Royal Target (16 page)

Chapter 26

“Where’s Tim?” Janessa stepped next to Garrett on the terrace as darkness settled over the village below.

“The branch president gave him a ride to the chateau so he could settle in,” Garrett told her. “He wasn’t sure he wanted to be around my father quite yet.”

“Does your father know Tim is the one who gave you the Book of Mormon?”

“I don’t think so, but Tim didn’t want to take any chances.” Garrett shrugged. “He knows we’re returning tomorrow anyway.”

“It’s great that Tim could come for your baptism,” Janessa commented, noticing the fatigue in his eyes. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m relieved that my father hasn’t kicked me out yet.” He tried to keep his voice lighthearted but couldn’t quite pull it off.

“I think that’s a good sign,” Janessa agreed. “I imagine it will take him some time to come to terms with your decision.”

Garrett nodded as he looked out over the water. “I wish my family could understand what it was like when I was confirmed a member of the Church. I had the most incredible feeling.”

“The Spirit in the room was very strong,” Janessa said as she laid a hand on his arm.

“Yes, but it wasn’t only that.” Garrett turned now to face her. “When Tim spoke of my service to my country, I felt this new sense of obligation, like it’s my responsibility to protect Meridia from the world.”

“You’ve always had that responsibility.”

“Not like this.” He shook his head. “I wasn’t born to rule, nor have I ever had the desire to be king. In that moment though, I felt like the fate of Meridia was in my hands—not my father’s hands, not Stefano’s, but mine.” Garrett glanced back at the palace.

“Perhaps it is.” Janessa reached for his hand. “You have a gift now that they don’t have. Maybe you felt that impression because there will be times when the Lord will direct you in a way that isn’t what your father or brother would choose.”

Garrett sighed. “I didn’t expect to feel this weight.”

“All I can tell you is to pray about it,” Janessa suggested. “If there is something you are meant to do, the Lord will help you know what it is.”

Nodding, Garrett turned to look over the Mediterranean Sea once again. He stared for a moment before he realized what he was staring at. “Do you see that?”

“What?”

“Is that a boat down there?” Garrett pointed to a dark spot in the water midway between two of the port authority posts. “It’s running dark.”

Janessa struggled to see the faint wake in the moonlight. “Do you think it’s smugglers?”

“Why else would a boat be out there without lights on?”

“I’ll get a phone,” Janessa said, quickly turning to go inside. A moment later she returned with Stefano, who held a cordless phone to his ear.

Stefano passed the phone to Garrett. “The port authority is already on the line.”

Garrett took the phone and gave the port authority the location of the boat headed out to sea. From where they stood, he could see a government vessel move to intercept and a second port authority boat take up the chase.

“It’s trying to get away.” Garrett handed the phone back to Stefano and headed for the palace. “I’m going down there.”

“I’m coming with you.” Janessa started after him.

“Wait.” Garrett slowed for a moment. “I need you to get a message to your navy. Our latest reports showed one of your destroyers right outside our territorial waters. We may need it to help us.”

Janessa sighed, reaching for the phone Stefano held out to her. “At least take your cell phone with you so we can get in touch with you.”

“I have it.” Garrett nodded and turned toward the garage.

“I’ll come with you,” Stefano told him.

Janessa headed for her room to retrieve her phone directory. She made the call to the local fleet commander and was surprised when she met resistance.

“I’m sorry, miss, but I’m not authorized to divert a US vessel into Meridian waters without permission from the Meridian government.”

“I am calling you at the request of Prince Garrett of Meridia,” Janessa told him. “I was assured that our military would help Meridia in any way possible.”

“This sounds like an internal matter,” the commander returned.

“This boat may be involved with the embassy bombing,” Janessa told him, shifting tactics. “We can’t afford to let it get away.”

“I’ll have to call Washington for authorization.”

“There’s no time for that,” Janessa insisted, her mind whirling. “What if the king of Meridia were to request your help directly? Would that give you the authorization you need?”

