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The weather was cool, and the leaves are beginning to turn, and Fall was well on its way. Michael didn’t bother buttoning his coat as he made his way along Bottle Alley heading to the carnival. He liked the change of seasons, and Fall had always been his favorite time of year. Thinking of the beautiful gypsy, his steps quicken. He had all but forgotten the drama at home when he heard a familiar voice and turned to the sound of running feet.
Hey, Mush! Tony rushed up beside him. “Did ya’ hear what happened last night? Ya’ must have heard the sirens. Larry Russo was next to me in church and told me.”
“No, what? What’s up?” Michael’s cheerful mood vanished. After what Da said, he finds himself a little uncomfortable with Tony.
“Someone clobbered Koslov over the head and stole the money from the safe. It happened right there in his office. Cops were called. Koslov’s in the hospital, and they don’t know if he’ll make it or not.”
“What? Do they know who did it?”
“No, but someone saw that fortune teller, Dania, hanging around after closing. She was with that big hulking cousin of hers.
Hugo, I think his name is. Those two are always together. Something’s very odd about that, don’t ya think”
“Where do you come up with this rubbish? You’re full of boloney . . . and you sound like a hoodlum! I think you’re spending too much time hanging around the carnival.” Michael cautioned him.
“What do ya’ mean?” Tony shot back.
“I heard her give Koslov what for yesterday for not respecting her. How could a girl like that do what you said?”
“Well, I just thought . . .”
“And stop going to those Cagney movies. You’re beginning to sound like him.” Michael said to his friend.
They got to the grounds about 12:30. The area was still quiet, but the crowd would pick up once all the churches let out. Sundays are like that. Michael and Tony walked down the rows of booths to Koslov’s trailer.
Two cops stood outside. Tony approached them speaking up first. “Who’s in charge? I mean, who’s taking Koslov’s place? We’re here to work the booths.”
One of the cops turned and opened the trailer door. “Hey, Lieutenant, you got two guys out here saying they work for the carnival.”
Tony turned to Michael and whispered, “I wonder what’s going on?” Tony shuffled his feet, hands shoved deep in his pockets as they waiedt nervously for some response.
Michael nudged Tony. “Here he comes,” nodding towards the man in the doorway.
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Gillespie stepped out of the trailer and walked over to them. “I’m Lieutenant Gillespie,” said the slim; five-foot ten police man with a dignified mustache. What he lacked in stature, he maked up for in dignity. He arrived at the site as the sun was rising. Sergeant Drew had done as he was told and filled the lieutenant in on the details. Gillespie knew the neighborhood well. He grew up on Pearl Street, just a couple blocks over and attended Our Lady’s School. The Lake was his home, and he guarded it fiercely. “You say the two of you work for the carnival?” He said, studying the young men.
Michael felt like a bug under a microscope; Tony looked like a scared rabbit ready to run. “Yes, Sir, I’m Michael Flannigan. We live up the way, and Koslov gave us jobs running booths for him. We wondered what booths they want us to cover today.”
“You worked here yesterday?”
“Yes, Sir, I came in the evening, and Mr. Koslov sent me to cover the Milk Bottles. You know, throw three balls and knock them over for a prize.”
“Yes, Son, I get the idea. How did you do? Make any money at your booth?”
“I guess I did okay. Mr. Koslov told me to come back today and tomorrow.”
“And what about you,” he asked Tony.
“Me? Uh, yeah, I worked Friday and Saturday nights.” Tony was almost dancing he’s so nervous.
“What is your job?” Gillespie asked him.
“I had the Ring Toss booth uh . . . both nights.”
“You boys have any trouble with Koslov or hear of anyone who did?”
“No, Sir,” both answer at the same time, but Tony’s response is barely a whisper.
“Give Officer Drew your names and addresses, then go see a guy named Tevia in the next trailer.” Gillespie spoke to the two police officers. “Be sure to get contact information from everyone coming for work before you send them to Tevia. He headed back to Koslov’s trailer muttering, dikikidotti, as he climbed the couple steps to the trailer. While the door is open, Michael saw Dania. She’s been crying, and her hair, the color of polished mahogany, fell in ringlets around her face. She looked up and saw Michael before the door closed.
“That jival is Koslov’s daughter. Did ya’ know that? Nobody better messes with her. Come on.” Tony grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled him along to the next trailer. Standing outside, Tony, nervously nudged Michael. “You knock,” he whispered.
Michael rapped on the metal door, which made a hollow, vibrating sound. When he knocked a second time,
the door burst open, and a half-naked man leaned out bellowing, “What the hell do ju want?”
“Koslov hired us to work the booths.” Michael said, surprised by the greeting.
“Yeah, for the rest of the weekend,” Tony chimes in, stepping back behind Michael.
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“What do you want me to do about it? I didn’t hire ju!” Tevia said as he shrugged his body into an old shirt.
“The officer told us you’re in charge of the carnival now,” said Michael. “Where do you want us today?”
“Cops, chuccuo! Go find Hugo. He’s at the Dart and Balloon booth,” said Tevia. “He’ll fix ju up for today. Ask him for a pouch for the change.” He leaned in so close Michael can smell his breath. “Watch how you make change, mush! No sticky fingers. Ju get my meaning? Now off with ju.” he turned slamming the door so hard it rattles the whole trailer.
Michael and Tony headed back through the aisle of booths looking for Hugo.
“If they got robbed last night, how are they going to pay us?” asked Tony.
“I don’t know. Maybe they’ll pay us from the booth profits.”
Up ahead they see a big man with dark hair and beard. Michael stopped in his tracks. He was at the Dart and Balloon booth, and it could only be Hugo.
Michael whispered to Tony, “I saw him last night with that girl, Dania. They were coming out of Sullivan’s tavern. They seemed very cozy.”
“Ya’ mean the quista fortune teller, Koslov’s daughter?”
“Tony, I really wish you’d speak English!”
“Ya’ need to learn a little of the language if ya’re going to work around here.”
Michael rolled his eyes and moved on. Hugo was talking to a young man. He handed him a pouch, and the boy walked off.
“Hugo? Mr. Tevia said to see you. I worked the Milk Bottle booth last night and wondered if you want me there today and tomorrow, too?”
Hugo eyed Michael. He looked familiar. He knew he’d seen him somewhere. He checked his roster. “Take the Cat Rack. He turned, picked up two pouches and hands one to him, before turning to Tony. “What about ju?”
“I had the Ring Toss the past two nights.”
“Oh yeah, I remember you. Today ju get the Hook a Duck. Here ju go. Meet me here tonight after closing with the take, and tomorrow check in with me again.
They quickly located their booths. Tony was across from Michael and two booths down.
“What’s the ‘cat rack’?”
“It’s like the milk bottles but ya’ use weighted bags painted to look like cats. They sit on a rack, and the idea is to knock one off with a baseball. I know how it works. I'll show ya’ how to control the release.”