by Joyce Lavene
“You do?” Canyon asked.
“Yes. We overheard a squire saying that his master had thrown away a red and black suit of armor yesterday. We think Canyon picked it up in the trash for the duel.”
“That’s true.” Canyon nodded hopefully. “I saw it out there after I had a few beers and decided to put it on to go get Jessie—I mean—the Bailiff.”
“I don’t suppose you know who it belongs to?” Detective Almond asked. “Because the ME found traces of Apple Blossom’s slipper material wedged in the separations between the armor seams.”
“No. But we’re going to find out by questioning the squire. Does that mean the owner of the armor is the killer?” I asked.
“Unless the fairy was attempting to climb up the outside of the knight’s armor,” Detective Almond drawled. “That should do it.”
“So we can take Canyon back to the Village?”
“No. Not until you find me a better suspect.”
“All right.” I grabbed the file from Chase. “We’ll be back. Or we’ll call.”
“I’m sure you will.” Detective Almond shook my hand, a smile playing on his face. “Good day to you, Lady Bailiff.”
Canyon was complaining as they led him out of the room and back to his cell. My heart was pumping as Chase and I headed for the front door. This was going to work. I could feel it. No magic, but a plan was coming together.
“Wow.” Chase said as we got outside. “Just wow.”
“What? Someone had to do it. It couldn’t happen otherwise.” I peeked at him while he took out the car keys. “I can handle it.”
“When were you going to mention this to me?” he asked. “When did it happen?”
“While your fans were adoring you. I went to see Merlin. He promised to make the king and queen appoint me as Bailiff.”
“I don’t even know where to start with how wrong this is. Look at Roger—he was a cop for twenty years. He’s really tough and wouldn’t mind shooting someone if he had to. Look at Canyon he’s . . . big. He’d be able to throw himself at a fleeing shoplifter to stop him from leaving the Village. How would you handle something like that?”
“I’m really good with a sword and a bow. I can kick butt when I have to. Don’t make me sound like some dainty princess who calls for help when her pinky nail breaks.”
He didn’t start the car. “I’m sure you could take care of yourself in normal situations with mostly polite men who didn’t really want to hurt you.”
Was this the way my Chase felt about me too? I didn’t think so, but on the other hand, no one had to talk him into being Bailiff after Roger either.
“You can still do it,” I assured him. “I’m only doing it because no one else will.”
“Is that what this is all about? You’re going to shame me into being Bailiff because you’re my girlfriend?” His dark eyes weren’t happy with that idea.
“No. One way or another, we have to figure out who killed Apple Blossom. You can ignore me, or you can help me. Your choice.”
We didn’t say anything on the way back to the Village. We didn’t even stop for lunch. Chase parked the car, and I got out. Maybe it was too soon for ultimatums. Though our relationship was longstanding for me, it was new to him. I wouldn’t have done this when we were first together. I didn’t know what to expect.
Chase was a good person, someone who would never look the other way when anyone was in trouble. I knew he didn’t like Canyon. I took a chance that he might respond to a challenge from me taking over as Bailiff.
But maybe I was wrong. Maybe this Chase just wanted to joust and live at the castle. Maybe he wasn’t the person I was expecting him to be.
I waited for him in the steamy parking lot. He took off his suit coat in the hot summer sun.
“Okay. I’m in.” He looked at me and smiled. “If you’re the new Bailiff, I must be your right hand man. But you have to promise not to go off on your own and face down the killer. Right?”
“Right.” I let out a long sigh of relief and hugged him. He kissed me and we walked toward the employee gate. “Do you want to live in the Dungeon until Canyon is free?”
“That place is a dump. We can still live at the castle. I don’t only have a room there because of my relationship with Isabelle.”
“No.” I laughed. “You have a room there because Queen Olivia lusts after you.”
“I have a room there because I pay for it every month. The thing with me and Livy is only in her imagination. I don’t mess with other men’s wives.”
We talked about finding the young squire we’d heard in the kitchen. We both knew it would be easy. There weren’t that many squires at the castle. He had to serve someone who lived there.
“You know,” he said. “Just because Detective Almond thinks the killer is someone who lives at the Village doesn’t mean he’s right. Maybe Apple Blossom had a jealous boyfriend who stalked her here.”
Now that was the Chase I knew—even though I thought he was wrong. That happened quite a bit. We worked it out, and we would here too.
It was a silent, consensual thing that we were going to share his suite at the castle. I knew that would include angry looks from Isabelle, but I’d endured that before. We walked there together as we talked about the procedural aspects of how we’d work out our new partnership.
“So I help you with the investigation.” Chase summed up as he replaced his corporate look with his leather Ren Faire one once we were behind the closed door to his rooms. “And you continue being my squire.”
“I’m not sure I can do that and be Bailiff.” I replaced my street wear with my britches and blousy shirt. “I’ll have to do other things.”
“What kind of other things? I’ve never been Bailiff or paid much attention to what Roger or Canyon did, but it doesn’t seem like all that much.”
