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CASSANDRA COULDN’T believe what she’d been told, but Marie sat on the opposite side of the counter declaring it was true.
“Stanley French?” Cassandra asked.
“Yep,” Marie nodded.
“You’re sure of that?”
Melody came from the kitchen. “Yes, are you sure of that?” she asked.
“I heard it clearly,” Marie said.
“Well, don’t go spreading rumours about the Frenches,” Melody warned. “Not if you like your life in this town.”
The door opened and the old circus man came in with a dark-haired, dark-skinned woman wearing a colourful dress.
“Take a seat,” Cassandra said. “I’ll be with you soon.”
“No hurry, Cassandra,” he said and ushered his companion to the same table he always sat at.
“Do you want a steak sandwich?” Melody asked.
The man looked at the woman with him.
She nodded.
“Two,” he called.
Melody went into the kitchen.
Someone else came into the dining room. It was Joseph, Marie’s boyfriend. He came to the counter and sat beside Marie.
“What’s this about Stanley French?” he asked without acknowledging Cassandra.
“Kasey Winkle accused him of rape at the site office today.”
“I heard that part on the phone. I want to know what she’s going to do about it.”
“She said she was going to do nothing about it.”
“So it doesn’t involve me,” Joseph said.
“Doesn’t involve you?” Marie snapped, then looked about. “A crime was committed,” she said in a hushed tone. “You’re a copper. Why wouldn’t it involve you?”
“Because a complaint hasn’t been filed,” Joseph answered her softly. “There’s nothing I, or anyone else, can do until she makes a complaint.”
“What if it was me he raped?” Marie said.
“Then it’d be a police matter when you make a complaint.”
“And you’d do nothing about it?”
“I’d kill the fucker,” Joseph said softly. “Unless you make a complaint. Then I’d think twice about it because I wouldn’t likely get away with it.”
“So it’d be better if I didn’t complain to the police?”
“I’m not in love with Kasey Winkle,” Joseph said. “I’m not about to risk being hanged for murdering a French for her, like I would for you.”
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Cassandra said.
“You’re just jealous,” Marie said.
“No, really,” Cassandra said and rushed from the room. She reached the toilet in the small building behind the lunch bar just in time. She vomited until there was nothing left to vomit, and tried to vomit some more. Once she was done, she stood, feeling a lot better. There was a small basin before the room with the toilet where she washed her face.
She nearly emptied her bladder when she looked in the mirror. Behind her was a blonde haired woman with piercing blue eyes and a strange kind of clown makeup.
She turned.
There was nobody there.
She looked in the mirror again. The image of the woman slowly dissolved.
She washed her hands, and her face again, and went back to the lunch bar.
“Are you alright?” Marie asked when she came back. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Cassandra shook her head. “I’m alright,” she said. “It was just...” she looked about. “You know.” She nodded downward.
Marie nodded understanding. “Okay.”
“What was it?” Joseph asked.
“Nothing you need worry about,” Marie told him.
“Oh,” Joseph said with an embarrassed tone.
“It’s alright,” Cassandra said. “What were we...?”
“Say nothing about this to anybody,” Joseph said sternly to Cassandra and Marie.
“That’s what I tried to tell them!” Melody called from the kitchen.
“That goes for you Melody!” Joseph called.
She came out of the kitchen with two plates which had steak sandwiches on them. “I’ll take these to the customers,” she said and pushed past Cassandra.
“Let’s go,” Joseph said to Marie once Melody had returned to her kitchen.
“Where?” Marie asked.
“I’m taking you to the Feral for a stern beer or two,” he said.
“And then what?” she asked.
“Maybe a talking to at my place.”
Marie looked at Cassandra. “Sounds like I’m about to get a spanking,”
“None of my business,” Cassandra said. “I don’t want to hear your complaints.”
“Get yourself a man for that business,” Marie said. “Michael...?”
“Get out of here!” Cassandra snapped.
Marie and Joseph laughed and left.
“Cassandra!” the circus guy called once the front door closed.
“Yes?”
“Can we have coffee?” he asked.
“Of course.” She poured two mugs of coffee and took them to the table. “I’ll get you milk and sugar, sir.”
“Don’t call me sir,” he said. “I already told you what to call me.”
Cassandra nodded.
“It’s Monroe,” he said.
“That’s right. I’m sorry. I...”
“That’s alright, dear,” the woman said. “Your name is...?
“Cassandra.”
“Cassandra Brown?” the woman asked.
“Cassandra Porterfield.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry. You remind me of someone I knew from here a long time ago.”
“Brown is a dirty name in this town,” Cassandra said.
“That’s right,” the woman said. “I remember now. My name is Tamatea Wickins, Tammy to my friends.”
“And what should I call you?” Cassandra asked.
“Tammy.”
Cassandra looked at Monroe. “I seem to be making a lot of friends at your little circus.”
“Like it’s something natural.” Monroe smiled.
“I’ll get you the milk and sugar.” Cassandra returned to the counter.