Murderous Matrimony(10)

He snorted. “Me and about a million other people, huh? Now that’s exciting. I hope my team of archers will be asked to perform at other venues, maybe the Super Bowl.”

We laughed, and he gave some direction to his practicing archers.

“Master Simmons, have you heard about Dave the Madman? He was found dead at the museum early this morning. There was a crossbow bolt in his chest.”

He frowned. “Most unpleasant!”

“It’s possible it was an antique. There’s one in the weapon museum next door to the arts and crafts museum. I saw it when they were first setting up.”

“That would be mine,” he acknowledged. “I donated it, at least for a time, to the museum.”

“Do you have any bolts that go with it?”

“I do. I don’t think anyone could have used the crossbow to actually shoot a man. I donated it because it’s not in good repair. They told me they only wanted to hang it on the wall, so it was fine.”

“Could I see one of the bolts for it?”

“Of course!” He told his archers that he was going inside for a moment, and to continue their work.

As usual, The Feathered Shaft was littered with bows and arrows. Some of them were in the process of being created, while others were waiting to be picked up by buyers. Feathers for the nock end of the arrows flowed colorfully across the wood floor. Tips were even more apparent.

“Pardon the mess,” he joked as he always did.

But I knew he loved the shop exactly as it was. He wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“Here’s one of the bolts that go with that crossbow.” He held it up, and we looked at it. “As you can see, not the straightest thing in the world. I only had four with the set. I lost one. There are two at the museum, and this is the last. You’d have to be a better archer than you or I, my girl, to hit a target as small as a man with it!”

I could see that what he said was true. It didn’t help my case. “I’ll see if Chase can get a good look at the bolt—after they examine Dave. In the meantime, I’ll see if your crossbow is still at the weapon museum.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be more help.” His smile faded and he whispered, “I’d rather have my name left out of this if it’s all the same to you, Jessie. I have a little background with this sort of thing. I hope the police don’t think to drudge it up.”

“Of course,” I replied. But I wondered what kind of trouble he’d been in. “I wish you well, sir. Good day.”

Three visitors behind me laughed and applauded. They asked us to pose for a picture with the archers outside and then we each took pictures with them. Most players here understand the excitement and enthusiasm of our visitors, even if we don’t always share it.

The Templar Knights were impressing visitors with their horse tricks by the time I reached the Main Gate again.

Dressed in full armor, with their eye-catching red and black shields, they could make their horses dance. One of the knights flipped a penny right in front of another rider, and the horse came to a stop immediately. Another horse and knight crouched down, and a rider jumped over the top of them. It was amazing power and control, considering the size of the animals. It scared me watching them.

I was headed to Madame Lucinda’s tent again. I knew she had the answer for what I could do to get rid of Wanda. I decided that I wasn’t asking the right question. But what was the right question? How many different ways can you frame, ‘How do I get rid of a ghost?’

I couldn’t really knock on her purple and gold tent. How do you knock on material? I kind of announced myself, and parted the folds of the tent.

“Hello?” I looked around the darkened interior and didn’t see anyone. “Madame Lucinda? It’s Jessie Morton. I need to talk to you again about Wanda. Are you here?”

I’d been to see her several times in the last two weeks. She was probably getting tired of me, especially since I’d never paid her anything. She’d asked for silver, but I didn’t have any real silver except an old bracelet and some earrings. I would have gladly parted with them if she could take care of the problem.

Technically, her advice was part of the ticket price at the Village. However, I would certainly be willing to overlook that if she’d help me. I had some change in my pocket, but it was doubtful any of it was silver. It was hard to remember to bring jewelry with me. Usually I saw her, spur of the moment, from desperation, like this.

“Madame Lucinda?” I stepped a little further into the tent.

It was an amazing place. I had no idea where she’d collected all of the artifacts that hung on her walls. I believed most of them were genuine—a grouping of medieval weapons and everyday items that had been used for survival at one time. There were priceless statues from every corner of the world, and gold cloth that seemed to have been spun by spiders.