Circus of Shadows: A Deadly Performance

Chapter 10: A Nightcap at the Haven Arms

After a long day of gathering evidence and questioning the performers at the Carnival of Curiosity Circus, alongside her fellow villagers of Haven, Detective Connie Black decided to take a moment to herself to reflect and review after what was an exhausting day.

However, before she would leave the circus she could see movement in the ticket office and thought this was her chance to follow up on Jean Bellingham's sighting.

"Excuse me Miss, I'm Detective Black, do you have five minutes to ask you a couple of questions?" Connie enquired, the lady behind the ticket booth stood up as she was collecting what appeared to be postcards and posters from under the counter and it was Ms Jessica Delights. Slightly startled Connie asked "I never knew you worked in the Ticket Office as well Ms Delights."

"I have many hidden talents and had many jobs here in the circus," Jessica joked "I don't work here often though, Detective," Jessica replied "Occasionally I will do if Rosa is busy or away, we are really good friends and we do what we can for each other. We all do really it's how Mr Ortiz liked it, that we all support each other where we can. The children especially love it, when Gabriella Giggles, helps me on my stall selling them sweets and treats."

Connie had noticed the safety deposit box behind the counter was not fully closed and it sparked some curiosity, "I came to speak with Rosa, to follow up on a lead that I had obtained from Jean Bellingham, Havens landlady, will she be back in tomorrow."

"You have only just missed her, Detective, she let me here to get some more flyers, you may catch her if you're quick. Did you want me to say you popped by?" Jessica asked.

Connie Black nodded and asked her to get Rosa to come and see her, handing Ms Delights her card, "When she has some time I would like to ask her some questions about a possible sighting just before the show started."

Connie, left the circus and had now reached the local tavern, as she entered the cozy establishment, she noticed that it was rather quiet for a Sunday. The topic of conversation among the patrons was the murder that occurred at the circus just last night. The townsfolk of this closely knit community were clearly shaken up by the events that unfolded in their town at the circus just down from the forest.

Connie had spotted her old editor, Mr Rupert Fowkes, who now ran the local book store down the High Street. He was engaged in what appeared a somewhat discreet conversation with Haven's local doctor, Dr Lyn Roundhouse. They seemed to be discussing the case as they were trying to disguise their voices by their soft hushed tones and their awkwardness towards Detective Black.

With a polite nod and a gentle smile to Mr Fowkes and Dr Roundhouse, Connie found a quiet corner to sit in and piece together all the evidence she had collected today. She knew she had to make sense of it all and plan her next steps carefully. Raising suspicions to the performers could be catastrophic, as they seemed a very tight group, all inter connected with each other, as you would expect working and living together on a touring circus.

Detective Connie Black reviewed her notes and considered the mysterious shadows, that were raised to her by Ms Delights. Were they connected to the argument between Victor Miguel and Luna Alvarez? Detective Black found out that Mr Miguel made a promise to Luna's mother he would look after her while she was here at the circus. Could their argument have been staged to throw Detective Black off the scent. She also questioned whether it could of been the Bauer twins, the acrobats, or related to their disappearance in some way. Were they the mysterious shadows and where are they now? Were Felix and Sofia the two individuals both Jean Bellingham, had seen by the ticket booth, and Chester Edwards saw running towards the forest?

Detective Black still wasn't convinced by Marco the Magnificent either, there was no real alibi provided and the battle for the limelight at the Carnival of Curiosity with the deceased, still required her time and attention. Then there was Bella the Brave's honest admission that her life was now easier after the demise of Ralph Ortiz too, a legal battle may not of been required to break her contract with the circus any more but could she still need her solicitor for other reasons?

Detective Black couldn't rule anything or anyone out of the picture just yet, the town of Haven had its secrets once before, and just like before she was determined to uncover the truth whatever path it led her too.

Detective Black closed her case file and sipped at her drink and began to formulate her plan for tomorrow, knowing that every day the residents would become more captivated by the madness the circus had brought to town.