by Cindy Bell
“Oh sure, he was a fierce guy. He liked to yell. I think it made him feel stronger. But that’s all he ever did, was yell. He’d threaten to fire people, but he never actually went through with it. I don’t even know if he had the authority to fire us. Then later he’d get drunk and tell us all how much he loved us.” Carter chuckled, then shook his head slowly. “I’m going to miss that.”
“He told you that he loved you?” Joyce smiled. “That was sweet of him.”
“Only when he was drunk.” Carter finished coiling the last of the rope. “The rest of the time we were nothing but dirt on the bottom of his shoe.”
“Did he drink often?” Brenda’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps the fall hadn’t been an accident, but that didn’t mean that alcohol hadn’t contributed to it. “I would think in a dangerous job like his, he would be a lot more careful.”
“He drank pretty frequently, but never before a performance. He was always sober then. He took his job seriously, not just because he could be injured, but because he is responsible for catching others.” Carter hung the rope on a hook beside him. “I know the finger has been pointed in the staff’s direction, as if we did something to sabotage the bar, but it’s not true.” He stared straight into Brenda’s eyes. “I checked that bar myself, three times, just like Rocco insisted. It was firmly attached.”
“Maybe you just overlooked something?” Brenda’s voice softened. “It’s so easy to get into routine. I know when I’m making donuts, sometimes I’m not aware of what I’m doing.”
“Yes well, I’m not making donuts. If I make a mistake someone could die. So, I don’t make any mistakes.” Carter wiped the back of his hand along his forehead. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to go speak with the police detective about this. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t handcuff me on the spot. I don’t exactly have the cleanest history.” He pointed a finger at Brenda, then at Joyce. “But you two know the truth now. Even if they string me up for this, you heard it from me, I am innocent.” He glanced over his shoulders in both directions, then lowered his voice. “If you want to know who I think did it, my money is on Slappy, but don’t you tell him I said that.”
“Why would you think that?” Brenda’s eyes widened as she recalled meeting the clown.
“Slappy’s daughter, Paisley, had a thing for Rocco. Everybody knew it. They’d been meeting up in secret for a while. Slappy was furious about it. He didn’t want Rocco to have anything to do with Paisley. They’ve also had their run-ins before.” Carter shrugged, glanced over his shoulder again, then looked back at them. “All I know is, he and Rocco got into a big argument a few days ago, and Slappy told him loud enough for everyone to hear, to stay away from Paisley.”
“How did Rocco take that?” Joyce narrowed her eyes. “He didn’t seem like the type to take orders.”
“He wasn’t. He didn’t take it well at all. He told Slappy that he was going to have to let Paisley grow up eventually and he needed to back off.” Carter winced, then shook his head. “Maybe that was what did it, maybe that was what made Slappy snap.”
Joyce squinted at the man as he continued to shake his head. She didn’t trust him. Not from his seedy mustache, to his tattered pants. However, what he said made sense. It made a lot more sense than a crew member loosening a bar he was responsible for. Would Carter really be foolish enough to do that?
“Then maybe that’s who we should be talking to.” Joyce looked over at Brenda. “What do you think?”
“I think so, too.” Brenda nodded to Carter. “Thanks for your time, Carter.”
“No problem. Apparently, I’m going to be questioned by everyone under the sun. At least you two have already been checked off the list.” Carter rolled his eyes, then turned his attention back to the ropes.
“Not very pleasant, is he?” Brenda muttered as they walked off together.
“I’m not sure that I would be either if everyone pointed their finger at me. If he was the one who set up the swing for Rocco, then he has to be feeling at least a little guilty also.” Joyce matched her pace with Brenda’s as they headed towards the big tent.
“I agree. Even if it wasn’t his fault, it was his job to make sure things were safe. That will surely bother him.” Brenda glanced over her shoulder at the man who coiled another rope. “Poor guy.”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to say that. We don’t know for sure that he wasn’t involved in Rocco’s death.” Joyce pulled back the flap of the tent and held it open for Brenda. “Right now, he plays innocent well, but he’s hiding something, I can tell.”
