“It was either that or someone inside the palace signaled them.”

“I can’t believe any of our staff would betray my family that way.”

Levi thought over the timing of the attack again. Had Cassie been a few steps farther down the hall, she wouldn’t still be breathing. “Did anything happen from the time Theo arrived until you reached the entrance that slowed your progress down the hall?”

“No. Why?”

“The attackers’ plan was very precise. You were within seconds of being exactly where they wanted you when they broke through the door,” Levi said. “They either were told when you would be there or someone had managed to time your progress at a previous event.”

“The only people who would have access to that knowledge would be our security staff,” Cassie said. “And most of the people who did know the timing were killed or injured during the attack.”

“I’d like to do a deep background on everyone with access regardless,” Levi said. A new thought occurred. “Do the guards at the gate log when your guests arrive?”

“I believe so.”

“That would be something else to explore,” Levi said. “Someone could have deliberately arrived late at a previous engagement to evaluate how security is handled. If the extra guards at the main entrance are from outside, they would have been able to time the guard shift.”

“Guests arriving late is not common,” Cassie said. “That should be a relatively short list.”

“Assuming your father agrees to let my friends from Interpol help, they’ll get that for us,” Levi said.

“You haven’t heard from King Eduard yet?”

“No, but I imagine your father wants to check out the operatives I want to work there before he approves everything.”

“Of that I have no doubt.”

* * *

Cassie blinked, trying to fight the dryness that came from staring at a computer screen for too long. Levi had left shortly after breakfast to meet with his replacement. In his absence, she had reevaluated the final three candidates for the drilling rights in Sereno.

The weeks of comparisons, the spreadsheets and safety measures, the equipment and logistical requirements. All of the things that had to be considered were finally behind her. She had made her decision. She had chosen a winner. At least, she had chosen a potential winner. Once she and Levi could confirm that the company didn’t have any ties to the assassination attempt, she could move forward with awarding the contract.

She wasn’t going to think about her father’s reaction when he learned which company she had chosen. Instead, she was determined to take some time to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing she had completed her task.

With a celebration in mind, Cassie powered off her laptop and headed for the kitchen. With any luck, she would be able to sweet-talk Patrice into helping her pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beach.

She took the long way so she could pass by Levi’s office in case he had time to join her. She found him in the hall beside his office door, an attractive blonde standing with him. The woman was nearly as tall as Levi and appeared to also be in her late twenties.