Royal Secrets

by Abramson, Traci Hunter

  “Did the audit reports for the Meridian Church show any problems?” Stefano asked now. “If Uncle Elam is the one skimming funds from the various accounts, it’s possible he’s been dipping into church funds as well.”

  “I was wondering the same thing,” Eduard said. “The new reports are due next week. Stefano, you’ve always had a good eye for finances. I hoped you might look them over and let me know if you see anything unusual.”

  “Of course, Father.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” Janessa asked.

  “I would like to keep this matter private, but if there is any way you can access your agency’s reports on my family, I would appreciate it.”

  “You want me to see if the CIA has been spying on your family?”

  “Janessa, I am perfectly aware that all intelligence agencies keep dossiers on the ruling classes of various countries,” Eduard stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “What I want to know is if the CIA has uncovered anything that might explain these anomalies.”

  “I will certainly see what I can do.” Janessa started to lean back in her seat, but then awareness lit her eyes. “There is one more thing I might be able to offer.”

  “What’s that?”

  “My friend Alora has agreed to move to Bellamo. I asked her to assist me in my wedding plans and serve as my assistant.”

  “Yes, you mentioned that last night,” Stefano commented.

  “I think I also mentioned that she worked in accounting before her husband died,” Janessa reminded him. “She might be a valuable resource if you decide you want someone to look into the financial reports without conducting a formal audit.”

  Eduard considered this newest information and gave a noncommittal nod. “We’ll certainly keep that in mind.”

  Beside him, Marta laid a hand on his arm. “Now, if we have this business taken care of, can I interest all of you in some lunch? After spending last night socializing, I would love nothing better than to enjoy some time alone with my family.”

  Eduard took his wife’s hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I think that is one request we are all happy to grant.”

  Chapter 4

  Janessa entered the kitchen in the chateau, her stomach grumbling as she breathed in the aroma of fresh bread. Her mood instantly brightened when she saw Patrice pulling a batch of fresh croissants out of the oven. Janessa spoke in French, Patrice’s native language, and smiled at the older woman. “Bonjour.”

  “Giannessa.” Patrice’s smile was instant. “I didn’t know you were back from Italy.”

  “Garrett and I came home late last night.”

  Patrice’s eyebrows lifted. “Did you go to Philippe’s wedding on Saturday?”

  “I did.” The corners of Janessa’s lips lifted slightly. “In fact, Elaina approached Garrett at the reception about moving in here until after our wedding.”

  “What?” Patrice’s face showed alarm. “You aren’t going to let those people live here, are you?”

  Janessa laughed and shook her head. “No. Garrett wasn’t any more excited about the idea than you are.”

  “Thank goodness.” Patrice let out a sigh of relief as she transferred the fresh croissants into a basket. “I don’t think I could keep up with them, especially while Enrico is still recovering.”

  “How is your husband doing?” Janessa asked. Enrico typically served as the driver for the chateau, but a serious injury had kept him from his duties the past several weeks.

  “Better, but the doctor said it will be a few more weeks before he can return to work.”

  “We’ll be happy to see him up and around again, but you make sure he doesn’t try to do too much too fast.” Janessa reached for one of the croissants, tossing it from one hand to the other to keep from burning her fingers.

  Patrice rolled her eyes and opened a cabinet to retrieve a plate for Janessa. She handed it to her along with some fresh butter. “What do you have planned for today?”

  “I need to head over to the naval base in a few minutes, but I wanted to talk to you about something first.” Janessa broke open her croissant, steam rising from the center. She spread some butter on one half before turning her attention back to Patrice. “I spoke to Garrett last night about having a friend of mine move in here, but I want to make sure it’s okay with you.”

  “You don’t need my permission.” Patrice looked at her, clearly surprised to have the soon-to-be princess asking the hired help for approval.

  “But I do need your opinion,” Janessa insisted. “Alora wouldn’t be coming alone. Her two sons would come with her.”

  Patrice shifted away from the stove to face Janessa. “And her husband?”

  “He died more than three years ago. House fire,” Janessa told her. “The boys are really sweet, but they are also young. Giancarlo is six, and Dante is only four. I was hoping Alora could move in, help with the wedding plans, and try to keep me organized. Unfortunately, that also means you would have little ones underfoot. And I don’t know a lot about the schools here. Giancarlo is ready to start first grade, and I thought it would be good for Dante to attend some kind of preschool.”

  “The Renaissance Academy is only a ten minute drive from here. They don’t start classes until late September, and they do have a preschool.” She gave a definitive nod. “And it’s about time we have children running around here again.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” Janessa grinned at her and then motioned to the clock hanging on the wall. “I’d better get going, or I’ll be late. Garrett said to tell you he should be home by lunchtime, and Stefano should arrive sometime this afternoon.”

  Patrice nodded. “When will your friend arrive?”

  “Hopefully next week.”

  “I’ll speak with housekeeping about preparing quarters for them,” Patrice told her.

