Dirty Thief

“I didn’t see him at breakfast. The staff said he and his brother had more of a brunch today. I’m sure they’re dealing with this situation. Still…” She gives me a cold look from her perch. “I trust we will all have dinner tonight at the usual time.”

Friendly feelings gone. “Of course,” I say, doing a little bow. No idea when that might be.

“If you’ll excuse us.” I take a few steps backwards before exiting the sitting room, my sister and Belle right behind me.

“I told you. The minute she finds out we’re here, there she is,” Zelda grumbles. “I never get a visit without her disapproving mug hanging around.”

“She doesn’t disapprove of you,” I whisper. “That’s just her face.”

“What’s all this ‘dinner at the usual time’ business?”

I have to laugh at my sister’s exaggerated impersonation of the queen mother. “I don’t know. I hope Rowan does. He grew up around her.” As he likes to remind me.

“Well, once you find out send me a text. I’m taking this little princess and putting her down for a nap.”

“Nighty night, Bee,” I lean forward and kiss her little cheek.

She pats my face with her sticky hand, and I kiss it, too. Zee air-kisses my cheek and starts up the stairs. I wait until she’s left the balcony area and gone into her wing before turning around and starting for the opposite side of the palace.

If Rowan is making a statement and meeting with police, I hope that means one new and possibly unsuspecting guard might be hanging around minding his own business with his gun unprotected.

Chapter 21

Rowan

I’m informed the queen mother is back in the palace as soon as I return from meeting with police. Cal and I exchange a glance, and I’m sure he’s remembering the panicked state of the servants during our brunch this morning.

“Called it,” he says, leaning forward as if clearing his throat.

If the current situation weren’t so serious, I might smile. As it is, we’re sitting down with our guards to reconvene and figure out a plan of attack.

“So we are not using my wife as any kind of bait,” I reiterate. “Any other suggestions for how we can track this guy?”

“He’s using a wireless-only phone, which makes it harder to keep tabs on him,” Freddie says. “Still, any time he passes through a wireless location, he’ll appear.”

My stomach tightens. “Is there any way to make the entire kingdom a wireless location?” It’s a ridiculous question. I know how technology works, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask.

“I wish,” André says. His wistful tone is so out of place, I can’t help cutting my eyes at him. “I’m sorry, sir. I was just thinking no data overages.”

“Okay,” Cal hastily interjects, placing his elbows on the table and blocking my view of the young guard. “So we have a madman somewhere in Monagasco attacking women when Rowan threatens him. I’d say we have a solution right there.”

“Keep me away from him?” I say, knowing my brother’s levity usually precedes a brilliant suggestion.

“Just the opposite. I say you arrange a meeting. Piss him off again, and then Freddie and I… and this one… will stay on him like white on rice.”

“White on rice?”

“It’s something Zelda says.”

“I’m more a couscous fan—” André starts.

Freddie cuts him off. “It’s not a bad idea, sir. We could alert the police as well and have them on standby.”

Leaning back in my chair, I think about my brother’s idea. “What if we lose him? Then we will be responsible for whatever comes next.”

“All of this is assuming this Vega bastard is the perpetrator,” Cal says. “Should we leave open the possibility it could be someone else?”

“Your plan would let us know for sure,” Freddie’s voice is somber. “One way or another.”