“We all are.”
The wardrobe staff muddled their way through the afternoon show. Some days, Ellen managed to get a bit of rest between performances, but not today. She and her crew stayed busy during intermission, repairing and creating costumes in preparation for the evening.
“Is it safe to come in?”
Ellen recognized Will’s voice. “It’s fine.” She wiped her sweaty hands on her apron.
He lifted the flap and entered, but he wasn’t alone. The man with him sported blue trousers and a blue jacket with polished brass buttons. A tall, rounded helmet sat atop his head. He shook Ellen’s hand. “How do you do?”
“I’m fine.” Her midsection tightened. What could the police want with her? What if she gave him the wrong answer?
“I’m interviewing everyone who sleeps in the Alvena and has knowledge of where the victim kept her valuables.”
His deep voice and forceful tone did nothing to still her quivering knees. “I don’t know much, but I’ll help you any way I can.”
“Very good.”
Will moved to her side. She appreciated his nearness. As the officer interrogated her, she took a deep breath.
“Where were you at ten o’clock this morning?”
She allowed her breath to escape. Her alibi stood beside her. “In town, purchasing items to replace the costumes damaged in the rain yesterday. Mr. Jorgensen was with me part of the time. So was my assistant.”
She glanced at Will. His face didn’t register any emotion. Why not? What was going on?
The policeman cleared his throat. “Were you alone at any time?”
“Yes, in the shops. The store owners can corroborate my story.”
“That will help. Give me the shop names, and I’ll speak with the clerks. But you were alone at no time?”
“No. Even when I moved between stores, people crowded the streets. Someone must have seen me.”
“A witness reports spotting you on the circus grounds in the area of the sleeping car around noon. What do you say to that?”
The room warmed. A trickle of sweat stood at the edge of her jaw. “The witness must be mistaken. I left for town about an hour before then and didn’t arrive back until Constance reported the robbery. Mr. Jorgensen was with me.”
Beside her, Will stiffened. “I’m afraid it was closer to one o’clock when we ran into each other.”
She struggled for breath. “I got turned around searching for one store. There was a time gap between my departing one shop and arriving at another. But I never left town. Mr. Jorgensen, you saw my boxes. If I returned here, wouldn’t I have left them behind? Please, you have to believe me.”
Will grabbed her stool. “Sit down. Don’t get the vapors.”
“I’m fine. But I didn’t commit this crime. Ask around. You’ll find that’s the case.”
The police officer reached into his jacket pocket. He slid out something and opened his hand.
Ellen gasped. “Constance’s cameo.”
Will knelt beside her. “He found it in the top of your trunk.”
Chapter Five
Ellen stared at the delicate cameo in the officer’s large, calloused hand. “I didn’t take it.” Her chest tightened. “You have to believe me.”
“Then how did it get there?”
“I don’t have any idea. Someone put it there. Someone is framing me.” She didn’t want to think it, but no other theory explained the jewelry’s mysterious appearance in her belongings.
Constance zipped over from the other side of the tent. “My cameo. You found it.” She clapped, then swiped it from the officer’s hand. A few tears, crocodile ones in Ellen’s estimation, slipped down her cheeks. “I never thought I’d see it again.”
The officer cleared his throat. “This is the missing item, then?”
Constance nodded. “And you found it in Ellen’s trunk?”
“That’s correct, miss.”
Constance turned to Ellen, her skirts swirling. “How could you? This means everything to me. You waltz in here, take my job, and now you steal my grandmother’s cameo. I hope they lock you in jail.”
Ellen stood, knocking over the stool. “But I didn’t do it.” She clenched her fists, her heart racing faster than the chariot around the hippodrome. “Officer, I’m innocent. Check with the stores. They’ll tell you I shopped in their establishments. There is no way I had time to do this.”
“You can be sure I’ll do just that.”
Will touched her shoulder and smiled, his mustache rising. “This will all work out.” He directed his attention to the policeman. “The train leaves within a couple of hours of the show’s end. This matter needs to be cleared up before we depart.”
The man nodded. “I’ll do the best I can. In the meantime, Miss Meyer will have to stay in her train compartment.”
“But the show. There’s so much to do. I have to finish these costumes.”
Constance fluffed her hair. “I’m the senior member of this staff. I’m more than capable of overseeing the job. Besides, we don’t want this kind of influence around innocent young women.”
The officer shook his head. “I’m sorry, Miss Meyer, but that’s the way it has to be. Is there a responsible person who can guard her?”
Will nodded. “I don’t have any duties at this point. I’ll sit outside the car. Can she work while we await the results of your investigation?”
“I don’t have any problem with that. I’ll do my best to speed things along. I can’t guarantee I’ll be done by the time you leave, but I hope to wrap this up soon.”
“Just make sure to keep a careful watch on her.” Constance glared at Ellen. “Who knows what she’s capable of.”
With gentle pressure on the small of her back, Will led Ellen to the tent’s entrance. He glanced behind. “Make sure all of the performer’s costumes are in good repair and ready to go when they’re needed. The show comes first.”
