Murderous Matrimony(7)

Rita and I walked quickly through the dew-damp green grass, admiring a juggler who was balancing eight flaming sticks in the air. Not far from him was a trio of musicians, getting their instruments tuned for the day.

“You know, I don’t get the hanging tree.” She walked up and stared at the big tree. Why would anyone want to pretend to be hanged?”

“I don’t know. It’s popular. Hundreds of people sign up to be hanged every day. Chase tried to get it closed down once after a fight broke out. Adventureland wouldn’t hear of it. It makes money for the park.”

“Do you think those people have a death wish or something?” She shook her head. “I think it’s crazy!”

“People wear a collar that protects their necks. No one gets hurt. Well, not often anyway, and not too badly. People come here to escape reality. They want to do things they might never do again.”

“Would you do it?” Rita asked. “Have you done it?”

“No.” I stared up into the almost naked branches of the gnarled old oak. There were only a few yellow leaves left that hadn’t fallen. “But I live here. I don’t need the excitement.”

That brought us to the Lady of the Lake Tavern. It had been empty for two weeks with the loss of its owner, Ginny Stewart. I’d heard some chatter on the cobblestones that her niece or sister was coming from Baltimore to re-open it.

The sign outside—half girl/half fish, holding a sword and tankard in her hands— looked forlorn. I glanced through the small panes of glass that made up the windows on the ground floor. It was dark and eerie inside. All of the benches and tables were empty. It looked like a ghost house. Maybe it would be a good place for Wanda to live.

I knew the pirates hated that the tavern was closed. Kidnapping visitors from the tavern each day was a highlight for them, and the people they kidnapped. It was a very hands-on experience that led to an exciting sail across Mirror Lake in a pirate ship for some lucky visitors. I’d done it more than once when I’d first come here. Pirates were the best!

“You know,” Rita continued as we started up the hill to the castle entrance. “I’ve heard that assistant of yours is a real prince from another country.”

I’d heard this story before. According to Manny, he was the heir to a kingdom in a country I’d never heard of. People in the Village tended to exaggerate. It wasn’t anything new.

“I don’t know. Maybe he is. Doesn’t everyone have some secrets?”

“There are secrets,” she said. “And there are secrets! What do you think?”

“Manny is a little odd. He doesn’t have a cell phone. He claims that he’s never watched TV. All I know is that he’s a good person, and a wonderful assistant director. I’m sure he didn’t kill Dave, and I’d be lost without him at the museum while he’s gone.”

“I guess we’ll have to see then. Sometimes those old secrets come up again, don’t they?”

We’d finally reached the tall, bulk of the castle.

It had once been the runway tower for the Air Force facility that had been here for many years. Some turrets had been added, and concrete had been used to create a fairy-tale structure that towered above the lake. It was the one building you could see from everywhere in the Village.

Here, King Harold and Queen Olivia resided with their new daughter, Princess Pea. Harry and Livy, as they used to be known, were Adventureland’s top salespeople at one time. They’d been rewarded with their positions here—a royal lifetime of lords, ladies-in-waiting, minions, and servants. They presided over feasts, and had all their needs attended to.

It was a sweet gig.

Master at Arms, Gus Fletcher, a former professional wrestler, was waiting at the castle gate. He was a large man whose prime was well past, and yet his strength and girth made him legendary.

Pinching ladies’ butts as they passed his guard post had made him infamous as well. I wasn’t sure how many times he’d been slapped. I knew he’d been reprimanded at least twice for the practice. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands to himself.

“What ho!” He greeted us at the gate. His wide shoulders and narrow waist were accentuated by his green and gold armor that gleamed in the sun. “Lady Jessie. Mistress Rita. Welcome! What seek you here?”

“I’m going to work,” Rita said in her no-nonsense tone. “Good luck, Jessie. Just hold on. Everything is going to be fine. You’ll see.”

Gus reached for her backside as she walked into the castle. Without turning around, she said, “Touch me and lose your eating privileges for a week! Keep your hands to yourself!”