Mystery at the Fair

  "No." Jean put on a smile. "I'm fine, really. I just need to get a rental and get those ribbons."

  Karen hugged her again. "That's the pioneer spirit. Come on, I'll get you over there and get you a car."

  "No, fairgrounds first, so people can get in."

  Karen patted her on the shoulder. "Yes, of course. I'll drive."

  Jean nodded and they left. She locked the door behind her and tucked the keys in her pocket. It was going to be another long day.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jean waved to Karen as her friend drove off. They'd unlocked the Exhibits building and then Karen had driven her to the only car rental place in town. It didn't take long for Jean to fill out the paperwork and receive the keys to a mid-sized car. "I need to go pick up the ribbons, so I'll need some trunk space and a big back seat," she explained to Karen.

  "You don't have to convince me," Karen said as she walked around the car with Jean. They were looking for any damage to document on one of the forms. Jean didn't want to pay for someone else's blunder. She made note of a few scratches and dings but the car was in good shape. Jean signed the forms and turned them over to the clerk. He handed her the keys and she went out to the car.

  "That's it, Karen. Thanks for the ride."

  "It's no problem, you know that. Are you heading off to get the ribbons now?"

  "I am. I called the guy and told him why I had to be late. He understood."

  "I wish you'd send someone else."

  Jean shrugged. "Everyone else is busy with judging today. You know how that works, I don't, so this is the best thing."

  Karen gave her friend a hug and got in her car. "Hope the AC works in that. You're going to need it."

  Now Jean was alone in her rental in the rental car parking lot and still hadn't started it up. She watched the traffic on the highway running through the center of town. Cars zipped by the parking lot heading north to cooler weather or south, back to Phoenix. It was hypnotic, watching the cars go by while sitting in the heat of the car. She picked up her cell phone from the center console and speed-dialed her son.

  "Hey, Mom," he answered the phone.

  "Hi, Jim." It was good to hear his voice.

  "Great hearing from you, Mom. Anything wrong? You don't usually call in the middle of the day during work hours."

  He's a bright boy. "Yeah, my car was vandalized last night. All the tires were slashed."

  "What? Are you all right?"

  She could hear the panic and fear in his voice. "I'm fine, Jim. I've already talked to the police and gotten a rental car."

  "What happened, Mom? I thought you said that town was safe."

  "It's safe enough. I found a body two days ago in the storage container at the fair."

  "What? You didn't tell me? Should I come over there?"

  Jim lived in Los Angeles and had a good job as a programmer at a major computer company. "That's not necessary, Jim." Maybe I shouldn't have called him. "I'm fine. The body has already been identified and the police are working on the case. Karen and I were curious and went to talk to a guy about his relationship with the dead woman."

  "You did what?"

  Jean sighed. She shouldn't have called him. "We talked to the guy last night. Just to see if he had any information about the woman. Ina was her name."

  "For God's sake, Mom. He could have killed you or something. Maybe you should leave the investigating to the police."

  In her mind's eye she could see him running a hand through his black hair. That’s what he always did when he was upset. He was twenty-five years old but still her son. "Don't get stressed, I'm fine. Give Lisa a kiss for me and big hugs to Rio and Glen, would you?"

  "I will, Mom. But please be careful. I'm going to be worried sick until they catch whoever slashed your tires."

  "I'll be careful, son. Bye." She clicked off and wiped the trickle of sweat from her temple. She started the car and, after searching the unfamiliar dashboard, turned on the air conditioner. The blast of cold air was a relief. Okay, time to go get ribbons.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Analise took her hands off of her hips and pointed at Barry, the Vendor Manager for the Fair. It was ten in the morning and already the sun made the midway space a bake-oven. Vendor vehicles were going in every direction, trying to park in their assigned spaces. Analise's gourmet sandwich truck was stopped in the middle of the midway, blocking the path of half of the other vendors. Dust rose around them and made Barry's eyes water. "I'm not taking that spot, Barry Cole. No one comes down that far. Last year I barely made a dime. Give me a different spot."

