Use Nancy to set-up your escape route, even if she isn't the thief

You stop outside Nancy's office and knock on the door. So far, your switches have only distanced you from your intended target. Helen's skin was a key to get you closer to a suitable candidate, and you thought Maya would help with that. Instead, all it's done is cast you as an outsider. You need to find someone who has the access you require: that means Nancy.

You enter on her call and close the door behind you. The office is well apportioned, and best of all private. Nancy Fralich looks up, her clean, cream uniform sharp and crisp. She's older than Maya, comfortably over 40, a little large around the waist, with thin glasses resting on her nose. Her Indian roots are clear, although not as prominent as your current disguise's, and masked even more by a heavy foundation of make up.

“Yes, m'am?” She asks politely, looking up from her computer screen. She's clearly busy putting the finishing touches to the day. You smile.

“I just wanted to ask a question about the wedding reception,” you say, pleasantly. Nancy doesn't even rise from her desk; she looks like she's got more important things to do than answer questions. Still, as a hotel employee, she doesn't have much choice.

"What's that?” she says expectantly. You don't bother to ask: instead you just point the pen and fire.

*****

The large woman guarding the elevator doesn't even question your entrance to the fourth floor. She looks at you with some disdain, but then gets back to barking at personal servants. You straighten Nancy's glasses, smooth her hair, and walk along the corridor, your slightly large frame jiggling with each step.

The change to Nancy took longer than expected, mainly because you had to straighten her uniform and make sure there was no sign of it having collapsed to the floor, but also to help Maya after her blackout. She's currently being looked after by the hotel's trained first aider, who, with a little suggestion from you, has passed off this momentary blackout as exercise-induced. It's the second fainting spell he's had to deal with this morning, he grumbles.

You've also taken advantage of your new position. As well as complete access around the hotel, your mind has a complete set of memories as to the arrangements for the day. Seating plans – private instructions from the snooty Vincent family to keep certain relatives as far from the top table as possible – and entertainment. You also know how the Bloom will be delivered to the bride, and more importantly have been able to plan an escape route.

This is part of the reason you've decided to stick with the original plan of becoming one of the main members of the wedding party. You know they are all smokers, and could reasonably be expected to slip away, out of sight for a cigarette. Everyone else will be under closer scrutiny. A few minutes ago, you used Nancy's computer to send a memo to all hotel staff, ensuring the East Walk is left completely secluded tonight. This is a kind of private garden with a little, secluded pavilion at the end. You've also ensured its roped off to prevent guests from entering and interfering with your route. From there, it will be easy to shed any skin you are wearing and simply walk out of the grounds undetected.

You walk down the bustling corridor. There's a mass of people – stylists, relatives and relations – bustling around 407. Private staff move between the rooms. You start walking purposefully, letting Nancy's mannerisms slip out and display themselves as you recall the room owners. 403... Ophelia Vincent. 404 and 405 is the Warwick family, parents in one room, daughter and nanny in the other. 406 is...

“Excuse me?” A North-eastern accent, dripping with old money, calls out. You turn your heavy frame and smile gracefully.

“Yes, m'am?” you ask, exactly as the true Nancy had done earlier. The woman in front of you is not dressed for the wedding yet, but still reeks of class and style in her sun dress. She's deliberately made up, with tussled, curling brunette hair and an elegant, Roman nose. This is Madeline Warwick, the bride's eldest sister and unhappily married (according to your dossier) to a real estate tycoon. Behind her, you watch as the second eldest of the Vincent daughters, Katherine, heads to her room, complaining to her PA about some minor point.

“I wanted to ask about the entertainment,” Madeline says, talking down to you as if you're far below her station. Nancy's manner remains polite, though her personality bristles. “The reception is such an important affair. It must be elegant. Do you understand? I want to ensure the brats are fully occupied. Kept out of the way. I've had Louisa take Taffy down to the pool this morning while everyone gets ready, but goodness knows what will happen once she's had some wedding cake.”

Brats? Obviously Madeline is a distant mother, and has left arrangements to her maid. You smile, and relay the information.

“Of course,” you begin to reel off Nancy's carefully planned scheme. “After the buffet banquet there will be three acts. As requested, we have hired a spectacular wedding singer for the event; she's really something special. There will then be a band for those who wish to dance. We've also arranged for a magician to provide entertainment in a side tent, and his assistant will be moving around the main marquee, offering table magic for the guests. Finally there will be Chinese lanterns to launch at sunset. Is there anything else?”

Madeline seems satisfied, and gives you a curt response, turning back to her room. Further down the corridor, an older woman – the bride's mother, you presume – begins to make shooing gestures, pushing staff and stylists out of 407. “All right everyone, give my daughter some privacy! Everyone, start getting ready!” She continues to shout commands, chasing staff down the hall.

You watch the scene impassively behind Nancy's glasses, and start to form a plan. You've now got the perfect window to become one of the key wedding group: the bride, one of her sisters, or one of her bridesmaids. Alternatively, you've been given another perfect opportunity. As Nancy, it's your duty to brief the performers for tonight. You could ignore the wedding entirely, and track down this table magician. It would be easy to perform a few tricks and then sleight-of-hand on the Bloom, eagerly offered up by Alexandra for a trick.

You ponder your next move.