Royal Secrets

by Abramson, Traci Hunter

  Chapter 38

  King Eduard sat at the head of the oval table in the library, his wife already seated by his side. Marta reached out and squeezed his hand in a gesture of comfort, but tonight nothing was going to settle this rage inside him until he uncovered the truth. The idea that his brother could be involved in an attack against his own country was absurd, but the facts Alora had laid out for them raised too many questions, questions that could no longer be ignored.

  He had hoped that Janessa’s friend had been wrong, that perhaps Alora had not been as skilled as Janessa had believed her to be. Unfortunately, the in-depth background he had received on Alora just that morning revealed that Janessa’s faith in her friend was well founded.

  He hadn’t been aware of her previous employment with the Central Intelligence Agency, but oddly enough, that knowledge gave him a sense of comfort. Clearly, she had been trained to keep confidences. A personal call to Director Palmer had revealed that Alora had not only been one of theirs, but she had also specialized in tracking laundered money.

  When Stefano led Alora into the room, Eduard didn’t miss the way Stefano’s hand lingered on her waist as he showed her to her seat or the look in her eyes when he settled beside her. He wondered now if his wife was right, that Stefano had developed feelings for Janessa’s new assistant. When Elam entered the room, Eduard immediately dismissed that thought and focused on the more pressing issue.

  Janessa and Garrett followed him into the room and closed the door behind them. As soon as everyone was seated, Eduard slid Alora’s report to his brother.

  “Can you explain this?”

  Elam’s eyebrows lifted arrogantly, and he took his time in sliding the paper closer so he could read it. When he looked down and saw the summary of his bank transfers, outrage lighted his face. “What is the meaning of this? Being king does not give you the right to poke into my personal affairs.”

  “It does when it involves acts of terrorism.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Eduard forced the words out. “The money you have been transferring to the Cayman Islands was used to fund the bombing in Bellamo.”

  Elam’s face paled, and he looked at his brother now with wide eyes. “I . . . I didn’t know that’s what he was using the money for.”

  “What have you done?” Eduard asked with anguish in his voice. “What have you done to our country? To our family?”

  “It was our family I was trying to preserve.” Elam’s jaw tightened. He pushed out of his seat and strode to the window. Then he glanced back at the door as if suddenly realizing his freedom was no longer entirely his own. He drew a deep breath and turned to face Eduard. “I have Merid’s syndrome.”

  Surprise rippled through the room, and Eduard shook his head. “That isn’t possible. You have a child. And how does that have anything to do with these acts of treason?”

  “I have a child who is not my own. Philippe was conceived through in vitro fertilization. He doesn’t carry Fortier blood.”

  Silence lingered for a long moment before Eduard spoke once more. “But why hide this, especially from me?”

  “Do you have any idea how hard it is to find out you can’t father a child? That your humiliation will be displayed in front of the public for their amusement?” Elam shook his head. “I couldn’t do it, and Victoria wasn’t willing to spend her life living with the speculation of why we couldn’t have children.”

  “I can understand your desire to keep the information private, but there is no shame in facing something you cannot control.”

  Elam looked back at his brother and then seemed to realize he had spoken his secret aloud in front of a crowded room. “You couldn’t possibly understand.”

  “Then explain it to me,” Eduard insisted. “Why were you transferring money to the Caymans? Who were you paying?”

  “My old assistant helped me make the arrangements for the fertility treatments years ago. He overheard the doctor give me the news and offered to help. Then shortly after Philippe was born, he ran into some financial trouble. He suggested that I help him out. After all, I wouldn’t want anyone to find out that Philippe wasn’t really my son.”

  “Luigi Ovalle was blackmailing you?” Stefano asked with a shake of his head.

  Elam nodded.

  “Did you know he was also embezzling funds from our household accounts?”

  Again, he nodded. “His demands for money were getting beyond what I could afford. That’s when he started asking for other favors.”

  “Like helping hide the listening devices in the chateau?” Janessa asked now.

  “I didn’t know that’s what he was doing. He just wanted me to make sure a certain contractor got the remodeling job.” Anguish showed on his face when he looked at Eduard. “I swear I didn’t know what he had done until after the equipment was found.”

  Stefano leaned forward. “But it was you who knocked the hole in the wall in your old office.”

  Elam’s voice was low. “Yes.”

  “Were the household accounts the only ones you were skimming from?”

  He lowered his head and shook it slightly. “I had a good deal of latitude with my expenses with the church.”

  King Eduard’s jaw clenched. He shifted his attention to Stefano and Alora. “I believe another audit is in order.”

  Alora’s eyes met his, and she nodded but remained silent.

  Janessa shifted forward in her seat. “What do you know about Ambrose?”

  “I don’t know who that is.”

  “What about other people Luigi associated with?” Janessa pressed.

  “I don’t know. All I cared about was keeping him happy so I could live my life in peace.”

  “I don’t think peace is what Luigi Ovalle had in mind for any of us.”

  * * *

  “What happens now?” Alora asked after Elam had been escorted out of the room.

