The Orphan's Tale

Chapter 8

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

Psalm 5:7

An outsider among the bobbies, I made my way through the tents. Some of the men were taking the colorful little tents down already. I heard Peter muttering that this questioning by the bobbies was bad for business. It cost us customers; likely Momma Ana could never afford to stop her circus in this city again. Peter said that Momma Ana told him to pack up whatever he could that night and that we would be on the road again in the morning.

"But what about Jacko and Lester?" I found myself asking.

Peter shrugged. "That's business, young thing."

With that, he returned to his work.

His lack of caring bothered me, as I returned to my wagon. Peter had often played cards with these two men and even gone into town with them, and now he didn't care if the circus abandoned them or if they were murderers? Would no one pause to mourn these two men? And yet, should they?

Jacko and Lester were thieves and bullies. The thought of the two men behind bars, made me safer. With a shiver, I recalled thier threats. I knew that I wouldn't mourn for them. But I had thought Peter their friend might.

The wagon was my only sanctuary. Marie would be with the other performers, discussing the case and leaving out any part of her recanted testimony. At least Lester had been caught. Perhaps some justice would be done. But if Jacko wasn't the murderer then it was likely only a matter of time until they let him go. What would I do when he was free to revenge himself upon me? A chill went down my spine.

Momma wanted to take to the road again as if nothing had changed. But everything was changed. One man was dead! And two others had been accused of being the reason for that. Did she know that her son was being held by the bobbies?

Inside the wagon, I found Delia packing her things. Seeing me, she threw her arms about me in a fond embrace.

"Oh, Bea! I have just had the most wonderful surprise! God is merciful to me despite my attempt at picking pockets earlier! I don't deserve His mercy, but He has answered my prayer! My aunt and uncle have come to rescue me from this place!"

"How did they get past the bobbies? I mean the officers." I asked, surprised.

"They said that their niece was here, and once the Inspector finished questioning me, I was free to talk to them. And they're taking me home with them, Bea! I'm being rescued from this dreadful place! God has answered my prayers!" she cried, delighted.

So even if I stayed, my dearest friend was lost to me. I gave her a tight embrace, but then she released me, to fly around the small wagon, chattering happily. I sat down on my pallet, drained. She paused to look at me, the item still in her hand as it hovered above her satchel. I offered a small, hopefully not too jealous smile. How nice it must be to have a family. People you could always count on.

"Beatrix, are you all right?" she asked, concerned.

I didn't want to burden her with my woes, but my reassurances that I was fine fell flat. Delia knew something was wrong. Eventually, I confessed a bit of what had happened and of how I had dared to speak out against Jacko only to find that he likely wasn't guilty of murder after all. I felt like a disgrace all over again, just like when I had been sacked.

Delia sat down beside me. "I always knew you were brave, but I never thought anyone was this brave." she murmured.

Baffled, I glanced at her. "What are you talking about? Jacko will walk free and when he does discover it was me, and you know he will-"