“Well, I guess it would.”

“Just a minute.” Janessa strode down the hall to King Eduard’s office and rapped on the door. The king opened it a moment later, surprise lighting his eyes.

“Your Majesty, would you please tell the US Navy fleet commander that he has authorization to enter your waters in pursuit of a suspected smuggler?”

King Eduard’s eyebrows rose at her request, but he reached for the phone and waved Janessa into his office. When he spoke, his tone was commanding and authoritative. “This is King Eduard Fortier of Meridia. To whom am I speaking?”

Janessa sighed in relief as the commander gave his name and rank to King Eduard.

“Commander, you were just speaking with Janessa Rogers, my son’s fiancée. I would appreciate it if you would note that any request from her is to be treated as a request from the royal family of Meridia.”

Janessa’s jaw dropped as he continued.

“Now, are you able to assist us in this matter?” King Eduard listened to the commander go through standard procedure. With a sigh, the king moved to unlock a drawer in his desk and then rattled off an authorization code to verify that he was indeed the king of Meridia. Once the verification process was complete, he nodded. “Good. Now I’ll give you back to Miss Rogers.”

Janessa took the phone, struggling to keep her composure. Still standing in the king’s office, she gave the commander the last known location of the boat in question and also Garrett’s cell phone number so that he would be in direct contact with the most reliable source. After receiving assurances that the US destroyer was indeed being diverted to assist them, Janessa hung up the phone.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on now?” King Eduard asked, motioning for Janessa to sit down.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” Janessa sat down and took a deep breath. “While Garrett was out on the terrace, he noticed a boat running dark. Assuming that it might be involved in a smuggling ring, he and Stefano called the port authorities to intercept it. When it headed for the open sea, Garrett asked me to engage the US Navy to help.”

“And one of your commanders was slow to cooperate,” King Eduard stated.

Janessa nodded, still reeling over his instructions to the commander to treat her as a member of the royal family. Could he have already come to terms with Garrett’s decision, or was his request simply for his convenience during her stay? Reluctantly, she tried to push her personal thoughts aside and deal with the matter at hand. “I’m sorry to have put you on the spot like that. I didn’t want to take the chance that we would lose a valuable lead.”

The king leaned back in his chair and studied her openly. “I’m surprised you came to me for help after our talk this morning.”

“As I said earlier, I’m here to help keep your family safe.”

He smiled at this as though she had just shared her deepest secrets. “Have you always worked well under pressure?”

“I don’t know.” She considered. “I’ve always been quick to react to situations, though I’m not sure that’s necessarily a good thing.”

“Your assistance since your arrival has been exemplary,” he started. “Though I’m still not sure how I feel about my son marrying a spy.”

“I’ve never thought of myself that way.” Janessa fought the urge to fidget, wondering how he had discovered that the engagement was real.

“What, then? You’re employed by the Central Intelligence Agency, an organization known for spying.”

Janessa sighed, grasping for the right words. “Meridia utilizes various organizations to obtain information for its protection, correct?” When the king nodded, she continued. “That’s all I do. I try to uncover the threats against my country and the country where I live. When I’m successful, I feel like I’m helping keep people safe.”

“Are you ready to give up that part of your life to marry my son?” Eduard asked now.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but how did you know we’re really planning to marry?”

“I’m not blind, and more particularly, neither is the queen.” He waved a hand absently as though brushing away an insignificant detail. “We only had to see you together to know where you were headed.” He leaned forward and pressed on once more. “Do you understand your career will be over the moment you marry Garrett?”

Nerves jumped in her stomach as she considered the enormity of what he was saying. If Garrett was permitted to remain part of the royal family, she really would have to give up everything to marry him, not only her job but also her country. Janessa took a steadying breath before answering. “My future career plans would depend on what role you allow Garrett to have in your family. Besides, I have always been taught to put family first.”

