Circus of Shadows: A Deadly Performance

Chapter 5: Gathering Clues from Havens Townsfolk

Detective Connie Black believed the key to solving the mystery that took place last night, might just lie on more familiar ground. The local villagers who had attended the fateful performance last night might have seen something from a different view point. She knew that in her small town of Haven, everyone had a story to tell, and sometimes, seemingly innocuous details could provide valuable clues as they did once before when back in her youth, she was working at the Haven Herald.

She decided to start her interviews with Mrs Bellingham, the local landlady, who had lived in Haven all her life and was known for her keen observations. Jean Bellingham was liked by everyone and knew almost all of the towns secrets having worked behind the bar at The Haven Arms for nearly 30 years. Detective Black found her sipping tea sitting on her swinging seat wrapped in a thick blanket on her cozy porch, overlooking the towns square.

"Mrs Bellingham," Connie began, "I heard you were at the circus last night. Did you see or notice anything unusual or suspicious?"

The elderly woman adjusting her spectacles leant forward and peered at Connie. "Well, dear, I did see something out of the ordinary. During the warm up act by Gabriella Giggles, I noticed a man, a stranger, who seemed to be lurking near the ticket booth. He was acting rather discreet, like he didn't want to be seen."

Connie's interest spiked. "Did you get a good look at this man, Mrs Bellingham?"

Jean Bellingham nodded and beckoned Detective Black to come closer, her memory still sharp despite her age. " Yes, he was wearing a long coat and a hat pulled low. I couldn't make out his face or any features, but he was defiantly up to something as he kept looking over his shoulder. I thought about telling someone, but then the music boomed and the performance began, and I got distracted, I'm so sorry."

Connie reassured Jean that it was ok and thanked her for her time, Connie made a note of this information especially the suspicious male stranger.

Next, Connie headed across the square and up the high street where she wanted to pay a visit to The Meat Haven; the town's supreme butchers. She hoped to speak with the owner Mr Chester Edwards, the towns trusted butcher who had a good view of the circus grounds from his shop.

Mr Edwards was busy behind the counter, expertly slicing cuts of meat. When he noticed Connie's badge, he wiped his hands on a cloth and greeted her with a friendly smile.

"Detective Black," he said, "what can I do for you?"

"Mr Edwards, I understand you have a view of the circus from your shop. Did you see anything unusual or noteworthy last night?

Chester nodded, his expression turning quite serious. "Indeed, I did. Just before the final act, I saw someone running from the circus grounds, out past the helter skelter, heading down towards the woods. They were moving in quite a hurry, and it caught my attention. It didn't seem right."

Connie pressed for more details. "Can you describe the person in more detail? Did you recognise them at all?"

Mr Edwards scratched his head, deep in thought. "It was dark, but I could see that they were wearing a dark jacket and a hat, and carrying a rucksack. But it was strange, Detective, I've never seen anyone leave the circus grounds in such a rush like that, or heading in that direction."

As Connie left The Meat Haven, she had two new leads to pursue - the mysterious stranger near the ticket booth before the performance had began, witnessed by Mrs Jean Bellingham and the person near the end of the show, a couple of hours later, who left the circus in a hurry heading to the forest as described by Mr Chester Edward's. Were these two shadows linked to each other, were they two different people or the same person? Were they linked to the murder of Mr Ortiz? Connie Black had many questions running through her mind.

Each piece of information was like a puzzle piece, and she was determined to fit them together to solve the murder that had cast a shadow over Haven greater than the Big Top itself.

Connie knew more of her fellow townsfolk were key to helping unravel the mystery and would be back to gather more information. For now it was a refuel of coffee and back to the circus to attempt to break down the magic code.