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It’s well past 2 p.m. and was turning into a very long day. Lieutenant Gillespie wanted a break, maybe something to eat, and he was thinking of his wife and how the day began . . .
“Lieutenant Gillespie.” Officer Moran said walking into the trailer. “The men have finished talking to everyone traveling with the carnival. How do you want us to proceed?”
“Now we talk to the locals working the booths. Miss Koslov couldn’t give me any names. Her father might know some of them by name, and Hugo might know the name of one or two.” Gillespie said from the comfort of an old overstuffed chair.
“The carnival planned to leave tomorrow night. They have dates booked. They are wondering when we might finish.” Dania informed him crossly. The regulars need to move on to make their money.
“I can’t say, but this carnival isn’t going anywhere until this business is settled.”
“I understand, Sir.” Dania is not happy with his answer but knew it was for the best. At least for the moment.
“I’m sorry, I know you’re overwhelmed with all this,” Gillespie said to Dania as they talked in her private trailer located in the living lot away from public access.
“Hugo and I must take over for my father now that he is in hospital. The carnival winters in Sarasota every year. We play to towns all the way down and back. Some regulars have winter jobs waiting for them. We have to move on.” She insisted, wiping away the tears that will not stop. She hoped to be strong.
“You understand I cannot release you to move for a while.”
“We have to be in Sarasota, Florida, by November. What will I do about the towns along the way that are waiting for us? We have made deposits on fair grounds and fields. We’ll lose money if we can’t make those dates.” Dania shook her head. She burst into tears, pacing, and screaming oaths in Russian. Gillespie stood there, helpless. Then, as suddenly as it began, Dania, takes a breath, calming herself enough to speak. “I promise you this: before I leave this town, whoever did this will be dealt with, your way or mine. I don’t care which.”
Walking toward her father’s office trailer, Dania saw the Cat Rack where Michael was talking to a boy and his date. The boy had not had any luck winning a prize for the girl.
“Try again,” said Michael. “I’m sure you can win your friend here a nice prize.” Michael secretly worked the control releasing a weighted cat. “I have confidence in you.
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Here, try this one.” He points to a lightweight cat on the second shelf.
The boy shook his head. “I’ve spent enough money. Come on, we’ll try something else.”
“Oh, try one more time, Joey. You almost hit one before. Do it again,” his date said, smiling up at him.
Joey took a deep breath, ready to insist they leave, but her smile has please written all over it. He picked up one of the balls, looked at the target cat, and threw as hard as he could. As the cat fell off the shelf Joey’s mouth drops in surprise, and his girl shrieks with joy.
“What prize would you like, Little Lady?” Jumping up and down, she picked out a pretty doll with long blond hair and wearing a blue gown. She smiled broadly when Michael handed it to her. She embraced the doll, and without a second thought gave Joey a kiss on the cheek. Color rose in her cheeks as she realized she kissed a boy in public.
“Thanks a lot, Mister,” said Joey. grinning, he took the girl by the hand, and they moved along down the row of game booths.
Dania was touched by the scene. Smiling, she walked away. Pissa, he’s a quister mush. She thinks there’s more to this mick than she knew, ... yet.
Michael reset the booth for the next customer, organizing the cats and checking his money pouch. There is still time for one more player before lights out. He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the shelf. When he looks up, he saw Johnny Russo glaring at him, but before Michael could say anything, the kid turned and hurried away. As Michael wondered what the kid was doing here, four teenage boys came up to play. He droped the handkerchief on the shelf figuring he’ll finish when they leave.
“Gentlemen, we’ve got time for a play or two before closing. Are you feeling lucky tonight?” Michael called to them.
“Sure am, Mister. I got three nickels and a good right arm. Here’s the dough. Now back up, boys, and give the master some room!” The others stepped back a pace or two. He took a ball, wound up, threw, and missed.
“Yeah right, you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if you were standing inside it!” one friend yelled. The others laughed.
“You have no faith, my man. Move farther back.” He wound up, threw, and missed again.
“Maybe you should let one of the men take a turn, Abercrombie.” One of his friends jeered.
“Aw, you’re all wet,” said the third boy.
“Anybody got any money left?” asked the fourth.
“No, I’m beat,” said the third.
“Okay. Prepare to be impressed,” said the first.
“Hey, look over there!” The second boy pointed at two girls playing at another booth.
“Wow, I like the looks of them,” said the fourth.
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“Let’s go check ’em out, Paully.” All three boys walked off toward the girls, leaving the first boy poised to pitch.
“Hey, wait for me!” The first tossed the ball, almost hitting Michael as he dashed off to catch up with his friends.
Tony signaled Michael to wrap it up. It’s closing time. Both men shut down their booths for the night. Michael counted the take, put it back in the pouch, and headed for Tony’s booth.
