Skin Deep

Flashing her badge, she skipped the queue and went through the metal detectors. The guest list for the opening included high-level officials from domestic and foreign governments. Secret Service agents patrolled the perimeter, and a more obvious metropolitan police presence directed traffic to the surrounding streets. Those who kept note of such things recognized that security was higher than usual for such a gathering. Even given the list of senators and House members and the high-level fey from both the Guildhouse and the Teutonic Consortium, security was tight.

“The president still insists on coming?” Laura asked quietly.

Sinclair sca

“And when someone dies, we get blamed for their ignoring us,” she said.

A small smile flashed across Sinclair’s face. “I love my new job.”

They climbed the stairs to the main level of the building. “Foyle’s on board now?” she asked.

“Completely. If anything, he’s more on top of this than the Secret Service,” Sinclair said.

Laura watched people filing into the Rotunda. “The passion of the converted. I’m worried you told him too much.”

“It was unavoidable. He knew about the threat to Hornbeck. Once Secret Service muscled in on Triad, he had to know what was up,” said Sinclair.

The reports of Alfrey’s former association with Blume’s firm had set off too many alarms for the Secret Service. An immediate review of Triad staff ensued. Whatever his motivations were, Hornbeck retained enough clout to keep the security firm at the event. With Blume’s presumed i

Sinclair nodded again. “They booted everyone who had less than five years with the company or a known association with Alfrey off the Triad team. Backgrounds were rechecked. Triad stays outside,” he said.

She made a point of not looking at him. “And you were assigned to me. What a lucky coincidence for you.”

He gri

Amused, she glanced at him. “Let’s find my assistant, Saffin. She’s been here all afternoon ru

Sinclair took her arm, but Laura slipped out of it. “You’re security, Jono. Not my date. Two paces behind, please.”

He smirked. “Yes, ma’am.”

A string quartet played in the loge while across the way guests milled around the expansive floor of the Rotunda. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution remained on display for the evening, though the Bill of Rights was secured in the vault below. Normally when visiting hours were over, the documents were electronically lowered in their sealed casements to a basement vault. Rumor had it that in addition to being fireproof and bombproof, the vault two stories below was nuclear bombproof. Laura once asked the chief archivist if it were true, but the woman changed the subject.

Waitstaff circulated through the crowd offering appetizers, champagne, and seltzer. Between the volume of people and lack of space, a formal di

Laura spotted Saffin listening politely to an older man and woman. When they made eye contact, Saffin gave her a subtle look of pleading. Laura pretended not to notice the older couple and pulled Saffin away.

“Thank you. I didn’t know who they were and didn’t want to insult someone important,” she said.

“You look amazing,” Laura said.

Saffin preened. Her maroon designer dress highlighted her mocha skin. “I used my entire last bonus check for it.”

“And well spent. Is everything under control?”

She nodded vigorously as she looked around. “It was a little crazy this morning with all the security changes, but it’s good now. Oh! I should warn you. Once the speeches start, they’re dropping an airbe druad on the whole Rotunda. No one will be allowed through the essence barrier for about thirty minutes, so go to the bathroom now if you have to.”

Laura chuckled. Saffin had thought of everything. “I want to check the security on the Treaty before things start.”

Saffin touched her arm. “I’ll do it. We’re keeping it in the vault until Guildmaster Rhys makes his speech. You stay and mingle.” She leaned closer and whispered. “And there is a very handsome man behind you watching your every move. You should talk to him.” Saffin hurried off.

“My assistant thinks you’re handsome,” she muttered to Sinclair.

“You have an excellent assistant,” he said.

Near the Declaration of Independence, Hornbeck held court, with Tylo Blume at his side. Blume didn’t look like someone who had ever been denied a place at the table. In fact, he seemed pleased and relaxed as he laughed and talked with a Supreme Court justice. He should be happy, she thought. He got what he wanted.

On the opposite side of the room, Guildmaster Orrin ap Rhys moved through the gathering, oblivious to the Archives staffers and security perso

Resha Du

Sinclair followed her as she slipped back to the entrance. “I want to talk to Foyle.”

“He’s in the Public Vault,” said Sinclair.

The area behind the Rotunda served as an interactive display area. The exhibit of fey documents took up the entire space by special arrangement. Foyle waited near the entrance in full-dress uniform. Many people knew him as a police officer, either for his work on the force or with the Fey Relations Committee, so there was no point in trying to pretend he wasn’t security.

“Is everything going smoothly, Captain Foyle?” she asked.

He made a slight courtesy bow. “Fine, Ms. Blackstone. Is there anything you need?” he asked.

She was surprised he remembered her name. As Laura Blackstone, she had little interaction with him since the Archives handled security, especially with the president involved. “I’m just doing a last-minute walk-through.”

She passed into the exhibit area. On impulse, she stopped and turned back. “Captain Foyle, has anyone else been inside yet?”

“Just staff, ma’am,” he said.

She nodded. “Archives?”

He nodded as well. “And security. General entrance is scheduled for after the speeches.”

She smiled. “Yes, of course. Thank you.”

She entered the exhibit. Computer screens lined the walls. Convergence and its mystery were presented first, a series of theories outlining recent thought as to how the event occurred. When the fey first arrived, they’d kept themselves hidden from the general public. They didn’t understand the world they found themselves in and tried to understand what had happened and where they were. Eventually, the Celtic and Teutonic factions revealed themselves to major governments in order to form alliances.