Treacherous Toys

by Joyce

  I helped Christine make more pieces to put together for the toys. The family had a quota they’d promised to fill for the season. Christine said a number of the toys were already on back order from their website. Apparently, they did everything they could to support their family as Christmas characters.

  We got a call a little later from the Father Christmas photo area. Even though Adventure Land had brought in extra hands, they needed help with the crowd that wanted to sit on Father Christmas’s lap. Christine wanted the children to have the rest of the day to themselves, so I volunteered my services.

  As we walked from the workshop to the photo area in the next manor house, we saw one of the dry runs for Livy’s future trip to the hospital. Like everything else the royals did, it involved a parade of support workers going from the castle to the Main Gate.

  “How pregnant is the queen?” Christine asked, smiling at the spectacle.

  “She’s supposed to be due at Christmas. I’m surprised they aren’t planning on picking her up in a helicopter and flying her there.”

  “Maybe they couldn’t fit the jugglers and ladies-in-waiting into a helicopter,” she said. “I admire her style. I had Jolly in an elevator in a department store in Dayton, Ohio. Chris delivered him. I always waited too long. Of course, they all had to be born after Thanksgiving, our busiest time of year.”

  I laughed at that, thinking how unique her life had been with Chris. Maybe it wasn’t so bad living outside what most people think of as normal society. Harry and Livy had certainly done it for many years. I knew quite a few couples who lived and worked in the Village. Their lives weren’t the same as those of nine-to-five workers, but they were good nonetheless. I wished I could convince myself that living here with Chase, giving up my hope of tenure at some big college, didn’t signal disaster.

  We were walking close to the cobblestones to avoid a group of children. They were having pictures taken with various Village characters, including Merlin the Wizard.

  I noticed a knight coming down the cobblestones at a high rate of speed. Visitors and Village residents got quickly out of the horse’s path. It appeared that the rider had lost control of his mount—until he took a sharp turn directly into our path, scattering the children.

  “What in the world?” Christine asked as he came closer and his lance went down in a fighting position. “Jessie, I think this rider might be in trouble.”

  But I realized with terrible clarity that the rider wasn’t in trouble—we were. He seemed to have complete control of the horse, and he was directing the animal right at us.

  “Get out of the way!” I yelled, pushing her into one of the small walkways between the manor houses.

  Christine yelled but moved quickly, especially considering the long skirts that kept us from actively running from the horse. A pretzel vendor, not realizing the situation, wandered between us and the horse, giving us a few precious seconds to get out of the way.

  Pretzels flew everywhere as the horse collided with the small cart. The vendor was flung back away from the horse’s hooves. The knight’s lance got caught up in the yellow and white spokes of the cart. The pretzel banner tangled in his armor.

  The rider never broke his stride. Christine and I were just inside the narrow pathway as the horse galloped by. I could feel the breeze from the fast-moving animal and see the flecks of foam on his mouth. I realized the knight must have ridden him hard for quite a while. Where on earth had he come from?

  The horse and his rider continued on their course of destruction and mayhem, swerving back on the cobblestones past the startled visitors emerging from the privies and the first aid station. Then they charged through the Main Gate and into the parking lot, never slowing as they continued out of view.

  “What was that all about?” Christine asked, brushing grass from her gown. “Do they gallop through like that every hour or something?”

  “No. That’s not like the Sheriff of Nottingham catching Robin Hood,” I assured her. “That was dangerous and reckless. I don’t know who it was, but it looked like he swerved toward us on purpose.”

  She blinked several times, and her normally pink face grew pale. “That’s ridiculous. Why would someone want to hurt us?”

  “I think that’s something we should find out.” I thought about what Grigg had said. Maybe the killer was after me because he or she thought I could identify him or her.

  Security guards were already in the area. They began helping people to their feet, cleaning up the pretzels that had spilled, and assuring everyone that they were sorry for the accident.

  I knew Chase wouldn’t be far behind. He’d be there to calm everyone down and hand out free passes to those who wanted them. A runaway horseman hurtling through the Village wasn’t something Adventure Land wanted the media to find out about. As it was, there were probably a few people with video phones who had already sent the event to YouTube.

  “I’d better get upstairs,” Christine said.

  “Wait a minute. Let’s talk to Chase about this,” I said. “He’ll want to know about the rider coming at us.”

  “They need me up there,” she replied. “Besides, I don’t think he was coming at us any more than he was that poor pretzel vendor, Jessie. It was just panic, that’s all. We’re fine. I’m sure they’ll sort it all out.”

  I was amazed that she couldn’t see that the pretzel vendor was just unlucky enough to have been between us and the rider. Maybe she couldn’t handle any more drama right now. I could understand that. But Chase needed to know what had really happened.

  “All right. I’ll talk to Chase, then come and help out.” I looked at the line of visitors standing on the manor house stairs waiting to have their picture taken with Father Christmas. With all those children on hand, the Village was fortunate the stampeding steed had not caused serious harm.

  “That was insane!” Merlin said as Christine smiled and walked past the children on the stairs. “Who let that madman ride that horse through here in such a manner? I’ll have someone’s head for it!”

