by Eve Devon
The coronation ceremony had passed off without a glitch, and every time he pressed the small button on the side of his glasses’ frame, the camera feed from the security case projected onto the top right-hand corner of his right lens, changing every two seconds to give him a visual from each angle.
The Pasha Star was safe, but he couldn’t afford to relax just yet.
He pressed his cell phone closer to his ear, hoping he could at least keep the side of his face warm.
“Max, did the information Edward gave Honeysuckle match what your friend found, or not?”
“Mostly.”
“What the hell does ‘mostly’ mean? Come on, I’m freezing my nuts off out here.”
Max started talking, and Adam started pacing the cobblestoned courtyard.
“Okay, so, police accounts of gem thefts in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea started in late 1851. A couple of months after the London Steel Hawk branch opened. By 1852, the name the Raven was being alluded to, but as soon as that was made known to the press, Nathaniel Hawk marched himself down to the police station and asked to work with them. He confessed that as a teenager he had used the moniker, but was convinced someone in Zarrenburg who had sympathized with Prince Randolph’s politics over Prince Stefan’s bore a grudge.”
“You’re telling me he was working with the police to catch this Raven thief? Funny how that was conveniently left out of the biography!” Could Nathaniel Hawk have been set up like Steel Hawk was possibly being set up now?
“At the time, the police concluded it was a copycat thief who had a grudge against Nathaniel. But whether for diplomatic reasons or whatever, they didn’t believe Zarrenburg was involved. Nathaniel Hawk had made a few enemies in his younger days. The police claimed someone wanted to take him down a peg or two. There was never enough evidence, and the thefts stopped abruptly in 1855.”
“This is enough, surely? We can start clearing Nathaniel Hawk’s name and get that book taken out of circulation.”
“Oh, I’m all over it.”
His brother hesitated, and Adam ground his teeth together.
“Edward isn’t stupid,” Max said, “so I don’t understand how he could have missed this unless he was too focused on finding discrepancies in Nathaniel’s timeline.”
“What did he miss?”
“Official reports show Nathaniel Hawk and Rose Valetta proved to Princess Mary that it had been her brother-in-law, Prince Randolph, who had taken the Pasha Star. When Princess Mary announced her intention to present the diamond to her son, Prince Stefan, Prince Randolph re-stole what he thought was the real diamond and tried to escape on a boat up the river Thames. A struggle ensued, and there was some sort of explosion, after which everyone assumed Prince Randolph had gone down with his boat. But my friend discovered an article describing how the river was dredged, but Prince Randolph’s body was never recovered.”
“The bastard didn’t go down with the boat?” Adam was stunned. “You think he really was behind setting Nathaniel up?”
“Unfortunately not. Not on his own, anyway. Weeks later, he was found slumped over in an abandoned cottage downstream. His body was transported back to Zarrenburg for a state funeral.”
“After what he’d done?”
“My thinking is Prince Stefan wanted to draw a line under the mess. Quiet any Randolph supporters.”
“Honeysuckle has arranged for access to the records vault tomorrow. I’ll check accounts here. There might well be something that clears Nathaniel’s name completely.”
“If it implicates someone in Zarrenburg…” Max warned.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tread carefully. I have no intention of causing an international incident.”
“You know, I really was surprised Edward didn’t pick up that other article,” Max said, his disappointment clear. “So surprised I did some further digging and checked his whereabouts via the GPS on his phone.”
Adam’s free hand came out of his pocket and rubbed over the back of his neck. “And?”
Turning, he wandered over to one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, peered in at the festivities and found what he was looking for.
Edward Long was deep in conversation with Honeysuckle.
“Adam, Edward left London before he said he did. He’s been in Zarrenburg since late last night.”
Chapter Fourteen
What had brought Edward into Zarrenburg before he had been scheduled to, and why was he lying about it?
Adam walked back into the ballroom with only a glance at the guard. If it hadn’t been for the fact that he needed to wait until his glasses defogged, he’d have been in Edward’s face, demanding answers. Having to wait to be able to see again forced him to calm down and approach things logically.
Because Edward hadn’t exactly lied.
His exacts words had been that he’d arrive late afternoon in time for the ball. He hadn’t said where he was coming from. If Adam went in, guns blazing, Edward was going to demand to know why the company he worked for was deliberately tracking him, and that wasn’t going to go down well, security firm or not.
He let the music and chatter fade into the background and kept his eyes trained on Edward.
“You have a look on your face that suggests you are not entirely comfortable with Ms. Hawk and Mr. Long talking together so animatedly.”
Adam turned in time to catch the amused look on the face of Anton Haas.
“Aren’t you supposed to be making sure the castle is secure or something?”
Anton threw back his head and laughed. “You have got it bad.”
Adam looked across the room again, and this time his gaze automatically filtered out Edward to zero straight in on Honeysuckle.
He ran his gaze down the length of Honeysuckle’s gown as she stood slightly with her back to him. She was wearing a black bustier and floor-length skirt with black lace overlay. The bustier was conservative in the front, but the back exposed her from nape to lower back.
