*****
The auditorium erupted into movement.
Emily stood, stretching, and immediately found herself surrounded by Timothy, Sebastian, and three men she didn't recognize but who had the unmistakable bearing of professional security.
"Meet Davis, and he also introduced the rugged looking men standing beside him," Timothy explained quietly. "They're staying with us for the rest of the competition."
Emily nodded, too tired to argue about needing protection. Someone had just tried to sabotage her equipment. The threat was real and immediate.
They moved as a group toward a private area, the security team forming a protective perimeter that kept curious competitors and media at a distance.
"Sebastian found the fake staff member on security footage," Timothy said once they were in a secured room. "Facial recognition identified him as Dimitri Volkov former Russian military, currently freelance. He specializes in discrete operations."
"Who hired him?" Emily asked.
