The Deadliest Stunt Chapter 2

The Deadliest Stunt

Chapter 2

What in the—! Xander said, rushing to the door and heading outside. Van, Raj and I followed outside—into chaos! People were running everywhere, black smoke billowing out from the fairground stands about 100 m ahead of us.

An older gentleman came up to us. He was dressed in a dark ill-fitting brown business suit and had a nerdy haircut with a thick moustache and had a bit of a paunch. Wyatt, you gotta see this, come on, the man said, eyeing us curiously but then ignoring us. Xander followed the man around the line of trailers to where the bleachers faced the small enclosed field. Normally during the annual fair this was where the livestock shows were held and stages were set up for music concerts.

A whole section of the bleachers had been blown away, leaving a gaping hole! Was anyone hurt? Xander said and the man shook his head. Not that we know of.

Reed and Rhys came up to us at that point. What happened here? Reed asked wide eyed.

Sirens filled the air as the police, firetruck and ambulance were on their way.

I don’t know, Xander said. But this is certainly going to put a kibosh on our charity show. We may have to cancel it—the local police were concerned about safety—well this is a huge safety breach.

You’re here to find out who’s been threatening Dad to cancel the show? Rhys Wyatt said, turning to me with a scowl. You’d better find out—quick.

I will, I promise, I said, looking at Van and Raj who just nodded. I turned to Xander. I’ll have a talk with the local authorities. I’ll see if we can get more security round the clock. And if we can find out who’s behind this before the show on Saturday night—then maybe the show will go on.

Xander nodded. Thanks, Justin. He turned to his sons. I want you two to help Justin and his friends. I don’t want to hear of your giving him trouble. Xander turned to me. Let me know if these guys give you any problems?

I nodded.

Rhys didn’t look too enthusiastic but said he would help me. Reed looked a little more cooperative.

We moved off to survey the damage. A whole section of bleachers was blown to bits. The fire crews worked to put out a small blaze and the police milled around asking for eyewitnesses. Officer Canning came up to us at a minute later. He eyed me suspiciously. Figured you would be here, Justin, he said with a sigh. I always seemed to be in the middle of it when something bad happened.

Yeah, I said. Pure coincidence, Paul, I said. Paul Canning was a friend of Dad’s and knew well of my reputation in town. He liked to joke around but deep down he respected me and I respected him as a good policeman. He usually gave me a wide berth when investigating mysteries around town.

Any idea how it happened? Xander said, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Not yet, Canning said. But obviously this changes things for the charity show. We’re going to have to consider cancelling—.

No, I said, Please Paul. Give us some time to find out who’s behind this.

The police are looking into it Justin. Now, Mr. Wyatt here may have asked you to investigate but the safety of the staff here at the fairgrounds and Mr. Wyatt’s people is our biggest concern.

This sabotage was obviously done to stop the show. We’d be giving in to the saboteurs. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to stop a charity show—but someone wants it stopped. You do your investigation and I’ll do mine. Together we can find out who’s responsible. But this is too important to cancel. The hospital needs funds to be built.

Don’t you think I know that,  Justin, Canning said with a frown. It would be a tragedy if the show was cancelled. But if someone were badly hurt—or killed that would be an even bigger tragedy.

It’s very important that the show goes on, Xander remarked. I have other reasons that I’d rather not discuss at present, but suffice it to say that I have a lot riding on this show going on as planned.

We were silent for a moment. Then I spoke up. I’m sorry, Paul. I know you’re thinking of the safety. But is there some way we can compromise? What if we were to continue with the show, but if we can’t find out who’s responsible then at that time we cancel.

I don’t know, Justin, Canning said. If we continue on and someone is hurt—then was it really worth the risk?

I see your point, I said with a sigh.

What if we say that the show is cancelled? Then whoever is behind this will stop because they’ll have thought they won? Rhys Wyatt spoke up. His brother looked at him and rolled his eyes.

I don’t know, son, Xander said. It takes a lot of preparation to get the show ready. If we stop working on it now—we won’t have enough time to get ready for it if we do catch who is behind this.

How long do you need to get ready? I asked. Would three or four days be enough?

Xander pondered that for a moment. I supposed four days would be enough time. I mainly came here early for publicity events and this reception tonight. I had some media events planned for next Friday and Saturday morning, the day of the show.

Good. I said. So if you cancel them hopefully they can be uncancelled closer to the day of the event.

Meanwhile, I could announce that we are cancelling the show due to technical difficulties, Xander remarked.  I could send some of my people back to L.A.—but we could stay, he said added looking at his sons. Say we’re just visiting my sister and family.

And I—we try to flush out the saboteur, I said glancing at Canning who nodded.

Who do we let in on this little secret? Xander said looking between me and Canning.

