Shade had no acquaintances at this banquet, so he did not linger. Holding a wineglass, he headed straight into the restaurant that had originally occupied the second floor.
This was one of the larger auction rooms for tonight's Charity Auction. Each session featured ten lots, with a fifteen-minute break between sessions. It was currently the break after one session had ended. As soon as Shade entered, a middle-aged woman in a female clerk's uniform approached him.
"Are you Mr. Hamilton, representing Miss Galina at the next auction?"
She asked softly. Shade nodded, knowing that this ordinary woman had also been arranged here in advance by Miss Galina. The Duchess had worried that Shade might cause some mishap, having never attended this sort of auction before.
The auction process was simple. Guests reserved a particular session beforehand, then received a wooden numbered paddle upon arriving at the restaurant on time. Once the auction began, they could bid using the paddle. Before it began, they had time to inspect the ten items in that session.
"That person."
As Shade accepted the numbered paddle from the woman, she spoke quietly.
"At your three o'clock. Black formal suit, gold buttons, a small mustache, and a black top hat."
Lowering her voice, she made sure no one was nearby before adding another quiet reminder:
"The ring is on his finger."
Shade nodded, then naturally parted from the woman. He lowered his head to examine his numbered paddle. It had actually been given a coat of lacquer, making it look like a tool borrowed from an auction house.
At three o'clock, the man standing before the wall and looking at an oil painting was tonight's target. His true name was Steve Event, and his real identity was a Cultist who believed in the Lord of the