The telephone interrupted any response the king might have made. Janessa started to excuse herself, but the king motioned for her to remain where she was. The conversation only lasted a few minutes, and the king’s expression remained unreadable.

He hung up and looked at Janessa. “It seems our countries work well together. With the help of your Navy, our port authority has boarded the vessel in question.”

“Did they find anything?”

“Millions of dollars in stolen artwork.”

“What?” Janessa shook her head in amazement.

“Garrett said at least one of the paintings was part of the exhibit in Bellamo.”

“Is he sure?” Janessa’s eyes widened. “That exhibit just opened Saturday. We weren’t informed of any theft.”

“If the theft occurred while the paintings were being shipped to Meridia, we never would have known if a forgery were put on display.”

“How often do the museums here participate in exchanges like this one?”

The king paused as he made a quick mental calculation. “Between the museum in Bellamo and the one here in Calene, I would say five or six times a year.”

“Alberto Manero, the gas station owner, deposited money into his offshore accounts at odd intervals. Art may not have been the only thing being smuggled through the port in Calene, but that would explain most of the money.”

“And the embassy bombing?”

“I don’t know. Garrett and I think the bombing may have been the smugglers’ attempt to keep the US Navy out of Meridian waters.” Janessa stood. “I’ll call and see if my agency has had any luck in tracing those deposits.”

The king nodded. “In the meantime, I would like to get this naval base issue resolved as soon as possible. One of our destroyers will be returning tomorrow afternoon to our naval base in Bellamo after being away for several months. I think it would be appropriate for you and Garrett to welcome the crew home.”

“I would like that very much.”

“Perhaps I will invite that commander to join you. I think he may appreciate a tour as well.” A hint of sarcasm laced his voice.

Janessa’s smile was instant. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. We can thank him for his assistance tonight.”

“Exactly.”

Chapter 27

Garrett listened to the museum director’s report, but his eyes were on the two paintings in front of him. The forgery was good—so good that only an expert would be able to detect any differences. Even an expert would be unlikely to identify the forgery without being requested to go through the authentication process. These two paintings were just a sample of the artwork that had been stolen from this particular exhibit on loan from the Louvre. Three other paintings had also been taken and replaced with clever forgeries.

So far no one had been able to determine exactly when the switch had been made, but one thing was certain—the originals had made it all the way to Meridia. Whether they were stolen during transport or after they arrived at the museum was a question no one was yet able to answer.

The two men apprehended by the port authority had been identified, but they were not revealing any information. One of the men was Italian, the other French. Neither had a previous criminal record, nor were they suspected by Interpol of any major crimes.

“Regardless of when the pieces were stolen,” Garrett finally said, “whoever took them had access either during transport or after they arrived.”

“I’m afraid so.” Pierre Dumond nodded. “I wish I could tell you that this was a clever theft, but I think it must have been an inside job.”

“Security will need a list of everyone who has had access since the paintings came into our possession, including the security team who oversaw the transport.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” He bowed. “I will have that information sent over right away.”

Garrett glanced at his watch. “I’d like a copy of your report as well.”

“Of course.” Pierre nodded. “Your Highness, may I also suggest that the art expert examine the paintings in the palace and the chateau?”

Garrett turned to look back at Pierre. “Do you think that’s necessary?”

“Until we can determine how the artwork is being stolen, I think it is prudent to examine everything that uses our transportation system.”

“You’re right. Please let Martino know when that can be arranged.”

Isabel Dumond stepped through the door as Garrett moved to leave. Today her model-thin form was clad in a short dress of deep violet. “Your Highness. I thought I saw your car outside.”

“Hello, Isabel,” Garrett greeted her.

“Did you come to look over the exhibit?” Isabel stepped closer, sliding a hand into the crook of his arm. “I’d be happy to show it to you.”

“Thank you, but I’m late for a meeting.” Garrett took a step away, relieved that Isabel didn’t hang on. “Perhaps another time.”

“Of course.” Isabel smiled at him and watched him go.