No one but this little group, Canning said. We have no idea who is behind this, if it’s one of your people, or someone else. We can’t take that chance. As far as anyone is concerned, the show is off.

We were all silent for a moment. I just hoped that this worked. I had some major work to do myself. Thankfully I had some help as I was sure Van and Raj would help me. Having the Wyatt twins  helping I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a mistake. I guess I would soon find out.

And find out I did.

An hour later Xander Wyatt stood on the main fairgrounds  and before media people and town dignitaries that included Mayor Trevor Harding, announced that due to technical difficulties beyond his control, the charity show would have to be cancelled.

A murmur of voices went up from the gathered crowd. Is it because of the explosion? A voice called out from the group of media people.

Not directly, Xander said smoothly. But I will say one thing. Safety is a top priority among stuntmen in general and me in particular. I didn’t rise in this field by taking unnecessary chances. Safety is a huge issue and the events of earlier this evening have certainly made an impact on my decision to cancel.

That last remark was said in case the saboteur was in attendance, which they very likely could be. All of Wyatt’s people were present. The dorky guy in the suit with the moustache I had met briefly earlier, was seated on stage and he looked extremely annoyed that the show was cancelled. He was, I found out a short time ago, Leland Mortimer, Xander Wyatt’s manager. He was actually the one who suggested a charity show and had contacted Millie Pruitt about setting it up here in Port Salser.

He was not in on the ruse. It could have been him who was behind the sabotage, but I didn’t think so. What would he possibly have to gain by stopping it? What would anyone have to gain by stopping it?

But someone did want to stop it. But why?

After the reception was over it was now close to 10 pm. I decided to get to know the Wyatt twins a little better and decided to ask them if they wanted to hang out at my favourite burger joint in town, Billy Burger.

I found them out behind the trailers a short time later. Fighting. Actually rolling around in the dirt, punching each other.

Hey! A voice roared from behind me. Xander Wyatt approached his sons who had stopped their altercation. The both stood up, dirt smeared on their faces, arms and legs. Reed had a bloody nose and Rhys had a cut on his lip.

What are you two doing, Xander exclaimed glaring at them. You promised me you would get along.

He’s a jerk, Reed Wyatt spat. And a bully.

You’re the jerk, Rhys muttered trying to take another swing at his brother. He turned to me. What are you looking at? Want a piece of me? Hunh, Macdonald. I’ll whip your butt, just like I whipped my little brothers’ butt.

You did no such thing, Reed  blurted. And I’m not your little brother.

I did too, Rhys retorted. He turned back to me. Come on let’s see what you Port Salser boys got. Come on!

Rhys. Go back to your trailer.

But—.

Now, Xander roared. Rhys walked off muttering to himself. Xander turned to Reed who just watched his brother walk away. Wow, for identical twins these guys were sure different.

What was that all about? Xander said, glaring at Reed who was wiping blood from his nose.

Nothing, he muttered. He turned to walk away.

Reed, what is your problem?

Leave it dad, he mumbled and shuffled away.

Xander turned to me. Sorry you had to see that, he remarked. Those two have been at each other for months. I don’t know what’s got into them. I brought them on this trip hoping they would get along better, you know keep them busy with the charity show. Now that’s not going to happen. I don’t know what to do.

I shrugged. Sorry I don’t have teenage sons, I said. But my dad does, I added with a grin. Maybe you could talk to him.

What do you want? Reed Wyatt said, looking up at me as I entered the front door of his dad’s trailer.  He unfortunately shared another trailer with his brother and Rhys had locked him out. His nose was swollen and he had tissues plugging up his nostrils. Just leave me alone, will you?

Sure, I can do that, I said, but I actually came to invite you to come into town with me and my buddies to hang out for a while. You know, get away from this.

Reed looked up at me. Just me—or did you invite jerk face along too?

No, I didn’t invite Rhys, I said. I know you guys aren’t getting along—.

Reed snorted—as much as he could with tissue up his nose. You think? He muttered. Boy you are a good detective.

You know what? I don’t care what your beef is with your brother—I really don’t. I’m just trying to be friendly to a guy from out of town—whose Mom’s in the hospital. I thought if you got away from your dad and your brother and just hung out—that hey—you might relax a little.

Why me? He said, pulling a bloody tissue from his nose.

Because you aren’t as likely to want to rip my head off as your more hotheaded brother.

Reed smiled. That’s true. Rhys always had a bad temper.

So what do you say, dude?

He thought for a moment then said, sure. Can I tell Rhys where I’m going. He’ll be really ticked he wasn’t invited.

I just shook my head. Sure, I said. But make it quick.

He returned a moment later. I have a problem, he said. My brother won’t let me back into the trailer. Dad doesn’t have any room in his trailer. I have nowhere to stay tonight.