Something uneasy settled inside him as the boat sped across the water. He needed to see them, but wasn’t sure if that was a good idea for several reasons. “Will we drive by the turtle sanctuary?” he asked as they transferred to the car. If they wouldn’t, it didn’t matter.
“It’s on the way.”
“I’d like to stop for a few minutes if we have time.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kensington looked over some papers while they drove. Slamming brakes and screeching tires sent his seat belt into locked mode and his papers flying to the floor.
“What was that?” he asked.
“Crazy driver, sir.” The man pressed a finger to his ear. Kensington could see his demeanor change. “To the palace,” he barked. “Now!”
The driver squealed the tires again as they went back into motion.
“Get down!” the security guard yelled. “In the floor.”
“What happened?” Kensington didn’t follow the instructions but looked toward the sanctuary. “Anabelle! Gracie!”
The two men exchanged a look. The guard said something Kensington couldn’t hear, then said, “The sanctuary.”
They reached the front Kensington could see Rob out front, mouth moving - likely barking orders at others through his ear piece.
“What. Happened?” Kensington demanded as the car came to a stop.
He didn’t get an answer.
Sirens screamed in the distance, coming closer with every second.
They drove straight onto the concrete, stopping by the door and foregoing social niceties that said to avoid such a thing. A small knot of security personnel walked toward them. Kensington knew he should wait, but didn’t. He bolted out of the car and toward the people he prayed would be protected within.
“Anabelle! Gracie!” he called as he got closer.
The team parted enough for him to see Anabelle and another woman being held up and helped by two other women.
“Kensington!” Anabelle tore free and flung her arms around him. “They took her.”
Dread filled his core. “Who?”
“They took Gracie,” she sobbed. “And another girl.”
His mind shifted to overdrive. If they took two girls, maybe it was random. Maybe the threat of more dire consequences that came with the abduction of a member of the royal family would lead to their release. If they’d been abducted for ransom from a well-to-do looking group of moms and children, they’d be all right. It happened other places.
It rarely happened in San Majoria.
“It’s my grandfather.”
Kensington tightened his hold on her. “What makes you say that?”
“I just know it was.”
“We have to go, sir.”
Hands grabbed at them, rushing them back to the car he’d come from. Before they were even buckled in, the car accelerated.
His mind couldn’t process what Anabelle had said.
Someone had taken Gracie?
With sirens wailing in front and behind them, the trip to the palace was blessedly short.
The car didn’t stop under the portico, but went straight to the garrison. From there, they were ushered to a nearby sitting room.
Most of Kensington’s family descended on them. They’d met Anabelle exactly twice, but his sisters surrounded her like she’d always been one of them.
His father, younger brother, and Jordan wrapped their arms around Kensington.
“We’re going to figure this out,” his father promised. “We don’t know what happened, but we’ll figure it out.”
“What about Jenny?” Anabelle’s panicked voice caught their attention. “Where’s her mother?”
“On her way,” Father promised. “We’ll search for both of the girls like they were our own.”
“Sir?” A member of the public relations staff came into the room. “The press is asking for a statement.”
The king sighed. “Then I’ll give them one.”
14
Kensington’s arm around her waist, holding her tightly to his side, was the only thing keeping Anabelle upright. Her arms were wrapped around her waist, hugging herself in hopes that she wouldn’t lose her lunch all over the reporters.
“I have a statement to make. I will not be taking any questions.” The king’s tone would brook no arguments. “A short time ago, two little girls were taken from the San Majoria Turtle Sanctuary. One of the girls, Lady Grace Gregorson, is the sister-in-law of my son, Prince Kensington, and is being raised by Kensington and his wife, Anabelle, Duchess of Pennington, after the death of their parents over a year ago. Kensington and Anabelle eloped on Athmetis six weeks ago. We will not discuss that decision or the decision to keep it private at this time. Also at this time, it is not known if Lady Grace and the other little girl were targeted or simply victims of opportunity. All branches of law enforcement are working together to find them. Photos will be released momentarily. If you have any information, please call the number provided. A reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of the girls. We ask for your prayers during this difficult time. More information will be provided as it is available.”
Pressure from Kensington’s arm turned Anabelle back toward the door. They followed his father and ignored the questions called after them. Once back in the security conference room where they’d been before walking to the press conference she saw her new friend’s tear-streaked face.
“Where is she? Where is my daughter?” Caitlin looked about like Anabelle felt.
“We’re doing everything we can.” King Edward stood in front of Caitlin and rested his hands on her shoulders. “We won’t stop looking until we find them safe and sound.”
Caitlin looked at Anabelle, anguish in her eyes. “Who are you?”
Kensington answered before Anabelle could. “She’s my wife. Gracie is my sister-in-law, but no one outside of my family and trusted staff, three people in Athmetis, and a few people in Eyjania know that we’re married.”
“They don’t even look alike. If someone wanted Gracie, why would they take Jenny?”
