“Bob might’ve left his pans because he was scared or whatever,” I told Chase. “But he wouldn’t have left his money behind.”
Chase held up the money cup. We’d already placed it in a plastic bag for safekeeping.
“I hope that isn’t blood on it,” I said. “Where does Bob live?”
Chase had a map that showed where everyone in the Village lived. He looked up Bob’s house. He lived with a group of madmen on the other side of the Village, near Wicked Weaves.
“I’ll check it out.” He called it in to the rest of the security team. “I heard from Detective Almond this morning. He’s on his way out here. He has another suspect for Dave’s murder.”
“I’ll keep an eye on things here if you want to go with the Bailiff,” Manny said. “Though I’m happy the madman is gone from the front of the museum, I wouldn’t wish anything bad on him.”
I stared hard at him. “Manny, are you the sorcerer that gave Wanda Le Fey her enchanted bracelet?”
His dark face was affronted as he straightened his red vest. “Most assuredly not! How could you even ask me such a thing?”
I glanced at Chase and shrugged. “It was worth a shot. Let’s go.”
We took the back way from the museum on Squire’s Lane and walked through the damp grass through the Village Green to the King’s Highway.
Shakespeare was not at his podium, even though the Main Gate was open.
“Adventureland isn’t going to keep Pat on if he keeps hiding out,” Chase remarked. “I know he’s scared, but the Village needs William Shakespeare.”
“Maybe this whole thing with Wanda will be over soon. Pat created the role. I’d hate to see him lose it.”
We passed Fabulous Funnels, where the aroma of cooking funnel cakes was enough to make my stomach gurgle. The Lovely Laundry Ladies called out to Chase and begged him to walk their way—as always—as they carried their clothes to the well. They’d gossip loudly and call out taunts to visitors all day as they pretended to wash clothes.
The Three Chocolatiers were dashing about, waving their swords as they practiced inviting visitors in to sample their wares. Their new, plumed hats were so large that I could barely make out their faces. Their chocolate was to die for—really. One of them had died in a vat of it last year.
We walked past the Lady Fountain where some artist had thought it would be amusing to have a fountain gushing up under the poor woman’s dress. I never liked that fountain.
Phil Ferguson at the Sword Spotte waved and shouted at us.
“I need to go over and get my wedding sword,” Chase remarked. “I’m sure it looks great.”
“You get to wear a sword?” I asked. “I need a new sword too.”
He snickered. “Girls don’t get to wear swords with their wedding dresses.”
I bumped him with my hip and laughed as he stumbled. “I think I can wear a sword when we get married if I want to, Sir Bailiff. I may need to defend myself against Tilly and Leo.”
I’d told him about Tilly’s threat. Between that, and last night, he’d be keeping a close eye on them. They hadn’t actually done anything wrong so he couldn’t do something official.
He frowned. “Better make it a broad sword if you’re gonna fight that guy. He’s huge.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, and we can all be friends.”
“I hope so, but I’m not eating at the tavern for a while.”
I linked my arm through his. “My thoughts exactly, good sir. They are too expensive anyway.”
We laughed together, and waved to Mary Shift. “Good morning,” she called out. “I have something for the two of you.”
We veered off course from the madmen’s house and went to visit her shop. Hundreds of sweet grass baskets lined the walls. They were created for all types of purposes from gathering eggs to holding fruit and flowers. Some of them were so small that they could only hold a ring. A few of them were so large—a small child could’ve slept in them.
“I hope you don’t mind.” She had a broad smile on her dark face. “I want to give you your wedding present early. There is no way to wrap it, and I don’t want to hide it.”
She disappeared into a backroom for a moment, and came out with a small cradle made from pink-tinged sweet grass. “I know you probably aren’t ready for this yet, but I wanted you to have it. Don’t mind the pink—it used to be for boys too.”
Tears started to my eyes. “This is beautiful. Thank you so much.”
Chase and I hugged her. We both traced the lines of the sweet grass where it formed the basket, sides, and hood of the cradle.