The Honeyed Taste of Deception

by CeeCee James

  She arranged the bacon on a cookie sheet and slid it into the oven. She’d let that bake a few minutes before starting the egg.

  Elise grabbed her mug of coffee and carried it over to her happy place, her window seat framed from the outside by the cherry tree. The cushions were soft as she climbed up on it, reaching to pull her crocheted afghan up over her legs. Leaning back, she looked out at the beautiful day.

  A white truck pulled up next to the neighbor across the street. Elise watched it park, her brow wrinkling thoughtfully. Looked like the painter’s truck she’d seen yesterday, but no sign. And when had she seen another one? The memory flickered at the edge of her mind but she couldn’t grasp it.

  The driver climbed out garbed in white coveralls. He slammed the door and walked back behind the van to unlatch the louver door. After pushing it open back on its tracks, he yanked down a ramp.

  As the ramp grated against the ground, the passenger climbed out of his side of the truck. He too was wearing white coveralls with a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead. He carried a clipboard and the two men briefly consulted together behind the van. The passenger chucked the clipboard into the back and the two of them headed up the walk to the front door.

  So it’s a moving truck? I didn’t even see a for sale sign. Elise couldn’t help the tinge of surprise. The neighbor woman was in her late fifties and worked at the local water company. Though it wasn’t often they ran into each other, the neighbor always had a smile and a wave whenever she spotted Elise. They’d even exchanged Christmas cookies last year.

  I wonder who’s moving in?

  Max jumped on the couch and head butted under Elise’s arm for more attention. She scratched his ears and throat, and he let out a rusty meow in contentment.

  “Hey buddy. Whatcha think, huh? Did you know she was moving?”

  Max rubbed his head across her lips and she giggled as she kissed him. He flopped down on the window seat as his paws worked to knead the bit of blanket that had fallen from her leg. Elise stroked his side and his purr grew louder. She looked out the window again.

  A green car broke her field of vision as it drove down the road. Rusty, and battered, the car looked like it had been in more than one accident in its lifetime. A pair of hands clenched the steering wheel tightly, and Elise smiled. Better hold on to that steering wheel tight. I don’t think your car can take another accident.

  As the car passed, the driver looked up her driveway.

  It was the man from outside the first wedding reception. The one who’d approached her and talked about the circus.

  She jerked back from the window. Did he see me? Heart pumping, she ducked down below the seat. Did the tree shade me enough? He seemed to have been more focused on her front door.

  What’s going on? Was he following me? She peeped out of the corner of the window, but the green car was long gone.

  Shakily, she stood up and pulled down her blinds.

  The scent of burning bacon filled the air. Oh, crap! Elise ran into the kitchen for the forgotten bacon. Using a towel, she whisked the tray out of the oven and onto a cutting board.

  Her brow wrinkled as she looked down at the tray, not really seeing it. Her mind was a million miles away as she used the towel to fan the bacon off.

  Do I call Brad? What do I say? Hey, some strange dude drove by. What if it was some bizarre coincidence? What if I didn’t have a friend on the police force? I’d just have to handle it myself, right?

  She unrolled a loop of paper towels onto a plate and transferred the bacon for the grease to blot off. Snagging a piece, she moved back to the front window for another peek.

  He was gone. The movers across the street were all she could see.

  She crunched her bacon thoughtfully as Max meowed at her feet for his share. Time to take Uncle Rozzo up on his offer and visit the circus, apparently. Maybe Brad will come with me. If I see the green car there, I might be able to track this guy down better.

  “Why do I attract weirdos, Max?” she asked the cat who blinked adoringly up at her. Resist. Must resist. He gave a little “brit” from the back of his throat and stared hypnotically.

  “You need to go on a diet, buddy.” She looked at the bacon in her hand and sighed. “Fine, just a little piece,” she murmured, breaking off one of the crispy edges. She dropped it on the floor and continued to her room to get ready. Half-way there, she detoured back into the kitchen for more bacon and her phone to text Brad. Want to go on a Circus Date?

