Death Indoors: Target Practice Mysteries 4 by Nikki Haverstock Page A

here?"
    I stood as they approached. "Here is what I am thinking. The first half of these meetings have just been me giving general information about sponsorship. Then I go over the resume and we give you feedback. I was thinking that I could give the speech to the whole room so everyone can hear it, then right afterwards I can continue with the meetings. How does that sound?"
    The mother with the reverse mullet raised a finger. "And we'll still get the same amount of one-on-one time with you and Liam?"
    It was an odd feeling to suddenly be in demand, though that had a lot more to do with Liam than with me. "Yes, in fact, we'll do ten minutes each, which is probably a few minutes more time than the original schedule."
    "Then count us in."
    The rest of the group nodded and agreed then sat back down while I addressed the room.
    "I've been giving a little presentation to people about sponsorship: what it is, expectations, things to consider, et cetera." I checked my watch. "In about five minutes I will give the speech, and anyone that wants to sit in may. I'll stand here, so if anyone wants to move..."
    I cut off when people started to move toward me. The scratching of chairs and rattling of tables drowned me out. It seemed that they more or less had the idea.
    Tiger was at the entrance of the dining room with a couple of women and gave me a wave. I walked over. "Hey, Tiger, what's up?"
    "What's up with your eye?"
    "I hit my head. Who are your friends? I'm Di." I looked among the three women and shook their hands in turn as they introduced themselves.
    "I'm just giving these lovely ladies a quick tour of the training center. They've signed up for the women-only archery classes that I'm organizing." He gave them a quick wink.
    Tiger was spearheading classes for women, taught by women in the spring. He wasn't teaching but it had been his idea, and he was passionately promoting it in the community, though giving private tours was a first.
    "You're signed up for the archery classes?" I made sure to look each lady in the eyes. They nodded back while looking around the room at all the activity. It was way more exciting right now than the average day, when the dining room only held sparse groups of employees. "You're going to have a great time. Enjoy your tour and I'll see you in class."
    Tiger steered them out of the room, a hand on the lower backs of two of the ladies.
    I shook my head at him. He was a flirt but deep down a really sweet guy.
    I walked back to the table, shaking my hands at my sides, hoping to flick off the bits of tension that were building up. Speaking one on one to kids with Liam at my side was one thing, but presenting in front of a crowd was another. I had no fears, normally, of public speaking, but usually I stuck to topics I was an expert on, not a speech that I had slapped together.
    Liam had pulled a chair over to face the table, the remaining kids we had meetings with at his sides. Not only were the people who requested information waiting anxiously, but the crowd had doubled in size. A few adults in jerseys sporting the names of stores in the state were lurking behind the chairs.
    The mother with the reverse mullet, her long bangs hiding one eye, lifted her phone and waved to get my attention. "Can I record this for us to look at later?"
    "Uh." If I hadn't been nervous enough already, this was going to put me over the edge, the idea that it would be recorded. But who really goes back and looks at old videos anyway? "I guess so."
    I grabbed my notebook with the list of things to cover: sponsorship is not free, it's about helping a company sell products, it requires additional time commitment so parents need to be on board, watch your conduct, have a truthful resume prepared.
    I cleared my throat and waited until I had most eyes swiveled in my direction. There was no going back now.
    "Hello, I'm Di. This is a short presentation on things to consider for youth seeking archery sponsorship, but it is applicable to