“The attendees are busy inhaling drinks and cocktail snacks.” The woman gestured with a chuckle. “I doubt they’ve noticed the time, but if you don’t mind, we’ll get you to speak straight away.”
“No problem.” Ashley followed the woman into the lift.
Her DPS officers stepped inside with them, and the woman gave Ashley a startled look.
“They’re my escorts,” Ashley explained.
“Is it true you have a stalker?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss details. I’m looking forward to sharing our vision of the future with your attendees.”
“We’re glad you could come tonight.” The woman continued to give Nelson and Gerry a side-eye.
The lift doors opened on the twentieth floor.
“This way, please.”
Even if the woman hadn’t met them in reception, Ashley doubted they’d have trouble finding the function room. Loud chatter poured from the open double doors. The woman led them through the groups of men and women. Some sat at tables while others stood chatting. Soft music poured from concealed speakers and waiters wandered from table to table with drinks and snacks.
“We’ve reserved this table for you. Can I get you a drink before you start?”
“I’d love a glass of water. Sparkling if you have it.” Ashley placed her clutch bag on a seat and removed her jacket. “Where should I stand?”
The woman gestured at a microphone stand on a raised dais. “I’ll introduce you right now. You can come forward once my intro ends. Will that work?”
“Perfect,” Ashley said.
The woman spoke to a waiter and disappeared out a side door.
Ashley accepted a glass and the bottle of sparkling water a waiter delivered. She took a sip and placed it on the table.
“Nelson, where will you and Gerry be?” she asked.
“Gerry will stand over to the right, slightly behind you, and not visible to most of the attendees. I’ll be on your left. We’ll be watching everyone as you speak.”
The woman who’d greeted them returned and someone switched off the background music. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.”
The chatter faded, and the woman plunged into her welcoming spiel. Ashley retrieved her notecards from her bag and listened with less concentration than usual. Her stalker had shot Josh. Josh’s sister and nephew had been there minutes earlier. What would’ve happened if he’d shot one of them?
“Put your hands together to welcome Ashley Townsend, the Labor party leader.”
Ashley strolled to the dais. While she normally dressed conservatively and didn’t flaunt her body, this evening she’d gone with more daring. A side split on the right of her long red gown gave glimpses of her thigh, and she overheard a couple of whispers mentioning legs before she reached the microphone stand.
Ashley turned and offered the attendees a bright smile before she began her pitch about opportunities for business owners and their proposed policies for the economy.
One of her gifts was a great memory, and as usual, she picked several faces in the audience and spoke directly to them. She finished, not needing her notes.
“I have time to take a few questions,” Ashley said.
A woman’s hand shot up.
“Yes?”
“Where did you get your dress? It’s stunning.”
“A new, young designer made it for me. Bronwyn is a local girl, and I love her work.”
“Where is your fiancé?” another woman asked.
