Fly With Fire by Frances Randon Page A

known immediately Mo was going to be the star of a new kind of
circus. Luciana was at the end of her career. The company was pushing Roddy to
replace her. Hard as it was he had given the pink slip to the woman he loved.
In return, the company financed Roddy’s idea for the stunning spectacle that
was to become La Cirque du Celestial.
    The road was hard on Gram,
and Mo had almost quit a few times for her sake. Her grandmother wanted to see
Mo secure in a position that would make sure she was set for life. She had
shared the company vision for a new sort of act. Something that had not been
seen before. Mo became the premier act and the success of the company as a
world class entertainment had made Mo’s future secure. Gram died knowing that
while she would only be the star for so long, she would be able to coach others
with ambition and talent. The sharp old woman had socked money into an
insurance policy for Mo. Just in case. Now Mo had Roddy, who was like a father
as well as coach and manager of the show. Her grandmother had trusted Roddy
implicitly and was relieved to die knowing he would be there for her.
    She would get through this,
he thought. They all would because they had each other. “Mo, I know it hard for
you to be still, not to work. It hard for me too. I wish you get a little
sleep. You said you do not sleep good last night. I stay here till Zack return.
You go to sleep. Rest.” Though he was a partner, he was glad he did not deal
with the business end of the company or at least not in a public way. No press
conferences, lawyers, suits about cancellations. His focus was on the
performers and managing the tour. “The police want coliseum at least through
tomorrow and maybe more. We do best we can.”
    “I don’t understand why they
need to keep everyone out of the coliseum. The murder didn’t happen there. I would
feel better if we could get back to work. Ling would have wanted it.” She
plopped down in her flannel tank and shorts. She had been watching the storm
thinking how appropriate the weather was. She couldn’t have stood a pleasant,
sunny day. “Why don’t you go check on Luciana. You don’t have to babysit me. No
one can come up here without a key to the elevator. What’s that door to?”
    “It’s presidential suite. It
must be another bedroom. Prego! Zack stay right there! Really keep eye on you.”
Roddy got up and tried the door. “It’s locked, give me key.”
    “I don’t have a key. Why
would they lock it? Maybe they keep it locked unless a second bedroom is
requested. I guess I should get a key. But Detective Burnham doesn’t need to
stay there. I don’t need a babysitter and I’m sure he considers being stuck on
me an even worse punishment than being stuck on the mayor. I wonder what that’s
all about anyway.”
    “Something Senor Whitney say
about his partner was killed. The police investigate.” Roddy paced a moment. “I
feel better if Zack stay right here. I go get him before he get room.”
    “His partner was killed and
you think I’m better off if he stays in the next bedroom?” Mo put a hand on
Roddy’s arm. “I’ll be okay. The city will pay for his room. I didn’t ask for
special protection. I don’t know what Mayor Tyler was thinking. Not that I’m
ungrateful.”
    “For me, or I stay here
myself.” Hands on hips, Roddy gave her his most stubborn look. She knew that
look.
    She knew that determined
tone. “You need to stay with your wife. She already thinks I’m trying to steal
you away! Okay, go catch Detective Burnham.” She gave him the elevator key.
    “Roddy worries too much, I’m
sure I’m safe here. I can’t imagine this is the kind of thing you want to be
doing.” Mo paced nervously in her bath robe. The truth was that in the time she
was alone she couldn’t get the fear out of her mind. She had expected Roddy to
return with Zack. He had gotten a call from his wife and went to check on her.
After talking to Vince Smith and giving the