“You may be right about that. But it’s a circus, Joyce. I’m pretty sure that with their drifting lifestyle more than a few people here have secrets to keep.”
Chapter 6
Brenda looked around the interior of the tent, as Joyce stepped in behind her.
“Oh boy, finding Slappy might be a problem.” Brenda pointed out the crowd of clowns that scattered throughout the smaller ring on the righthand side of the tent. The center ring had been roped off with police tape, and several police officers continued to collect evidence from the area.
“How are we supposed to figure out which one is him?” Joyce frowned as she scanned the group.
“He’s short. Shorter than most men.” Brenda looked over the clowns. “None of them seem short enough to be him.
“There, that must be him.” Joyce pointed towards the clown that towered above them on stilts. As he walked through the tent, his head hovered close to the aerial platforms.
“What do you think he’s doing up there?” Brenda frowned as she watched him take each step. “The circus has been canceled, it’s not as if he needs to rehearse.”
“I don’t know, but at that height, he certainly does have access to the ropes.” Joyce tilted her head towards a few ropes that hung not far from him. “I wonder if he was practicing before Rocco was killed.”
“I saw him not long before. He came to the truck to buy donuts and introduced himself.” Brenda crossed her arms as she gazed at the clown. “He was in full makeup and costume. Maybe he had just been rehearsing, maybe not. He bought enough donuts to share with someone.” She tapped her fingertips lightly on her forearm. “I think he had plenty of motive to want to see Rocco gone. But he’s also been part of the circus for over thirty years. Would he really risk throwing all of that away just because someone showed interest in his daughter? Would he really risk going to jail?”
“I saw Paisley with Cecilia earlier today. They were arguing, and Cecilia told Paisley to stay away from Rocco.” Joyce pursed her lips as she considered each word that she could recall. “Why do you think both Slappy and Cecilia wanted Paisley to stay away from him? Yes, there was a bit of an age difference, Rocco was about ten years older than Paisley, but would that really be enough to cause such a reaction?”
“Carter did mention that Rocco drinks a lot when he’s not working. Maybe he had some other bad habits that made him less appealing to Slappy as a suitor for his daughter.” Brenda took a slight step back as a couple of unicyclists rode past her. “If Slappy has been part of the circus for thirty years, that means that Paisley was likely raised here, and Cecilia and the rest probably consider her to be family. That would explain why Cecilia was being so protective.”
“Yes, it would.” Joyce gestured towards Slappy. “There’s one way to try to find out for sure what Slappy was up to, we have to ask him.”
“If he is willing to come down from there.” Brenda placed her hands on her hips as she watched the clown approach them. “He definitely had access to the bar with those stilts.”
“But how could someone not notice him sabotaging the bar? It’s not as if he blends in.” Joyce took a step back as Slappy eased his way off the stilts, then settled to the ground in front of them.
“Brenda, right?” He flashed Brenda a warm smile, made even broader by the extensive red makeup around his mouth. “The one with the kid?”
“Yes, that’s me.” Brenda smiled in return. �
��Thanks for stopping to talk with us. I didn’t realize that you would be practicing.”
“It’s not as much practice as it is just being seen. With all of the tension and grief going on here today, my crew thought it might be a good idea to get in uniform and just be around, something to brighten the moment.” Slappy clapped his white gloves together. “We do what we can.”
“Excellent idea.” Joyce smiled her approval. “It is uplifting to see.”
“I’m glad that you’re enjoying it.” Slappy wiped his hand across his forehead, which left a smudge of white paint on his wrist.
“I couldn’t help but overhear that your daughter might be particularly heartbroken over this loss.” Joyce followed the tilt of his head as she tried to meet his eyes. “Were they close? Paisley and Rocco?”
“Yes, they were close.” Slappy’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “I tried to steer her away, but she wouldn’t hear it.”
