Along Came A Prince

by Carlyn Cade

  “Okay...okay. You can stop now. We’re not the amateurs here, you know. We have thought of every one of your scenarios and taken them all into consideration. We have men on the roof, but I see your basic point. It does make sense to get her out of here,” Ryan said. “I wanted to do that from the beginning, but Stacia wouldn’t leave.”

  “So I don’t have to go into the reasons why SwissDen is safer than here?”

  Stacia shivered. After listening to Clay, she wanted to leave too. “How about if I put on a bullet-proof vest?” she asked.

  “Right, we’ll start with that,” Ryan said.

  “What’s next?” Clay asked.

  “The SWAT team’s gear will protect the rest of her. And a police van with bullet-proof sides and windows backed up to the building’s front door might work. We’d just have a few feet to worry about her being shot at,” Ryan suggested.

  “Do you have one of those vans?” Clay asked.

  “More than one.”

  “How safe is the interior of this building? Could he be somewhere inside?” Clay questioned further.

  “We’ve done a room-by-room search of this complex. He could be hiding somewhere in here yet, but if he thought he’d been in jeopardy at that time, he’d have come out shooting at our men. Our guards outside and around the building have been doubled. I doubt he could have gotten back in,” Ryan said.

  “I don’t want to gamble with Stacia’s life if we’re not positive,” Clay stated.

  “Nor do I,” Ryan replied. “If I handpick the SWAT team, they can form a guard around her out the building and into the van. She’ll be well protected, I can guarantee that much.”

  “Great,” Clay said. “But perhaps we should go one step farther. How about a little puzzle for our killer to solve? What if there were three identical police vans at the entrances to the building? Which one would he choose?”

  “And there’ll be three women walking to three different vans,” Ryan added. “They could be detectives or police officers. They should all be the same size and have red wigs on. One out the front door, one out the service entrance, and the other out the back entrance. Everyone’s in full SWAT team equipment, of course. Then we swing out the garage with Stacia.”

  “The next thing to cover is whether it’s to happen in the daytime or night?” Clay asked.

  “By day, there are a lot of people around,” Ryan said. “There’s more of a chance innocent people will get hurt.”

  “You’re right,” Clay agreed. “It has to be night.” He smiled and relaxed back in his chair. ”We’ve covered about everything, I think, except when we do it.”

  “Tomorrow night should give me enough time to get the details worked out. Is that agreeable with both of you?”

  Stacia and Clay both nodded their heads.

  “One thing more, Clay,” Ryan said. “Can you shoot a gun?”

  “With a father who believes in marching into war to gain back his country at any time, what do you think? He taught me young how to defend myself, both physically and with a gun and other weapons. I brought a Glock 22 with me. I’ll call the limo driver and tell him you’ll pick it up. ”

  “Are you licensed to use it in California?”

  “Yes, everything’s in the gun case.”

  Ryan stood up, grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. “I’ll be back as soon as I get our plan into high gear.” He turned and glanced at Clay before he opened the door. “By the way,” he said, “I’m glad you’re here.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  He was sitting at a desk writing...

  It takes a long time to die when you’re waiting for your own death. It doesn’t happen overnight, not unless you shoot yourself or do something else that’s quick.

  But I don’t want my life to end too fast. The timing is the most important factor. If it’s over too fast, Audra might not be able to come for me. Then I would be struggling through eternity, or whatever it’s called, without her. And we’d be lost without each other somewhere in time.

  Then when we were reincarnated, I might not find her, and I couldn’t live my next lifetime without her. My beautiful Audra should be coming for me any day now...at any time...

  Clay awoke with a start. What the hell kind of dream was that? He didn’t want to die. He had too much to live for. Cold sweat was crawling all over him, leaving him feeling like hundreds of spiders were creeping and crawling around on his skin. He touched his face, and it felt as if he’d been shoved into a freezer. Was this a dream, or a warning that the icy finger of death was coming to claim its prize?