A man Anabelle recognized from Caitlin’s pictures was ushered through the door. With a small cry, Caitlin launched herself into his arms.
“Ladies, I do need both of you to go with security and tell them everything you remember.” The king looked apologetic, but Anabelle knew it needed to be done.
Not that it would do any good. She hadn’t seen anything. It all happened so fast. One minute, she was talking to Caitlin and two of the other women while six kids splashed in the water. Gracie and Jenny had started up the beach area when a group of older boys ran by along with several men playing Frisbee. By the time the small crowd cleared out, the girls were gone.
She told the investigators what she did remember - one of the kids wore swim trunks that looked Canadian, another wore green, the men wore tank tops. They went across the beach area from right to left.
“Anything else at all?”
Anabelle shook her head. “That’s all I remember.”
“Had you seen any of the men earlier?”
“They were all in our tour group. A couple of our security team were clearly security, but I know a couple of them were dressed down and mingling with the crowd. Those other men didn’t stand out at all. They weren’t overly interactive or overly reclusive. I would have noticed. Your men would have, too.”
The two men exchanged glances but didn’t say anything. They both scribbled down some notes then pushed back from the table. “Thank you for your time, Your Royal Highness. We’ll be in touch if we need anything else. If you remember anything else, please let us know immediately.”
She managed to stand on wobbly legs. “I will.”
Something niggled at the back of her mind. “I don’t think they went out the front.”
“What’s that?” one of them asked.
“I think they ducked into the brush nearby. There are some large bushes or brush that you can walk through, t
hen it’s more dense near the fence. I think they might have gone that way.” Anabelle wasn’t completely sure why she felt that way, but she did.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Rather than returning to the conference room, she was ushered up the wide staircase to the Green Reception Room. Queen Miriam was at her side by the time she made it through the entry. Caitlin and her husband were already there.
The next few hours were a blur, but by nightfall, there was still no sign of anything. Caitlin and several members of her family were offered accommodations for the night, though Anabelle doubted any of them would get any sleep.
She hadn’t seen Kensington in hours as he spent his time with his father and the security teams while she stayed surrounded by his family.
When her phone buzzed, Anabelle lifted her head just enough to look at the message.
Rachel asking how she was. She’d talked to her best friend for a few minutes an hour or so earlier, but hadn’t wanted to worry Rachel.
Unable to think of anything else to do, Anabelle started to walk. First, she walked up and down the hallway, then she found a door to a balcony with stairs leading to the garden below.
Time stood still as she walked the garden trails. Her heart tried to pray, but her mind couldn’t form the words.
He knew.
Anabelle knew God understood the incoherent cries of her heart. That’s what mattered.
Her feet carried her back to the staircase leading to the balcony. Kensington emerged from the building as she reached the top.
Weariness and frustration rolled off of him. “There’s still no sign.”
Anabelle just nodded. If, as she suspected, her grandfather was behind it, there wouldn’t be.
“What about the van that nearly ran us over?”
Kensington’s father had braced himself against the conference room table as he studied a map, but that made his head snap up. “What?”
“It’s being looked into,” Rob told the king. “We don’t know if it’s connected or not yet, but it seems likely. The time and location are right.”
“So is the crazy driving part.” He looked over at his father. “All of the papers I was looking at went flying when they slammed on the brakes. I may end up with a bruise on my chest from the seatbelt.”
“Did you get a plate number?” the king asked. “Make and model?”
“They’re pulling it off the street cameras, but I don’t have it yet. As soon as we do, we’ll likely put it out to the news crews as someone we want to talk to.”
“Whatever we do, it can’t be anything that puts the girls in jeopardy.” The king finally took a seat.
“Of course not.”
Kensington’s father looked at him. “What does Anabelle think?”
“That her grandfather was behind it. She might be right, but then again, she might not.” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine Isaiah doing something like this for revenge, but can’t shake that thought either.”
His father leaned back. “Isaiah? You think that’s a possibility?”
Kensington stared at the map of Cabo Juan-Eduardo, not sure what he was supposed to be looking at. “Not really, but he was livid about our marriage. I don’t know why he’d arrange a kidnapping though. Keep some of the athletes from coming to the Games maybe, but not kidnapping a little girl and her friend.” He shook his head. “He seemed inordinately interested in Gracie moving into the palace, but kidnapping?”
“What’s the deal with her grandfather? I know she doesn’t like him, and he’s controlled her through threats of cutting off her inheritance, but is he evil or just not a very nice man?”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure Anabelle does. She doesn’t want to talk about it, though I guess she’ll have to now. I get the impression she doesn’t particularly like him and that he’s controlling and manipulative, but she’s never indicated that he’s truly evil or anything criminal.”
“We’ll look into him, sir.” Rob put his phone down. “It looks like the van is where the girls were, but there aren’t actually any cameras where they left the park. Anabelle was right about where she thought they went. A fence had been cut, allowing them out the side and not one of the gates or main entrance. They had to have known who Gracie is to your family, otherwise, they likely would have tried to sneak out the front gate.”