  Cole checked his midway diagram. "Look Analise, your spot is right by the stage. People will be there all day and night till closing. The stage is new. It'll have a lot of people in front of it." He held it out for her to see.

  She glanced at the diagram. "Just because you drew a square and called it a stage doesn't mean it's going to have a lot of people in front of it. Why can't I have that spot?" She pointed to the space behind Cole. "It's the middle of the midway, right in the action. Give me that spot."

  Cole rubbed his forehead. He could feel the grit of the dust on his face under the sweat. Why do I volunteer for this every year? "I have the Knights of Columbus in that spot. They've had that spot for the last twenty years. I'm not going to kick them out of that spot. People look for them there."

  Analise tapped her cowboy-booted right foot and crossed her arms. "Don't mess with me, Barry. I'll be in front of the town council so fast you won't know what happened."

  Cole clenched his teeth together. He knew what she was doing, threatening his wife who served on the council. Analise had done this before, bringing complaints against local businesspeople who ticked her off. "You can do that if you want, Analise, but not today."

  A truck horn sounded. A man stuck his head out of the window of a giant Ford towing a barbeque trailer right behind Analise's truck. "What's going on, Barry? What's the hold-up?"

  "Just a little discussion about the space assignment. We'll be done in a second."

  "Oh no we won't. If I don't get a different spot, I'm planting my truck right here." Analise spoke loud enough for the barbeque guy to hear.

  Another truck sounded its horn, backed up behind the barbeque man.

  Barry could feel his blood pressure rising. "You can't hold everyone up, Analise. There's nothing wrong with your spot."

  "Get a move on, lady!"

  The second truck sounded its horn again.

  She crossed her arms, walked back to her truck and leaned against the driver's side door. Cole sighed. He walked over to the barbeque truck and helped the man inch around her, then did the same with the second truck. When they were clear he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He dialed Jean.

  "Hello?"

  "Jean, it's Barry Cole. I've got an irate vendor who doesn't like her spot and is threatening to block the whole midway if I don't change her location." He could hear a sigh on the other end of the phone.

  "I'm at the north end of town. I'll be there in a few."

  They clicked off. Fifteen minutes later, Jean walked up to the Vendor Manager. They stared at the sandwich truck, still causing problems in the middle of the midway. "Who's that?"

  "Analise Van Horn."

  Jean sighed and rolled her eyes. "Wonderful." The noise of the vendors setting up was loud enough that they had to raise their voices to hear each other.

  "Yep. I tried to tell her that her spot is right next to the bandstand. It will be busy every day of the fair but she won't listen."

  "Show me your diagram," Jean said.

  He held out his clipboard. "She wants the Knights of Columbus spot cause it's in the middle. They've had that spot for decades; I don't want to make them move."

  "What's this spot?" Jean pointed at a square that didn't have a label on it.

  "That's over there." He pointed to the right side of the midway, four spots down from where they stood. "It's a new vendor, selling corn dog
s. He's never been here. He signed up at the last minute."

  "Give Analise that spot. Put the corn dog guy in her spot. Will that work for you?"

  He gave the diagram another look. "Yeah, I can do that. Think she'll go for it?"

  "Let's see." Jean and Barry walked over to Analise, still standing in the shade of her truck and glaring at the other vendors.

  "Analise," Jean said.

  "Jean." Analise stood up. "Have you convinced Cole to give me that spot?" She jerked her chin at the Knights of Columbus space.

  "We decided not to do that."

  Analise scowled at Cole, then at Jean. Barry was glad Jean was doing the talking. "Instead we have a space on the right, three spots down from here. Take a look."

  Analise walked around the front of her truck. Cole and Jean followed. On the right she could see an empty spot between a jewelry vendor and a lemonade stand. She walked over to it and walked around it.

  "The lemonade is going to draw flies."

  The lemonade vendor shot her a glare, and Barry spoke up before he could say anything. "All of the food vendors will draw flies, Analise. We're outside. It happens."

  Analise scowled and looked up and down the midway where every spot had people setting up. "Fine." She uncrossed her arms and strode toward her truck. Jean and Cole walked over to the end of the midway, out of Analise's way. They stopped and watched her pull her truck into the space, the lemonade guy eyeing her every move.

