Read Online Send in the Clowns, a Detective Mike Bridger novel by Mark Bredenbeck - Free Book Online

recognised
from earlier were jostling each other and laughing beside a large
motor home on the far side, happy in each other’s company. A group
of woman, dressed similar to the peasants of old, were gathered
around a steaming pot under a canvas awning, toiling away their
time. A couple of young men without shirts were leading various
animals in and out of the big tents canvas doors, sweat glistening
off the backs of human and animals alike.
    A very small man had
intercepted them at the front gate and had told them he would
advise Mr Gonzales of their presence, before scurrying away in a
strange shuffling motion. Bridger had no idea whether it was still
appropriate to use the word ‘Midget’, but could not think of any
other way to describe the little man. There was no sign of the rest
of the performers. It looked as if everyone had his or her jobs to
do in this travelling show and did them without complaint, a
society at its most base level.
    “ Do you think
that those women have a big pot of steaming cabbage cooking over
there?” Grant was indicating the group of cooks as he spoke, and
was smiling too himself. “Or maybe it’s an ancient
spell...”
    “ Grant,
that’s not very appropriate, is it.” Becky’s tone was sharp. “I
didn’t think you stooped to using baseless stereotypes.”
    Bridger decided the word
Midget was probably not appropriate either “Alright you two, no
arguments please, we are here to do a job.” Looking at Brian for
backup, he saw he was looking slightly puzzled. “What’s on your
mind, Brian?”
    “ I’m not sure
Mike…, it’s just this place is strange. When the animals were out
this morning, the Clowns took care of it. They knew what they were
doing and just got on with it. Anthony Gonzales looked like he was
out of his depth, yet he is now the only boss. He did not interact
with anyone within the Circus that I saw during that whole episode,
but the Circus Midget ran off too get him as if he was a King.
Michael Wilson has only been dead for less than twenty-four hours.
I don’t know, it is just a feeling I get, but something’s not
right.” Brian shrugged his shoulders and indicated over Bridger’s
shoulder. “Here he comes now…”
    Bridger looked behind him
and saw Anthony Gonzales approaching with the Midget trailing
behind him. He was dressed in a velvet waistcoat and trousers and
carried a walking stick, which he clearly did not need. Anthony was
oblivious to the looks he was getting from his subjects but it did
not escape Bridger’s attention. The Clowns were the worst of all,
not bothering to hide the contempt in their eyes.
    “ Sergeant,
it’s good to see you again.” He held out his hand, limply, like an
old friend. “I would like to thank you again for your help this
morning; none of the animals seem too have suffered in their
ordeal.” He looked Bridger in the eye as if seeking conformation
that he was saying the right thing. Bridger noticed a slight bruise
around his eye, something he had not seen earlier.
    “ It’s just a
shame that it happened this morning Mr Gonzales, we do have more
important things too deal with at the moment. This brings us to
what we need to do now. It is just a formality, but we need to
speak too everyone here. Depending on what they have to tell us,
will determine whether we need a formal statement or not.” There
was no point in dressing it up as sympathy over the death of
Anthony’s friend, they had a job to do and it was easier for
everyone if they just got on with it.
    Anthony looked over his
shoulders at the groups surrounding them; they were all watching
their discussion intently “Okay Sergeant, where would you like to
start.” There was a slightly nervous look on Anthony’s
face.
    “ Let’s start
with you, Mr Gonzales. I understand that you were with him last
night, here at the Circus… Some sort of argument?” Bridger saw the
flash of anger behind Anthony’s eyes, quickly replaced by another
look he