Read A Fool and His Money for Free Online Page B

James, the trick pony rider. I thought you must know that.’
    â€˜No. No, I didn’t. Well, in that case, I will need to speak to her – along with the other members of the troupe.’
    â€˜Yes, of course. Please let me know if I can help in any way … if there’s anything you need?’
    â€˜I will. Thank you, Mr Martin.’
    Bartlett and Boase left the caravan and Bartlett stopped to light his pipe. Boase coughed a few times.
    â€˜That smell was terrible, sir. I thought I was going to be sick.’
    â€˜Yes, I thought it was pretty unpleasant myself. What do you make of him, Boase?’
    â€˜Nothing so far, sir.’
    â€˜Me neither – yet.’
    Bartlett and Boase walked on towards the big top to see if anyone was inside rehearsing their act. The tent was empty.
    â€˜Strange, Boase – I’d have expected someone to be in here getting ready for tonight.’
    â€˜Me too, sir. Why don’t we try some of the caravans?’
    â€˜Right, come on. Let’s see if we can find his daughter first.
    At one end of a small row of circus caravans stood a rather modern affair; a luxurious green caravan, with horses’ heads painted along the sides. Next to it, on a patch of grass, stood four white ponies, tethered and grazing. The door of the caravan was open.
    â€˜We got lucky, Boase.’
    Bartlett knocked at the open door. An argument was clearly going inside the caravan. Eventually a tall man with blond hair stuck his head through the doorway.
    â€˜Yes … what do you want?’
    Bartlett introduced Boase and himself.
    â€˜Are you Edward James, sir?’
    â€˜Yes – what of it?’
    â€˜May we please speak to your wife?’
    â€˜What about?’
    â€˜Please, sir – don’t try to get involved. Is she in here?’
    Bartlett, knowing perfectly well that Molly James was inside the caravan, having just heard the argument, pushed past the man and went inside. Boase followed. Molly was sitting at a small table. She looked up. Her face was tear-stained.
    â€˜Are you Molly James?’
    â€˜Yes … yes, I am.’
    Bartlett put his hand on the woman’s shoulder.
    â€˜I’m sorry to tell you, Molly, that we have some bad news. Your father has been found dead.’
    â€˜My father?’
    â€˜Yes. We know about Clicker and your mother. We know the story.’
    Molly looked terrified.
    â€˜What story?’
    â€˜About your parents here in the circus – and you as a baby.’
    The woman looked visibly relieved.
    â€˜Oh, that.’
    â€˜Did you understand what I just told you, Molly? About your father?’
    â€˜Yes. What happened to him?’
    â€˜Well, we’re not entirely sure yet but it looks like he was murdered.’
    â€˜ Murdered ? Oh, that’s terrible. Who could do such a thing?’
    At this, Molly burst into tears again and held her head in her hands.
    â€˜That’s one of the reasons I’ve come to see you – I thought you might have an idea of who could have done this.’
    â€˜But I haven’t. No idea. Everyone loved my father – you only need to ask around here, they’ll all tell you how much they thought of him.’
    The woman continued to cry. Bartlett patted her hand.
    â€˜We’ll leave you now. I’m so sorry to bring you such awful news, truly I am. Now, please don’t go anywhere because we will probably need to speak to you again … and someone will come to ask you to identify your father’s body; I’m so sorry but you are his next of kin.’
    â€˜I won’t go anywhere.’
    The two men left the caravan and walked a little way. Bartlett lit his pipe.
    â€˜Well?’
    â€˜They’re a strange couple all right.’
    â€˜Why do you say that?’
    â€˜She was obviously distraught and he just stood there – no attempt to comfort her.’
    â€˜Well, some people are like that, Boase. And