  “We’ll have Elam join us tomorrow at church services,” King Eduard told her. “Then he will be invited to remain at the palace until we can be certain Luigi acted alone.”

  Since two guards had been called to accompany Elam to his quarters, Alora guessed he would be closely supervised. She also realized for the first time that she was being included in this very private family matter as though she belonged.

  “Do you think he was acting alone?” Janessa asked. “Director Palmer raised some concerns about Liberté trying to undermine the monarchy here in Meridia. One of the names that came up was Caspar Gazsi.”

  “He certainly has a lot to gain if we were forced from power,” King Eduard admitted. He stroked a finger along his chin and then spoke to Janessa. “Could you make a call to your director and see if he has any new information? Perhaps with the full resources of the CIA, we can also find out who owns that account in the Caymans.”

  “I will get a message to him right now. Since it’s the weekend, we probably won’t get any information until late Monday or early Tuesday though.”

  “I understand, but the sooner the better.” King Eduard stood, and everyone else followed his lead. “I think it’s time we all retire for the night. I will see you all at church tomorrow morning.”

  Chapter 39

  Alora saw Stefano approach as she emerged from her room with Dante and Giancarlo. “I didn’t think I would see you until after we got back from church.”

  “I thought I would come with you today.”

  Alora looked at him quizzically. “We would love that, but I thought you already went to church today.”

  “Yes, but Janessa and Garrett are going to attend the Mormon Church this afternoon, and I thought I would join them.”

  Remembering that Garrett was planning to announce his membership today after their services, Alora realized Stefano’s decision to attend was likely a gesture of support for his brother. Still, she found herself looking forward to having someone to sit with who was over the age of six.

  Stefano led the way outside and then ushe
red them into the backseat of a waiting limousine.

  “Where are Janessa and Garrett?” Alora asked when the car started pulling forward.

  “They’re going to meet us there.”

  She thought of the events that had unfolded last night and his family’s plans to attend church together this morning. “Do you mind if I ask how things went with your uncle this morning?”

  “He played his part adequately,” Stefano said before turning his attention to Giancarlo and Dante. “Did you boys have fun with Brenna last night?”

  Dante made a sour face. “She made us eat all our vegetables, even the broccoli.”

  “The trials of childhood,” Alora said dryly. “Last week he liked broccoli but he didn’t like carrots.”

  “Maybe tonight we can just have pizza,” Stefano suggested.

  “I love pizza!” Dante’s eyes lit up.

  “Do you realize you just offered him his favorite food?”

  “That works in my favor.” Stefano winked at Dante. “It’s one of my favorites too.”

  * * *

  King Eduard leaned back on the long sofa in his sitting room and rubbed both hands over his face. His world was hanging by a thread, and his stomach was eating itself up as he waited to see who was going to grab a pair of scissors first.

  “Everything is going to be okay,” Marta insisted, lowering onto the couch beside him.

  Eduard shook his head. “Our country has withstood wars and invasions. We’ve survived famines and droughts. Now public perception could be the one thing that destroys us.”

  “It’s not going to happen.” Marta took his hand and squeezed. “You are an incredible leader, and our people love you. We’re going to make it through this.”

  Eduard thought of his sons who were both currently headed to the Mormon Church. He shifted and looked over at his wife. “And what is it with our sons and Mormon girls?”

  “You know very well you can’t choose who you fall in love with.” She shifted beside him and gave him a knowing look. “If you could, you would have married that snobby little duchess from England instead of me.”

  “Yes, but at least you’re from Meridia. Janessa isn’t royalty or Meridian. I didn’t think that would matter much since we expected that the monarchy would continue through Stefano’s children. Now . . .”

  “Now things have changed,” Marta finished for him.

  “You don’t think Stefano is really serious about Alora do you?” Eduard asked now, his eyes troubled. “I never dreamed that both our sons might choose foreigners.”

  “Foreigners who speak our language and have embraced our culture,” she reminded him. “And yes, I think Stefano is very serious about Alora.”

  “This is a nightmare. Everywhere I turn I learn of something else the press can use against us.”

  “Let the public relations people figure out how to spin the story. Be happy that both our sons have found somebody to love.”

  * * *

  Stefano took his seat in the pew beside Garrett. Only once before had he stepped foot in a Mormon church, and that had been the day of his brother’s baptism. He thought now, as he had then, how simple everything seemed. The pews were padded, the floor carpeted, but the walls were bare. Nowhere did he see any ornate statues or crucifixes. The windows were simple glass rather than the stained glass works of art that adorned the cathedral he had attended just that morning.

  The bishop who stood up to conduct the meeting wasn’t wearing fancy robes as he’d expected but was dressed like everyone else. He referred to some ward business, and Stefano watched as hands were raised to approve the two new Sunday School teachers whose names had been read. Then he presented Garrett’s name for a confirming vote to receive the office of elder. Surprise rippled through the congregation, but everyone’s hand went up to approve the action, and their surprise quickly melted into acceptance.

