Chapter 10

“Please move this way, sir.” One of the bodyguards in a black suit and sunglasses gently guided Nick to the center of the carpet. The chain line that separated the audience from the hosts has long been invaded. The guards at the four sides of the entrance ring used their batons to shoot the crowds back.

Nick couldn’t stop looking back. His attention moved from the writer he came to guide inside to the crowd and the scent that had caused his confusion. The cardigan woman had disappeared the moment he set his eyes on her. He turned again to see if she would surface, but she was gone.

He was sure she touched him. He could swear he saw her red flared and black striped skirt that stopped a little above her knees with a sky blue top properly tucked in. She was putting on glasses and had a tablet in her left hand and a crossing bag in her right. She smiled at him. He was