  "Don't let the two of them come to blows." Jean checked her watch.

  "I'll talk to the guy. Thanks for helping out. The woman makes me a nervous wreck."

  Jean patted him on the shoulder. "Me too. Look, I've got to go get ribbons. Talk with Karen over in the Exhibits building if you need anything."

  Cole tucked the clipboard under his arm. "Sure. Drive safe."

  "I will." She headed over to the Exhibits building to give Karen a heads-up about Analise before she left.

  Chapter Twenty

  Nick White pulled into the fairgrounds parking lot and got out of his car. It was just after ten thirty in the morning and the sun was beating down on the asphalt like a punch in the head. He pulled his Stetson out and put it on. It didn't make his head any cooler but it at least cut the glare. The gates were open to allow vendors to come in and set up. Trucks, trailers, cars, golf carts, and four-wheelers were buzzing back and forth, people were yelling, hammers were clanking against poles and wooden boards; it looked and sounded like a zoo.

  He spotted Jean Hays in the center of the melee, walking with Analise Van Horn to an empty spot near the fence. Don't envy her that, he thought as he locked his car and headed for the gate. It's no wonder Arris divorced her. What a witch. After a few moments he watched Jean and a man with a clipboard walk away. He was almost to the gate when he saw her say something to the man, then turn and head away from the midway.

  Nick intercepted her at the gate. Her blue eyes were looking straight ahead like a woman on a mission. Her short, graying brown hair was stuck to her temples and forehead with a sheen of sweat. She's going to get sunburned wearing that sleeveless top and shorts. "Hi, Ms. Hays."

  Jean stopped short and spun around.

  Ah, still a little spooked. Recognition spread across her face. He was surprised to see a scowl follow soon after.

  "Chief White." The scowl disappeared. "What can I do for you?"

  "I thought I'd stop by and say how sorry I am your car was vandalized. We're working the case as fast as we can." A look of suspicion flashed across her face, then resignation.

  "I appreciate that, Chief."

  "You can call me Nick."

  Her right eyebrow rose up. She nodded. "Nick. I appreciate that. I suspect it falls behind the murder though, as far as priorities go."

  She's quick. "Yeah, it has to, but we'll work it as fast as we can."

  "Any chance I can get my ribbons today? It's judging day. If not, I have to drive to Gila County and get borrowed ribbons."

  My God, she's relentless. He scuffed his boot in the dust. "I'm sorry, no. The lab just couldn't work that fast." He admitted to himself that it was a pain for her to have to drive so far and then be indebted to the other fair. "Is it going to cost you much?"

  "They're selling us the ribbons at their cost, if that's what you mean. Then there's the time it'll take me to drive there and get back, then go back through all of the exhibits to attach ribbons. Let's call it an inconvenience."

  "I'm sorry about that. I really am."

  He was surprised to see a tiny smile start on her face. "Well, it's a pain in my ass but we'll have to deal with it. I'm on my way to talk to one of the Superintendents, and then I'll take off for Gila County. Is there anything else?"

  That explained her focus as she was walking. She's got a lot on her plate. "No. I just wanted to check and make sure you're all right. Let you know you're next on the priority list. I try to talk to everyone that has a serious call into the office."

  That made her grin. "Thank you, Chief. I appreciate that."

  He tipped his hat. "Drive safe, Ms. Hays."

  "You can call me, Jean, Nick." She gave him a wave and turned and walked away. Head was up, shoulders squared, striding right along. Her military training, he thought as he watched her go around the stands of the show ring. He reset his hat and walked out through the gate.

  #

  At the Exhibits building Jean saw every department deep into the judging. Volunteers were arranging the already judged exhibits. She found Karen, helping a judge with an exhibit. "Karen, I'm sorry to interrupt."

  Karen looked up from the judging sheet. "Hi Jean, I thought you'd be gone by now." She turned to the judge. "Can you give me just a minute?"

  "Sure," the woman said. "It'll give me time to think about this one."

  Karen stepped over to Jean. "Everything all right?"

