Once Victor was suitably attired, Raphael ensured all the windows were closed and the curtains covered them in the living room. He turned on the perimeter fence security warning system. If anyone tried to get through the gate or any window or door, he’d be notified. If any breach occurred, a siren would go off.
“I’m not certain what I can do for you, Victor, but I’m willing to do anything to help.”
“I appreciate it. I’m not certain what to do beyond hide.”
“What happened? I read a limited dossier that didn’t reveal much.”
“Few people know what I’m about to tell you. There was an attempt on my father’s life. I’m the heir and I’m an only child.”
“The information I saw said it was more than an attempt. That he was assassinated.”
Victor nodded. “My father survived, although he has not regained consciousness yet. I had that information circulated, hoping to buy time to figure out who ordered the attempt. Perhaps flush out the culprit. Then a bounty was placed on me, and I was blamed for the attempt. I did not do it.”
“Of course not.”
Francine said, “If your father was gone and you were jailed for his murder, who would the title go to?”
Victor smiled. “She’s a smart one.” Raphael nodded.
“The answer is complicated, and it depends who you talk to. There are basically two factions that would vie for my father’s title if I were out of the way. Claudia and Roger are distant blood cousins. Each has a fairly equal claim if my father and I were dead or jailed for an Imperial crime.”
Raphael crossed his arms. “My money’s on Claudia. Roger is afraid of his own shadow and was always small for his age. He’s allergic to everything, a hypochondriac or ill most of the time and rarely leaves home.”
“True. But Roger’s mother, Alvina, is the opposite. She could give Claudia a run for her money in the devious department, if you know what I mean.” Victor’s eyes narrowed and he added, “Weren’t you supposed to marry Claudia?”
Raphael’s gaze slid to Francine. Her eyes widened as he nodded. “My father wanted that arranged marriage, but I left home because I refused to follow through on it, among other issues.”
“Maybe you should renew your acquaintance with her,” Francine said.
“What?!” both Raphael and Victor said at the same time.
“It seems to me that if she’s the one involved in this, and has gone to the expense and lengths she’s had to in order to carry off the murder of a royal—or the attempted murder of one—and a frame-up for Victor, she’s not looking to share her spoils with a co-ruler, right? She will want to remove you from the picture promptly. With that knowledge a possibility right up front, maybe you could set a trap and trip her up.”
“Sheisa smart one. How did you get so lucky?” Victor asked with a certain amount of awe.
“I followed her around like a stalker until an appropriate meet-and-greet opportunity presented itself.” Raphael winked at her.
“You did not.”
“Oh, yes, I did.”
Francine thought about the night they’d met outside the supermarket and how it had changed her life. “Well, I’m glad.”
“Still want me to seek out Claudia and make a play for her?”
“No, but I think it’s the easiest way to find out if she’s the one doing this to Victor and his poor father.”
The three of them spent another hour trying to think up other ideas, but in the end, Francine’s was unanimously voted the best.
A piercing sound reverberated through the house. They all stood up.
“The gate alarm,” Raphael said, shouting to be heard.
Seconds later, the pounding on the front door made all three of them freeze in place for a couple of seconds before they started moving. Victor had only taken two steps toward the master bedroom and his bolt-hole when a bright flash and a loud boom popped the front door wide, a burning hole seared through the middle of it.
As the smoke cleared, Elda Lark strode in with a large pistol in each hand, one of which she pointed at Victor, the other she moved between Raphael and Francine.
“I knew you were lying to me, Raphael,” she said triumphantly. “Victor Campion. You are mine.”
