Unmasked (Godmother Security Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the rest of the night.  “What about midnight?”
    Faye sighed.  “The ball isn’t set to be officially over until one.  Prince is scheduled to make a speech and announce a huge contribution to the charity at midnight.  After that they will start announcing the winners of the silent auction.  The party goers will stay for Prince’s speech, but they will start filtering out afterward. I want you out before then.”
    They were nearing the hotel where the ball was being held.  Cindy pulled a small compact from her purse to do a last minute makeup check and asked, “Wouldn’t it make more sense to have me hang around and help keep an eye on Prince?  If someone were going to strike tonight, they would do it when there are less people around.”
    “Don’t worry.  Once his speech is over Jack and Gus will be escorting Prince to his suite upstairs.  From that moment on, he is in Godmother Security custody, so to speak.” Faye replied.
    Cindy shot her aunt a quizzical look as she touched up her crimson lips.  “And you don’t want me to blow my cover by accompanying them.”
    Faye nodded.  “That, and I have another job for you.  I have a room in the hotel across the street set up for surveillance.  Frank will have the limo at the curb at midnight on the dot to pick you up. That’s the only way we can insure you don’t get caught in a throng of party goers eager to leave.  He will make sure the limo is at the head of the line.  There will be a change of clothes waiting.  Frank will circle around and drop you off on the next block behind the hotel.  There will be a keycard to access the back entrance and the room with the clothes.  I want you in that room as quickly as possible to help me watch and photograph everyone who comes out of that party.  Since the party is a masquerade, our best chance at catching people without their masks is as they leave.”
    As she finished, the car pulled to a stop and Faye switched to the seat opposite Cindy so she couldn’t be seen when the door opened. 
    The car door opened and the driver’s gloved hand reached in to help Cindy out.  “Looks like I’m on,” she said, taking the proffered hand.
    “Good luck.” Faye said.  “And don’t forget.  Midnight.”
    “Yes, got it. Midnight,” Cindy said as she climbed out of the car and the door shut behind her.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER FIVE
That Moment
     
    The venue for the ball had obviously been decided by the fact that Sebastian Prince owned the hotel, but whoever had decided on the theme for the charity’s event deserved a raise.  The hotel’s glittering grand ballroom was the perfect setting for a fairytale masked ball.  Cindy stood just inside the entrance on the second floor balcony that overlooked the main floor below.  She peered down at the marble dance floor crowded with men in tuxedos and women in brightly colored ball gowns.  Everyone, including the silver attired wait staff, wore masks.  Only security personnel had unadorned faces, and even they were in perfectly tailored tuxedos. 
    It didn’t take long for her to spot Jack and Gus.  They stood next to each other against the wall at the far end of the room, looking every bit the bodyguards they were.  Only they had no body to guard.  There were no guests at all near them.  She should have known it wouldn’t be that easy to find Sebastian Prince. 
    She knew he didn’t want visible bodyguards, but she’d hoped he’d stay somewhat close to Jack and Gus, even if for no other reason than so she could spot him quickly in the crowd.  Of course, he didn’t know she was looking for him, so it was a moot point.  All she knew was he would be wearing a gold mask and a gold lapel pin in the shape of the charities logo.  Cindy briefly wondered if Faye had picked out her outfit deliberately so that she would match Prince, or if it had just been coincidence; but if she thought about it she knew the answer.  Cindy didn’t believe