Perilous Pranks (Renaissance Faire Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

know who was dating who around here, but Daisy and Bart hadn’t heard anything about it.
    They both promised to let me know if they did hear anything. Our cheeseburgers and fries finally arrived, and we were quiet as we ate.
    Chase was called away to an emergency at the Merry Mynstrels Stage before he could finish. A visitor had jumped up on the stage and was insisting he should be allowed to play his violin with Susan Halifax and her harp.
    Bart had to go back to the castle to escort Queen Olivia on her daily amble through the Village. Now there was the baby, Princess Pea, to consider as well. That meant at least twenty guards, courtiers, fools—and a few parasol holders.
    “I have to get back too, Jessie.” Daisy left a generous tip on the thick, wood table. “Ethan is a big help now that I’ve got him trained right, but he takes off a lot. I think if I could find him a good woman, he’d settle down and be more regular. See you later.”
    Ethan was Daisy’s son who helped out at her shop, Swords and Such, which was part of Armorer’s Alley. Enchanted Armor and Splendid Shields were there too.
    I thought about young, eligible Ethan. If I wasn’t arrested for killing Wanda, I might have to find a lady for him. Everyone in the Village knew I was the best at matchmaking. I’d been the one to put Bart and Daisy together, among others.
    That left me on my own again. I didn’t feel up to handling the crowds and the fall heat waiting for me on the cobblestones. I needed time to think about what had happened and what I could do about it. I felt sure Detective Almond was in the Village figuring out all the little things that could have lead me to kill Wanda.
    I left Peter’s Pub, keeping my head down, and made it back to the Dungeon. Chase and I shared the apartment above the fake prison cells in the bottom of the structure.
    It had been unnerving at first, walking into the special effects area that made it look like fake prisoners were being tortured. Their shrieks and pleas for mercy could be heard outside.  Eventually, you get used to anything.
    I went upstairs and opened the door to the apartment. It wasn’t very big—two rooms, a very small kitchen area, and bathroom. There were only two of us so it didn’t matter. It was one of the nicest places in the Village. Most village housing had no air conditioning and there were communal showers.
    The window overlooked the stocks where Vegetable Justice was meted out. Chase presided over the vegetable punishment twice a day, wearing a white wig and black robe. When there were no visitors signed up, he went out and conscripted village residents for the job. It was very popular with visitors, not so much with residents.
    There was a knock on the door. It obviously wasn’t Chase.
    “I’d like to talk to you, Jessie. I hope now is a good time.” Detective Almond glanced up at the wall where my sword and Chase’s were crossed. “Nice swords.”
     

Chapter Six
     
    “Thanks.” I stood back and let him into the apartment. He’d been following me, or having me followed. I was sure he knew I was here without Chase. “What’s on your mind?”
    “You know I meet here with Chase sometimes, and I was thinking about those swords. Mind if I hold one?”
    “No. Not at all. But if you’re looking for a murder weapon, you must think I’m pretty stupid. No one would use their own sword to kill someone.” I took both swords down from the wall.
    I handed him Chase’s heavier broadsword first. “As you can see, the wound in Wanda’s chest would’ve been much bigger if someone had used this sword on her.”
    “I appreciate your wisdom in these matters, Jessie. But I hope you won’t mind if I have both of them tested.”
    I looked at my lighter, silver sword. Daisy had been specially made for me, balanced and constructed for my height and strength. “I don’t think it matters if I mind or not, does it?”
    “Sure it does. If you don’t agree voluntarily to have it