by Mona Marple
Since Violet couldn’t imagine that those tactics were based on anything worthwhile, she did the opposite. After the night’s sleep on the metal bunk of the police cell, her bones were more rickety than normal and the temptation to answer every question with a biting comment was strong. But she pleaded the Fifth all the way through, and didn’t even say thank you to the blonde pin-up officer who showed her out of the building around midday.
She stalked all the way across town, not caring that her hair was standing to attention in seventeen different directions, and thrust open the door of Screamin’ Beans Coffee House. Ellie Bean looked up from the counter and her cat mouthed something so clearly Violet was again astonished that Ellie hadn’t realised the darn thing could talk for so long.
Connie Winters sat at one corner, a baby on each knee, her cheeks red and flustered while a mug of tea grew cool on the table. At another table was the enormous man from the circus. The one with the ridiculous name - Windbanger.
Violet ignored them and made straight for Ellie.
“We need to talk,” she hissed.
“Okay,” Ellie drawled. “I’m on my own here. Can it wait?”
“No.”
Ellie sighed and lifted the serving hatch. “Come on, you’ll have to come in the back.”
Violet followed her into the cramped kitchen space, where dirty dishes balanced precariously in the sink. Violet tutted.
“I thought that friend of yours was helping you out here?”
“Only a couple of days a week.”
“Looks like you need her more than that.”
“You came here to check the state of my dishwashing?”
“I came here to say I’ll help you,” Violet said though pursed lips.
“Wash dishes?”
“Investigate the murder!”
“You’ll - oh!” Ellie’s face transformed into a grin. She was such a pretty thing. Attractive in that way some young women were, entirely unaware of their beauty. “What made you change your mind?”
“Turns out I’m a suspect,” Violet rolled her eyes.
“You?”
“Don’t sound so surprised! I could be capable of murder if I wanted to be.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Ellie said. She grabbed an apron from the back of the door and handed it to Violet. “Put this on. Pretend you’re doing a shift. That way we can keep talking.”
“I’m not a waitress, dear,” Violet said.
“No, you’re back of house. And in this place, we’re called baristas, not waitresses.”
Violet sighed but put the thing over her head.
“Tie it at your back, don’t just leave it open like that. Have you never worked in a cafe or anything before?”
“I’ve never had the need,” Violet shrugged.
“Alright for some,” Ellie said. She handed Violet a scrubbing brush. “Rinse off each thing with this. And some hot water, of course. Then here’s the dishwasher, load it in there after it’s been rinsed. I’ll come back in as much as I can.”
Violet stared at her. Flabbergasted was the word. “You want me to really do this?”
Ellie took a breath. “Honestly? I don’t care. If you don’t, I will. But don’t think you can come in here and prop up the counter. I’m working!”
“Touchy,” Violet muttered as Ellie returned out front. The devil made work for idle hands, Violet knew that to be the truth, so she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. It was soothing in a way, as crazy as it was. She’d just been given bail as a suspected murderer and was washing dishes. Her life was full of plot twists.
She made quick work of the dishes, loading the industrial dishwasher and getting into a nice rhythm. By the time Ellie reappeared, the kitchen was clear.
“You’re done?” Ellie asked. Her voice was softer than before and she gave Violet a smile that seemed to be an apology.
“I don’t mess around,” Violet said. “Can you talk now?”
Ellie nodded and Violet followed her out front. The coffee shop was empty. Godiva watched Violet from one of the plush leather seats.
“What happened?”
“Sheriff Morton turned up last night, right when I was drunk as a hoot, of course. I spent the night in the cells down at the station.”
“He kept you overnight?” Ellie exclaimed. “That’s awful.”
Violet shrugged. “I guess he thought a date with the metal bed would loosen my tongue. It didn’t.”
“What evidence do they have against you?”
“None, of course!” Violet said with a laugh. “Apparently, someone saw me leaving Rufus’ van the night he was killed.”
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Is that true? Were you there?”
“Yes,” Violet admitted. “I didn’t tell the cops that.”
“Good,” Ellie said. “What were you doing there?”
Violet sighed. “Do you remember what happened that day? I had a funny turn, felt a bit ill, right in here as it happens?”
“I remember. Were you drunk then too?”
“No! I’d seen that girl, the fortune teller. That was what did it.”
“But you didn’t know her?”
Violet threw her head in her hands. “No, Ellie! Just shut up and let me explain! I’d never laid eyes on her before, and as soon as I saw her, I knew she was related to me. I can’t explain it. I just knew.”
“And she’s your niece? Your…”
“My sister’s child. Except she doesn’t know that. She thinks her dad is dead. I have no clue who she thinks her mum is.”
“This isn’t making sense,” Ellie said. The door opened and a guy in a suit ordered an espresso, thankfully to go. Violet gazed into the distance as Ellie fixed his drink.
When the door closed behind him, Violet continued. “Rufus is her dad. The poor girl has no idea.”
“So Rufus is, like, your brother in law? Why didn’t you say? Man, Violet, I’m sorry for your loss.”