  Snap out of it, guy, Clay chastised himself. You’re in California, in Stacia’s guest room. Was his imagination working the night shift because of tonight’s escape caper?

  He tried to analyze his dream. The Audra part was easy to understand because the threatening notes Stacia received called her Audra. And death...the stalker was a killer, and death could result if anything in tonight’s plan went wrong.

  Clay finally dismissed the nightmare as his nerves having tricked his thoughts to reveal the worst case scenario it could create. Anyway, isn’t that how all nightmares worked? He got out of bed and headed to the shower, wondering if perhaps he should start writing fiction. He grinned as he thought that between his imagination and his dreams, he certainly had a good beginning for the story.

  ♥♥

  Stacia sighed softly as she woke up, her mind already zeroing in on Clay. They were separated this morning by a wall instead of an ocean. Fantastic!

  Then, the stalker and their escape plan clobbered her. Her fast-appearing smile crept away as worry and fear consumed her once more.

  Would they make it to SwissDen? Or would she or someone else be killed in the process? Was this destiny’s plan for ending her life? Was her dreaded prophesy of no marriage being fulfilled?

  Enough questions, she scolded herself as she tumbled out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. How she wished a shower could wash away her macabre thoughts as easily as the water sprays descended her body. She finished her shower, dried off quickly and dressed. Her mood lightened as her thoughts settled on the man who’d spent the night on the other side of her bedroom wall.

  ♥♥

  When Stacia walked into the kitchen, a delicious breakfast awaited her. Seated around the table were Clay and her brother drinking coffee.

  “You’re finally up, Stace?” Ryan asked. “Clay and I have been for some time now.”

  “And someone fixed breakfast, I see. Who’s responsible for that?” she inquired.

  “You mean you can’t tell my work?” Ryan teased.

  “We’ve been going over our plan for this evening,” Clay said. “Everything seems to be worked out. Ryan’s going to drive the get-away car.”

  “You make it sound like we’re going to rob a bank or something,” Stacia quipped as she sat down next to the two men and helped herself to some scrambled eggs, sausage and hash browns.

  “Be serious, Stace,” Ryan said as he reached for a slice of toast. “I’ve okayed it with the chief, and I’ll be driving the black Cadillac with the bullet-proof doors and windows. The department uses it for high-risk visiting dignitaries.”

  “Souped-up cars and the SWAT team equipment. Guns. Bullet-proof cars. We have all the makings of an action film here.” Stacia smiled and put some of her eggs and sausage onto her fork. “And I have two handsome guys as stars. What more could any actress want?”

  Clay frowned. “Don’t take this so lightly.”

  “Believe me, I’m not.” Stacia set her fork down on her plate. “But if I don’t try to keep things light, I may fall apart. Whenever I’ve done anything like this before, I’ve been acting...not gambling with my life.”

  “Sorry,” Clay said immediately. “I think we’re all jittery here. The only thing that will control it is if we know what we’re going to do backwards and forwards. I just don’t want to take anything for granted. If I seem too serious, it’s because I can only have o
ne priority on my mind at a time.” He put his hand over Stacia’s. “And right now, it’s your safety. Most of the time, it’s just you.”

  And right now for her, the warmth of his hand on hers and the look in his eyes caused pulsations of delight to skim through her. How she wished they were at SwissDen right now so she could concentrate on him.

  “I have everything synchronized for ten this evening,” Ryan said, breaking into her thoughts. “Will that be a problem for you? Is it easier to fly over the ocean in the day or night?”

  Clay shrugged. “It doesn’t matter with the Gulfstream G650.

  “The Gulfstream G650?” Stacia asked. “What’s that?”

  “A jet that can travel non-stop to Europe from the west coast,” Clay explained. “It travels at nearly the speed of sound at altitudes up to 51,000 feet. So hypothetically, even if the killer was chasing us in a commercial airplane, we’d be safe at SwissDen before he could get to Europe. And I also have my crew with me. They’re in the plane right now and have been instructed to be ready for takeoff on a moment’s notice. My crew includes two pilots on board besides me.”