  Chapter 13

  Elise hadn't been to the circus since she was nine years old. And since then, she’d seen enough scary movies starring clowns to waver from the child-like opinion that it was a magical place. Now, circuses lay more on the creepy end of the spectrum.

  While searching for a parking spot, Elise had kept an eye out for the green car. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, though, with how the lot was jam-packed. She tried to rouse up her courage. He doesn’t know I saw him, and he has no idea I’m here.

  They passed through the entrance after picking up the tickets that Uncle Rozzo had left for them. Brad held her hand firmly, his hand feeling warm and strong.

  He looked down and gave her a smile. “What are you thinking about?”

  She shook her head. Giving a cop a tidbit like this was a sure way to ruin a date. And by gum, it was the first real date in a month. She wasn’t ruining this one.

  The circus was a bevy of colors and smells. Barnyard scents from the animals mixed weirdly with popcorn and a spice she couldn’t identify. Peanut shells littered the hard-packed dirt pathway, and garbage cans stood overflowing on the corners of the tents.

  Her eyebrow flickered in amusement as a fat clown skipped by leading a pony. The horse wore a sparkling halter and a pink tutu around its belly, matching the flowing tulle skirt worn by the clown.

  Three small dogs came along next with another clown wearing green suspenders. This clown smiled at Elise as he passed, his painted lips large and garish. She smiled back with a feeling of uncertainty.

  The clown stopped as two children reached to pet his dogs. He honked his nose in response to every question the children asked, while their parents watched with a look of indulgence.

  Elise and Brad sidestepped around them. Feeling a brush on her arm, Elise looked over to see the ringmaster. She recognized him right away, with his stereotypical black coat with long tails. He carried a staff topped with a silver ball and winked at her. Then, after twirling his mustache like an old time dastardly train robber, he hurried into the main tent.

  "Are you ready?” Brad asked at the tent’s entrance. His eyebrows jerked with concern at the sound of a braying donkey from somewhere inside. “Am I ready?”

  “Yep. This is going to be fun.”

  Brad handed the two pink ticket stubs to a man wearing a striped shirt stretched tight over a round body the size of a beer barrel. The man leered at Elise and switched his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other.

  Once the flap closed behind them, they entered what felt like a dark cavern. Flashing spotlights highlighted the overhead trapeze swings and the large net that covered half the floor. The straw-covered the floor was also littered with barrels, giant rings and several painted ladders. The child-like excitement she’d thought she’d lost fluttered in Elise’s chest as they headed for their seats.

  The stands were already crowded with moms and dads and little kids shoving in each other. Hawkers climbed up and down the stands yelling, “Cotton candy! Peanuts!”

  Brad kept a tight grip on Elise’s hand as they squished past the people already seated, trying not to step on toes or knock over purses. Finally, they reached their seats, front and center, and settled down to look around the tent area. Having VIP tickets had its perks.

  Colorful floodlights swooped around the room and splashed against floor length curtains at the back. Elise felt suitably dazzled as Brad waved down the peanut guy and ordered a bag. Suddenly, she saw someone she recognized a
nd touched Brad's elbow.

  “Look down there,” she said, pointing with her pinky, “That’s Catalina’s Uncle Rozzo.”

  Brad turned to look just in time to see the man skirt behind the curtain along the back wall. “And look he’s with,” he grimaced.

  Elise craned her neck to see who was with Uncle Rozzo. “Who?”

  “The mystery lady friend I saw him with the other night.”

  The petite woman darted behind the curtain.

  “What struck your interest the first time you saw them?” Elise asked.

  “They were standing outside arguing, by that diner next to your work. He seemed a little steamed so I was keeping an eye on things.”

  “And?”

  Brad shrugged. “They worked it out and went their separate ways.”

  Popcorn flew in the air from behind them and Elise felt her chair get a good whack. She turned to see two young kids fighting. Their poor mom appeared as if she hadn’t slept in a decade.

