Fly With Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

paper. Sure, she’ll ask me in for coffee. She wouldn’t want to be
rude. I’d go tonight but that might make her uncomfortable. No I’ll go in the
morning. She’ll let me in. I know what she wants.
     
    Three
hours later, Mo’s feet killed her. She had danced with the mayor several times.
Had met the much mentioned Whitneys and had been invited to another party at
the mayor’s home later in the week. She noticed Zack Burnham here and there
being unobtrusive in the background. She noticed him chatting with Ling for a
few minutes. She approached him at one point and asked him if he danced. “Only
to the Mayor’s tune when I’m working.” He gave her a quick grin and went into
professional mode. His smile warmed a wary face. Handsome, Mo thought.
Troubled.
    Mayor
Tyler said “good night” to Mo and waved Zack over. “Burnham, you have your car
here, make sure Ms. Whitman gets to her hotel safely. Ms. Whitman, I look
forward to seeing you again. Very Soon. If you want to come into the city, give
me a ring. I’ll give you the keys, so to speak.”
    “Thanks,
that’s very kind. Roddy keeps us pretty busy. He’s a slave driver, actually.”
She glanced at the manager, who feigned innocence to the charge. “Roddy, you
might as well ride with us since Lu had to leave.”
    Tyler
kissed her hand looking into her eyes meaningfully. Zack looked the other way,
the exit of the other guests suddenly of the greatest interest.
    “So
your wife wasn’t feeling well?” Zack buckled his seatbelt.
    “Oh!
Bad headache. She has the migraine. It hit her suddenly. She insist I stay. She
need complete quiet and dark. Sometimes they last for days. But she is so
brave, so strong; I have to force her to lie down.” Roddy was in the back seat
loosening his bowtie with one hand, champagne flute in the other.
    “I
don’t remember meeting the guy, your ah, partner. Hades.” He glanced at her
sidelong.
    “I
think he had a hot date. He was there but he left early.” She looked straight
ahead without further comment.
    “So
he’s not your…” He knew he shouldn’t ask.
    “Not my husband or boyfriend
or friend for that matter. He’s my partner in the act. Roddy’s doing.” She
jerked her head towards the back seat then smoothed her already smooth dress.
“But he’s very good. You can trust him in the air. In our work, Mr. Burnham,
trust is everything.” Why did he have the feeling the guy didn’t merit trust
otherwise? Her clipped tone?
    Mo looked over her shoulder
into the back seat. “Roddy, do you realize we’re riding with a cop, in a cop’s
car and you have a glass of champagne? Officer Burnham that man stole a glass
from the restaurant.”
    “But I am not driving.” Roddy
took a sip and smiled happily at Mo, flushed with the success of the evening.
    “I’m off duty, and anyway, I’m
out of my jurisdiction,” Zack said with a grin. They arrived at the hotel. Zack
jumped out and went around.
    “Thank you. I feel like
you’re my Greendale tour guide. I guess it’s worth an autograph to have a
driver direct from the mayor’s office.” Mo took his hand as he helped her up
the curb. “Thank you, my feet are killing me.”
    “I can tell.”
    “Regular Sherlock Holmes are
you?” she asked with a smile.  “How many corns have I got?”
    “None, you take good…” he
eyed her up and down, “very good care of yourself.”
    “You’re as big a flirt as the
mayor. When you’re not working.” She turned and laughed at Roddy who was
hanging on the hood of the car. “I think my boss needs a police escort. 1553.
The key’s in his pocket. You do turn down service too?” She laughed and walked
in the door.
    The music of her laugh was in
his mind the whole time he half carried Roddy to his room. “Turn down and tuck
in, lady.” He said to himself. “I could tuck in on that!”
    Morning came with a little
headache and sore feet. Mo turned and kissed her fingertips and touched them on
the black and white