“And Arkham has been struggling economically as of late,” Ottar says. “This would be the significant boost the country would need, especially if it’s green energy they’re looking for.”
“They are,” Lara says. “Their government has been going through a housing crisis and their main crops of wheat didn’t bring in enough revenue this past year. They’re struggling, and King Magnus is on record saying he’s looking to help boost the economy. If they’re looking into Birch Forest, I wouldn’t put it past them.”
“Jesus,” I say, pushing my hand through my hair. “But why would Sveinn and Rolant be involved?”
“Because they’re on the outside looking in,” Ottar says. “The country has moved on without them, they don’t have anything to go back to, so they most likely cut a deal with Magnus. Insider information to take over Torskethorpe. Rolant probably thought it was a done deal when Sveinn disappeared, but then Lilly came along.”
“You think they’ve planned this for a while?” Lilly asks.
“Probably thought Torskethorpe would be handed over to Arkham,” Ottar says. “And then Keller found you. Probably one of the reasons they attacked Keller. If they had insider information from Elias and Cornolia, they probably knew how important your relationship with Keller is, so they took advantage of it.”
“Have we heard anything about Elias and Cornolia?” I ask.
Ottar shakes his head. “Not yet, but this realization needs to be reported to Theo.”
“Won’t it hurt him, knowing his sons might be behind this?”
“It’s something he needs to know, despite how hurtful it might be,” I say and then take the phone from Lilly. “And it needs to be told now so King Clinton and his team can help find Rolant and Sveinn.” Lilly silently agrees with a nod, and I dial Theo just as there’s a loud beeping sounding off in the kitchen.
“What’s that?” Lilly asks.
“The security cameras from the island,” I say.
Ottar stands and heads into the kitchen just as Theo answers the phone. “Hello?”
“Theo,” I say, looking into the phone. “We need to chat.”
“Okay,” he says, his face turning serious. “Give me a moment.”
He stands from where he’s sitting and asks King Clinton if he can borrow the office just as Ottar comes back into the living room, holding the monitor from the island.
“The island house is being invaded,” Ottar says, holding the monitor out to me.
Men in black outfits move past the sensors, holding guns out in front of them, the scene painfully scary.We could have been there. If it wasn’t for Ottar telling us to flee, we could have been held up and there’s nothing I could have done to help Lilly. The thought makes my head pain rear up in anger all over again.
“Oh my God,” Lilly says, her hand to her chest.
“What’s going on?” Theo says over the phone, and when I glance at the screen, Theo and King Clinton come into view. Theo sits in a desk chair while King Clinton rests against the back. No need to ask if Theo is comfortable sharing this information with King Clinton because it’ll have to be shared anyway.
“The island is currently being invaded,” I say.
“Jesus,” Theo whispers. “Thank God you’re not there.”
“Yes,” I say on a tough swallow because, we could have been there. I thought we were safe. Hell, I think we’re safe here. “That’s not why we’re calling, we believe we figured out who’s behind this,” I say just as another beeping sounds off. “What’s that?”
Ottar’s brow turns down. “The perimeter sensor for Harrogate. It’s been breached.”
“What?” I ask.
“What’s going on?” Theo asks, and when I glance at Lilly, I can see the apprehension in her eyes.
Ottar moves to the kitchen where he has his monitor for Harrogate and checks it out. “It’s a palace car,” he says while glancing up at me. “Was Runa able to come out tonight?” He turns to Lara. “Did you hear anything?”
Lara shakes her head as she stands from the couch and pulls a gun out from her leg holster. “Can you zoom in on the person driving?”
Ottar touches the screen and then nods. “It’s her.”
“Sorry,” I say into the phone. “We had the security sensors go off. Runa came tonight with the doctor rather than tomorrow.”