  Brad’s muscles tensed under the flannel shirt he wore. “You know who I think that was?” The tone in his voice shot a mind bullet at her. The award picture.

  “Not….”

  He nodded. “You got it. Emily Rose. The missing waitress. ” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back.”

  What? But the show is about to start? Instead of protesting, Elise nodded with what she hoped was an understanding look.

  Standing with a broad confidence, Brad scanned the crowd around him before zeroing in on the back of the tent. He picked his way down the rows of seats to the arena floor and traveled in the last direction they’d seen Uncle Rozzo.

  Elise shifted uncomfortably, keenly aware of the empty seat next to her. It seemed to radiate, “She’s alone, folks! No date for her!” The kids behind her kicked her seat in a rapid succession. She gritted her teeth. She’d never been good with kids and had no idea of what to do other than turn around and yell at them. But, judging from the mom’s face, that was the last thing that mom needed.

  The lights lowered then, and the kids settled down. On the floor, three spotlights swooped to illuminate a single area. The ringmaster walked into the light with his hands in the air, welcoming everyone. Applause swelled and became deafening. Elise’s own hands stung from clapping so hard.

  The ringmaster lowered his hands and began to speak. “Ladies and Gentlemen. I proudly present to you over a hundred years of experience, tricks, and death defying acts. Hold your loved ones close and don’t look away. Presenting the Petrovitsky Family Circus!”

  The show was everything magical Elise had remembered from her childhood. The audience collectively gasped at the trapeze artists, cringed at the fire-breathing man, and squealed at the dogs riding on top of the elephants. Clowns somersaulted and squirted the audience with confetti-spewing plastic guns. Bears wearing paper hats rode bicycles. Women in tiny costumes twirled on ribbons that hung from the ceiling, while below, ponies with pink-painted hooves danced in rhythm.

  Somewhere, between the tightrope walker and the motorcycle cage of death, Brad rejoined her. It was too noisy to hear anything, but he shook his head to let her know he didn’t find anything.

  When the ringmaster did his final bow, the applause was thunderous. Slowly the lights came up leading everyone to blink hard.

  Elise’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She fished it out to read, You still at the circus? Cook and I are here!

  She automatically glanced around as if expecting the petite blonde and the red-headed giant to appear at her elbow. Not seeing them, she typed back, Just leaving the main tent right now.

  The response was immediate. Wait for us! We’ll be right there.

  Tucking the phone away, Elise nudged Brad’s arm. “I need to hang out here for a second. Catalina and her fiancé are coming to meet us.”

  He grimaced. “This has been the worst date night, ever. First my fault, and now yours.”

  “Sorry! What was I supposed to say?”

  He grabbed her in his arms and growled into her neck. “How about, make it quick. I’m on a date with my man candy.”

  His breath tickled, and laughing, she drew her chin down to nudge him out. “I’ll do my best.” She glanced up just in time to see a thin waif of a girl with large gray eyes staring at her from over by the concession stand. The teenager seemed familiar, but Elise couldn’t place her. The girl looked up the dirt walkway and then darted away.

  “Elise!” squealed Catalina enthusiastically from the direction the teen had drawn her attention to. The blonde woman swung Cook’s hand as she hurried over. “I’m so glad to see you!” She gave Elise a big hug, as Brad shook Cook’s hand. “So! What did you think?”

  “It was amazing,” Elise admitted. Which was totally true. In fact her cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

  “Isn’t it, though?” Catalina beamed with pride. She looped her arm through Elise’s. “Let me introduce you to the guy who’s going to marry us.”

  The little woman was strong, and Elise found herself being dragged through the funneling crowd of people back into the tent. “Argo!” Catalina yelled. “Has anyone seen Argo?”

  One of the clowns pointed, and Catalina towed her in that direction. There was a man dressed in black bending over a long case. He seemed to be meticulous in the way he was arranging something.

  “Ahh, Argo,” Catalina chimed. “I have friends for you to meet.”

  The man glanced up at his name and straightened to a height rivaling Cook’s, although he was considerably skinnier.

