Frederick shifted on top of her pressing her further into the rubber mats on the floor. She didn't mean to make an oomphing sound, but she couldn't help it.
"I apologize," Frederick muttered as he managed to get most of his weight off of her.
Elise was able maneuver herself into the other captain's chair and put her seat belt on, then doubled over.
They sped along, sirens screaming, until they careened around a corner then screeched to a stop in the palace garrison.
"Let's go." The doors flung open as she struggled to press the button on her seatbelt.
Frederick was already out of the vehicle and through the door into the palace itself. She was rushed after him, though she couldn't imagine whatever threat there had been would still be a problem in the palace.
Rather than being taken to somewhere she was familiar with, they were taken to an underground, windowless room inside what seemed to be the security offices.
"What happened?" Frederick demanded of his head of security, a man in his forties with a commanding presence.
Cap motioned to the seats around the table. "We're still looking into exactly what it was, but the window behind youshattered." While Frederick sat at one end, the head of security sat at the other.
Frederick frowned. "What about the rest of the people there? Were they in any danger? Were they looked after? Was anyone injured?"
Cap leaned back in his chair. "We're tentatively declaring it an accident. The glass shattered for no apparent reason. It does happen from time to time due to impurities in the glass or other reasons that have nothing to do with a threat to anyone."
Elise watched as Frederick's shoulders slumped in relief.
"That's a good thing, correct?" He sounded like he was trying to reassure himself that no one else had been in danger because he was nearby.
"Yes," Cap confirmed. "We're still checking a few things, but early indications show that it was simply an unfortunate coincidence."
"Thank you for your quick action to ensure our safety." Elise nodded his direction. "It is greatly appreciated." She rubbed her side. "I do hope it's not something that happens regularly though.”
“It’s the first time it’s happened to me,” Frederick told her. “I do apologize again for hurting you.”
She managed a smile despite the continuing ache in her side. “It wasn’t your fault, but I’d be okay if it never happened again.”
After reassuring them it was unlikely, the head of security went over a few more things with Frederick then told them they would be asked to confine themselves to the secure quarters.
Elise managed to keep herself from asking what that was but just barely.
She’d learned that, normally, Frederick didn’t have security with him at all times inside the palace. To some extent it seemed to depend on where he was and what time of day, but for the most part, security didn’t follow him. They probably kept him oncamera most of the time, but he didn’t have a member of security with him.
Not so after a security scare.
Frederick held her hand as they walked, but they were surrounded by four members of their security teams.
They went down a corridor she hadn’t seen before then turned down the smallest one she’d seen in the palace and, while the walls weren’t rough-hewn, they definitely weren’t quite as polished as the rest of the building. A heavy door was set into the wall.
Frederick let go of her hand and placed his palm on a sensor that appeared. She didn’t see where it came from but felt certain it had been hidden a moment before.
With a click the door began to swing open.
A moment later, she and Frederick were alone in what appeared to be a suite. The room they were in held sofas and chairs while she could see a bedroom through the open door to the next room.
As she looked around, something struck her.
“There’s no windows?”
Frederick shook his head. “No. This is a secure room. The door is the main entrance, but there is at least two secret entrances that can be used to either get here in case of an emergency or to leave if security is breached.”
“How long do we have to stay here?” She set her purse down on one of the side tables.