* * *

Janessa stepped into the foyer of the chateau dressed in a simple cream business suit. She and Garrett had arrived earlier that morning and, at King Eduard’s personal invitation, a member of the US Navy was expected to accompany them on their tour.

She looked up as Garrett and another man approached. Garrett wore his dress uniform, but the other man was dressed in a suit rather than a military uniform. Garrett stepped forward to take her hand. “You look perfect.”

“Thank you. I could say the same for you.” Janessa turned to face the man beside him.

“Janessa Rogers, this is Paul Hardel, the secretary of the United States Navy.”

Janessa extended her hand, surprise crossing her face. “Secretary Hardel, I’m sorry I wasn’t informed of your arrival.”

“Our president wants this naval base matter settled, and it seems the king agrees,” Secretary Hardel told her.

“I hope an arrangement can be made to everyone’s benefit. The assistance from the navy last night was certainly very much appreciated by the Meridian government,” Janessa commented.

“My fleet commander asked me to extend his apology. He wasn’t aware of your position with the royal family,” he said.

“An apology isn’t necessary,” Janessa insisted, though she had to fight back a smile as she considered how the commander from the night before must have felt when the king’s voice came over the line.

On the ride over to the base, Garrett gave the secretary a brief overview of the base’s history and capabilities. Moments later they disembarked from the limousine at the naval base. Though the base was secure, Janessa still checked the position of Garrett’s bodyguards before moving forward to greet the officers designated to meet them.

After a few introductions were made, they toured the portion of the base that was largely unused. Buildings that had previously housed military families stood in various stages of disrepair. The housing units that had been built to replace them were now located on the other side of the base, and the money budgeted to tear down the old buildings had been needed elsewhere.

Garrett shared some of these details with Janessa and the secretary, and Janessa was pleased by the depth and sincerity of the secretary’s questions. Before they left, Garrett stepped out in front of a large crowd consisting of the men who had just returned home and their families. After giving the expected speech, Garrett worked his way through the crowd, shaking hands with many who had come to see him.

A small contingent of reporters and photographers continued to snap photos as Garrett led Janessa and their guest back to the limousine. Once seated inside, the secretary immediately picked up his copy of Janessa’s proposal and began skimming through it. A moment later, he looked up at Garrett.

“How favorable is your government to granting the US access to this base?”

“We find it the most credible solution to suit both our needs,” Garrett said. “Outfitting a portion of our base to accommodate your Navy would appease the environmental societies here in Meridia, and, contrary to our original assumptions, the security risks would be significantly lower than if you were to construct a new facility.”

“If both of our governments agree, how soon could construction begin?” Secretary Hardel asked.

“Within a matter of weeks.” Garrett lifted a shoulder. “I believe once our militaries agree on how to handle security, construction could begin immediately.”

“In that case, I would appreciate an audience with your father to finalize our proposal,” Secretary Hardel stated.

“I’m certain that can be arranged. If you’re agreeable, you and I
can work out the basic details when we get back to the chateau. We can then set up a formal meeting with my father.”

Secretary Hardel nodded. “The sooner the better.”

A delivery truck was parked beside the chateau when they returned. Commander Peters stood with a clipboard in hand as he checked off the equipment being unloaded.

Janessa turned to Garrett. “I want to oversee the installation of the new sensors. I have my cell phone if you need me.”

“I’m sure we can handle it from here,” Garrett assured her. As Janessa moved to greet Commander Peters, Garrett motioned to the front door. “We can meet in the library, and I’ll have our cook send in some lunch.”

Secretary Hardel took a moment to watch the activity at the back of the truck before turning to follow Garrett inside. “Is it really a good idea for her to be openly involved in your security?”

“I keep asking myself the same thing,” Garrett admitted. “I’m afraid she doesn’t trust anyone else to do the job right unless she’s watching over their shoulder.”

