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Horatio smirked and gestured to seat one. “Bailey Danielson.”

Bailey nodded, never making eye contact with Aidan. Bailey was put together, good-looking, and obviously the type of thirty-something who was successful in everything he tried.

Horatio continued around the table, pointing to the petite, pretty blonde about the same age as Aidan in seat two.

“Seat two. Jayna Heilun,” the older man said.

Jayna looked Aidan up and down. He wasn’t sure if she was attracted to him or deciding if he were worth her time.

“Cassidy Frank, seat three,” Horatio said, moving to the brunette next to Aidan.

She never looked up and seemed sullen and distant, as if she were barely paying any attention to anything occurring.

“Our new friend, Aidan Varick, in seat four,” he continued. “Seat five is Richard Dresden.”

Richard was tall, lean, and good-looking, but not like Bailey. It was different. Where Bailey was the guy everyone was jealous of in the bar, Richard had that quiet, distinguished charisma that only certain people were drawn to. There was something unsettling about Richard, though, as if something menacing brewed beneath his big blue eyes, like a pot of water about to boil over.

Horatio moved on to seat six, Victoria Santos. She was older, maybe in her early fifties, and Aidan could tell that she would be the loudest voice in the room. She was one of the few who made eye contact with him and smiled wide. Horatio was in seat seven, and next to him was an older African American gentleman, much older than everyone else. Lucien Forsythe. Lucien nodded at Aiden with a welcoming smile. The older man sat very straight in his chair, hands folded, and kept his head high throughout the introductions.

In the last seat, seat nine, was Leonard Grillo. Aidan knew he wouldn’t get along with Leonard. There was a sharpness to everything about him, from his features to his gaze. Leonard didn’t seem like someone who would mince words, and although Aidan wasn’t easily intimidated, Leonard made him feel small.

“So let’s get down to business,” Horatio began. “Every year, we must vote on a candidate for the festival. It is an important position and an honor. The candidate must be chosen wisely. Also, we need to discuss the raffles and the potluck dinner, of course. Jayna, those brownies last year were delightful. So, who has suggestions?”

“Jessica Caldwell from Accounting,” Leonard said firmly, almost as if the decision was made. Aidan wasn’t clear on what this candidate was for; he wasn’t sure what the festival was for. He waited before asking these questions, hoping some would be answered as the meeting continued.

Victoria laughed. “Leonard, you vote for her every year.”

“And someone always inches her out.” Bailey laughed quietly.

“I don’t understand how you don’t see her value,” Leonard said angrily.

Horatio nodded, almost appeasing the other man.

“Value?” Aidan mumbled, a bit too loudly it seemed, since the whole table turned to look at him.

“Our superior requires someone of value,” Richard explained.

“It’s Aidan’s first day.” Horatio smiled. “He doesn’t even have an email account set up, my friends. Give him time. He’ll learn just like you did.”

“What about Harold from the mailroom?” Jayna suggested.

“Harold?” Lucien asked with surprise in his gentle voice. “That man tows the line better than anyone, including us.”

“He’s a creeper,” Jayna said. “I don’t trust him, and I think he’s stealing mail. And he always looks at my ass.”

“We all look at your ass,” Bailey said, winking at the young board member. Jayna smiled back flirtatiously.

“Now, Bailey,” she cooed. “You know we can’t fraternize with other members.”

“It’s a silly rule,” Bailey said. “What is the big deal?”

“That’s how alliances are formed,” Victoria reprimanded. “Remember Hildy and Sam? They were screwing for months before they rebelled.”

“Their relationship didn’t get them removed,” Bailey said too loudly. “It was their treachery. They tried to go public.”

“As did Pamela,” Richard said quietly. “And that’s how jobs open up here.”

“Can we talk about Jessica again?” Leonard resumed. “She’s too soft. Every time someone complains to her, she gives in. What if we get infiltrated or someone does leak to the public? She’ll be the first to talk. I say we remove her. Her innocence and honesty will soothe him just fine.”

Horatio stood up and moved to the bar on the far side of the room. He poured himself a scotch and continued. “We need a third. So far, we have Jessica and Harold. Cassidy, you haven’t said a word today. Any suggestions?”

The brunette next to Aidan looked up, her brown eyes mixed with anger and sadness. Horatio seemed to have disturbed her from some reverie she’d rather be in. Aidan could see her lip quiver before she spoke.

“I’m not really sure,” she said quietly. “Feeding a demon is a tough business.” The sarcasm in her voice was overwhelming. It was clear she wasn’t okay with this arrangement, at least not anymore. Aidan was suddenly fascinated with her. How did she get here?

“Cassidy, you know the festival is important,” Lucien said gently. He spoke to her as a father explaining life lessons to a child. “If we don’t make an offering, we all burn.”

“I know the rules, Lucien,” Cassidy blurted curtly.

“I have someone,” Richard interrupted. Aidan caught him stealing a look in Cassidy’s direction before turning toward Horatio. “Edward Lansing. He’s an agent, been here maybe three years. I heard him on his cell phone outside during lunch speaking to a police officer. He was discussing Pamela and her sudden disappearance. He was suggesting that she didn’t move like we told her family and hinted at foul play. I suggest we remove him before we are investigated.”

Leonard rolled his eyes and sank back in his chair. He was annoyed.

Victoria cackled. “And Jessica survives another festival! We should take bets next year.”

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