Violet scowled. “Rufus was my first boyfriend. He was a pig, really. And then he up and left me to join the circus. Can you imagine? Years later, my sister tricked him into what I guess would be a one night stand? Is that what the youngsters call it? A bit of a wham-bam-thank you ma’am kind of thing. Glory was the result.”
“Whoa,” Ellie exclaimed. The door opened again, Connie Winters manoeuvred her way in with the double buggy.
“She’s already been in here once, doesn’t she have a kitchen at home?” Violet whispered. Ellie hushed her.
“I left a pacifier,” Connie sounded harried enough to make Violet regret her harsh words. “Have you seen it?”
“I haven’t looked,” Ellie said. “I’ll give the place a good clean after I close up. Might find it then.”
“I’ll take a quick look,” Connie said. She parked the buggy by the counter and returned to the table where she’d sat earlier. One of the twins was fast asleep, the other one stared intently at Violet as if searching her soul. Babies were adorable if slightly dull. Violet had looked after the twins a few times and would do so again if asked, but she wasn’t one of those women who had ever felt hugely maternal. Just as well, really, since her life had never taken that route.
“Got it!” Connie exclaimed, as if she’d just located an airplane that had stopped responding to call signals. She seemed to spot Violet for the first time. “Violet! You’re wearing an apron! Is everything okay?”
“She’s on a work trial,” Ellie was quick with the line. “I need more help here.”
Connie grinned and popped the pacifier in the mouth of the wide awake child. She began to push the buggy back and forth in that rhythm mothers had. “Well, that’s great. That’s really great. I keep meaning to bake some cakes for you, Ellie. If that’d be okay?”
“For here, you mean?” Ellie asked. “Sure, that’d be great. But you’ve got plenty going on.”
“Oh,” Connie laughed. She had one of those faces that was impossible not to warm to. �
��Yeah, things are a little busy. But when I get some time I’d enjoy getting back in the kitchen. We’re living on the Instant Pot dinners lately.”
“No shame in that,” Violet said. She liked Connie, she really did, but the woman had to leave. She needed to talk to Ellie privately. “Don’t you need to get these babies back home to their daddy? It’s getting dark out. And town isn’t too safe lately.”
“Oh,” Connie nodded. “I know. Taylor’s so worked up about the murder. Apparently he has two suspects right now, but one of them’s a circus woman and one of them’s a local. I told him surely the killer is the one who knew that poor man best? Everyone says people get killed by people they know. What a dreadful thought.”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Ellie said. Both babies were asleep and Connie gazed at them as if in a trance.
“Taylor won’t be home for hours. He’s catching the killer today.”
“Oh, he is?” Ellie asked. Violet’s throat felt dry.
“Yeah, he knows who did it. He’s getting the papers authorised then he’ll be charging her and getting her off the streets. Isn’t he a hero?”
“He sure is,” Violet managed. She reached on to the counter top and hung on for dear life. Thankfully, one of the twins began to cry. Connie gave an apologetic smile.
“I better get going,” Connie said, and off she went.
Only when she’d left did Violet dare to return Ellie’s gaze.
“You can’t go home,” she said.
Violet forced herself to laugh. “You can’t seriously think he’s coming out for me?”
“You wanna take the chance? I’m shutting early, we’re going to mine.”
16
Finding them was easier than Frances Hampton had expected. There they were, the two of them, walking in her direction with an urgency that could be for no good reason.
She slowed her pace and, when they were so close she could make out the expressions on their faces - Violet’s eyebrows dancing around with excitement, Ellie’s own brows furrowed - she darted down the path of a neat little duplex.
“It’s better than just hiding out!” Violet exclaimed as the two walked by. Frances watched them carefully. There was an energy about them, she could barely take her eyes off them.
“You’ll be safe with me,” Ellie urged.
“Safe? Phooey! I’d rather rot in a jail than spend my life hiding out.”
“Please, think about…”
“There’s nothing to think about!”
The two picked up their pace and were almost out of sight when Frances returned to the sidewalk and hollered at them. They stopped, turned and looked at each other then back at her. Frances walked up to them with her hands out by her sides, as if she’d just dropped her weapon on police command.
“I think we should help each other out,” she said. She noted Violet’s wild hair and gave the woman a smile, then held her hand out. “I’m Frances Hampton, the other prime suspect.”
“You’re - oh,” Violet said. She accepted Frances’ hand and gave it a firm shake. “Violet Warren.”
“I know who you are,” Frances said. “I’ve been watching you. I’ve already spoken to Ellie, and I think I can help you too.”
“Why should I trust you?” Violet asked. She crossed her arms.
“I have information,” Frances said with a shrug.
Violet and Ellie looked at each other, then Violet turned back to Frances. “Come on then. We don’t have much to lose at this point. Where shall we talk?”
“Let’s go to my van,” Frances said.
**
Zoey sniffed Ellie’s legs when the three of them entered the van.
“She’ll be sniffing Godiva,” Ellie said. She bent down and gave Zoey such an awkward pat on the head that Frances had to wonder about her pet owning skills.
“You need to stroke, not tap her. She’s not a drum,” Frances said.
Ellie’s cheeks flushed. “Sorry. Godiva doesn’t like to be touched. I guess I’m out of practice.”
