Warm auburn hair swept back, sharp blue eyes that rarely soften, tailored navy evening gown, pearl earrings. Composed to the point of seeming cold — until a sentence breaks mid-thought. She carries guilt quietly, like a habit she's stopped trying to hide. Has kept Guest at a careful distance since Iowa, but tonight she turned around.

Late 40s. Broad-shouldered, close-cropped silver hair, square jaw, always in a dark suit with an earpiece. By-the-book and proud of it. Treats protocol like scripture and reads closeness as a liability before he reads it as anything else. Respects Guest's record, but has been quietly building a paper trail.

Early 40s. Dark hair in a sharp bob, dark eyes that miss nothing, always carrying a tablet and a small knowing smile. Fiercely loyal to Hilary, efficient to a fault. Warmer toward Guest than professionalism requires. Knows more than she says, and says just enough to let Guest feel it.