“The costuming for the festival yesterday was incredible.I can’t believe how authentic all of you looked.”
“That’s par for the course when you’re with an excellent troupe,” the juggler said.“Nick did look dashing as St.Nicholas, didn’t he?”
I leaped on the nostalgic look on Juggler’s face.
“He was an actor for the ages,” I said.That might be laying it on a little thick, but whatever.“Isn’t it just amazing the petty reasons someone would be willing to take a life?”I clutched my now empty tray to my chest and gripped it, turning on my own acting skills.I was going to Museful Monologue.“They say there are only three reasons for ninety percent of murders.”I wasn’t sure if that percentage was even remotely accurate or not, but in my own personal experience the three reasons bit was definitely accurate.
“What are you talking about?”Vance asked disdainfully.“Aren’t you just our server?”
“I own this pub.And my boyfriend, Cameron, is the one who hired all of you.Anyway, I was saying that most people are killed for one of three reasons—money, revenge, or love.Or lust.I mean, it depends on the circumstance with that last one, but we can lump them together.Which one do you think was the reason for Nick’s demise?”
“I have no idea why two santas would be slayed,” Juggler said.Then he made a face.“Slayed.Sleighed.Good grief.Anyway, I can’t imagine Nick was loaded up on life insurance.He was never married and has no kids.”
“That does seem to leave revenge or love,” I said sympathetically.I tried to catch Daphne’s eye but she was staring into her wine like the key to the universe was floating in it.“Or maybe revenge and love together?”
I knew Daphne wasn’t the killer but I wanted to disarm the real culprit.Lull him into complacency.
“I think we should leave all this business to the police,” Gemma said.She rubbed her chest.“This wine tastes like vinegar.It’s giving me heartburn.”
That gave me pause.Maybe my mother wasn’t just being picky.Maybe the wine really was bad.
Mental note to self: Check the wine after you catch a killer.
“You’re so right,” I told Gemma.I tilted my head toward Justin, who had his fingers buried in Brandy’s hair and was kissing the stuffing out of her.“The sheriff looks like he’s on it.”
Okay, so that was throwing Justin under the bus a little, because he knew full well I was trying to elicit a confession and he was trying to look like a bumbling and innocuous law enforcement officer, but it still made me internally wince.
They all turned and took in the sight.Vance harrumphed.Gemma made a sound of distress.Daphne gasped.
The juggler actually burst out laughing, before coughing into his hand.“Sorry.”
“I’m very uncomfortable right now,” Gemma said.“Tyler, I would like to leave.”
Tyler!Finally, the juggler had a name.
“Let me finish my drink,” Tyler the juggler said.“Then we can head back.Though I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight knowing there’s a killer on the loose.”
It was the wrong—but for my purposes right—thing to say.Gemma gave a little moan and Daphne lost what little color had remained in her face.
Vance smacked Tyler’s arm.“Think before you speak.”
“Whoops.Sorry, ladies.”
It seemed like the perfect moment to drop the item in my pocket onto the table.“Does anyone know what this is?I found it down on the rocks where Nick was found.”
It was such a “bam!”moment that I enjoyed it far more than was appropriate given two men had died.But I couldn’t help myself.
There were frowns all around and Tyler shrugged.“No idea.”
“That’s a cloak clasp,” Daphne said.
Vance tossed his beer back and shoved his chair back.“I think it’s time to go.I’m bored with this town and locals who don’t know when to take a hint.”He gave me a pointed look.
“Oh, am I bothering you?”I asked.“I’m so sorry.I just thought maybe your friends would like to know that you’re the one who pushed Nick over that cliff.”
Vance’s face turned red.
Gemma and Daphne gasped.
