Royal Target (18 page)

Chapter 30

King Eduard’s private jet ascended into the air as dozens of reporters looked on. The limousine that had delivered Tim and Janessa to the plane now pulled away and headed back to the chateau. Enrico drove for ten minutes before he finally spoke.

“Are you okay back there, signorina?”

Janessa sat up in the back seat, grateful for the tinted windows that hid her from the outside world. “Yes, thank you,” she answered. “I hope your daughter enjoys her trip to Washington.”

“She has never seen your country before,” Enrico told her. “She is excited to have the opportunity.”

“It was kind of her to help us out,” Janessa commented. She had sent a letter for Tim to deliver to her sister, Mary. While she couldn’t give her sister details, she thought she could trust Mary to pretend that Janessa was staying with her over the next few days. She lifted her eyes to meet Enrico’s in the rearview mirror. “Do you think anyone could tell it wasn’t me?”

Enrico shook his head. “With the wig, my daughter looked just like you.”

“In that case, let’s see if we can be as successful sneaking me back into the chateau.”

“With pleasure.”

* * *

Garrett stood beside his balcony door in the darkness. A swath of light spilled into the living area from the lamp in his bedroom, but he didn’t notice. The last of the reporters had left an hour earlier, after determining that Garrett wasn’t going to make another appearance. When Janessa departed, he had stood on his balcony and watched her go, his heart breaking as he thought of her words on the beach. Knowing she was going to continue on in her security responsibilities did little to ease his pain.

He couldn’t understand how he had come to need her so quickly any more than he could understand her reasons for breaking their engagement. Surely she understood that the alliance between their two countries would progress regardless of their personal relationship.

Though Garrett knew Janessa didn’t believe the newspaper articles, his father had insisted he address the press as though Cynthia had been the reason for her departure. Sounding upset took little effort as he spoke with the newspaper editors who had printed the tripe. Unfortunately, Cynthia had given several interviews insisting that she had been involved with Garrett since his return from the United States.

Though he hated the “he said, she said” scenario, his father’s press secretary issued an official press release detailing the age of the photographs used with the articles. Along with Garrett’s side of the story would be the news that despite the falsehood of these allegations, Janessa Rogers had returned to the United States.

In the meantime, his father’s press secretary would use his sources to find out who had pushed the story in the first place and why Cynthia Renault was lying.

Garrett thought of Janessa’s reaction to the articles and shook his head. She had never doubted him. She hadn’t fallen prey to the pettiness of the press, but her fears for his safety had driven a wedge between them that he didn’t understand. Why was she suddenly so sure that her presence was the cause of their problems? Couldn’t she understand that his safety meant little if he had to spend the rest of his life without her?

With a sigh, he moved into his bedroom. He needed answers, answers he couldn’t find by himself. Kneeling down by his bed, he bowed his head and poured out his heart to his Heavenly Father. Was Janessa the woman he was destined to marry? Who was trying to come between them and why? He continued to ask the questions, hoping and praying that the answers would be revealed to him. But the answers he searched for eluded him as he stood and looked out the window at the brilliant stars overhead. And yet, despite his confusion, a new sense of peace washed over him, a sliver of hope reminding him that his destiny was still his to control.

Though the chateau was outwardly at rest, Martino and the staff had been busy all evening. After Janessa’s departure, Martino had met with all of the staff members, reminding them of their privacy agreements and the security issues of keeping the affairs of the chateau and the royal family confidential. Martino had also reviewed the new security procedures, which would remain in effect for the next several weeks. No longer would outsiders be permitted anywhere without an escort.

Janessa’s belongings were moved into the suite across the hall just in case the paparazzi were aware of which window was hers. Unlike the rooms she had previously occupied, her new living space was actually an apartment, complete with an office and a small kitchenette.

When Garrett heard the car drive up, he fought the urge to meet Janessa at the stairs. Instead he waited several minutes until he was certain she would be alone. He knocked on her door twice before she cautiously opened it. He slipped inside without a word and closed the door behind him.

