The phone in his pocket rang, and Sean almost fumbled it in his haste to answer the call. A glance at the screen identified the caller as his sister, and his throat grew tight, even as he swiped to answer.
“Alia?”
“Sean!” The sound of his sister’s voice brought tears to his eyes. “Holy crap, bro, what in the world is going on? I was stuck in meetings with suppliers all day, then had a working dinner. I get home and turn on the news, and I hear our grandfather is dead and you’re now theking?”
“It’s a long story,” Sean replied, then had to clear his throat. “I can’t talk about some of it, you understand? As ridiculous as it sounds, there are things going on that are national security issues.”
“The hell with national security. How areyou?” she asked, her tone soft. “The last I heard, you were going back to Akkadia, which I thought was crazy, but I thought the old bugger was going to recover, not that you were going to take the damned throne!”
“I’m fine, but things… changed.” Sean was uncomfortable, worried that if the call were being intercepted by anyone, information might get to their adversaries. His own line was secure, but who knew about on Alia’s end? Was her phone or apartment bugged? “Look, I want to tell you everything, but I can’t, not over the phone at any rate. The government will be shut down here for three days, but after that, I promise I’ll contact you where we can talk freely, all right?”
There was silence on her end, but then she sighed. Alia was as direct a person as their father had been, but she was also kind, and Sean had never doubted her love for him. “All right. I know it’s the middle of the night there, but when I heard the news…”
“I understand.” Sean swallowed hard. “I miss you, and I wish you were here.” There were so many things he wanted to talk to her about, but he didn’t want to put either of them at risk. “Believe me, I don’t want to be king, and as soon as I can figure out who to pass the crown to, I’m out.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she replied tartly. “You would be wasted as a ruler when you’re such a good doctor. Besides, having a king for a brother is going to screw with my chances of finding the right guy. How would I know if he wants me or just to date a princess?” She laughed. “Iama princess, aren’t I? I never gave it a thought before, not even when they were hyping you as ‘Crown Prince Mishaan’. Wow. Wonder if I can pay a call on Will and Kate?”
Sean couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of his sister taking tea with the British royals. It was so good to hear her voice; it made him feel better, helped to settle his nerves and made him realize he wasn’t as alone as he felt.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” he said. “But maybe before I step down, I’ll see what I can do to introduce you to the upper crust. No doubt some penniless but noble gentleman could use a not-quite-royal but filthy rich retail magnate.”
“Oh, thanks.” Her tone was dry. “I love you, you know that? Even if I want to strangle you sometimes.”
“The feeling is mutual, believe me,” Sean said, a slight smile tugging his lips despite the weight on his shoulders. “Good night.”
“Good night, brother of mine. Sweet dreams.”
The line went silent, and Sean put the phone back in his pocket. He felt a lot better after Alia’s call. Maybe he would indulge in a drink, then perhaps try to get a little sleep. If he could focus on what it meant to step down and get back to his real life, perhaps he wouldn’t spend so much time obsessing about things over which he had no control.
He was heading for the dresser where Bash’s bottles were hidden when he heard a knock on the outer chamber door and the challenge of the guards. A moment later, there was a loud rap on the bedroom door.
“Your Majesty!” Mansur’s voice was easily identifiable, and Sean crossed to the door and opened it. Mansur stood on the other side, and there was a fierce expression on his face that had Sean rather alarmed until Mansur spoke again. “We have the traitor in custody.”
Sean’s heart leapt in hope. “But… how? When?Who???”
Mansur bowed, then gestured for Sean to come with him. “I think it’s better if we talk in a more secure place, Your Majesty. Since we must observe due process.”
Sean nodded. “I want to see him. Whoever it is, I want him to look me in the eye and admit his guilt.”
They made their way to the cells in the palace's basement, and Sean wanted to laugh. It was only fitting the traitor should have to endure what Sean himself had. As they entered the cell area, Sean saw someone standing by a cell, looking at the prisoner, who had his back turned. He felt a fierce surge of joy as when recognized Bash, and it was all he could do to keep from running to Bash and throwing himself into his arms. Instead, he quickened his pace and stopped a few steps away.
“Agent Chase,” he said formally, though he was unable to keep the smile off his face. “I see you continue to perform with your usual excellence. I assume you are the person who caught the traitor?”
Bash looked at him, searching his face, and even though Sean could see the love in Bash’s eyes, there was a shadow there as well. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he replied. “I exist but to serve.”
Before Sean could reply, the prisoner turned, and Sean wasn’t entirely surprised to recognize the sharp features of Majid Al Farhan.
“Your Majesty, I protest!” Majid shouted, approaching the bars. “I am no traitor!”
“Guards!”
A half dozen guns were pointed at Majid, and he stepped back from the bars, holding up his hands. “I am not a traitor!” he repeated, his tone holding a hint of desperation.
“That’s exactly what the traitor would say,” Sean replied. He glanced at Mansur. “All the legal formalities are being observed?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Mansur said. “There is little doubt of his guilt. Agent Chase witnessed a meeting between Arseny Carapov and his contact. Agent Chase followed the contact to where he entered a vehicle, which was identified through GPS tracking as the official sedan used by Majid Al Farhan. The driver of the vehicle admits to taking Al Farhan into the area near where Agent Chase witnessed the meeting, then picking him up and driving him back home.”
“He lies!” Majid looked both furious and terrified. “I was at home. I never left! It was Hamid Al Daoud who took my car! I received a call from him telling me they needed to sweep all the cars before the funeral, so he had access to it!”