“Why would you do that?” Brenda studied him. “As one parent to another, you know I have a daughter of my own, what would make you want to keep your daughter away from Rocco?”
“Look, there’s a lot that goes on in circus life that outsiders couldn’t understand. Rocco was a great performer. He started off as a clown and years ago we even did some acts together as clowns. In fact, we were planning a special anniversary clown show to celebrate because this year was going to be his twentieth year in the circus. He was very talented on the trapeze and as a clown. He was a natural entertainer.” Slappy shrugged. “But Rocco just wasn’t the right person for my daughter.”
“Because of his drinking?” Joyce volunteered and took a step closer to the clown. “I wouldn’t want any child of mine involved with someone that drinks too much.”
“Oh, we all drink a bit too much now and then. No, that wasn’t it. I just wanted Paisley to get to know some people outside of the circus, outside of our world. I want her to go to college, to have a different life, that’s all.” Slappy lowered his voice. “Rocco wasn’t a bad man, but he wasn’t right for my daughter, that’s all there is to it. Now, if you don’t mind, I really need to get back to my crew.” He gave them each a short nod, then turned and walked over to the group of clowns.
“Something tells me there’s a lot more to it than just that.” Brenda crossed her arms as she watched him.
“I agree. He could barely say Rocco’s name without clenching his fists.” Joyce narrowed her eyes. “We need to keep an eye on that clown.”
“We should get back to the truck.” Brenda started towards the exit of the tent. “We still need to give our statements.”
“Yes, you’re right.” Joyce trailed behind her. “What did you make of his attitude? I mean, he’s been with the circus for a long time, and he probably knew Rocco very well, but the best thing he can think to do after Rocco is murdered, is dress up and act silly?”
“It’s a little strange, but one thing he said rang true with me.” Brenda continued on towards the truck. “He said the circus world is an entirely different world. Maybe grief in that world is expressed a little differently as well.”
“That’s what I love about you, Brenda. You always have an open mind and try to put yourself in other people’s shoes.” Joyce patted her shoulder. “One of the many things I love about you.”
“And what I love about you, one of the many things, is your determination to get to the truth, no matter what it takes. Maybe Slappy is grieving differently, but that doesn’t make him innocent, either. He obviously had a big problem with Rocco.”
As Joyce and Brenda reached the truck, they found a police officer waiting for them. After Brenda gave her statement, Joyce hung around to give hers. Knowing it would be much longer, Brenda decided to try to track down Cecilia. She wanted to find out if they were okay to leave once their statements were given. A section of Cecilia’s large trailer was also used as an office, and she had first interviewed them in it. The trailer wasn’t too far from the big tent. After a light knock on the door, Brenda tried the knob. When it turned, she pushed the door open about an inch.
“Cecilia?”
“Come in.” Cecilia’s voice wavered as she called out.
“Sorry to barge in.” Brenda stepped into the trailer but lingered near the door.
“Oh Brenda, it’s fine. I’m just trying to get my face together.” Cecilia sighed as she stared into a large mirror. “I’m going to have to speak to some reporters and be on the evening news tonight. I have to look the part.”
“That must be very difficult for you.” Brenda moved a little farther into the trailer. “You’re handling it so well.”
“It is difficult. Everyone here is a member of my family.” Cecilia sighed. “I can’t believe this has happened.”
“I’m sorry for bothering you. I just wasn’t sure whether it would be okay for us to leave once Joyce is done giving her statement to the police. I’m assuming the circus won’t be opening? I’m sorry, I know this probably isn’t the best time to be asking these questions.” Brenda shifted from one foot to the other as her cheeks burned.
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I know these questions have to be answered. It doesn’t look like we will be able to open the circus any time soon. I’m not sure if I will have to completely cancel it yet or not. But for the time being, it is on hold. However, the other performers have rallied together and want to hold an event tomorrow. It will just be for the staff, and the vendors, as well as their families if they would like to attend. It was Daniella’s idea. She thought it would be something that Rocco would like. He always said, the show had to go on no matter what.”