  Most people in the Village didn’t realize that Merlin, who lived in the apothecary near the castle with a stuffed moose head named Horace, was the corporate head of Adventure Land. He was another example of a person who lived in the Village but still managed to have a somewhat normal life—as normal as any corporate head who wore a purple robe with stars and a pointy hat.

  “I think he was going after Christine and me,” I said. “He put his lance down in attack position when he saw us.”

  “Why would some knight want to hurt you two? Not very chivalrous!” Merlin looked around the crowd and shook his head. We could both hear the sound of an ambulance approaching the Main Gate. “The board isn’t going to like this.”

  Chase joined us. “What happened out here? Jessie, were you here when the knight came through?”

  I explained everything I saw—including the threat to either me or Christine. Or both. “I don’t know who it was, but I think he might have been after us. Maybe he was the killer.”

  “If you and Christine were together, it could’ve been either one of you.”

  “Or both of them,” Merlin added. “Not that it matters. You have to get out there and do some damage control, Bailiff. I can’t believe someone called an ambulance. How hurt could they be?”

  It truly didn’t look like anyone was badly hurt. But the arrival of an ambulance suggested someone was already thinking about suing the Village. Adventure Land handled dozens of lawsuits every year for everything from back injuries allegedly sustained while riding the camels to cuts and bruises suffered while navigating the climbing wall.

  Merlin was done with the scene and moved off quickly so as not to be involved once the media got there. The security guards continued their cleanup efforts. No one wanted to spoil the Renaissance mood for longer than necessary. But a big emergency services vehicle with flashing lights right in the heart of the Village was enough to put anyone off.

  “I’m sure
the rider was after us,” I repeated to Chase. “I don’t know why. But it wasn’t like any runaway horse I’ve ever seen. Maybe the killer wants me out of the way because he thinks I saw him, and he wants to kill Christine because he killed her husband. I don’t know.”

  “But you’re not hurt, right?” He put his arm around me.

  “No. A little shaken up and a lot curious, but that’s about it.”

  “Don’t let your imagination work overtime. It was probably just one of the new knights who lost control of his horse. You know how easy it is to let the lance slip as you’re riding. Let me check into it.”

  “Okay. I’m going to help with the Father Christmas photography again. Wait until I tell you about the new Father Christmas!”

  “I have to go and deal with this. Promise you won’t get in trouble trying to investigate anything by yourself.”

  I squinted up at him, the sun behind his head. “I don’t know why you’d ask me to lie to you that way. I’ll see you later.”

  Six

  Christine and I worked the crowd waiting to have their pictures taken with Father Christmas. There were coloring pages to give out, pictures to take, and crying children to soothe. Christine was much better at that part than I was.

  It wasn’t long before the rest of the family had joined us. The parents and children, waiting sometimes for over an hour, enjoyed talking with Christine’s kids, now dressed in their green elf outfits. The four young girls, Joy, Star, Faith, and Holly were very cute. They unwittingly did more to amuse the crowd than anyone else.

  I watched Edgar, the new Father Christmas, while I worked. He wasn’t as charming or genuine as Chris had been, but he had a certain flamboyant style that seemed to make everyone happy. I missed Chris and was sorry I couldn’t have worked with him longer. I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for Christine and the children to carry on this way. Really, it was above and beyond what anyone could expect.

  But I understood that there were bills to pay and contracts to fulfill. Christine had to do what was necessary to get by. She didn’t have the luxury of breaking down.

  Security guards for the Village came in at about five thirty to let everyone know that the Village was closing at six P.M. There were a lot of angry people even though they were given cards that would put them at the front of the line the next day. Adventure Land hadn’t planned for people to wait in line so long, I guessed. These people should’ve been in and out more quickly, like at the games outside or the elephant rides. I wondered if there was a plan in place to make the wait shorter the next day.

  Chase came by as we were sweeping up the gum wrappers and discarded coupons that littered the manor house floor. “I wanted to let you know what info I’ve gathered so far about the crazy rider who almost skewered you two this afternoon.”

  Christine stopped sweeping and shooed the children away to other tasks. “Please tell me Jessie was wrong and that the knight wasn’t headed for either of us. I don’t think I can handle anything else.”

  “There’s no proof that it was anything more than a runaway. Some new knights have a hard time learning to control their horses. It happens.”

  “So we know who the rider was?” I asked him.

  “No. Not yet. But we’ll find out when he brings the horse back to the stables. There’s a suit of armor missing, too.” Chase shrugged. “I’m sorry. It gets out of hand sometimes. We took on a lot of new people for the holiday season. Training isn’t always what I’d like it to be.”

  “That’s all right. I’m glad no one was seriously hurt,” Christine said. “I just hope you find out who it was.”

  I didn’t say anything else. I knew Chase’s visit was to make Christine feel better. He’d accomplished his task, but he’d left me with a lot of unanswered questions.

  “Are you finished here, Jessie?” he asked with a smile.

  “Of course she is,” Christine said. “You two go on. We’ll close up here. Thanks for all your help today, Jessie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I smiled, too, and said all the polite, pleasant things I should, but when I got outside with Chase, I let him know how I really felt. “I’m worried that someone is after Christine. We can’t let those kids become orphans.”