He studied her for a moment, concerned at how pale she looked. “What you said on the beach—you couldn’t possibly mean it.”

“I do mean it, Garrett.” Janessa leaned against the back of the sofa. “If I stay, I might as well be the person holding a gun to your head. It’s like Rominez all over again.”

“Who?” The name rang a bell, but he couldn’t place it. He assumed it was from a past assignment that had gone bad.

“It doesn’t matter.” Panic flashed in her eyes before she managed to control it. “I’m sorry, Garrett. I can’t be with you knowing that my mere presence will put you at risk.”

“Janessa, I love you.” Garrett stepped forward and took her hand in his. He ignored her resistance and pushed on. “Nothing matters to me more than being with you. Can’t you understand that?”

“I can’t live like this.” She blinked hard. “I just can’t. One way or another, I’ll be leaving after the gala. If it’s too hard for you to have me here, I can ask Director Palmer to send a replacement. At this point, it won’t matter, since I’m no longer visible to the public.”

Garrett shook his head vehemently. “I don’t want you to go.”

“We don’t always get what we want,” Janessa said softly. “Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

The pain in his chest became unbearable. “Martino will check in with you tomorrow to see to your needs. Patrice also knows that you’re here. I believe she has already stocked the refrigerator for you.”

“Thank you.” Janessa nodded somberly.

Without another word, Garrett left the room with the shattered pieces of his heart.

* * *

Alan lingered by Prince Garrett’s living quarters. His knock had gone unanswered, and he had little doubt as to where the prince had gone. Enrico had informed him of Janessa’s arrival, and now he could only wait to do something he rarely did. Interfere.

Janessa hadn’t told him that she was in love with Prince Garrett, but he had known her long enough that he didn’t need to hear the words. All he had to do was look at her. He also knew that the breakup on the beach wasn’t just for show. Janessa was hurting, more than he had ever seen her hurt before.

When the prince came out of Janessa’s room, Alan realized that she wasn’t the only one in pain.

“Your Highness, could I have a minute of your time?”

“Can it wait until morning?”

Alan shook his head. Patiently, he waited as Prince Garrett’s swirl of emotions melted into resignation.

Garrett opened his door and motioned for Alan to follow him inside.

“I believe you were informed of the explosive we discovered today,” Alan began as soon as the door was closed.

Garrett nodded. “Enrico mentioned it.”

“Did he tell you how it was found?”

This time Garrett shook his head, puzzlement flashing in his eyes.

“Your Highness, Janessa found it the hard way.” Alan’s voice was low as he struggled to keep his own emotions in check and fight back the guilt.

“What do you mean . . .” Garrett’s voice trailed off as Alan’s meaning became clear.

“My dog had already identified the problem. I was trying to locate where the explosive device was hidden when Janessa came down the stairs.” Alan took a deep breath. He wasn’t going to be able to stem
the guilt after all. “I didn’t see her coming until it was too late. She stepped on the bomb and activated it just as she noticed me.”

Garrett’s face paled, but he nodded for Alan to continue.

“It was a crude land mine of sorts planted in the floor inside the private entrance.” Alan lifted a hand and waved away that detail. “I’ve known Janessa for a long time, but I’ve never seen her this shaken up. She knows that if we hadn’t found the bomb when we did, it’s doubtful you would still be here.”

Garrett’s breath shuddered out. “This is twice she almost died trying to protect me.”

“If she didn’t think you still needed protection, she wouldn’t be here,” Alan commented. “I thought you should know.”

Garrett nodded as Alan reached for the doorknob. He thought of Janessa’s comment a few minutes earlier and asked, “Can you tell me about Rominez?”

Alan stared at Garrett for a moment as he considered the security implications. Realizing that most of the information had already been printed in newspapers, he let out a sigh. “Miguel Rominez was a drug dealer turned informant in Venezuela. He had a huge estate that was supposed to have the best security known to man, and he insisted that he would be safe there.