  “So all we have to do is get her to the airport. Good planning on your part, Clay.”

  “We haven’t discussed this, but do you want to come with us?”

  “I trust you to protect Stace,” Ryan said. “Besides, I need to stay here and catch me a killer.”

  A wave of goose bumps trickled down Stacia’s arms. What if something happened to her brother in a showdown with the killer? “I wish you’d come with us. SwissDen is incredible. You’d love it and so would Josie.”

  Ryan shook his head. “No can do, Stace. They need me here.”

  “I need you too,” she said softly.

  “You’ll have Clay, and he’ll take great care of you.” Ryan stood up and walked over to the kitchen counter. He leaned against it and folded his arms. “You know, Stace, there’s no way to avoid publicity when there’ll be floodlights, vans backed up to the doors, and the SWAT team present and ready to move. We’ll block off the traffic at nine-forty-five p.m. and make certain everyone is inside. No one will be allowed to come or go from the building after that. At exactly ten p.m., our exit plan goes into action. Then we move fast.”

  “We’ll be on our way to SwissDen before any news releases can be put out,” Clay said. “Once we’re there, the paparazzi won’t be able to reach you. And by the time you’re home again, it’ll be yesterday’s news.”

  “I’d better call Jamie and prepare her. She’ll be bombarded with calls, if it’s like it was before when Clay and I disappeared.”

  “Not a good idea,” Ryan said. “I know Jamie can be trusted completely, but the less people who know, the safer you are.”

  “I guess it would work out okay if I called her in the morning.” Stacia began to pick up their plates and carried them to the sink. Clay started to help her.

  “Are you packed, Stace?” Ryan asked.

  “I didn’t think that far. I wouldn’t even know how many days to pack for,” she said sadly, turning to face the two men. “This stalker has completely disrupted my life. He’s terrorized me, and sometimes, I just want to give up. I can’t even leave my home…until tonight anyway. Yet no matter how badly I feel, it’s ironic, but I’m the lucky one, when I think of poor Mrs. Melbourne.” She started to tear up.

  “Hang in there,” Clay said as he put his arm around her shoulder. “It won’t be long, and you’ll be safe and not confined to four walls – once we reach SwissDen, that is.” He tilted her face toward him and kissed her cheek.

  “Think positive, Stace. When you come home again, you can be in all the California sunshine you want.”

  “And will you rip down those ugly pieces of plywood on my skylights before I get home?” Stacia asked.

  “Will do.” Ryan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. “I’m going to give Josie a call. Just to make sure she still misses me.”

  “See, Ryan, that’s another thing. I complain about what this...monster’s done to my life, and you have to listen to me. Yet, he’s messed up yours and Josie’s lives just as bad, and you don’t complain. Even you, Clay. You had to cancel whatever plans you had to come dashing over here to rescue me.”

  “You’re worth it,” Clay said.

  “No person is an island, Stace,” Ryan remarked. “Remember when Grandpa Saunders used to say that to us when he thought we were being selfish for one reason or another? You need us now, and you have the right to act just the way you are because of the stress of your situation. Don’t forget, it’s your life that’s being threatened, not ours. I don’t want to lose...” He turned suddenly before he finished his sentence and left the room abruptly.

  “Your brother’s a great guy,” Clay said. “I didn’t have any siblings to love and support me like he does you.”

  “I can’t remember a time when Ryan wasn’t there for me. My mother said I even took my first steps to him, and he’s been protecting me ever since. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t tease me, just to see me get mad.”

  “You mean you had a red-haired temper back then too?”

  “Well, that’s another story in itself,” Stacia said and smiled.

  The two of them finished cleaning up the kitchen together, and then went into the living room to find Ryan to start their countdown to ten o’clock, when the execution of their escape mission would lead to success...or failure.