“That actually sounds like a great idea.” Brenda smiled into the mirror. “We’d be happy to be here.”
“Great, because we’ll need food, and I’m not sure how many vendors are going to be willing to show up.” Cecilia sighed. “I just hope it eases some of the tension going on right now. Everyone is accusing everyone else, it’s hard not to get in the middle of it all.”
“I imagine it is. I noticed you arguing with two men earlier today. Who were they?” Brenda studied her expression. “They didn’t look like they were part of the circus.”
“No, they weren’t.” Cecilia picked up a tube of lipstick and popped it open. “They were criminals.”
“Criminals? What were they doing here?” Brenda leaned back against the vanity and watched as Cecilia spread lipstick across her bottom lip.
“They were looking for someone.” She switched to her upper lip, then rubbed her lips together. “I didn’t want to let them in.”
“Is someone here in some kind of trouble?” Brenda frowned as she recalled them demanding to see Rocco. “Have you told the police about them?”
“I’m sure there’s more than one person in some kind of trouble. The circus doesn’t exactly pay well. Most of the people who work here have something else going on as well. Whether it’s something legal or not, is not something I concern myself with. But when their trouble shows up on my doorstep, that’s something that I don’t tolerate.” Cecilia capped the lipstick and set it back down on her vanity. “And no, I haven’t told the police about them, and I don’t intend to. There are some people that you just don’t cross, Brenda. Those two are very dangerous.”
“Cecilia, if you tell the police they might be able to help you. If they are so dangerous, don’t you think that they might be the ones who killed Rocco?”
Cecilia turned in her chair to face Brenda. “If these men wanted Rocco dead, they wouldn’t have needed to go to all the trouble of loosening some screws. Trust me, they have their ways. Besides, as I said, the police can’t touch some criminals, and they’re two of them. Please take my advice, Brenda, and stay out of this. We all want to know what happened to Rocco, but sometimes it’s not worth the risk.” She fluffed her curls, then stared at her reflection. “I’d better get ready for my interviews. I can’t wait to get them over with.”
“I’ll leave you to it. We’ll be here in the mor
ning.”
“Thanks, Brenda.” Cecilia smiled into the mirror as Brenda turned towards the door.
When Brenda left the trailer, she noticed a man hovering beside the Donuts on the Move truck. She recognized him as Sal, one of the trapeze artists, the one who had argued with Rocco. Knowing that Joyce was alone in the truck, she hurried towards it. Sal had motive and opportunity to kill Rocco. Was it possible that he had his sights set on Joyce? Did he think she might have seen or heard something that would incriminate him? With her heart pounding in her chest, she raced towards the truck.
Chapter 7
Joyce walked up to the serving window. She could have sworn she heard someone outside. But a quick glance revealed no one. A second later she heard another sound. The scuff of a shoe across dirt. She looked back out the serving window, and saw Sal there, staring at her. As she stepped back and took a sharp breath, the door to the truck burst open, and Brenda bounded inside.
“Are you still open?” Sal leaned against the serving counter and gazed into the truck, then looked directly at Brenda. “I’m starving.”
“Yes, we are.” Brenda gestured to the display of donuts behind her. “We only have a few donuts left.”
“That’s fine.” Sal licked his lips as he looked over the options. “I’ll take two chocolate.”
“Great. Joyce, two chocolate please.” Brenda looked over at her as she lingered near the display of donuts.
Joyce knew that since she was closer, she should get the donuts, but she couldn’t bring herself to move. All she could do was stare.
“Oh good.” Joyce finally forced a smile. “Two chocolate donuts coming up.” She popped them into a paper bag and carried it to the counter. “Sal, right?” She swallowed hard as she recalled the argument that she’d overheard between Rocco and Sal only moments before Rocco died.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.” Sal narrowed his eyes as he studied her.