* * *

“Let’s try this again,” Janessa said into her cell phone as Paolo led her mount out of the stables already saddled for her. She flipped the phone closed, stepped into the stirrup, and swung herself onto the bay gelding. “Thank you, Paolo.”

“You need to bring that young man of yours riding. It has been too long since he has been able to ride for pleasure.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Janessa grinned at the mention of Garrett.

Paolo handed her the reins as Tim appeared leading another mount.

“I didn’t realize you were back from the naval base,” Tim told her casually as he swung himself up on his horse. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Janessa gave a shrug, not sure how much Tim knew about her real reason for coming to Meridia. As she looked at him, she realized she wasn’t sure what his reasons were for being here either. Not for the first time, she caught a flash of awareness and intensity in his expression that just shouted
Cop
. Deciding that it wouldn’t matter if security was tracking two riders or one, she nodded in agreement. “That’s fine.”

Following a path similar to the first time she had tested the new security, Janessa rode through the hillside with Tim following closely behind her. This time she penetrated closer to the chateau before turning back and crossing over the line of sensors once more. Anticipating that the tide was low enough, she headed down a path to the beach.

With a nod to the guards stationed on the beach, Janessa led Tim through the previous blind spot, hoping that the security office was now aware of their presence. She guided her horse down the beach until she was right next to the chateau. Then she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and turned to Tim. “I promised to check in.”

She pressed speed dial for Levi’s cell phone. “I just wanted to let you know I’m down at the beach.”

“If our sensors are correct, you are approximately fifty yards from the edge of the swimming pool,” Levi told her. “We now have an overlap between the two types of sensors of approximately five hundred yards.”

“Excellent.” She looked up at the chateau, noticing Garrett and Secretary Hardel sitting on the terrace. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

She hung up and slipped the phone back into her pocket. With a wave to Garrett, she nudged her mount onward and headed for the stables with Tim following behind her. They took a few moments to cool down their mounts and then headed for the terrace.

At their approach, Garrett and Secretary Hardel stood. Garrett and Tim exchanged barely perceptible nods just before Tim was introduced to the secretary.

After they all exchanged pleasantries, Tim told Janessa, “I’m going to head inside and get cleaned up. Thanks for letting me join you.”

Janessa nodded, suddenly suspicious that Tim’s presence at the stables was not coincidental. She brushed her observation aside for the moment as Garrett motioned for her to join them. She took a seat and waited for the men to do the same. Janessa looked up at Garrett and smiled. “I hope your day has been as successful as ours.”

“The new sensors worked?” Garrett asked.

She nodded. “At this point, I think we can assure your father that the chateau is as secure as the palace, at least for now.”

“Where did you receive your training in security?” Secretary Hardel asked.

“I sort of picked it up along the way,” Janessa said vaguely. She was certain that the secretary knew she was working for the US government, but she wasn’t sure she should divulge more information than necessary. “How are your negotiations progressing?”

“Very well,” Secretary Hardel said, glancing at Garrett as he nodded in agreement. “As soon as we can finalize the security details, I believe we will be able to reach an agreement everyone will be happy with.”

Garrett tapped a finger on the arm of his chair, considering. “Have you met Commander Peters?”

“I don’t believe so.” The secretary shook his head.

“He’s the US naval officer that was overseeing the new equipment that arrived today. He’s been very helpful in assisting us with a security problem here at the chateau. I don’t know if his schedule will permit it, but it might be wise to have him meet with our security personnel,” Garrett suggested. “Since he is already here, the meetings could be kept low profile.”

Secretary Hardel nodded. “I’m sure we can make Commander Peters available to meet with your military for the next few weeks.”

“I can make arrangements for him to stay on the base,” Garrett told him.

Janessa stood, motioning for the men to remain seated. “It sounds like you gentlemen have everything well in hand, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go upstairs and wash up.”

“Don’t take too long,” Garrett suggested. “Patrice said something about chocolate mousse for dessert tonight.”

“I’ll hurry.” Janessa grinned.