  “I think your imagination is running overtime, my lady.” Chase swept me a deep bow. “How do you know it wasn’t someone after you? You were the one who might have seen the killer.”

  “You do that so well, Sir Bailiff.” Betty from Bawdy Betty’s Bagels winked and flirted as she passed us. “Would that I had a gallant like yourself to treat me so well.”

  Betty had always had eyes for Chase. She never minded letting him know about it.

  “I would gladly acknowledge you as well, lady.” Chase bowed to her, too. His gallant gesture set off a bout of giggles on her part. I was glad when she finally parted ways with us on the cobblestones.

  “You weren’t there,” I reminded him, resuming our conversation. “I’ve worked the jousting ring. You know I don’t panic because a runaway horse is coming my way. This was something else. We have to look into it.”

  “What do you suggest? I spoke with Sir Reginald, and he assured me that it was an accident and he would deal with the rider.”

  “When he gets back.”

  “What else can he do? He has a horse and armor that belongs to the Village. I don’t think he’ll want to keep them as a souvenir.”

  One of the security team members came running up to find Chase. “We have a problem at the elephant ride. One of the visitors is refusing to get off the elephant. He says he didn’t get his full ride time because the animal trainers said the Village was closing.”

  Chase turned to me. “Hold that thought. I’ll take care of this and we’ll have dinner. Let’s go to the Lady of the Lake. I’d like to eat there without being set upon by pirates for a change.”

  “They’ve started doing after-hour meals?”

  “If you pay.” He kissed me lightly, then followed security guards across the King’s Highway toward the elephant and camel area.

  I wasn’t surprised to find that the Lady of the Lake Tavern was charging residents for meals. Usually residents received free meals after the Main Gate closed. These were leftovers, of course, but better than paying for dinner on the small salaries we made. I wondered if they at least offered reduced prices, like Polo’s Pasta did.

  I agreed with Chase about the constant pirate attacks on the tavern, which was located near the pirate ship’s berth on Mirror Lake. It was all for the visitors, but after you’d been captured and taken to the ship a few dozen times, it got old. Not going along with the act, on the other hand, would ruin the experience for the visitors.

  Based on the security guard’s description of the incident unfolding at the elephant ride, I figured it would be a while before Chase could join me at the tavern for dinner. I decided to do a little snooping into Edgar Gaskin. Village records were kept at the castle, which was next door to the tavern. It wouldn’t be difficult for me to pop in and take a look.

  I cut across the King’s Highway past Totally Toad Footstools and the Treasure Trove. Neither of these shops had actual crafts or artwork done on the premises. Not all of the shopkeepers were artisans. Some just brought in merchandise that looked like it could’ve come from the 1500s and peddled it to the visitors at a profit.

  Not so Our Lady’s Gemstones. I knew the owners actually cut and set their own jewelry. They were new arrivals at the Village—twins, like me and Tony. But no matter how hard I tried to feel differently, Rene and Renee still made me a little uneasy. They were spooky with their white hair, pale skin, and vampirelike habits. I’m not one to judge, but I skirted around their shop.

  That brought me up by Polo’s Pasta, which was closed for cleanup, and the Hanging Tree where they had mock pirate hangings from time to time. In between the two was the swinging wooden sign that marked the Lady of the Lake Tavern. The sign, with its half girl–half fish holding a sword in one hand and a t
ankard in the other, provided a colorful backdrop for visitors’ photos.

  There seemed to be no one at the castle gate farther up the hill from the lake, not even Master at Arms Gus Fletcher, who was a former professional wrestler. That was a good thing for me since his favorite pastime was pinching ladies’ butts as they walked past him.

  The record keeping and surveillance for the Village were computerized only two years ago. My friend Bart had done the job. Besides being a giant, he was also a whiz with computers. The first door to the right on entering the castle was his office. Most of the time, he wasn’t there, unless there was a problem.

  Of course, tonight, since I wanted to look through the records to see when Edgar had arrived at the Village, Bart was there to ask me questions.

  “Hello, lady.” He waved and smiled from his swivel chair at the corner of the cramped room. “What brings you up here?”

  “I wanted to check someone’s employment record.” I was honest with him. “Is that okay?”

  He frowned and shook his massive head. “You know I can’t let you do that. Suppose everyone in the Village wanted to look at employment records. It wouldn’t be fair, would it?”

  “I suppose not.” I sat beside him on a tall stool. “But suppose the person I’m looking for is a killer? That would be fair, right?”

  He thought about it. “Is there a killer working in the Village right now? No one told me about it. What do you know?”

  I told him about Chris’s death. “His wife and I are investigating to help the police.”

  “Why?”

  “Because the police can’t be here all the time to do it.” Even to my own ears, the explanation sounded lame. “And there are a lot of other reasons, too,” I added hastily.

  I wasn’t really sure there were any other reasons besides my wanting to do it. And being curious, of course. Chase certainly wouldn’t think there were.

  Bart seemed to consider my reasoning (I hoped not so much that he could see the flaws in my logic) while he looked at the computers on the table in front of him. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but when he turned and smiled at me, I thought that he’d decided in my favor.