Perilous Pranks (Renaissance Faire Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

grinned. “Are you talking about that bracelet Jessie always loved? I remember her saying how she’d like to take it from Wanda.”
    I sighed. “Thanks, Tony.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    I pushed on for the manor house before my brother totally incriminated me. He’d managed to score another point against me in Detective Almond’s notebook.
    I opened the front door to the museum, and a cold breeze swept past me, pushing around in little whirlwinds up and down the stairs.
    I shivered. It was eighty degrees outside, and hotter in the building. Our ceiling fans weren’t on yet. Where had that come from?
    We went inside, and I showed everyone where I’d found the bracelet. Detective Almond called the crime scene team to go over the museum. I asked him to be careful— some of the older tapestries, the loom, and woodwork items were irreplaceable.
    “Of course.” He held out his hand. “I’ll take the key to make sure this stays closed until the investigation is over.”
    “Sure.” My hand shook as I gave him the key that represented my future in the Village.
    “You’ve landed on your feet here.” He walked around and studied the vertical loom and Roger Trent’s glass-making equipment. “I hope you didn’t mess it all up for some stupid prank.”
    If I’d thought it would help, I would’ve crossed my heart and sworn that I didn’t kill Wanda. That might’ve worked with some of my friends, but only time—and the end of this investigation—would remedy the situation. I needed to find Shakespeare. Maybe between us, we could prove that neither of us killed Wanda.
    Chase put his arm around me, and I leaned into him as we walked back down the stairs to the cobblestones.
    Around us, life in the Village played out. Fred the Red Dragon was growling at kids and making them shriek. The Green Man wobbled on his stilts, clothed by his tree costume, as visitors vied to have their pictures taken with him. Sam Da Vinci coaxed pretty women of all ages to allow him to draw their portraits. A young apprentice knight called out the time between jousts at the Field of Honor.
    “It’s going to be okay,” Chase promised with a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “You have plenty to do getting ready for the wedding, right? Just concentrate on that right now. Wanda’s death will sort itself out.”
    “At least Detective Almond didn’t arrest me.”
    “That’s the spirit!” He hugged me again. “Let’s grab some lunch.”
    We stopped for lunch at Peter’s Pub. Peter Greenwalt, the owner, waited on us, even though the pub was busy. His thick mutton chops, long hair, and heavy beard distinguished him. He was a nice man and a good shopkeeper.
    “I’ve heard about your morning, Lady Jessie.” He smiled and bowed his head a little to show respect. “What would you like for lunch? On the house.”
    “Thank you so much, kind sir.” There were dozens of visitors around us, snapping pictures and listening to our words. “Doth thou have a cheeseburger, and perhaps fries?”
    He nodded. “Also a large Coke. And for you, Sir Bailiff?”
    “I require the same fare, shopkeeper.” Chase regally inclined his head. It was expected of him to be a little aloof since he was only below the king and queen in Village status.
    “Very good, sir. Your food will be out shortly.”
    Sometimes it’s difficult living your life on a stage where hundreds of people are hanging on your every word, watching you, and taking pictures that are immediately posted to the Internet.
    This was one of those times. I wished I could be alone to feel ragged by myself.
    “You could hole up in the Dungeon today,” Chase suggested as though he was reading my mind.
    That’s only one of the many reasons I love him. “I probably will after I go for the dress fitting.”
    He raised one brow. “I thought you were going there this morning? I can’t believe you lied to me.” He sighed and shook his head.
    “I wasn’t lying.” I tried to repair the damage.” I