“Janessa and Levi kept pointing out problems, but the higher-ups didn’t listen.” Alan shrugged a shoulder. “In the end, Rominez was assassinated right in front of his fortress. A close friend of ours was on protection detail and died right beside him.”

“Janessa was there when it happened?” Garrett asked.

Alan nodded. “Yeah, she was there.”

Chapter 31

Janessa scrutinized the employee lists as she moved across the room. She turned away from the large mirror hanging on the wall to avoid seeing the puffiness under her eyes and the lack of color in her cheeks. The food Patrice had left for her in the refrigerator had been left largely untouched. When Janessa did think to eat, she couldn’t seem to decide what she wanted, so she didn’t eat anything at all.

She didn’t want to cry anymore, but tears always seemed to be just beneath the surface. The what ifs were killing her, one memory at a time. What if Garrett wasn’t a prince? What if they were from the same country? What if they caught whoever was behind the latest bombing attempts? With a shake of her head, she reminded herself that even once the current threats were eliminated, Garrett would always be in danger as long as he was paired with an American.

Her stomach grumbled, but she ignored it, instead trying to concentrate on the list of service employees once more. She had been at it so long she could already recite the names, but something was nagging her and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Only a day and a half had passed since she had snuck back into the chateau, and already she craved the outdoors. Levi had stopped by the day before to give her an update. The investigation into the most recent bomb had not revealed anything that she didn’t already know. Except for those living at the chateau, only the caterer’s staff had been present at the time the bomb had been planted.

Security levels had once again been heightened, and Levi had ordered some additional surveillance equipment to be installed in the interior of the chateau. Janessa prayed that all of their preparations would thwart any further attempts against the royal family, but still she worried.

She set the employee lists aside and picked up the schedule for the upcoming week. A number of luncheons and small dinner parties would take place beginning at the end of the week and continuing on until the day before the gala that was still two weeks away. Thankfully, Patrice and her staff were taking care of the food for the smaller events. The only deviation from this plan would be if Patrice was once again shorthanded in the kitchen and requested help from the catering service.

Janessa started across the room once more, her mind turning to the day she had helped out in the kitchen. Just as she was considering how she might send for Patrice, a knock sounded at the door. She pulled the door open a crack, sighing with relief when she saw Patrice standing in the hall, a basket in her hand.

“Come in, Patrice.” Janessa ushered her inside and closed the door behind her.

“I brought you some lunch and a few more things to stock your kitchen.” Patrice set the basket on the table and pulled out the plate she had fixed for Janessa. Her eyes narrowed, and she fisted her hands on her hips. “You aren’t eating.”

“I’m fine,” Janessa insisted as she motioned to a kitchen chair. “I actually wanted to talk to you.”

“I can only stay for a minute,” Patrice told her, but still she sat.

“Patrice, the day when two girls were out sick, do you know what was wrong with them?” Janessa asked.

“They said it was some kind of stomach virus,” Patrice answered. “Personally, I think it was something they ate. They went out to dinner the night before and were sick by morning.”

“Did anyone know they were going out to dinner?”

“Everybody,” Patrice told her. “They go out to eat at the same restaurant every payday.”

“You told me that day you didn’t call in help from the caterers for security concerns. Do you have any specific reason not to trust their employees?”

“I don’t like the way those people work.” Patrice hesitated a moment before confiding in Janessa. “I feel like I have to watch them all the time. They get lost looking for the bathroom or take forever to return when I send them out to serve.” Patrice gestured with both hands. “I just don’t trust them.”

“Is there any way to find out who would have been sent to help out the day of that luncheon two weeks ago?”

“Lilia might be able to find out for you. Her mother is one of their cooks.”

“I’d appreciate it if she could get me those names, preferably without anyone realizing she’s looking for information.”