  ♥♥

  At precisely nine fifty-nine p.m., Stacia, Clay and Ryan stood together in her entryway, ready to burst into the hallway when the countdown ended. All three wore bullet-proof vests, headgear and other clothing designed for the SWAT team. Ryan held his gun in his right hand, and Clay had his Glock steadied in his right hand also. His left arm encircled Stacia’s waist. She covered his fingers with hers and held on tight.

  The only things Stacia was taking with her were stuffed either in her jeans or her jacket pockets. Clay had talked her out of bringing any luggage. One less thing to worry about, he’d said. And it might get in the way in case there was trouble. Besides, he’d reminded her, she could get whatever she wanted or needed at SwissDen.

  The guard at her front door, with his gun drawn, grasped the doorknob with his other hand, ready to open the door when Ryan finished his countdown on his mic directly to his chief. “Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Let’s go.”

  The door opened, and Ryan nodded to the men in the hall, then started to lead the way, his gun aimed straight ahead of him. He glanced to the right and then the left, before motioning for Stacia to join him. She hurried out the door to take her place behind Ryan. Clay followed her, cramming his body as close as he could against hers to protect her.

  Ryan began to run. Slow enough for Stacia to keep up. Fast enough to make good time. She could barely see over his shoulder as they headed for her private elevator, but she managed to catch a glimpse of a man she assumed was a detective or from security holding the door open for them. No time to think of what would happen if he wasn’t. She had to focus on following Ryan.

  They ran through the short hallway and straight into the confines of the elevator. The man stepped in and let go of the door. Ryan punched the basement level button. The door closed and they began to descend.

  Nine. Eight. Each second it took to reach the next floor seemed like an hour. Why had she decided to live on the tenth floor? Seven. Six. Five. A sudden jerk occurred, and her heart stopped. As quickly as the disturbance happened, the smooth ride took over once more.

  Down. Down. Down, they went. Fourth floor. Third. Her breath was coming in uneven pants now, as if she’d been running non-stop uphill, instead of floating downward via the elevator. Each floor was a minor victory. Second. Don’t stop now. First floor. They reached the basement garage. The door opened silently and the light from the elevator lit up the get-away-car parked outside it. She heard its motor running.

  A second ticked by, and it was Stacia’s turn to leave the square box. Clay’s hand
on her back guided her toward the car. Simultaneously the front car door opened, and the dome light flashed on. Chief Brannigan exited the car, stepped aside and held the door open in synchronicity with another detective who opened the passenger side, back door.

  Ryan raced the few steps to the driver’s side, slid into the car and slammed the door shut. Clay all but pushed Stacia into the back seat and climbed in beside her. His arm went around her, and he pulled her head down onto his lap. Before he could close the door, the car lunged forward, and they were off, tires screeching from the takeoff speed. From her prone position, it felt as if they were flying.

  Brightness suddenly filled the car. From the floodlights, she assumed. They had made it outside! She peeked up at Clay’s grim face. He’d discarded his headgear. He looked down at her and touched her nose. “We’re okay,” he whispered.

  Faster and faster Ryan drove. The car swerved for a right turn, then a left, following the police escort car with its red, blue and white lights rotating to the rhythm of the shrill, screeching siren. She wanted to yank her headgear off. It was so uncomfortable being bounced around in it. Better to suffer a little discomfort than to be dead, she decided and kept quiet.

  “We’re at the airport,” Clay said. “Their security team’s ready to lead us to the plane now.” He exhaled a huge sigh. “You did some great driving there, Ryan.”

  “I’ll feel better when you’re in the air,” he confessed.

  “Can I sit up now?” Stacia asked.

  Ryan glanced in his rear-view mirror. “You two seem pretty cozy back there. Are you sure you want to?” he said and laughed. “God, it feels good to laugh again, after what we just went through. But we made it. Almost, anyway.” Ryan stopped the car. “All right, Clay, the rest is up to you. Take good care of my sister, okay?”