“Agreed.”
Kensington walked to the windowed wall looking into the security office. “So what do we do?”
“You go find your wife.” His father put a hand on Kensington’s shoulder. “You’ve told us everything you know, which is exactly nothing. She needs you, and I get the feeling you need her, too.”
With a nod, Kensington left the conference room, and pulled out his phone. A thought came to him and he scrolled through his contacts until he found the right one.
“Rachel’s Ravelry Repository.”
Kensington breathed a sigh of relief. With the slight time difference, he hadn’t been sure she’d still be at the store. “Rachel?”
“Yes?”
“This is Kensington. Have you talked to Anabelle today?”
“Briefly. She seemed upset but said she just wanted to check in.” He could hear the irritation in her voice. Anabelle had told her everything after they arrived in San Majoria, and Rachel had been mad. Mad she’d missed the wedding. Mad she hadn’t been able to say goodbye, but hopefully not so mad she wouldn’t talk to him.
“Is there any way you could come down here for a few days?”
“Why? What’s going on?” Fear had entered her voice.
Kensington slumped back against a wall. “Gracie’s been kidnapped. We’re not sure...”
“What?” Rachel’s yell stopped him in his tracks. “What happened?”
“We’re not sure yet, but I’m positive Anabelle could use you here if it’s possible.”
“I’m headed home as soon as we hang up. I’ll be on the next flight.”
“Let me know the details, and I’ll make sure someone picks you up from the airport.”
“Just a minute. Mrs. T, are you all right?” He could hear her talking to the elderly woman he’d met briefly. “Kensington, is the number that popped up on my caller ID the right one for you?”
He rattled his number off.
“That’s it. I’ll call you from my cell phone as soon as I have my plans confirmed.”
“Check the flight schedules first. If you need to go straight to the airport do it. Anything you need can be purchased here, on me, if you need to.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated. “Take care of Anabelle, Kensington. If Gracie isn’t found soon, it’s going to destroy her. That little girl is her heart.”
“I know. Gracie is my heart, too. We’re doing everything we can.”
“I know you are. I’ll call or text you soon.” She hung up before he could say anything else.
Before he could go find Anabelle, Jordan found him. “Any news?” Kensington’s brother-in-law asked.
“Not yet. I just talked to Anabelle’s best friend. She’s on her way as soon as she can.”
“Good.”
Kensington pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know Anabelle well enough yet. Not to help her through something like this if it’s not resolved positively and fast.”
“Whatever it is these guys want, they want Gracie alive,” Jordan reassured him. “They knew who she was and took her on purpose.”
“I know.” Even if it wasn’t confirmed, deep down Kensington knew that much.
“And that’s good. They’ll go out of their way not to hurt her and keep her happy.”
“I know that, too.” He let go of his nose and looked at Jordan. “But that doesn’t stop me from feeling incredibly helpless in more ways than one. I don’t know where the little girl who is becoming like a daughter to me has been taken, and I don’t know how to comfort my wife.”
Jordan rested his hands on both of Kensington’s shoulders. “Just be there for her. Hold h
er close, be a shoulder for her to cry on, and let her express what she needs to when she needs to. Pray as hard as you can. That’s all you can do.”
Pray.
Kensington had been, though not coherently. Maybe it was time to fix that.
15
Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, Anabelle finally dozed off on a couch that cost more than her first and second cars combined.
Sleep came, but fitfully at best. Disjointed dreams, nightmares, filled her mind. Upon waking, Anabelle knew she hadn’t slept long enough.
Gracie was still missing. If she’d been found they would have woken her up. Her mother-in-law, Princess Astrid, and Princess Jacqueline Grace sat at a table on the other side of the room. Anabelle started toward them, only to have Queen Miriam rush to her side.
“You shouldn’t be up, dear. You need your rest.”
“It wasn’t very restful,” Anabelle admitted.
“Of course it wasn’t.” The queen guided her to a sofa. “Let’s get you some tea.”
Anabelle wanted to argue with her, but didn’t have the willpower to do so. “Has there been any news?” She still had to ask.
“None that I’m aware of, dear.” The queen set a steaming cup of tea in front of Anabelle. If nothing else, it would give her something warm to hold. She felt abnormally cold, her fingers nearly deadened.
Her mind barely registered the needle prick sensations as they began to wake back up. She must have slept on them wrong. “They’d tell you, wouldn’t they? Even if it was bad news?”
The queen hesitated, then nodded. “I believe so, though I believe, good or bad, they would wait until it was confirmed. They wouldn’t want to either get our hopes up too high only to have them dashed when there’s still no news or watch bad news crush us when it’s not certain.”
“You barely know her.” Anabelle shook with a single sob. “She wanted to get to know all of you better. She talked about Easter constantly until we started talking about the trip to the Turtle Sanctuary.”
“And we’ll have that chance as soon as she’s found.” The queen offered her a snack.
Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1 Page 36