  Jean waved a hand. "Yeah. I was on my way out of town when Cole called me. Analise was having a fit in the middle of the midway. I had to stop by and solve it. I'm kind of putting you in charge here while I'm gone. I told Barry to talk to you if something comes up. That won't step on anyone's toes, will it?"

  "No." Karen shook her head. The VP of Livestock isn't going to want to deal with vendors or plumbing. It'll be okay. Anything else?"

  "No. Yeah." Jean wiped at a trickle of sweat that was running down her temple. "I was just stopped by Chief White on my walk here from the vendor area. Wanted to make sure I was all right."

  Karen's eyebrows shot up. "He did?"

  Jean nodded. "Is that odd or what?"

  "Yeah," Karen said slowly, drawing the word out. She grinned. "Think he has a crush on you?"

  Jean snorted. "Cold day in hell." She drew a deep breath. "Okay, I'm on my way to Gila County. Hold down the fort."

  "I will. Drive safe."

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When Nick left the fairgrounds he drove across the highway to the casino. The smell of cigarettes hit him in the face as he walked through the automatic doors. He wrinkled his nose. He quit smoking when he was twenty-two but the smell still stirred cravings. A casino security guard stood just inside the door. Nick nodded to him as he passed and headed to the casino offices.

  He had counted four commercial buses in the parking lot. The slots floor was full of seniors with walkers, canes, and portable oxygen tanks moving from one slot machine to the next. About three quarters of the seats were filled, cigarettes smoldering in ashtrays next to the machines. The noise was enough to drive a man insane. He watched an elderly woman, blank-faced, push a big green button on the face of the machine. Lights flashed, bells rang, but her expression never changed. She just pushed the button again. I don't get the thrill.

  He left the casino floor and turned down a carpeted hallway leading to a ballroom area. Halfway along the hall, he turned right into a door marked Office. A secretary, a young woman of Apache Indian descent, sat at a desk. "Hi, Chief," she said. Her brown eyes brightened. "We haven't seen you in her
e in a while. What can we do for you?"

  "I need to talk to Jimmy, Lani. He around?"

  Lani picked up the office phone and punched a button. "I have Chief White here to see you." She listened a moment. "Sure. I'll send him right back." She hung up.

  "He said to go on in. You want some coffee? I'm bringing him some." She stood up.

  "No, I'm good, Lani. Thanks." The Chief walked past Lani's desk, a huge printer, and a conference table to an office door to the left. He gave it a quick rap and walked in.

  "Nick White, you old dog. Come on in." Dressed in slacks and a white long-sleeved shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, Jimmy stood up and came around his modern walnut desk to shake hands. "Haven't seen you in too long."

  Nick walked across the plush, sand-colored carpet and shook hands. "You're right. It has been too long. Thanks again for that contribution to the Police Widows fund. It came just in time for Officer Morgan's widow. I appreciate it."

  "Glad to help, Nick, you know that. Have a seat. What do you need?" His braid swayed across his back as he sat down in a modern black leather executive chair. "Lani's bringing coffee."

  Nick waved the offer off. "I told her none for me, thanks anyway. I'm here about Ina Grange."

  Jimmy sighed. "What a shame. We knew her in school, ahead of us by three years. Such a nice girl."

  A knock came on the door and it opened. "Here's your coffee, Jimmy. You sure I can't get you something, Chief?"

  "No, thanks, Lani. I appreciate the offer."

  Lani nodded and left, closing the door behind her. Nick settled into the matching visitor chair to Jimmy's executive chair. He looked around Jimmy's office. There was a painting, wild horses running across the desert. He nodded at it. "That's new."

  Jimmy grinned. "Yeah. I got it at the last art show we had in the ballroom. Local artist painted it. I love the way you can almost hear them thundering across the land."

  "Good choice, Jim." He turned back to the task at hand. "I need some info on Ina. I'm hearing she had a gambling problem."

  Jimmy had picked up his cup. He hesitated with it halfway to his mouth, then went ahead and took a sip. He placed it carefully on the saucer. "You know we do our best to cooperate with law enforcement, Nick."