“Someone murdered him. They killed him with a kitchen knife. The knife was found wrapped in a towel under my bed. I swear I didn't do it! I know everyone thinks I look guilty. I was locked in my room by the guards after they found it.”
“You were locked in by your guards? What an absurd thing to do! You’re the Princess. You wouldn’t kill your own father,” he blustered.
“The police are leaving. I’ve been moved to a new room as well as Sybelle. What do I do?” The words were rushed, and there were just enough breaths to keep them from being one big blob of sound. Wren paused and sucked in another breath.
“Princess, I'm coming right over. I will be there in about an hour. Don't talk to anyone else. I want to know firsthand what's happening, and I will advise you from there. It'll be okay, Princess,” he reassured her.
“They will need a lot of evidence before they would even try to convict you. I'll make sure they don't get it,” he added.
“Do you think they'll find more?” Wren hadn't thought about that.
Shaking, Wren clutched the phone with two hands. “I know you may not believe me, Mr. Gabriel, but I didn't kill my father. I know who did, but it wasn't me.”
“You know who did it? Did you tell the police?” His voice pitched high at the end.
“Yes. It’s Sybelle. I know she did it. Now she's setting me up.”
“Wren,” his voice became deep and smooth. “Calm down. I don't think you did it at all. I don't suspect the queen did either, but I will talk to you when I get there. I'm leaving now.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gabriel.”
“No worries, my dear. See you soon.”
A knock came at the door, and Wren jumped. She set the phone back on its cradle.
“Yes?” she called out.
“It's me, Princess,” Ellie stuck her head in the door.
“Oh, Ellie!” Wren rushed over and drew her maid into a tight hug.
“I finally managed to get in the door. Police officers wouldn’t allow me to pass until Davies verified who I was, and then they asked me all sorts of questions. News vans are parked out front. What’s going on, Wren?”
Ellie's hug was warm and tight. Wren closed her eyes for a moment and let the embrace relax her, her head resting on her friend's shoulder.
“I didn't kill him, Ellie.”
“Of course not! I know you wouldn't do something like that. You and the king were close. What happened to him? How are you doing?”
“I don't know. The police were in here. Sybelle found him dead early this morning. Murdered with a kitchen knife.” She shivered.
“Oh no! That’s terrible.”
“You don’t know all of it. I just called Mr. Gabriel and told him about the knife. I don't know how it got under my bed. Someone must have put it there. I think it was my stepmother.”
“Are you sure, sweetie? The queen and king got along. I don't know if she'd do something so cruel. Can you imagine Queen Sybelle using a knife to kill the king?”
“It had to be her! She is the only one that gains from his death, and it wasn't me! Besides, who else would do it? And frame me?!”
Ellie shook her head, eyebrows low, and biting her lip. “I don't know, Wren. It sounds unbelievable, and I can't picture your frilly stepmother doing it. I know you have a rough relationship with her, but do you think could it be an intruder?”
“Would they know where I sleep, Ellie? Only my stepmother would know where I sleep. She had to have been the one!” Wren threw her arms up and dropped into the chair.
Ellie walked over and sat beside her on the wide arm of the cloth-covered chair. For a few moments, they said nothing. Wren leaned her head on Ellie's leg, and the maid stroked her hair.
“What am I going to do?” Wren whispered.
“About being suspected or about your father being gone?”
“Both. Either. How do I go on without my father? I don't even know what I'm supposed to do.”
“I suspect Mr. Gabriel will do his job and tell you what to do. Other than that, what do you feel you need to do?”
“Cry. I just want to cry and never stop,” Wren sighed.
“Then cry. I'll sit with you. It's okay to cry over losing your father.”
Wren nodded her head and continued to lean on Ellie. She closed her eyes and just focused on Ellie stroking her hair. It felt comforting.
Sitting there and thinking about something other than her innocence and her stepmother's guilt, Wren realized the impact of her father's death. He was gone. Not just as her only parent but as the monarch. King Cynfor of Rhys was dead.
3
“You know what you are to do?” the whisper echoed in the darkness around them.
The spot she had chosen to meet him in was secluded. Night allowed for more coverage, but she wore a hood and scarf to make sure she couldn’t be seen. On the way, she’d managed to bypass anyone else taking a late two am stroll.
She angled her head toward the doorway, so the light shined in his face, and awaited his reply. He was tall and thin with a perpetual scowl on his face. If he hadn’t come so highly qualified, she would have killed him and asked for another man to do the job.
“Yes, I know what you need me to do.” The voice was low-pitched and held a growling note to it.
Definitely a grumpy assassin, she thought.
“Don’t wait too long. Be quick and efficient,” she instructed. “Here’s the map. I expect you to fully look over the area and make your escape route ahead of time. You can’t be caught.”
“I’m not an idiot. I know what needs to be done. You’ll pay?”
“You will get the rest of the payment after the deed is accomplished. It must be executed perfectly.”
“Whatever, can I go?” He crossed his arms and moved the toothpick in his mouth to the other side.
