Dieter disappeared down a corridor while Hawkeye led her back towards the main party.

“The Earl must have been alerted.” He looked out through the windows they passed by, searching for something he didn’t find.

“It can’t just be a routine meeting.” She looked, too, but couldn’t even guess what he was looking for, let alone spot it.

Finally he turned onto a balcony and whistled sharply, whereupon the Gearwing dived out of the darkening sky and plummeted past.

“That’s the signal. Trouble at the factory.”

“But how are we going to get there without anyone noticing?”

Hawkeye looked mischievous. “My sisters learned to become really good at distractions. I’m sure they’ve only improved with time.”

Elletra looked askance at him, but he retained an impressively straight face. “Distractions?”

“Looks can deceive, Elletra. You should know that by now, surely?”