  Elise recognized him as the sword swallower. “Hi. I’m Elise,” she said, taking his hand. She half winced inside, waiting for his response. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d sound rusty from all those swords.

  “Any friend of our little Cat’s is a friend of mine,” his words were low and melodious. His thumb gave a gentle rub against her hand as he smiled. Quite a charming smile, actually, accentuated by thoughtful, dark eyes.

  Next to her, Brad cleared his throat. Elise blinked and dropped Argo’s hand. “Brad,” he said, also shaking the sword swallower’s hand.

  A short, stout man in a clown suit walked up to the group of them. “Howdy folks! Howdy! Howdy! Howdy!”

  “Hi, Uncle Rozzo,” Catalina giggled.

  Uncle Rozzo stuck a rubber nose on his face and squeezed it a few times, while shimmying his chest at her, making the four colorful pompoms there dance.

  “How’s my girl? And what happened to your arm?”

  Elise looked to see a previously unnoticed scrape on Catalina’s arm. The petite blonde hid it with one hand. “You know me, always tripping on something. I fell during my wedding gown fitting yesterday.”

  “Ah, as graceful as ever, I see,” He winked a fluffy eyebrow at her.

  “Honestly, I can’t take you seriously with that nose on,” his niece said.

  “Since when have you ever taken me seriously?” Still, he plucked off the nose and hid it away in the pocket of his striped trousers. “So, you’re still going through with this marriage, eh?” He eyed Cook.

  “Now, Uncle Rozzo, you know he’s a good guy.”

  “He’s not a carny though, no offense to you,” this last bit was tossed up to Cook.

  “Fresh blood is good, Uncle.” Catalina nudged him and raised an eyebrow.

  Uncle Rozzo gave her a measured look before nodding. “Yes, yes, that’s right. New blood.” And then with a wave as he turned to leave, Elise heard him mutter, “and new money.”

  Chapter 14

  T minus 4 until the wedding day. Time was dwindling down and tension built. Outside Wedding Dreams, Sonya tapped the horn of her VW bus, appearing impatient through the windshield. Elise locked the boutique’s door behind her, not feeling excited about the car ride ahead. She jumped in the back seat and passed the keys up front.

  There’d been no question about where she would sit. They were on their way to pick up Catalina right now.

  “I hate being late,” Sonya’s soft voice st
ill managed to growl as she crammed the car into gear with a loud noise.

  Elise didn’t say anything. They weren’t late. In fact, Elise had been early, knowing Sonya. But her twenty minutes early still apparently equaled late on Sonya’s timetable.

  They drove the two blocks to the Denny’s restaurant in silence. Catalina was waiting for them out front, bouncing up and down in tiny ballet flats. In her hands was a cardboard holder filled with three coffee cups.

  “Hi, ladies!” she chirped as she hopped into the passenger seat. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled with excitement. She wore a bright green sweater with a blue flannel scarf draped around her neck. “Coffee?”

  Catalina wore a scent similar to baby powder that mixed with the coffee. Already the mood in the van was picking up, at least for Elise. Sonya still stared sourly out the windshield.

  “Thank you. I’d love some,” Elise said. Catalina twisted in her seat to pass back the cup. Elise took a sip and tried to hide her grimace. Black wasn’t her favorite, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. “So, today is your final fitting then, right?” she began as a conversation starter.

  “Yep! And we get to check out places for the wedding.” Catalina squeezed her hands together, seemingly not able to contain her excitement.

  “I think I have a tentative approval already on two of these venues,” Sonya said. Her face was pale in the morning light, but her frown had disappeared. Maybe Catalina’s energy was getting to her, too.

  They pulled into an empty parking spot in front of Bride’s Best bridal shop. Similar to the last time, the two women and their pet poodle greeted them at the door.

  “Hello!” said Simone, this time wearing a baby blue dress suit.

  “Hi, there,” Elise responded, trying to get out of the way of Catalina, who plowed past her.