Will clasped Ellen’s hand as they wound their way through the crowd gathering on the circus grounds. Already, the sideshow hawkers beckoned the curiosity seekers to peek inside their tents. They sidestepped the wagons, painted in an array of garish hues, returning from town. An elephant trumpeted. The smell of peanuts wafted on the afternoon air.
Ellen didn’t enjoy a bit of it. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you have work to do.”
“I believe you. Perhaps the real thief panicked when they heard I went to town to involve the authorities. Whoever did it might have stashed it in the nearest trunk.”
“Is it really such a simple explanation?”
“Sometimes, yes.”
“Thanks for believing me. You might be the only one.”
“Are you having a difficult time adjusting to this life?”
“The girls have been nice enough, but they don’t welcome me with open arms.”
“The circus is like a family. Many of these people were born into families of performers. This Gypsy-style existence is all they know. And the former wardrobe mistress worked for the Ringling brothers since the beginning. Give them time. They’ll warm up.”
She stopped as they reached the train’s steps, doubt filling her. “But you’ve been with the show your entire life. Why are you being nice to me?”
A handsome deep pink infused his smooth cheeks. Did he get too much sun? Or had she embarrassed him?
How?
Will toed a rock stuck in the dirt. How did he answer Ellen’s question? He couldn’t tell her he noticed her yesterday in the rainstorm. That compassion rose in his chest at the sight of her bloody head. Or that some mysterious part of her reminded him of his sweet, departed mother. “It’s the Christian thing to do.”
“Oh.” She skipped up the stairs and disappeared into the Alvena.
“I’ll be out here if you need anything.” He sat on the warm metallic step. The first woman who sparked any kind of emotion in him, and he made a mess of things. Most of the girls on this train were more like sisters to him. He grew u
p with many of them. And those he met during the winter harbored no desire to spend their lives on a stuffy train crisscrossing the country.
Anyway, he worked from first thing in the morning until late in the night. He remembered the long, lonely hours he’d spent as a child wandering the grounds, looking for anyone to pay him a bit of attention. This was no life for anyone who wanted to settle down. That’s what his mother told his father.
Before the circus took her life.
Still, he loved the excitement and pageantry of it all.
“Mr. Jorgensen?”
He straightened, her soft voice piercing him. “Please, call me Will.”
“Would you mind talking to me? Just to keep me company.”
“Not at all.”
“I’m frightened. What if the store owners don’t remember me? I don’t stand out in a crowd. In fact, I’m rather forgettable. And if they can’t tell the police I was there, they’ll throw me in jail.”
“You have nothing to worry about.” Dimpled cheeks. Light brown curly hair. She was anything but forgettable.
“How can you be so sure?”
“You’re innocent, right?”
“Yes. The only thing I ever stole was a cookie from Miriam Taylor in school. And I only did that because I was hungry.”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“What if the investigation takes too long? What will I do if the train moves on without me? Will I lose my job?” Her voice tightened until it almost squeaked.
“My mother would tell me not to borrow trouble.”
“I’m not borrowing it. It’s found me.”
“Havoc follows Constance in her wake. One disaster or another befalls her on a regular basis. You had the misfortune of standing too close to her. Keep your distance, and you’ll be fine.”
“That’s wise advice. I wish you would’ve told me that twenty-four hours ago.”
“And don’t worry about the train leaving. You happen to be talking to the right person.”
She giggled. “True. But I can’t allow you to hold up the entire production for me. You have a schedule to keep. A show to put on tomorrow.”
“It’s a short run. Rock Island is only twenty-five miles away. We can wait.” He’d risk Mr. Ringling’s ire, if need be.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“You calmed me down. Now, if I could only get this skirt to the wardrobe tent. One of the Nelson sisters needs it for the contortionist act.”
He scanned the grounds. The call of the ringmaster heralded from the main tent. The afternoon performance was well underway. For now, the grounds were quiet. He stood and peeked into the Alvena. “Give it to me. I’ll run it over. You stay put.” He winked.
“I’ll be right here.”
He scampered across the field and made it to the ladies’ dressing room within a few minutes. “I have a delivery from Miss Meyer.”
Of course, Constance met him at the entrance. “Mr. Jorgensen, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be guarding the prisoner.”
“She isn’t a prisoner. No one has convicted her of a crime.”
She blinked several times, until he thought she must have sand in her eyes. “I’m sure the little vixen worked her magic on you and has you running at her beck and call. She’s hoodwinked you like she has everyone else, made you believe she’s perfect and innocent when she’s nothing of the sort.”
“I’m just delivering this skirt for one of the Nelson sisters.”
“I’ll walk back with you to make sure she hasn’t escaped. What a perfect time it would be. With the entire town inside the big top, she could slip away unnoticed and be halfway to Chicago before anyone realized she disappeared.”
“Let’s go. I’ll prove she’s trustworthy.”
When he spun around to return to the train, he spotted the police officer climbing the steps.
He’d returned with his verdict.
Chapter Six
Ellen paced the railcar up and down between the berths. What if no one corroborated her story? What if no one remembered her? How would she survive jail? Her family. They depended on her. With Mama’s health declining, she couldn’t lose her job. If she did, Mama wouldn’t be able to afford her tuberculosis treatments.