“I guess you are,” Frances said. “So, what information do you have so far?”
“You show your hand first,” Violet said. She’d slid into the breakfast booth and drawn the curtains closed, much to Zoey’s disgust.
“I was arrested at the scene,” Frances said. “Caught red handed, I guess. I’d broken in with a crowbar.”
Violet laughed. “That was unlucky.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Why were you breaking in?”
“I’d seen things going on and I had a bad feeling.”
“What kind of things?”
“Well,” Frances began. She filled the kettle and placed it to boil. “I heard you fight with him, for example.”
“So you’re the one who told the Sheriff!” Violet exclaimed.
“No,” Frances said. “I didn’t tell the Sheriff about any of you.”
“Any of us?”
Frances nodded. “Rufus was a popular man that night. He had four visitors. Five if you count me, but I never saw him. Never even got in the doorway before the Sheriff arrived.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes. “And you’re only just revealing this now?”
“I had to figure out if I could trust you. Plus, I’m running out of time and I need help.”
“Running out of time?”
“The circus is leaving town tonight and unless we’ve caught the killer before then, I can’t go with them.”
“And you’re mortified at the chance you might not have a future in your caravan?” Violet sneered.
“This place might not look much to the great Violet Warren, but it’s my home. And until I get to East Kentucky, it’s the only home I want.”
Violet gave a slow nod. “Fair enough. Who are these suspects then? Surely the last visitor killed him?”
“Not necessarily,” Ellie said. “Not everyone would find a dead body and report it. Some people would sneak back out of there as if they’d never been inside.”
“Especially people with a history,” Frances added.
“Who has a history?”
Frances swallowed, handed out three cups of weak coffee. “Glory.”
“Glory?” Violet exclaimed.
Frances nodded. “She’s had a few run-ins with the police. Nothing recent, but she’s got a few assault charges, theft, that kind of thing.”
“And she was there that night?”
“They had a huge fight. Glory ran out of there crying and slammed her way back into her own caravan. I went in there later - just to check on her - and she’d fallen asleep. I don’t know what they were fighting about. Those two always got on well.”
“I think I have an idea,” Violet said. “Rufus was her father. I suspect you overheard him telling her that and then her response.”
“Wow,” Frances said. “You mean he was lying to her all these years?”
“Yep.”
“Violet’s her aunt,” Ellie said.
Frances’ eyes widened. “So that’s why he never wanted us to come back to this place! He knew you’d reveal his lie.”
“I guess so.”
“Who else visited? That’s Violet, Glory, you… who else?”
“Windbanger and Old Man River,” Frances said. “In that order.”
“Old Man River? Who’s he?”
“He’s been here longer than the rest of us put together. He lives on site and does odd jobs and things, but it seems like he can do less each year.”
“He was the last person to see Rufus alive,” Violet murmured. She picked up her coffee with a shaky hand. “Why wouldn’t you tell the Sheriff about these other visitors?”
“I don’t trust the law,” Frances said. “Travelling folks like me never get a good deal from town police. And anyway, his sidekick looked like Pamela Anderson!”
Ellie smiled at that. “Officer Tumulty? She’s not as soft as she looks.”
Violet counted the visitors on the fingers of her right hand. “M
e, Glory, Windbanger, Old Man Ocean, and then you?”
“River,” Frances cracked up. “Old Man River!”
“I’m not sure this is the time to be having a laugh,” Ellie said. “We know that Sheriff Morton’s going to solve the case tonight, and his only suspects appear to be the two of you. We have to work this out.”
“Phooey!” Violet said. “If we lose our sense of humour, that’s the time to really worry.”
Ellie rolled her eyes.
“You know, you two are alright.”
“Maybe you two can just share a cell?” Ellie asked, eyes wide.
Frances and Violet descended further into laughter while Ellie pulled out a notebook and pen.
“Tell me everything about these two men,” she asked.
“Windbanger’s fine,” Frances said. “He’s lazy and his ego barely fits through his van door. He’s here for the money and his name in lights.”
“How’d he get on with Rufus?”
“Fine, I guess,” Frances said. “They didn’t spend much time together. Rufus loved the circus, he loved tricks and magic. He was like a big kid whenever he saw a new act. So he spent most of his time just hanging around the Big Top, doing whatever he could lay a hand on to help. It was pretty easy to forget that he was our boss as much as Windbanger.”
“It’s a 50/50 split?” Ellie asked.
Frances shrugged. “I don’t know those details.”
“Glory will get his share now, I guess,” Violet pondered aloud.
“Can’t imagine that’s much comfort for the girl. Imagine discovering your so-called uncle is your father, and then he gets killed.”
“It’s a pretty big coincidence, huh? The timing of this?” Ellie asked.
“It’s more than a coincidence,” Violet agreed. “The trouble is, as soon as you suggest Rufus was killed because he was Glory’s dad, she becomes the prime suspect.”
“How come the police know I visited but don’t know Glory did?” Violet asked. “You said Glory and him were fighting? Making some noise?”
“They sure were,” Frances confirmed. “That was during the show, though. Most people were in the Big Top.”
“So the person who alerted the police about me wasn’t around when Glory was in there?”