  “You’re a gem.” Janessa leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Then she grabbed a napkin and scooped up the rest of her croissant to take with her. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  * * *

  Garrett studied the remains of the marble-sized transmitting device in his hand. Yesterday his father had raised concerns that something wasn’t right with their finances, and now Garrett was faced with the likely possibility that someone had been spying on his family in their own home. He looked up at Martino, the man who managed the chateau’s day-to-day operations as well as its security. “Where was this found?”

  “This one was located within the framework of a curtain rod in the dining hall. Levi found seven others at various locations around the chateau,” Martino said, referring to the CIA operative who had worked with Janessa to enhance the chateau’s security over the past few months.

  Garrett glanced around his office and lowered his voice. “Do you think it’s safe to talk here now?”

  Martino nodded. “We checked out all the offices actively being used, and they were clean.”

  “Do we have an assessment yet of how much sensitive information could have been compromised?” Garrett asked.

  “We believe it to be minimal. All of the listening devices were found in common areas.” His tone turned apologetic. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. Levi suggested we do a full security sweep when he arrived in May, but we didn’t feel it was as important as enhancing our other safety measures.”

  “It’s not your fault, Martino,” Garrett assured him. “The last few months have been stressful for all of us, and we’ve all been doing the best we can.” He considered for a moment. “Is there any way to know where these were made or how long they’ve been here?”

  “Levi believes the technology to be somewhat outdated, but because these bugs are difficult to detect, they are still popular. He said the battery power in them indicates they would have been placed about two years ago,” Martino told him. “We had some remodeling done around that time, along with some painting and a deep cleaning. Maybe one of those contractors planted the listening devices.”

  “I want you and Levi to sta
rt looking through those contracts and run the names of all the people who worked here during that period,” Garrett told him. “Did Levi say anything else about who might have made them?”

  “No. They’re common enough that they’re hard to track, but Levi did say this type of listening device needs a transmitter nearby to operate properly. We might have more luck identifying the origin of that.”

  “Has a transmitter been found?”

  “Not yet, but we’ll keep looking.”

  “Let me know if you find anything.” Garrett closed his hand around the metal fragments in his palm and prayed that this was simply a souvenir from the people who had orchestrated a recent kidnapping, people who were no longer in a position to threaten his family.

  * * *

  Stefano leaned back against the soft leather seat in the back of the limousine that would take him from the palace overlooking the capital city of Calene to his family’s summer home in Bellamo. The two-hour drive had become a frequent one over the past few weeks since his father and the United States secretary of the navy had signed the final agreement for the new U.S. naval base.

  Negotiations had been ongoing for several years before Janessa Rogers had arrived and facilitated the current agreement. Her purpose for coming to Meridia had been to enhance security for his family, but she had exercised her initiative and proposed an option for the U.S. naval base that her government had not previously considered: retrofitting a portion of Meridia’s current naval base in Bellamo for their use rather than building a new facility.

  Since that time, Stefano had been actively engaged in working with the environmental agencies in Meridia to ensure that their shoreline would be protected while Garrett and Janessa worked tirelessly to ensure the base’s security. While Stefano could see significant benefits from the United States developing a presence in Bellamo, he also knew the Americans were popular terrorist targets. No one in Meridia wanted their country to be known as the location of a successful terrorist attack.

  Stefano indulged himself and looked out the window as his driver began the descent from the cliffs, where the palace was located, down into the village below. Adobe-style homes topped with red tiled roofs were scattered along the hillside, overlooking the brilliant blue of the Mediterranean. Boats were scarce on the water today, presumably because of the dark clouds threatening overhead.

  They made it only a few miles past the village before fat raindrops splattered against the windshield and the driver flipped on the wipers. Stefano supposed his brother and future sister-in-law had been wise after all to make the trip late last night instead of waiting to travel with him this morning. They had been anxious to get home, as that’s how they both thought of the chateau now.

  Over the past few months, Garrett had transitioned to living there full time even though the chateau had once been used only as the royal family’s summer home. Garrett would always have a place in the palace in Calene, but for Janessa, their ancestral home would never be more than a place to visit.

  Stefano settled back in his seat, opened his briefcase, and pulled out the latest proposal for environmental testing off the coast of Bellamo. He barely noticed the flash of a dark car passing them on the narrow road, but when his driver slammed on the brakes, Stefano looked up suddenly. His heart jumped into his throat when he felt the car swerve and spin, sliding at full speed toward a cluster of palm trees.

  The driver fought for control but to no avail. In an instant, the sleek limousine careened off the road, followed by the crunch of metal.

  * * *

  King Eduard stood in the private waiting room of the hospital in Calene, feeling an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu. He had walked into the hospital a king, but now he was simply a worried father, one who was desperate for news. Only weeks ago, his wife had been in a hospital bed fighting for her life, and Eduard remembered all too well those long minutes while they had waited for news.