And, sexy as hell, dangling down the middle of her back was her Steel Hawk key. Hanging from a matte-pearl-and-diamond chain she’d designed.
Yeah.
He had it bad.
She’d been amazing at the press lineup, a sort of formal step and repeat so that all the VIP guests could be photographed and interviewed briefly. He hated that sort of thing. He always answered questions at too technical a level and never wanted to give any information about himself.
Honeysuckle had talked enthusiastically about her participation in the gem display, and the only time she’d tripped up was when she’d been asked about her obvious love of gemstones and jewelry.
“Hey, Anton,” Adam said as an idea occurred to him. “I seem to remember hearing something about there being a state jeweler or royal jeweler who has responsibility for designing new pieces for the Zarrenburgs.”
Anton grinned ear to ear. “You are thinking of Farrago’s. It is a small, discreet jeweler. The king was generous to arrange a visit for me before I proposed to my now wife.”
“This is not about that! Who would I speak to about arranging a visit for Honeysuckle?”
“I believe you would need to ask Gustav Ambrus.”
“Okay. I’ll do that.” She’d like seeing that, wouldn’t she?
A tiny alarm sounded, and Adam noticed Anton glance at his watch and reset something.
“I need to check in with my team,” the head of security commented.
“Everything all right?” Adam queried, immediately lifting his hand to push the tiny button on the frame of his glasses. He concentrated as the sequence of screens ran. Everything looked fine.
“Routine,” Anton informed him. “How often do you check your feed on the Pasha Star?”
“Continuously.”
“How the hell do you manage that?”
Adam simply
smiled, gave Anton a quick salute, and walked off to join Honeysuckle and Edward.
Now he was calmer, it was time to see what Edward had to say for himself.
As if Honeysuckle sensed him, she paused in her conversation and turned. Her gaze ran hungrily over him, and when her eyes met his, he caught the searing flash of heat and sent it back to her full beam.
And if Edward wanted to make something of that—that was down to Edward, Adam thought as he greeted the lawyer with an incline of his head.
“You’re wearing different glasses,” Honeysuckle observed.
“Yes. I’m testing them for the first time tonight.”
“A new prescription?” Edward queried, and Adam tried to tell himself he’d known Edward years and trusted him with his designs.
“A new design, at least. How was London?”
“Interesting,” Edward answered without missing a beat. “I’m now almost certain Nathaniel Hawk is innocent of the book’s claims.”
“Well, I’ve been through the list of gem thefts attributed to the Raven, and I can tell you for certain,” Honeysuckle insisted, “that on one of the dates mentioned, I have a newspaper clipping with a picture of Nathaniel Hawk, Benjamin Steel, and Tommy Patchett standing outside Steel Hawk, San Francisco. It was after an earthquake, and they were reopening the building. Surely that’s enough on its own?”
“I’d rather have irrefutable, multiple evidence strands for a legal case, but it’s a very good start,” Edward said. “I’ve sent the publishing house questions regarding the photographs used in the book. I want to know whether the manuscript was handed over with scanned images or originals. If they’re originals, I want them authenticated and I want to know where they came from. They can’t keep us in the dark forever about who wrote the book. Once we determine who wrote it, we should at least be able to piece together why.”
Adam watched Edward carefully.
He was saying all the right things, but Adam couldn’t get away from the feeling that he didn’t look quite as comfortable as he usually did in these sorts of social situations. The man wore a suit like he’d been born in one, and yet that was twice he’d pulled at the collar of his tux shirt.
“On your travels, you didn’t happen to find anything else we could use?” Adam asked and didn’t think he was imagining the split-second hesitation before Edward smoothly replied, “Nothing at all.”
“Adam and I think whoever broke into my apartment and trashed it was looking for my Steel Hawk key,” Honeysuckle said. “We also think they know what the markings on the key stand for.”
Adam’s hands formed into fists at his side. If he ever found out Edward had been responsible for that book coming out, and to that end, what happened to Honeysuckle’s place, he would personally ensure justice was done.
“Markings?” Edward queried.
“Yes.” Honeysuckle brought her hand up to her neck to swing the key back around and hold it out for Edward. “The Steel Hawk keys are handed down to the Hawk women, generation after generation. As the book focuses on the Hawks and then my apartment was trashed and my key was moved, we figured there’s a connection. That whoever wants the key wants it because it means something. Look, there’s a tree and some sort of grid symbol.”
Edward stared down at the key with a frown on his face. “Weird. I’m not sure what this is doing on a Steel Hawk key, but surely it’s the portcullis from the Zarrenburg flag?”
Adam grabbed Honeysuckle’s hand to bring the key closer.
Of course.
Not a grid but a gate. A castle gate.
Yanking his head up, he looked all around him at the decorations adorning the ballroom. The entire room was decked out in the red-and-white flags of Zarrenburg. Casting his mind back, he remembered the first time he’d become really aware of them. They had lined the street on the drive up to the castle.
Now he realized why the mural in the throne room kept pulling on his attention.