”How’d ya’ do today?” Tony asked. “Would ’ya give up your job at the mill and do this every day?”
“It was fun, but I don’t think I’d like it on a permanent basis.”
“Me either. I’ve been doing some thinking the last couple days. Maybe I should think about trying for a promotion at the mill. A guy has got to grow up sometime.”
Michael was stunned by Tony’s revelation. About time he thought. Although the same age as Michael, Tony was the only child in an Italian family. He’s not had to take responsibility for anything in his life.
A line had formed at Hugo’s. One by one each worker handed over his pouch, telling Hugo the amount collected, and leaves for the night. Hugo was a no-nonsense kind of guy, but not unreasonably gruff; unlike Koslov.
“Good work. See you tomorrow,” he said to Michael and Tony, and they walked away.
Hugo continued tallying the day’s receipts. He recounted each pouch, rechecked the tally sheet, and dumps the money into the cash box on the counter.
Dania walked up beside him. “Those two,” she said. "What do you know about them? I’ve seen them around.”
“They’re late comers that work the booths. They seem good workers. No problems so far,” said Hugo wondering why she is asking.
“Do you know their names?”
“Tony is the dark one; I don’t know the other mush.”
Dania leaned against the table her head in her hands. “You know, Gillespie won’t let us leave. Until he finds out who bashed Koslov and stole the money,” she told him.
“Maybe we will catch him first.” Hugo glared.
“Oh, let me catch him first! I’ll scratch his eyes out!
I’ll show that Inga how we deal with scum like him! I’ll teach that divia mush not to jawl from us.” She grabbed a trim knife and slams the blade into the old wooden counter top. It is still vibrating as she turns and walks to her trailer.
****
Tony and Michael walked up Adams Street and stopped in front of Sullivan’s Tavern. The place is dark inside.
“Darn, I forgot. It’s Sunday; the bars aren’t open. Guess I’ll go home and let my mom yell at me for something,” Tony smiled as they continued up Bottle Alley.
“That’s fine by me. I’m bushed. I’m going straight to bed when I get home.” Michael said with a heavy sigh.
“Lieutenant Gillespie stopped by my booth. We have to talk to the cops when we go in tomorrow. I told him I didn’t know anything about the break-in, but he says they have to question everyone. It’s routine, he said.” Tony informed him.
“I’m not going to worry about that ’til the time comes. I don’t have any information for him anyway.”
“When he asked if we knew of any trouble Koslov had, you said no.”
“So? I don’t.” Michael dodged.
“What about the argument between Koslov and Dania?” Tony asked.
“What about it!” Michael stopped and looked at Tony
“Well, you did say she was mad . . .”
“It wasn’t anything,” Michael said.
“Okay. Geech.” Tony shrugged, dismissing the conversation.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Meet me on the corner. Okay?” said Tony. He claped Michael on the shoulder—his way of saying no hard feelings. Tony walked on home. Michael turns right onto Chandler Street.
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Dania spoke to the night security man in charge on her way to her trailer. She listened and evaluated the added safety precautions that are now in place. Additional men have also been hired.
“Keep your eyes open tonight. No more problems get it?” Dania said. She changed her mind about going home and headed back to the office. Dania worried about making the approaching dates, paying locals off tomorrow night. Oh, God, could anything else happen? She found herself thinking about the man at the Cat Rack. I saw him when we left the bar last night. I like tall men, and he must be at least six feet. I hadn't noticed his broad shoulders, probably because he wore a coat. But I noticed today when he was working with that young couple. He’s not Italian, or Jewish. He an Irish mick with that dark sandy hair and blue eyes. “What’s the matter with me? I don’t have time for this!” She told herself, walking a little faster, but like gum on a shoe, thoughts of him stuck. I wonder what his story is. Working the carnival? A guy like that would have a good paying job, in an office probably. I bet he has a wife, maybe, and a family to support? Could be he needs more money? “Why do I care?” What is it about him? I should know better. . . .
****
Rain was starting to fall gently when Michael opened the back door and stepped into the warm kitchen. He hung up his coat and cap and went upstairs to his room
and began to undress. He realized he left his handkerchief at the booth. I’ll get it tomorrow if it’s still there. No great loss if it’s not.
“Have they caught the guy that robbed the carnival?” Christopher asked, turning over to face Michael.
“Not yet. They’re still talking to people.”
“Do you think they’ll be talking to you?” Frank sat up in bed, obviously fascinated that his brother was involved in an actual crime.
“I don’t know. Go back to sleep.” Michael finished undressing and climbed into bed. The younger boys groaned at the lack of information and turned over. Michael is exhausted, but thoughts of Dania, the carnival, and Lieutenant Gillespie run through his mind. It took a couple hours before he finally drifted off.