“He sounded irritated that the desk clerk didn’t recognize his name.”

I turned the silver ring on my right thumb three times, feeling the cool band press into my skin.

“He thinks these promotion launch dinners are private parties,” I said.

Brenda looked across the banquet room at the hotel staff clearing dessert plates off the head table.

“The regional VP signed off on your access code for the corporate guest suite on Randolph Street this morning,” Brenda said in her quick, businesslike voice.

“The silver key fob is in your top desk drawer at the regional office on Lake Street.