Broken People (Serial)

Thirty-Three

With the hall emptying, Dale offered his hand to Aurore to help her up. He waited patiently while she fiddled with her gloves, folded the program, and slipped it into her purse.

"If you care to join us, there are refreshments in the lobby," Renard told Ternchiev. "And you might like to meet a few members of our crew. I know they want to personally express their gratitude for allowing us to perform here."

Out of his seat, the mayor hesitated, glancing back at Aurore, who didn't hurry to leave the cozy box. She snapped and unsnapped her purse, frowning at the uncooperative clasp.

"It's all right, Uncle," Aurore said, waving a hand. "You go ahead. We'll join you in a minute. I'd like to get my wrap first. It's chilly in the lobby."

Ternchiev gave them an indulgent smile, muttered something about "young people", and let Renard lead the way.

Witnesses gone, Dale bent over to free Aurore's heel from the hole in the floor. Her foot slipped free before he could reach it, and she left her seat with a fluid motion, avoiding all contact. All right. Back to square one.

"Everything working properly?" he asked, unsure what she was planning. Whatever it was, he was still her date/bodyguard, so he had to follow her lead.

"Yes." The answer came in a clipped voice. "Everything's fine." She did a twirl to prove it, and the dress swayed around her feet.

Dale nodded, pretending to take her word for it. The glitch was gone, but it didn't mean it wouldn't return, especially with them not knowing what had caused it.

Since when did he care about what happened to the Golden Lady? His expenses would drastically decrease if she disappeared from the picture. On the other hand, the circus people might become less accommodating without the Golden Lady putting pressure on them and vouching for him. Either way, he needed her.

"Good. Let's go then." Dale opened the door and checked the corridor. A few people were still leaving. "We wouldn't want to damage your reputation."

"What reputation?" Aurore's smirk was cold, but less secure as she slipped past him.

While they walked down the stairs, Dale's hand rested on the small of her back in case she stumbled again. Probably thinking the same thing, and busy holding up the dress so she wouldn't step on it, Aurore didn't push him away, but her back was as stiff as a board. By now, Dale was convinced she had no prosthetics in her back.

In the wide entrance hall, well-dressed people stood in small groups and chatted with the performers. Everyone looked relaxed and polite, if not downright friendly. The glasses they held might have had something to do with that. The crew also helped by not wearing masks and having changed into proper attire.

Aurore scanned the hall and veered in the direction of her uncle, who talked animatedly with Renard. The ballerina hung onto the magician's arm. On his other side stood the silk girl and the tall, blond aerialist. They all wore frozen, cautious smiles.

"Ah, there you are ..." Ternchiev waved for Aurore and Dale to join them. "I was just telling our friends about the White Night. The museums in town, and part of the Hrad, will be open all night next Saturday with free admittance. There will be a small reception as we have visitors from abroad, and I have a great idea. You should come! It will be great publicity for you."

"I'm not sure we—" Renard started.

"Oh, I'm not talking about a show like you did here. God, no. It would be a fire hazard, and we can't risk damaging the Hrad, although it's a shame ..." Ternchiev's eyes lingered on the redhead for an extra moment. "No, I'm talking about only a few acts. Something that doesn't require much preparation ..."