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Houston stared in disbelief at the group of Nobles. He extended his hands in entreaty. “I have to have something to work with. Our entire party will be a sitting duck if our itinerary is made public. The transport can be attacked at any stop on the tour. You are putting the lives of the heir and his mother in danger along with several of your own.”
Arturon gave Houston an encouraging smile, but no amount of reasoning changed the minds of the Nobles.
Arturon placed a hand on Houston’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, “I can have the eyes and ears of the Order watching and reporting anything suspicious.”
Houston turned on the images of the transport the royal tour would be using. His mind was churning with ideas. Guards would need to be stationed at each door. Snipers, perhaps provided by the League, could ride on top of the transport.
The others could not wear body armor all the time, but the heir should be kept in a protected enclosure for the majority. He had been around Tegani and Arturon long enough to believe in their ability and those of the Order. Their help in keeping Ninallia and the baby safe would be very valuable, but the logistics would be a nightmare
The transport loaded, and the royal procession began. Despite Houston’s objections it was a very public departure. Crowds lined the sides of the tracks and sidewalks. Guards were stationed at every window in the transport and on top of the transport. They were on rooftops along the route. The latest in surveillance equipment was hidden throughout the area, recording everything.
Sure that the killer was out there, he peered out over the crowd. Perhaps as an ordinary looking worker or just one of those gathered to see the heir. His neck itched with concern.
~ * ~
Hanoree received the photo of his wife. It was from the tour and there was a red x between her eyes. The message was clear. It was another threat to force him to pay. If this killer thought he was some weak fool to be blackmailed, she was wrong. He would warn security of the threat against his wife. That would make him seem a victim instead of one of the guilty parties. There must be some way to stop this person without exposing the evidence against himself. Perhaps he could make it appear the killer was framing him for the murder and blackmailing him.
He spun scenarios in his mind. None of them quite worked. It depended on what proof the assassin had hid in the bank box and what this killer knew.
He contacted the tour and was pleased to be put through to Houston. Hanoree reported the photo and sent a copy to him.
“Can you think of any reason someone would want to blackmail you? Has there been any request for payment?” Houston asked.
Hanoree hesitated. He couldn’t admit he was being blackmailed about his involvement in the assassination of his uncle. “Not yet, Colonel. I believe they are trying to frighten me before making demands.”
“You think there is more than one person working together?”
Hanoree coughed. “I am sorry. I don’t know if this is a lone person or a group. A man in my position sometimes acquires enemies. My wife on the other hand—I can think of no one who would want to harm her.”
~ * ~
Houston looked at the image Hanoree provided on his view screen. Hanoree’s words sounded reasonable, and he had done the right thing by contacting him. Houston was also sure of a few things: Hanoree was lying, he knew something, and he was afraid. His eyes were bright, and there was a shakiness to his manner only an expert would detect.
Houston thanked him and signed off. Houston studied the photo of Lady Hanoree which was obviously taken at the transport station in the Imperial City. He decided to see what the computer experts here could do with the image. He would also interview Lady Hanoree and assign her extra guards for the rest of the tour.
Tegani entered the car carrying a tray of food. She sat the tray down near the large desk set up as a security command center. “You missed breakfast.”
He smiled. The food smelled delicious, and he was hungry. He often forgot to eat when he was in the middle of a mission. After taking the lid off the tray, he picked up a meat pastry. As he bit into it he glanced at her. She was beautiful. The gown became her much more than the robes she usually wore. The dressers had done something special to her hair. The lush brown fell in curls around her shoulders instead of braids or being pulled back. He wished he could take her in his arms and kiss her. Perhaps when this was over they could be together.
No, when this was over she would return to the Order. What did he have to offer her? Why would she want a washed-up colonel who didn’t know where his home was? She deserved a palace.
“Houston?” By her tone, Tegani had repeated his name.