“I’ll ask.” Patrice nodded as another knock sounded at the door. Patrice stood and motioned for Janessa to stay where she was. She peeked out the door and then opened it wide when she discovered Martino on the other side. Turning to Janessa, she said, “Eat your lunch. I’ll stop by and check on you later.”

“Thank you.” Janessa watched Patrice leave, sidestepping some packages in the hallway. She stepped forward as Martino wheeled in several boxes.

“These just arrived from the United States,” Martino told her. He unloaded the boxes in the office and then handed a small box to Janessa. “Prince Garrett also asked me to give you this.”

Janessa took the box, trying to ignore the way her stomach jumped at the mention of Garrett’s name. When she discovered a cell phone inside the package, she looked up at Martino. “I don’t understand.”

“The prince said that he heard you could no longer use your phone since you were worried someone might pick up the signal. This one has a secure connection to everyone in the royal family. The numbers have already been programmed into the phone’s memory.”

“Thank you, Martino.”

“His Highness asked that you call him at your earliest convenience.” Martino stepped to the door. “Please let me know if you need any assistance with your packages.”

“I will.” Janessa nodded, torn between whether to call Garrett first or find out what had just arrived. Garrett won. She had not spoken to him in almost two days, and she missed him more than she had thought possible. Just the thought of hearing his voice sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

“I can do this,” she muttered, even as she reminded herself that their relationship was purely professional now. Working up her nerve, she found his number in the phone’s directory and made the call. A frustrated sigh escaped when she reached his voice mail. “Garrett, I just wanted to thank you for the phone. I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

She hung up and moved into the office. Her desk had been set up to look out the window facing the naval base, and a daybed had been situated on the opposite wall. Just inside the door was a worktable, now laden with the three boxes that had just been delivered.

Janessa pulled the first box into reach and grabbed a pair of scissors from her desk. Ripping open the top, she discovered a new fax machine. Pleased, she moved the box to the side and opened the next one. This time she uncovered a STU-III, a telephone that would allow her to communicate securely with other members of the US intelligence community. The two machines together would allow her to send and receive secure faxes as well as communicate securely on the telephone.

The last box was the largest of the three. Inside were several smaller boxes, which Janessa discovered held the surveillance equipment Levi had requested. She was still poking through boxes when her new cell phone rang. Abandoning her new toys, Janessa hurried to the other room to answer it.

“Janessa?” Garrett’s voice came over the line. “I’m sorry I missed your call. I was in a meeting.”

She heard the strain in Garrett’s voice and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“What’s right?” Garrett muttered. “I just met with my father and his chief of internal affairs. The only person who had access to all of the paintings in question was the museum director in Bellamo, Pierre Dumond.”

“Are you sure?” Even though Janessa knew he was a suspect because of his access, she had also met the man. Everything in his demeanor shouted integrity.

“His access code was used on the day one of the paintings was stolen, he was working on the exhibit in Calene when the first theft occurred, and he had access to both of the others.” His voice was weary as he continued. “The investigators think he might also be involved in the bombing at your embassy.”

“Why would they think that?”

“His ex-wife was an American. She left him when their daughter was young, and apparently she ended up with most of their assets,” he told her. “They think he has been holding a grudge against Americans ever since.”

“I’m sorry, Garrett.” She closed her eyes, wishing Pierre Dumond were the only thing she was sorry about. “I never thought it could be him.”

“Neither did I,” Garrett admitted. “He is being brought in for questioning, so my father and I will be detained for another day or two. Stefano will be escorting my mother to the chateau tomorrow morning. Mother said she’ll check in with you when she arrives.”

“Thanks.” Janessa gripped the phone as she added, “Be careful.”

“I will,” Garrett agreed before hanging up the phone.

She closed the phone and moved to the window. Rather than pull the curtains back, she looked through the sheer white fabric. The Mediterranean looked so peaceful with only a single sailboat visible on the water. She could no longer see the road from her window, a precaution to keep the paparazzi from seeing her. As she watched the sailboat in the distance, she realized that from a boat a photographer with a telephoto lens could probably see right into her window.