Rolling her shoulders back and fighting the urge to annihilate him, she said, “Fine, then. Do not contact me. I will be in touch with you.”
A nod, and then the slim man disappeared from view as though he hadn't been there in the first place.
“You’d think he’d be grateful for the opportunity I’m giving him. Cretin,” she muttered.
Another shadow stepped from the wall. Turning, she shrugged at the dark form.
“I see you’re putting a lot of faith into him,” the shadow said to her.
“One can only hope my faith isn’t misplaced. You recommended him after all.”
“You know to trust me,” he said, as he approached.
“You know I do whatever I please,” she replied.
He stopped in front of her. “So, you think this plan might work?”
“I’m making sure of it. Clues are being planted and suspicions are being raised.”
“Are you sure it won’t work against you in the end? You’re playing close to the mark. What if they find out it’s you?”
“No one will ever suspect me when the next piece of evidence is revealed.”
“What made you hate them so much?” he whispered.
She took a step back and savored the way he leaned close. She could tell he was inhaling her scent. His breath tickled her hair and the side of her neck.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped back. “None of your business.”
He sighed heavily. “I just wanted to know. Some people set themselves up for failure, and I want to make sure you aren’t one of them.”
“Just follow the plan,” she told him. Pushing his shoulder, she added, “You’ll make sure the job is completed?”
One nod.
“Good.” Making sure the coast was clear, she walked around the back of the building and pulled her black hood over her head.
She tucked her hands inside her pockets. A smile slipped onto her face as she worked her way home.
Whistling at first, a few words of a song slipped out into the night as she made her way.
4
“Thank you for coming to the station, Princess Wren. Queen Sybelle, if you wo
uld follow Officer Andras.” The chief constable met them at the front desk and escorted them to his office.
Sybelle followed the officer into the office, but the chief held up a hand before letting Wren pass through.
“I would like to talk with you separately, Princess. Officer Andras, please go over the paperwork with the queen and answer any of her questions.”
“Le,” he responded with a nod.
Wren watched as they both took seats while the chief closed the door on them. Sybelle’s eyes met Wren’s before the door swung shut, and Wren was certain she saw a smirk. Worried, she turned to the chief.
“Right this way, Princess. We’re going into this next room. I have some follow up questions for you, and I’ll just need you to sign the statement.”
He waved her into the next room on the right. Wren entered and looked around the cream-colored room. A table and two chairs sat in the middle. The standard mirror occupied one wall. It was cold and bland, and she had a feeling they weren’t going to be discussing how to braid each other’s hair.
“Would you like some coffee, Princess?” he offered.
She took a turn around the table and seated herself in the chair facing him and the doorway. He stood blocking the exit with his hand on the doorknob. His head tilted as he waited.
“Na, diolch,” she said with a shake of her head.
He nodded once and shut the door. He sat down and placed a file folder she hadn’t observed on the table top. Opening it, he cast his eyes up for a second before returning to the papers in front of him.
“Princess, I would like to ask you to walk through the night one more time for me. Take me through the day up until the moment Queen Sybelle screamed.”
Folding her hands in her lap, Wren straightened her shoulder and looked down at his papers. She thought through the previous evening. Step by step, she saw each part leading up until the finale. Nothing about the night had signaled the death of her father.
Swallowing, she watched him watch her. “We had a benefit that morning to help support the local homeless shelter. We’re initiating the rehabilitation of those who’ve lost their way. It was a long brunch, followed by a rousing press conference, and ending with us returning home right in time for dinner.”
“Would you walk me through dinner?” he asked.
“We had supper of pheasant, mashed potatoes, green beans and salad,” she started.
“Yes, diolch. That’s what I have in my notes. Please walk me through the actual dinner. What did you converse about while you ate?”
Crossing her legs, Wren sat up straighter and considered his question. Thinking back over the dinner, she tried to picture how they acted and what was said. If she could find some clue in how her stepmother responded, maybe she could relay it to the chief. Maybe he’d take her seriously.
“If I remember correctly, we discussed the benefit first. Father spoke of the turnout. He was impressed with the number of dignitaries who arrived. The Prime Minister was there and gave his support to the rehabilitation project.”
“Did you and your stepmother enjoy the benefit?”
Thrown off, Wren paused. “I’m unsure what you mean by your question. Whenever there is a chance to help others, I’m sure I’m only too happy to be there and contribute. I can’t speak for my stepmother.”
Nodding, he made a note on the papers and asked her to continue. Before she could, there was a knock on the door.
“Enter,” the chief called without looking up.
A female officer Wren had never seen before entered the room. She held two cups of coffee and a smile.
“I’m sorry to be late.”
She walked into the room and set the cups down on the table. One in front of the chief and one in front of Wren. Another officer appeared in the doorway with a third cup. Taking it from him, she smiled and thanked him.
He left and closed the door. The woman officer joined them at the table, pulling a folded chair Wren hadn’t seen, from behind the door.