He blushed, so caught up in his thoughts he hadn’t realized he was staring at her. Get hold of yourself, man. He smiled and told her what was happening then asked, “How well have you gotten to know Lady Hanoree? Has she said anything that might indicate she is being blackmailed?”
“No, I would have told you.” Sister Tegani gasped when she saw the photo.
“We will use the computer to analyze this and project the angle and possible location the picture was taken from. We can search the images from the transport station and see if we can identify the person who took the photo. It is a long shot, but maybe it will work.”
After a few minutes of silence, they said goodbye, and he went to the passenger car to tell the others about the threat. He did not want to frighten Lady Hanoree. Who could blame her if she decided to return home?
“No blackmailer will dictate to me,” Lady Hanoree answered. “I am impressed with the security you have set up, and I think I will be safer here than traveling home with an escort.”
~*~
Sayeri was of a more pragmatic nature. She knew there was no future with Arturon. She loved him, but she could not ask him to give up his life with the Order. That did not mean that she could not steal happiness while she could. She waited until everyone had gone to their compartments for the night. She slipped a silk robe over her nightgown and knocked on his door.
Arturon answered the door. He had taken off his official robes and stood there in loose night garments. Sayeri gave him a mischievous grin and he took her in his arms drawing her inside. The door slid shut. They laughed like teenagers when they overslept, and Sayeri hid in his closet when a servant arrived to bring his breakfast tray.
When she slipped back into her room, she dressed quickly and joined Ninallia and Tegani. They greeted her, and she fixed a small plate of breakfast rolls. She noticed Ninallia was watching her with a small smile. She blushed. If either of her friends were aware of her late-night absence, they were too polite to mention it.
~ * ~
Imperial footage was uploaded to League computers, which possessed the ability to locate and track the assassin. The break came the second day of the trip. The picture of Lady Hanoree led to video footage of the killer taking a photo. Surveillance cameras followed the progress of the killer while Houston reported the results.
“Hours after the photo, she boarded a direct transport heading toward the second stop on our tour. There was a quick response, and security was sent to meet that transport. I have issued orders that no one is to be allowed off the transport until she is apprehended.”
He wanted to be in on the take down, but he could not leave his post guarding Ninallia and Hiroto even for this. Brothers and Sisters of the Order were with the security soldiers. It was one of the Sisters who identified the woman who was disguised as an old woman. She spotted security at once and ran back through the transport waving a blaster.
The weapon was shot from her hand. Two security agents grabbed her arms. She fought like a lioness before finally being subdued by four men. As she was being handcuffed, she screamed out, “I am an innocent woman! Lord Hanoree paid to have the emperor killed. The proof will be released today!”
Later, as she promised, proof against Hanoree was released. Security was dispatched to take him into custody. Imperial guards reported the arrest to Houston. In deference to Lady Hanoree and his son, and by order of the Dowager Empress Miette, Houston agreed that there should was minimum news coverage of Hanoree’s involvement in the assassination, and he was taken from the Empire. Varick was arrested and would stand trial for his complicity in the matter.
The tour was cut short, and the party returned to the Imperial City. The Council of Nobles met and approved the coronation of the Emperor Hiroto. Houston was relieved that Ninallia was appointed as her son’s regent.
A couple of days later, Houston met with Ninallia for the first time since her coronation. She gave him a huge smile. “I owe you so much, Colonel. If I am not too presumptuous, what are your plans now? Another adventurous case for the League?”
“I have no plans, Your Highness.”
His formality made a smile cross Ninallia’s face. “I was hoping you were free. I find myself in need of a trusted Minister of Security.”
“I don’t think the council would approve an off-worlder.”
“The council will accommodate my wishes. You have earned their respect.”
He bowed. “I will accept the position, Your Highness.”
Ninallia tilted her head and grinned. “It will also be among your duties to escort Tegani to official functions whenever possible.”
He looked down and stifled his laugh with a cough. “I think I can manage that duty, Your Highness.”