  When the sacrament was blessed, two teenagers performed the ordinance, and then several boys who appeared to be about thirteen passed the bread to the congregation on trays. Dante and Giancarlo were clearly well versed in these unique customs since they took their bite-sized piece of bread and passed the tray with ease. The process was repeated with the water, and Stefano didn’t miss that Alora put a steadying hand on the water tray when Dante took it from his brother.

  The oddities continued when the bishop stood up again, but instead of delivering a sermon, he announced the members of the congregation who would be giving talks that day. The first speaker, a teenage girl, spoke about prayer. Her voice was sure and steady, her message similar to the words Stefano had read in the introduction to the Book of Mormon. The theme continued through the meeting as a young couple delivered their talks.

  As the congregation sang the closing hymn, Stefano looked around the chapel, struck by the fact that all these people truly believed God not only listened to their prayers but that He also answered them.

  * * *

  Garrett stepped out of the meetinghouse, saw the reporters hovering outside, and instantly prayed that he would find the right words. He thought of the blessing he had received less than an hour before when he had been ordained an elder in the Melchizedek priesthood. He couldn’t remember the words exactly, but he remembered the feeling of comfort, the surety that everything would be all right.

  Aware of the members of the congregation who were still exiting the building, Garrett moved away from the doors and toward the waiting paparazzi. The minute they realized Garrett was willing to speak to them, they started firing questions at him. Rather than respond, Garrett simply held up a hand and waited for the voices to quiet.

  He felt Janessa’s hand on his arm, and he sensed his brother’s presence behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could also see Alora and her children standing nearby.

  “I have some news I would like to share,” Garrett began. “Several weeks ago, I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

  The flurry of questions immediately intensified.

  “Did you convert for Janessa?”

  “How can you fulfill your royal duties if you no longer belong to the Meridian Church?”

  “What does your family think about your decision?”

  Again Garrett held up a hand to silence the crowd. “As all of you should already be aware, the royal family does not have any administrative power over the Meridian Church. Regardless, my choice to become a Latter-day Saint in no way diminishes my respect for the Meridian Church and the dedicated people who belong to it. As far as why I chose to be baptized, the decision was mine alone. It was the culmination of years of study and prayer that began before I met Janessa.”

  Stefano stepped forward until he was standing beside Garrett. “The citizens of Meridia have embraced the religious freedom we all enjoy. Everyone in my family hopes all of you will support Prince Garrett in his decision to honor both the religion of our land as well as the religion of his heart.”

  After waiting a brief moment to allow the photographers the opportunity to take pictures, both princes, Janessa, Alora, and the boys moved away from the press and headed for their cars.

  “What do you think?” Garrett whispered to Stefano.

  “I think we handled it as well as possible. Now all we can do is wait and see how the press spins the story.” Stefano put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Some prayer might help too.”

  * * *

  “Who are all those people?” Giancarlo shifted in his seat and pressed his nose to the limousine window.

  Alora’s eyes widened when she saw the crowd that had gathered outside the palace gates. She guessed there were more than two hundred people, some with cameras and others simply looking on. “Are they all out there because of Prince Garrett’s announcement?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Stefano nodded. “We hope this will all die down within a few days. Otherwise, the opening council session is going to be rather difficult for the family.”

  Several guards had
already positioned themselves along the drive leading to the palace to keep the crowds back as the limousine slowed and the gates opened. Their car entered, followed by Garrett and Janessa’s limousine and several cars carrying security personnel. When the limousine door opened, Stefano exited first and then reached a hand down to help Alora from the car. The boys scrambled out behind her as photographers pressed their camera lenses through the front gate.

  Her hand still caught in Stefano’s, Alora reached out instinctively for Dante’s hand. Stefano reached for Giancarlo, and together they started up the stairs to the palace entrance.

  Alora spoke quietly when she asked, “Did you expect the press to show up so quickly?”

  Stefano nodded. “I was afraid they would. Let’s get the kids inside, and then we’ll go see what the initial reaction is to the news.”

  A guard opened the door for them, and Alora was surprised to see King Eduard descending the stairs as they entered. “Stories are already popping up all over the Internet.”

  Stefano sighed. “We expected that.”

  “Our press secretary released our official statement a few minutes ago. Your mother has requested that we all dine together in the family dining room this evening. Until then, I suggest we start analyzing this media storm before it gets out of hand.”

  Alora noticed the disappointed looks on her children’s faces as they realized Stefano wasn’t going to be able to join them for pizza after all. To her surprise, Stefano nodded down at Giancarlo. “Father, I’m sorry, but I already promised the boys that we would have pizza together tonight.”

  Something flashed in King Eduard’s eyes but was quickly gone. He took a step closer and looked down at Giancarlo and Dante. “Stefano, I don’t believe I’ve been introduced to your young friends.”

  “Father, this is Giancarlo and Dante DeSanto. Giancarlo and Dante, this is my father, King Eduard.”

  Alora swallowed a sigh of relief when both boys bowed to the king.

  “So it’s pizza you want for dinner tonight?”

  Both boys looked up with wide eyes and nodded.