“Help out with runaway camels and people who fall into the fountains. And visitors who get stuck on the top of the climbing wall. And middle of the night emergencies such as the stadium lights not turning on over the Village Green for cleaning, and loose cobblestones being flagged and replaced.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” I kissed him and smiled. “I know all about being Bailiff.”
“From your time with Canyon?”
“Not exactly. But let’s just say I know everything a Bailiff does. And I’m afraid I won’t be able to continue as your squire. But there are bound to be some loose squires out there somewhere. I’ll help you look for one.”
Garbed in our Renaissance finery, we hastened to Peter’s Pub for lunch. It was just as well that we were too angry to eat in the car on the way back. My credit was good with Peter Greenwalt and his sister who ran the pub, but not so much in the outside world. Chase offered to pay for our lunches. I gallantly told him to put his Lady Visa away.
“You two make such a cute couple.” Peter stroked his long brown mutton chops. “Good luck.”
The town crier was out on the King’s Highway with the latest news from the Village.
“Oh, unhappy day! Another death at Renaissance Faire Village. Oh terrible day.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Looks like a job for the Village Bailiff,” Chase said. “I still have a few minutes before the joust if you want me to come with you.”
“Not really. You’re going to have to get your own armor on. Don’t worry. This will be very public. I won’t be in any danger. You can be my right hand man after the joust.”
“Huzzah!” He grinned. “Be careful. I’ll see you later.”
Marcus Fleck was waiting outside Peter’s Pub. “The king and queen need a word with you, Lady Jessie.”
“What about the murder?”
He shrugged. “It might be good if they officially declared you Bailiff before you begin investigating, don’t you think?”
“All right. Has someone summoned the police?”
“The wizard,” he said. “He’s the one who told me to come get you. This way, my lady.”<
br />
We walked up the hill to the castle—the second time for me. Gus bowed deeply to me at the castle door, making it almost impossible for him to goose me. I still kept my butt away from him. I knew him too well to trust his randy fingers.
Marcus took me to the same chamber Chase and I had been summoned to for the discussion about Chase’s upcoming duels—both of which had now gone awry. He’d lost the advertising for the romantic duel when Canyon had attacked us here.
I bowed respectfully to the king and queen. No curtsies when wearing pants.
“Lady Jessie.” The king fingered his beard thoughtfully. “Are you certain you are up for this task?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“But you are a woman.” Queen Olivia pointed out. “Do you think it wise to take on this role at a time when there is danger in the Village?”
“I can think of no better time, Your Majesty. Even now a new crime calls out for justice. There is no one else to answer it.”
The king and queen conferred quietly. They faced me a moment later.
“We are content to allow you to take on this challenge, Lady Jessie.” The king’s regal tone echoed in the room. “If you encounter any difficulty, please advise us.”
“Huzzah!” the queen said.
I bowed again. The interview was over. I was officially the new Bailiff of Renaissance Faire Village.
Could this thing get any weirder?
“Congratulations.” Starshine beside me as I walked out of the castle.
“Thanks, I guess. I think I missed something along the way since I couldn’t get Chase to do it. Is that going to count against me?”
She giggled—of course.
“It doesn’t work that way. You’ll know when you’ve done just the right thing because the wish will reverse and you’ll be back in your Village.”
“But in the meantime, how am I supposed to know when I’m spinning my wheels? How do I know when I’ve done something right or when I’m headed in the right direction?”
“Oh, you’ll know, dear. You have very good instincts.” She sniffed the air. “Is that brownies? Oh, I just love a good brownie, don’t you? Not the pesky living ones. I could do without those. I mean the rich chocolate brownies that are slightly gooey in the middle. Excuse me. I’d prefer not to see another dead person if it’s all the same to you.”
That was fine with me. She wasn’t much help in a practical situation. I wasn’t really sure she was any help at all.
It wasn’t hard to tell where the murder had taken place. A huge crowd of residents surrounded the area that was marked with yellow police tape and barriers. The same tape and barriers were used to block off rides that weren’t working or when the elephants were sick.
Detective Almond and Officer Grigg were already there. Because of restrictions on motorized vehicles when the Village was open, the crime scene team was forced to walk in through the Main Gate. An ambulance could come in and drive down the cobblestones but they usually refused if the Village was crowded.
“Good morning,” I greeted my new compatriots. “What have we got?”
Officer Grigg snickered. Detective Almond glanced my way and shook his head.
“See for yourself, Lady Bailiff.” Officer Grigg stayed where he was.
“Thanks. I will.”
It was the young squire from the castle kitchen last night—the one I’d hoped to talk to.
I wished I’d gone back and talked to him last night. If he had important information it was gone now. It appeared that one of the older castle maids might know something about him. She was sobbing heartily, several other maids attempting to comfort her.
“This is Jordan James, age twenty-two, originally from Topeka. I’m sure there’s a story that goes along with that.” Detective Almond consulted his notebook. “His mother is Amanda James. That’s her right over there. She got him the job at the castle where she’s worked for the past five years.”
“I know him. He’s the one who said his master had him throw away the suit of armor that Canyon said he found in the trash.”
