The enormous windows reflected the pale blue morning sky.
A personal assistant had arranged the day's schedule.
The CEO would attend a conference panel at ten.
Meet with two investors at noon.
Then appear at an afternoon event honoring women whose companies had contributed to advances in engineering and technology.
The event would be photographed.
Several fashion publications had requested images.
And a designer had loaned her an extraordinary white-and-black couture ensemble.
When the stylist arrived, the CEO was reviewing the final municipal audit summary on her tablet.
The stylist looked at the screen.
Then at the garment bag.
“Please tell me you're not working through the entire fitting.”
The CEO smiled.
“I'll try.”
The stylist raised an eyebrow.
“That's not a promise.”
She laughed.
The outfit was arranged carefully.
The white cape fell in elegant panels from its oversized shoulders.
Beneath it, a fitted white cropped top revealed her waist.
A long black sequined skirt sparkled with thousands of tiny reflective details.
A black silk scarf framed the neckline.
White gloves completed the ensemble.
The final accessories were enormous black cat-eye sunglasses and a small luxury designer handbag with patterned fabric and polished metal fittings.
Her hair was styled in sculpted vintage finger waves that emphasized her facial features.
When the stylist finished, the CEO examined herself in the mirror.
She smiled.
“Perfect.”
The stylist looked relieved.
“You're going to stop traffic.”
The CEO laughed.
“Hopefully not literally.”
Neither woman knew how painfully ironic that remark would become.
At 1:06 p.m., the CEO's security director called.
The city's oversight office had completed arrangements for the transfer of additional audit materials.
The formal evidence package was already with authorized counsel.
Nothing sensitive needed to be carried inside her personal supercar.
The CEO confirmed that.
Then asked whether there were any updates concerning the suspicious vehicles.
The security director hesitated.
“One of them was seen near the event venue.”
She became serious.
“Same vehicle?”
“Possibly. The registration information is still being checked.”
The CEO looked toward the window.
Then said, “Should I cancel?”
The security director considered the available information.
“There isn't a verified direct threat, but I recommend additional precautions.”
They discussed the route.
The event venue.
The parking arrangements.
And the best way to contact emergency services or the investigative team if anything unusual occurred.
The CEO agreed to keep her vehicle's security-recording system active during the trip.
The system had been installed years earlier after a minor collision involving one of her company vehicles.