“Princess Wren, this is Officer Arwell. She’s sitting in on this interview. I hope you don’t mind.”
Wren shook her head. Refolding her hands in her lap, she wondered what was going on.
“Back to the supper. You said the benefit was discussed. You mentioned being happy to help out with it?”
“El, yes. It is a very important cause. My father had been working with the Prime Minister and the Members of Parliament to bring his dream into fruition. As my father has often said, ‘A society which cares about all its members is a breeding ground for success.’”
“Indeed, I have heard the king speak those words, Princess.”
Officer Arwell nodded and smiled before taking another sip of her coffee. She hadn’t said anything else since arriving, but she listened to everything being said. However, Wren kept an eye on her as well as the chief.
“Were there any disagreements?”
Thinking, Wren couldn’t recall any. She wished she could. If only Sybelle had said or done something she could mention.
Shaking her head, she added, “No, there were no disagreements or arguments.”
“What else was discussed?” he asked.
“I think the subject of how best to grill a steak came up.” At the chief’s raised brow, she continued, “My father requested them for Friday’s supper. He and my stepmother had a whole conversation about the best way to make them.”
“I see.” The chief wrote another note.
“We talked about my going away to college. I was supposed to start in another month. My father gave his thoughts on what type of education I would receive. However, I will be postponing for a semester.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry your plans are being interrupted. Where were you going to college?”
Wren wondered if he was the only one in their country not to hear of where she applied and had chosen to go. “I’m attending the University of Cambridge.”
“Out of our country?”
“Yes, I’m starting there before I move to a local university. I’m majoring in Land Economy and Human, Social, and Political Sciences. I’m minoring in History and Modern Languages. I’m leaning toward German or Italian. Although, I have thought about taking all of them.”
Eyes wide, Officer Arwell licked her lips and lowered her cup to the table. “Why are you taking all of those classes?”
“I’m interested in many topics and want to become a versatile leader. Being a royal, I feel I must be prepared to do my part in the world. I’d love to major in languages as well, but I don’t know if they’d let me have three majors.”
“You’re a princess. I’m sure they’d let you do anything you want to do,” Officer Arwell told her. The awe in her voice and wide eyes were glued to Wren.
Smiling, Wren inclined her head.
“Was there anything else discussed at dinner?” The chief brought them back to the current topic.
“No, I don’t think so. Beyond comments on the food itself, we were silent as we ate.”
“What did you do after dinner then?”
“We retired to the library. We often switch between it and the tea room. Most of the time it’s the library. I had Ellie bring down my sketchbook and worked on a drawing of a tree. Father played the piano, and Sybelle read.”
“Was there any discussion or comments made during that time?”
“No, father liked for us to have meditative and creative outlets after dinner because of our full schedules.”
“The king appreciated ‘meditative and creative outlets’?” Officer Arwell appeared ready to jump up and cheer. Her eyes had a fanatic light, and Wren realized the woman was excited to hear the inside scoop about her family.
Clearing her throat, she faced the chief again and caught his raised bushy brows. She raised her own and gave a subtle lift of the corners of her lips. They exchanged nods.
“Officer Arwell, would you please get the princess some water?”
“Oh!” She jumped out of her ch
air. “I would love to get you some water!”
“Thank you,” Wren said and gave a nod.
The young woman exited the room and left the chief and her alone. He raised one bushy brow this time, and Wren nodded. He gave a quick, half-smile.
It’s comforting to know we’re on the same page without saying a word, she thought.
“Princess, I have a few more questions, and I’d appreciate finishing in a timely fashion as I’m sure you would as well.”
“Wrth gwrs, I would like that, Chief Constable. My stepmother and I have funeral arrangements to make.”
“Yes, I understand. I’m sorry this is taking longer than expected. I just want to confirm everything from your statements and filter in the details. I appreciate your patience.”
Wren gave a small smile and waited for the interrogation to continue.
“After your creative hour, walk me through step by step what happened, please.”
“My father didn’t call it the ‘creative hour’,” she said. “He called it the ‘buckle-down-and-do-something-well-rounded-with-your-education-hour’,” she added.
Brows descending, he gave a nod.
Feeling awkward, Wren rubbed her hands together and began talking, “I finished first. I took my sketch pad with me to my room where Ellie was waiting for me. We exchanged our daily conversation after I got ready for bed. She hung out until ten-thirty, she gets off at ten, and when she left, I listened to music and read for another half-hour.”
“Did you see anyone besides Ellie?”
“No.”
“Did you hear anything after you went to bed?”
“Not until my stepmother started screaming.”
“Did you see anyone when you went to figure out why your stepmother was screaming?”
“No, I didn’t see anyone.”
“Why do you suspect your stepmother?”
Wren opened her mouth, closed her mouth, and blinked. She didn’t think he’d ask her that question. It made her feel as if he was going to take her seriously.
“I suspect her because she has motive, means, and opportunity. I know those are key words in any police investigation and feel if you take my qualms sincerely into consideration, I would be very appreciative.”
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