Fatal Fairies (Renaissance Faire Mystery Book 8) by Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene Page B

walked quickly through the employee’s gate.
    “I’d say you made real progress with Chase.” Starshine ambushed me as I entered the Village. “That was a brilliant plan, Jessie.”
    “Thanks,” I muttered. “I didn’t know if it would work, but we’re okay. At least on the murder investigation part. I’m not sure about being his love interest, but I’m working on that. At least he forgave me for putting him into the middle of the investigation.”
    She giggled and kicked her tiny feet as she buzzed along beside me. Lucky for me that half the people in the Village talked to themselves or some imaginary person most of the time. No one paid any attention.
    “You were right to send me to Chase’s dressing room, even though it was embarrassing. This way I’m his squire, and squires do some pretty intimate stuff for their jousters. I think this could work.”
    “I’m sure it will. Just be careful. Once you and Chase begin asking questions in the Village, you could be in danger. Someone killed Apple Blossom. He or she might come after you.”
    “Thanks. This isn’t my first rodeo. I can handle myself.” I glanced at my watch. “I have to run. Chase needs me at the Field of Honor in a few minutes. I hope I can sneak in and out of the Dungeon without running into Canyon.”
    “I’m sure I can grant that wish.”
    As I blinked my eyes, I was inside the apartment in the Dungeon. I glanced around, getting my bearings after my abrupt move from the parking lot. There was no sign of Canyon. I immediately started changing clothes.
    “Surprise!” Canyon put his hands over my eyes. “We’re both here at the same time. It doesn’t get much better than that. Looks like you were thinking what I was thinking—let’s get naked and have some fun.”
    I pushed him away, but I did it with a smile. “I’m so late for work. I have to go.”
    “Come on, Jessie. You’re always in such a hurry. I know that Paul Samuels fired you today and got another apprentice. You can’t hide the big, important things from me. I’m the Bailiff. I know everything that goes on here.”
    I stripped off my jacket but didn’t dare remove any more unless I wanted to end up in bed with him. “Did you get those reports from Detective Almond?”
    “Yes.” He sighed impatiently. “They’re on the table.”
    I grabbed the few clothes I had there and shoved them into a tote bag with the reports. This time wasn’t real anyway, at least not if I could change it. What difference did it make what else I left behind?
    “How about your search through Chase’s things? How did that go?”
    “Not much. If he killed the fairy, he hid it well. Why are you so interested?” He cocked his head to the side. “You do have a thing for Manhattan, don’t you? You’re dumping me.”
    “I’m sorry, Canyon. I’m sure it’s been fun, although I can’t recall any of it. But yes. I love Chase, and I’m going to work for him as his squire. I’ll get the rest of my stuff later.”
    “You can’t dump me.” He grabbed my arm. “Girls don’t dump me. I dump them.”
    I could see his blue eyes were serious despite his crazy words.
    “If it makes you feel any better, you can dump me. Or at least tell everyone that you dumped me. I don’t care.”
    “What about Princess Isabelle? Chase isn’t gonna leave anyone that fine and lose his place at the castle. You’re dreaming, Jessie. You better wake up before it’s too late.”
    “Thanks for the tip. I’ll see you around.”
    I was quickly out the door, tote in hand. I realized I was faced with the dilemma of where I could change clothes. I barely had time to make it to the Field of Honor before Chase was ready for the joust. Tony’s place was on the other side of the Village. I wouldn’t make it there and back in time.
    Starshine wasn’t around to wish me into my squire’s clothes and up to the Field of Honor, so I had to run down the cobblestones. It only took a minute for me to realize that my