  Queen Marta gripped his hand now, and Eduard could feel the tension vibrating through her. That tension heightened when the doctor entered moments later.

  “Your Majesties.” Dr. Casale bowed slightly.

  “How is Stefano?” Marta asked before the doctor could continue.

  “He’s going to be fine,” the doctor assured her. “Thankfully he was wearing his seat belt, and the worst of the impact was on the other side of the car. He has a broken clavicle and some bruised ribs, but other than being uncomfortable for a while, he’s doing remarkably well considering the severity of the accident.”

  Relief swept through Eduard. “What about the driver?”

  “I’m afraid he is in serious condition,” Dr. Casale said gravely. “He’s being prepped for surgery right now.”

  “How did this happen?”

  “The emergency personnel said it appears that the driver lost control on the wet road. We did get our toxicology report back, and there isn’t any evidence that the driver had any drugs or alcohol in his system,” he told them. “I imagine the police who responded will be able to give you more details.”

  “Grazie, dottore,” Marta said. “Can we see Stefano now?”

  “The nurse is doing some blood work, but as soon as she is finished, someone will come get you. We should be able to release him within an hour or two.”

  “Why is the nurse doing blood work for a broken collar bone and some bruised ribs?”

  “It’s standard procedure,” Dr. Casale assured him. “The nurse will be out to show you to your son’s room shortly.”

  “Grazie,” King Eduard said, effectively dismissing the doctor. Then he led his wife to a sofa on the side of the room.

  They had barely sat down when the police chief entered the room and approached them.

  “Mi scusi, Your Majesties.” He bowed then held out a single sheet of paper. “I wanted to bring you our preliminary accident report.”

  “What did you find out?” King Eduard asked, glancing down at the typewritten page.

  “Our findings are inconclusive at this point. I’m afraid no one witnessed the accident, and the only skid marks we found belonged to the limousine. Until we can question the driver, we can’t be sure what caused him to brake so suddenly.”

  “Was there any evidence of another vehicle involved?”

  “No, sir.” The police chief shook his head. “The limousine wasn’t struck by another vehicle.”

  “So you think the driver simply lost control.”

  “It looks that way,” he said tentatively.

  “You don’t think so though, do you?”

  The chief hesitated briefly. Then he chose his words carefully. “I find it unsettling that an experienced driver, especially one who has been working for the royal family for so long, would lose control on a familiar road.”

  King Eduard’s jaw clenched briefly. “You think this could be an attempt on my son’s life.”

  “Sir, it would be premature to make such an assumption.”

  “But the possibility exists.”

  He shrugged slightly. “The accident happened a short distance from Viale Settimo. We did find some muddy tracks near that intersection, but we have no way of knowing if the vehicle that made them was involved.”

  “Perhaps it would be prudent for the royal family to go into seclusion for a few days to give you time to explore the possibilities,” Eduard considered. “I think Prince Stefano would do well to spend a few weeks recovering at the chateau with his brother.”

  “Sir, I think that is an excellent idea.”

  Chapter 5

  Alora stared at the meager furnishings of her one-bedroom apartment and considered what else she wanted to pack. For the first time in three years, she actually felt like she was looking forward instead of dwelling on her past. Her clothing was already neatly packed into suitcases, and the majority of the kids’ toys were boxed up.

  Right after finalizing the details of her new job with Janessa, Alora had visited her landlord and told him she was moving. She hadn’t worked s
ince losing Carlo, and what was left from the life insurance money was dwindling fast. Still, over the past few years, it had been enough to pay rent and put food on the table. The boys’ clothes might always be secondhand, but at least they had a parent at home who loved them.

  “Mama! Mama!” Giancarlo rushed into the room, a toy in each hand. “Are we really going to live in a castle?”

  “Well, it’s not a castle, but a prince lives there.” She leaned down so she could look into the dark eyes that reminded her so much of his father’s. With a sigh, she reached for him and pulled him close for a hug.

  He snuggled into her for a second and then squirmed free. “Can we go see it now?”

  A smile tugged at her lips. “We have to pack first.”

  “Tomorrow, then?”

  “I thought we would wait until next week.”

  “Pleeeease?” He asked, dragging out the word as he looked up at her hopefully.

  Alora wanted to hold firm to her original plan, but as she looked around at the shabby furniture, she realized she was as anxious as her son to take a step forward into their new life. “Tell you what. If you’ll keep an eye on your brother while I get organized, maybe we can leave a few days early.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Maybe tomorrow, but I’m going to need you to be a good helper.”

  “I can help you, Mama.”

  “I know you can.” She gave in to the urge to smile. “You go play with your brother now, and I’ll come help you pack your things in a couple minutes.”

  “Okay!”

  Alora watched him race back into the bedroom and considered for a moment. Janessa had said to come as soon as she could manage it. As she looked around the room once more, she decided that perhaps Giancarlo had the right idea. Maybe tomorrow should be the start of their new life.