In the picture, the portcullis had been on the red-and-white flag.
Honeysuckle laid her hand on Adam’s forearm. “Why would Rose Hawk have designed Steel Hawk keys with Zarrenburg emblems on them? And what does the tree mean?”
“Tomorrow we have access to the records vault. We’ll ask the librarian then. There must have been a reason.”
“The portcullis was taken off the Zarrenburg flag when Prince Stefan took reign in 1851,” Edward said. “I think after the thing with Prince Randolph, he wanted a fresh start for the country and so he changed the flag to reinforce a new beginning.”
“Been reading up on your Zarrenburg history?” Adam asked.
Again, something flashed through Edward’s eyes and was gone in an instant. “Swallowed the guidebook on the plane over. Although I don’t remember anything about a tree,” Edward confessed.
“I came in on the conversation late. Did you just now get here, or did you manage to get an earlier flight?” he asked, wanting to give Edward a chance to mention the article Max had told him about or at least mention he’d gotten into Zarrenburg earlier than anticipated.
But Edward was pulling out his cell phone, glancing down at the screen, and frowning hard.
“Excuse me. I need to take this call.”
“Something to do with our investigations?” Adam pushed.
“No. A private call,” Edward responded, clearly distracted by whoever was trying to get hold of him. Bringing the phone to his ear, he spoke his name into the phone, shoved his free hand into his pocket, turned abruptly, and then merged into the crowd.
“What do you think that’s about,” Honeysuckle said, staring after Edward.
Not wanting to worry her, Adam shrugged. “Who knows with Edward? It’s probably his tailor calling.”
Honeysuckle punched him lightly on the arm.
Adam grabbed hold of her champagne glass and put it on a passing waiter’s tray before pulling her into his arms and heading out onto the dance floor. As he spun her, he searched over the top of her head for Edward.
“You and Edward talk about much on those nights he gave you a lift home?” he asked, hoping to keep his tone casual.
“Edward, as you know, is a man of few words.”
Adam turned her again to search in the other direction. “So, what—nothing? Or you don’t want to divulge a confidence?”
Honeysuckle snorted. “As if Edward would confide anything to anyone. He’s as bad as you. You’re both closed books.”
She felt good in his arms. He stopped looking for Edward and gazed down at her, and in a heartbeat got lost in her eyes. “You want to open me up and read all my secrets, is that it?” Why wasn’t the thought making him sick to his stomach with fear?
“Maybe just the main one. You do have a secret, don’t you? Buried in the middle?” she asked, searching the depths of his eyes.
“It’s not that big. Not that dramatic. Not really. You might be disappointed.” Okay, his disappointing her did make him feel queasy.
“Does it worry you I want to know what makes you, you?”
“Maybe.”
“Because you think I would use that against you?”
“Maybe.” The second time the word slipped out, he thought it as honest a confession as could be.
“What if I promised I wouldn’t—couldn’t?”
Adam had to look away from the sincerity in her eyes. Could he trust in that? Was he crazy to even want to?
Looking out over the crowd, he suddenly saw Anton Haas talking into the receiver at his wrist.
The expression on his face wasn’t that of a status check. Adam felt a prickle of alarm skitter up his spine. “What if I promise we’ll talk about this another time?” he said to Honeysuckle, his concentration split.
“I know. We’re here to do a job. You need to be able to concentrate. But we are going to have to talk about it
, Adam. If there’s something between us worth—”
“I’m sorry, honey, I really need to check this out.” His eyes were only half-trained on her. He was more concerned with why several guards had now moved out of position in the room and were making their way as one group out of one of the arched ballroom doors. “Wait here, okay?” he told Honeysuckle, removing himself from her embrace so he could push through the crowded dance floor to reach Anton Haas.
Grabbing hold of the head of security’s arm, he forced Anton to stop and turn. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Power outage in the castle keep. I’m sending a team to check.”
“I don’t like this. Something doesn’t feel right.” Adam glanced back to see where he’d left Honeysuckle. His heart thudded as he saw Edward making his way over to her. It was like, as soon as his back was turned, the man was reappearing and inserting himself at Honeysuckle’s side.
A new and insidious thought occurred. Had Edward caused the power outage in the royal rooms?
Maybe he was trying to cause a distraction.
“Check in with the guards outside the throne room,” Adam demanded as he checked his glasses to see what was happening inside the room. Everything looked good. But Adam knew something was about to go down. Adrenaline pumped through his body, making him feel it deep in his bones.
He glanced again to Honeysuckle. Edward had nearly reached her.
“The guards aren’t responding,” Anton said, immediately calling for backup.
“Shit.” He had a duty to protect that diamond. “I’m heading to the throne room right now.”
“I have to secure the king,” Anton said. “If the castle is under attack, that is my first duty.”
Adam nodded. “I understand. Send as many guards as you can comfortably spare to the throne room, and I’ll meet them there.”
“Don’t get me wrong, but I’d rather this be about that bloody diamond than a threat on the king’s life.”