Detective Almond raised his brow. I didn’t even know he could do that. “That’s a little convenient, isn’t it? The only possible witness who could save your Bailiff buddy and now he’s dead.”
“Don’t look at me. I didn’t kill him. But it’s possible someone else told his master that he was shooting his mouth off in the kitchen. We’ll have to question everyone in the castle who has a squire.”
“I’m glad you’re on the job, Lady Bailiff.” Detective Almond slapped me on the shoulder. “You’re gonna save me a lot of legwork with that attitude. I love a volunteer, don’t you, Grigg?”
“Yes, sir.” He nodded as though his life depended on it.
There was something almost devilish in having an idea about how things were going to work. I knew what had happened to Grigg in my Village. I knew it wouldn’t take much to put him over the edge here.
“This is our second homicide in as many days.” I paced the short space around the dead squire as if I were Sherlock Holmes. “The remainder of us in the Village need protection. I suggest you leave one of your officers here in plain clothes to keep an eye on things until the killer is caught.”
Detective Almond nodded. “Good idea, Bailiff. Grigg, you’re my best man. If anyone can handle it, you can. The Bailiff will set you up with an identity and get you some crazy clothes. You’ll report in at least once a day.”
It was easy to see that Grigg wasn’t happy with the idea. He didn’t argue with his boss, but he looked jumpy.
“Don’t worry.” I slapped him on the back. “I know just the place for you.”
“I’ll get back with you when I know the autopsy results,” Detective Almond told me. “I think he was strangled like the fairy—one-handed again. Whoever is responsible for this is a powerful man.”
“But not Canyon,” I suggested. “And if the murders are the same, may I suggest you release him at once?”
“You may suggest it,” Detective Almond said. “But until I know the same person killed both people, without a doubt, Mr. Britt stays where he is in my fine jail cell. Huzzah!”
“All right.” At least I’d tried.
I walked away from the police to follow the castle maids who were urging their friend to leave the scene of her son’s death. They had to know who Jordan was working for. It would be easy after that.
Or so I thought.
“Well he wasn’t working for any one master,” Amanda said tearfully. “He was lucky to find a place here. I thought he could get into a better spot after a while.”
“I’m so sorry.” If Chase and I hadn’t heard Jordan talking in the kitchen, we wouldn’t have known about the armor. On the other hand, the young man might still be alive. “Where was he sleeping? I’d like to take a look at his things.”
“He was staying in that little storeroom off the kitchen,” Amanda said. “He was always a small boy. He didn’t need much space, but you’re welcome to have a look. I hope you can find out what happened to him.”
I hugged her. Not very Bailiff-like I supposed, but I felt so bad for her.
The ladies continued on their way, comforting their grieving friend.
Grigg caught up with me. “Is that your plan? Are you going to hug everyone to make things better?”
“You run your precinct the way you want to. I’ll run my Village the way I want to. Let’s go get you some clothes. You kind of stick out here.”
He glanced away at the activity in the Village. “I’d rather stick out in this place. I can’t believe Detective Almond is going to leave me here undercover.”
“You never know. You might like it.” I knew he would as soon as he was used to it. Advance knowledge. I wish I had it in my Village too.
“Just kidding,” I muttered. “Not really a wish.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
We went over to Stylish Frocks where there was a long line waiti
ng for costumes. I hated waiting in this line and didn’t mind using my new status to cut ahead of everyone. “Look out. Bailiff business. Step aside.” The line grudgingly parted for me.
“You know you’re not dressed like Canyon Britt,” Grigg told me. “You need some leather, right?”
“I don’t think there are any costume rules about being Bailiff. And leather here when it’s ninety degrees with eighty percent humidity just seems stupid.”
He looked me in the eye—we were about the same height. “I guess you can scare the criminals away by threatening to hug them to death.”
We couldn’t reach the costume window fast enough to suit me. What had happened to the Grigg in this Village? Maybe he wouldn’t stay.
“Costume?” Portia asked in a voice that was worse than bored.
“Pirate,” I told her. “For him, anyway. I’m fine, thanks.”
She handed him a pirate costume complete with tacky hat and red kerchief.
“I don’t want to be a pirate,” Grigg told me. “Maybe a knight would be better.”
“In the Village, residents don’t wear a knight’s armor unless they’re really knights,” Portia informed him. “Jessie, I have something for you.”
She handed me a wide leather belt. It was at least eight inches of hot leather that would go around my waist. But even as I thought about complaining, she also handed me a two-way radio. I was in heaven.
I had always coveted Chase’s radio. Only a few characters in the Village were allowed to have one. I took the heavy belt and radio with a smile. I didn’t want it to last forever, but it was sweet to finally be synced with everything happening around me.
“So where do I change?” Grigg interrupted my private moment.
“Any of the shops will let you change clothes. Just show them your ID card.”
“I only have my badge.”
“That will work—unless you want to change in a privy. I’ve done it before. I wouldn’t recommend it. Report to the pirate ship over by Lady of the Lake Tavern. That’s where it berths. After that, they’ll tell you what to do. Huzzah! my lord pirate. Good fortune to ye.”