CHAPTER 13
Archie
Roberto's securityreport confirmed what I'd already suspected: someone was actively trying to sabotage my wife.
"The airline has no record of any cargo hold leak during the flight," he said, standing in my study with the expression of someone delivering news he knew I wouldn't like."The baggage compartment remained completely dry throughout the journey."
"So someone damaged her clothes."
"It would appear so, Your Highness."
"And the speech substitution?"
"Three people had access to the folder after Elena placed the original inside.All three confirm it contained healthcare talking points when they handled it."
"Meaning someone switched the documents after the final check."
"Yes, sir.Someone with high-level palace access."
I processed this.Someone in my household was deliberately sabotaging Betty.The luggage, the speech, and probably more incidents I hadn't connected yet.
"I want a full review of everyone who had opportunity to commit either act.Cross-reference the lists."
"Already done, Your Highness.Six names appear on both access lists."
"And?"
"I'd prefer to complete the investigation before making accusations, sir."
He was right.But knowing that someone close to me was targeting Betty made my protective instincts surge in ways I hadn't expected.
"Fine.Complete your investigation.Daily updates.And increase security on everything related to Betty."
"Understood, Your Highness.Though I should mention that Captain Steiner has already made similar requests through Valdorian channels.She's quite...thorough."
Of course she was.Betty's Valdorian security detail had been hovering since her kidnapping as an infant had made international headlines.Captain Steiner took her protection mandate very seriously.
"Coordinate with her.Full information sharing."
After Roberto left, I sat alone with the uncomfortable realization that I wanted to do something for Betty that had nothing to do with political alliances.
I wanted to make her happy.
When had that happened?
I found her in the library, surrounded by healthcare policy documents and looking like she'd been there for hours.She glanced up when I entered, and something in her expression softened.
"Stalking me now?"
"Strategic reconnaissance."I sat across from her."Roberto confirmed the sabotage.Both incidents were deliberate."
"So I'm not paranoid."
"You're not paranoid.Someone with palace access is actively undermining you."
