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

him. The murder investigation was getting started. I just needed to ramp up my romantic assault.
    We walked through the Village with everyone hailing Chase as we passed Frenchy’s Fudge Shoppe and the Pleasant Pheasant , a tavern close to the Dungeon.
    Canyon came out as we were going by. I hoped he wouldn’t make a big deal out of me working for Chase, but I didn’t really know him, or his responses, in either Village.
    “What ho, Sir Knight,” Canyon greeted Chase but his eyes were on me. “It appears that you have a new squire.”
    “Good morrow to you, Sir Bailiff,” Chase returned. “Yes. She is all that I could ask for in a servant.”
    Cameras flashed as visitors on the cobblestones began to sense a Renaissance throw-down.
    “And a prime bit of flesh she is too, sir.” Canyon put his hand on my butt and squeezed.
    Maybe if we had really been lovers, I might have let that go, even though we were in public with pictures likely to end up on the Internet. But we weren’t lovers—not even friends. I barely knew him.
    My intentions must have been obvious as I turned to him. Chase put his hand out before I could sink my knee into Canyon’s groin.
    “Allow me, fair squire.” He bowed graciously to me, although a knight would never have done such a thing with a servant.
    As dozens of residents and visitors watched, Chase slapped Canyon and then dropped one of his gloves on the ground. It was a challenge to a duel if Canyon picked it up.
    My imaginary ex didn’t hesitate. He lifted Chase’s glove. “I believe that makes the choice of weapons mine, sir. My second will contact you.”
    Both men nodded curtly at each other and set off in opposite directions.
    The crowd went wild. Applause and camera flashes followed for at least five minutes until there was something else new and exciting to look at.
    “You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered as we walked away. “I could’ve handled it without a duel.”
    “Are you speaking to me, squire? I don’t believe I’ve spoken to you.”
    “You know, he’s really good with a sword.” I didn’t really know that. I was just trying to protect him in case it was true. “That’s the weapon he’ll choose.”
    Chase grinned. “That’s what I was hoping for. I’m not so bad with a sword myself.”
    He was right, of course. He was very good with a sword. I’d never seen Canyon fight, so I didn’t know how good he was. That made me nervous. Not that they’d be fighting to the death or anything. But there were always accidents. And what if Canyon was really the fairy killer and wanted to get Chase out of the way so he could frame him for the murder?
    We continued down the cobblestones to the Village Square. Detective Almond and Officer Grigg were already there. Chase had me wait at one of the benches, away from the fountain. He held out his hand to Detective Almond, already getting to know him.
    “You’ve had a busy morning but well-played, my dear.” Starshine appeared on the bench beside me. “I might’ve used him working on your feet a little more to your advantage.” She shrugged and giggled. “But it went very well. He cares for you. That is obvious. He’s even willing to make his girlfriend angry for you. You and Chase are well on your way to a more personal relationship.”
    “It might be better if Canyon went away,” I mumbled, hoping she might take that as a wish without me actually wishing it.
    “I can’t remove him, dear. You brought him into this whole thing. He’ll remain through it.”
    “Is he the killer?”
    “How should I know? I’m sure it won’t be long and you and Chase will have figured out the whole thing.”
    She vanished abruptly as Chase came near.
    “Detective Almond is a hard nut to crack.” He sat on the bench with me. “I thought I might get him to warm up. No luck. At least I have his report. Thanks, Jessie.”
    “You’re welcome. What do we do now?”
    “Now we strike out on our own. The report says the