And Ellen couldn’t bear to think of the consequences.
When she heard men’s voices outside of the compartment, she broke into a cold sweat. She recognized the police officer’s tenor timbre and Will’s much deeper one.
He’d been so kind. Would he continue to believe her even if she was found guilty?
“Miss Meyer, you may come out. The officer is back, and he has some news.” Will’s soft, steady words gave her a glimmer of hope. Her hands didn’t shake quite as much as she made her way down the steps and over to the men.
At least, not until she saw Constance. What was she doing here? How did she know the officer had returned?
“You’re going to get your comeuppance, Ellen. You can’t steal from me and get away with it. I’ll make sure you receive justice.”
Will shook his head. “Let’s hear what the officer has to say. Don’t rush to judgment.”
The officer nodded to Ellen. “Especially since the young lady here told the truth. The shop owners verified her story. At the time of the robbery, they were doing business with her in town. At no point was she gone long enough to return here, steal the cameo, and get back to the next store.”
Ellen’s knees buckled. Will grabbed her around the waist and steadied her. Out of impulse, she hugged him. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“You’re free to go, Miss Meyer. I’ll question the rest of your staff before you pull out tonight.”
“But, she stole my cameo. You’re letting this thief get away.” Constance stood on her tiptoes, almost shouting. “Who knows what she’ll steal from me next.”
Ellen’s bubble of patience popped. “Didn’t you hear the officer? I’m innocent. Whoever thought they saw me here at the time of the theft was mistaken. I was in town shopping for wardrobe items.” She clenched her fists. “Let’s put this behind us and move on. There’s too much work to be done for us to stand here bickering.”
Ellen couldn’t hold back a smile as Constance stood moving her mouth, no words coming out. With a swish of her skirt, Ellen headed in the direction of the wardrobe tent.
A few moments later, Constance caught up to her, her voice as smooth as ice. “Just so you know, Mr. Jorgensen and I have an understanding.”
Ellen stopped in her tracks, Constance flying a few steps ahead of her. “What do you mean?” Why did the urge to claw at Constance strike her?
“You know. Don’t play dumb. In fact, we’re planning to be married at the end of the season. Maybe even before.”
“I’m very happy for the two of you. Congratulations. If you need help sewing your wedding gown, let me know.”
“I believe I can make that just fine on my own.”
The pain behind Ellen’s eyes ramped up. She told herself the disappointment that ate away at her chest was the result of nothing more than a trying day.
Too bad she couldn’t make herself believe it.
Friday, May 22, 1896
Ellen clutched her satchel in one hand and her parasol in the other as she and Lucy made their way to the Des Moines post office. “I hope there’s a letter waiting for me. With Mama’s delicate health, I’m concerned about the cold Poppa said she contracted.”
Lucy patted her hand. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll hear that she’s much improved.”
“That’s the hardest part of the job. Being away from your loved ones when they need you.”
“You do what you have to at times.”
“You’re right. With much better pay than I received at the Boston shop, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. At least with the nonsense about Constance’s cameo over, I don’t have to fear losing my job. Mama can get medical care.”
“I’m glad
Constance is behaving herself. She’s been almost nice to me and civil to you.”
“She told me that she and Mr. Jorgensen plan to be married at the end of the season.”
Lucy covered her mouth and laughed. “Over the years, she’s fancied herself engaged to almost every man associated with the circus. I wouldn’t put too much stock in it.”
“You never know.”
They made their way into the bustling city. Lithograph posters plastered the sides of many of the buildings. Their bright colors livened the brown brick landscape. “I’ve never seen so much advertising in one place.”
Lucy pointed to one on the side of the drugstore. “I love that one. I almost believe the tigers are going to jump off the page.”
“Wait, that’s not for Ringling Brothers. It’s for Forepaugh.”
Lucy held on to her hat as she spun in a circle. “None of them are for Ringling.”
“What’s going on? Didn’t the advertising car get here on time?”
“No, the Forepaugh advance men are opposing us, plastering over our posters.”
Ellen jumped at the sound of Will’s deep voice in her ear. Her heart cartwheeled in a way any acrobat would envy. “Mr. Jorgensen. I didn’t know you were in town.”
A moment too late, she spied Constance hanging on to him. “We’re having a lovely day. I begged him to show me around, and he was only too happy to indulge me.”
Will tightened his lips into a straight line. “You said you were afraid of the commotion in the big city.”
Constance’s giggle couldn’t have been any more fake than the gorilla boy’s fur.
“I trust you’re feeling better, Miss Meyer.”
“I am, thank you. I haven’t had a headache in a few days.” She didn’t miss the ruddiness that highlighted his cheeks, enhancing his handsomeness.
“Where are you ladies headed?”
“To the post office. I’m hoping for a letter from my father.”
“We’ll walk with you.”
Constance tugged on Will’s arm. “I really do need to get to the five and dime. You promised to show me the way.”
“We can head over there after Miss Meyer checks for her letter. Who knows? Maybe one of us will have mail, too.”
The Rails to Love Romance Collection Page 55