mobile, shifting the investigation away from Martello’s and toward locating Jasper independently.
Who Appears
- JaneInvestigates Martello’s Circus, travels to Runnydown, and learns Jasper Black left the troupe and disappeared.
- Unnamed circus womanConfirms Jasper Black worked with Martello’s but says he left over a week ago and vanished.
- Jasper BlackSubject of Jane’s search; possibly a clown at Martello’s Circus; recently left and is now missing.
- Daisy BlackHer early-May arrival prompts Jane’s theory she sought Jasper via the circus.
- Helen YaxleySource of information about Daisy’s arrival and the Black family photo.
- ShannonLeaves Jane at home after returning the dogs, prompting Jane’s solo investigation.