Anxiety overwhelmed her once again as she chafed against the inability to go where she wanted when she wanted. She took a deep breath and then another one, reminding herself that this situation was only temporary. She moved back into her office and set about hooking up her new phone and fax machine, grateful that her suite had a private phone line to accommodate her new equipment. She barely had everything in place when the phone rang.

She lifted the receiver, surprised to hear a woman’s voice on the other end. “Going secure?”

“One moment.” Janessa opened her desk drawer where she had hidden the key for the phone. She inserted the key and turned it before responding, “Going secure.”

The line distorted for a moment and then cleared.

“Is this Janessa Rogers?”

“That’s right.”

“This is Katie from finance. Director Palmer asked me to call you with some information,” she told her. “We finally managed to trace the money deposited into Alberto Manero’s accounts. The funds were all initiated from a bank account in Hong Kong. Our sources have confirmed that the account belongs to Byron Heuse, a well-known art dealer in Paris.”

“You’re positive?” Janessa asked.

“Oh, we’re sure,” Katie told her. “There’s something else though. When we looked at the other disbursements from that account, we were able to trace several other sets of payments.”

“Do we know who received the other payments?”

“Not exactly. Each time a payment went to Manero, similar payments went out to two other people. One person we still don’t have any information on, but the other is traceable to a numbered account in the Cayman Islands. There isn’t a name on the account, but one of our sources tells us that the owner is a member of Meridia’s ruling council.”

“Are you sure?” Janessa grabbed a pad and pen, finally sitting down at her desk.

“Our information supports what our source has told us. We have tracked deposits to Meridia, but we haven’t been able to figure out who on the ruling council the accounts belong to,” Katie said.

“Send me whatever you have, and I’ll see if the Meridian authorities can help us on this end.”

“I have the documentation in front of me. If you’re ready, I’ll fax it right now.”

“I’m ready. And Katie, thank you for your help.”

“I’ll let you know if we find anything else.”

Janessa turned the fax on to allow it to receive and then set down the hand piece. If someone on the ruling council really was involved, then everyone in the smuggling ring likely had access to all of the proceedings in Meridia, as well as updates on the negotiations regarding the naval base.

With a sigh, she picked up her cell phone once again. This time, instead of calling Garrett, she pushed the button for his father.

“Your Majesty, this is Janessa. I hope I am not disturbing you, but I have some information I thought you should be aware of.”

“Just a moment.” King Eduard spoke to someone in the background and a moment later came on the line. “Sorry about that. You said you had new information?”

“Not all good, I’m afraid,” Janessa began. “My agency has confirmed that the payments to Manero came from Byron Heuse. He’s an art dealer in Paris. They have also identified similar payments to two other individuals. One they still don’t have any information on, but the other they have tracked back to Meridia. My source feels strongly that those payments were being made to a member of the ruling council.”

“Who?”

“We don’t know yet.” Janessa picked up the fax off of the machine and scanned through the information. “From the documentation I’ve received, it looks like all three recipients have been receiving payments sporadically for the past three years. Can you think of anyone who might have started coming into some money around that time?”

“The members of the ruling council are well paid for their service to Meridia, but generally they are independently wealthy long before they attain such positions,” King Eduard told her.

“Does the ruling council have to be informed before a final agreement for the naval base is signed?”

“Yes,” he told her. “They have already given their initial approval to negotiate with the United States, but the location would have to be voted on.”

“You said that Lord Tratte was opposed to the US Navy’s presence here.”

“Yes, he has been the most vocal member in opposition,” the king told her. “I will have a list composed of all the members who have expressed reservations about allowing your Navy into our waters. Perhaps our intelligence staff can identify the recipient of some of that money.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Janessa sat back down at her desk. She studied the fax copy of Byron Heuse’s photograph. Perhaps Mrs. Manero could determine if he was one of the three individuals her husband had been meeting with, as well as narrow down who on the ruling council was involved.