Chapter 6 #2
The ceremony went off without a hitch, but before they could walk down the aisle, back home, Nina’s voice came over his earpiece.
“We have a problem. The chapel doors have been closed, and a bed of roses has been laid across the doorway. It’s in the shape of a grave, Brett.”
His heart stopped and then restarted at three times the speed.
“Everyone, lock the place down, but don’t make any sudden movements.
Once the ceremony is done, we will take the princes and the king to the back.
Keep every guest in their seats. Greg and Sam, check the cameras.
Find out who did this and where they are now. ”
Several “Yes, sirs” came back to him, but he didn’t relax. So much for not having roses at the wedding.
When the minister stopped, Brett stepped forward, indicating with his hand for them to go to the back of the chapel. “This way, Your Highnesses.”
Christian met his gaze, studied him for a second, and nodded. “Let’s get a drink, Oscar.”
“But why…?” He stopped when he saw their faces and stepped closer to Christian.
“Come on, my love.” Christian followed Felix towards the back, and a murmur went through the guests.
Brett didn’t look behind him to see if the princes and king were following—he trusted his guards to do their job, and it was only when they were all settled that he nodded at the guards and left them to do it.
He ignored the congregation and went to the doors, stopping and staring at the sea of red roses.
As Nina had mentioned, they were laid in the shape of a grave with a vase with more roses at the head.
What disturbed him the most was the cutout of a gravestone behind the vase. It had no names, just the letters RIP.
Dominic stepped beside him. “How the hell did they get the chance to do this without anyone knowing or seeing?”
“Most guests would’ve thought it was part of the ceremony and wouldn’t have questioned it if they’d even noticed it. However, the guards should have. Where are Matt and Van?”
“They’re not answering, and so far, we haven’t located them.”
“Fucking hell. How did they get in?” he muttered. “Greg, Sam, any luck with the cameras?”
“No. They went down two minutes before Nina’s message. Nothing was amiss before they went offline.”
“So it all happened when they were gone. Great.” He sighed. “What about the other cameras? Did they catch anything?”
“So far, no, but we’re still working through them.”
“Let me know how it goes. I can always send Felix back to do it if you’re struggling. In fact, I’ll send him over, anyway. He might be able to work his magic with the downed cameras.”
He took a picture of the roses and headed back the way he’d come, the conversations between the guests increasing. Before he went to see Felix, he stopped in front of the congregation.
“I apologise for the change of plans. We’ve had a small incident, nothing to worry about, but we have to ensure you are all safe before we allow you to leave. Please bear with us.”
He didn’t wait to hear any questions and, instead, went to Felix.
“I need you to get back to Sec HQ and check the cameras. Greg and Sam are trying, but they don’t have magical fingers like you do.
” He swallowed, his mind flickering back to their brief interlude before coming back to the subject at hand. “Be careful.”
“Yes, boss.” Felix disappeared.
Brett approached the royal family. “I apologise for worrying you.” He hated bringing bad news to these people. “Something happened at the door to the chapel, and we needed to make sure you were safe.”
King Andrew stepped forward. “What happened?”
“A grave of roses was placed in front of the door. The cameras were taken down beforehand, so we don’t know who did it. We’re keeping all the guests here for the moment.”
“What’s the plan?” Christian asked.
“Unfortunately, as we blocked the tunnels, we have no way of getting you out of here without anyone seeing, so we’re going to have to keep you here, too.”
“Ask Neil and everyone to help. They’ll aid with the lockdown,” Christian said.
Brett nodded. “Good idea, thanks.” He turned to his guards. “Keep them safe.”
“Yes, sir,” they said.
He returned to the congregation, locating Christian’s friends. He stopped by their row and leant down to speak with Christian’s ex-boss. “Neil, we’re in a lockdown situation. Would you and your people be willing to help secure the place?”
“Absolutely. Just tell me where you want them.”
Brett directed them to secure the perimeter of the chapel alongside one of his own guards, ensuring that no one should be able to leave. The media will be having a field day. Which gave him an idea. He returned to the back and found Kai and Mav.
“Would you be able to send something out on social media to create less of a buzz about us locking everyone in here?”
Kai nodded. “Sure. We can think of something.”
“And if we get others to do it, too, it’ll help,” Mav agreed.
“Thanks.”
“What can we do?” Prince Douglas said.
“Nothing right now. We’re trying to find who did it, but they might’ve left before we realised what happened. Either that, or they’re still here to see what we’ll do.”
“Brett,” Maddox said in his ear. “Army trucks have just pulled up at the gates. They’re saying they’re here to help.”
Brett frowned. “How did they know we needed help?”
“Someone in the guests sent out a message requesting aid.”
“Who?”
“Cameron Deighton, he’s Neil’s second-in-command.”
“Fucking hell. Keep them there until I speak with Neil.” He stormed back through the chapel to find Neil. “What the hell, Neil? This is supposed to be a lockdown.”
Neil frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Cameron sent out an SOS to the Army. We have trucks outside.”
Neil glared at Cameron, who blanched. “I didn’t request that. I’ll speak to them and send them off.”
Brett shook his head. “It’s too late now.
He’s fucked everything up.” He went up to Cameron.
“You have a lot to answer for, and if this doesn’t cost you your job, I would be very surprised.
You might be second-in-command, but you do not make decisions without consulting the head of the investigation first. Especially when it comes to royalty. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Do not do anything else without checking first.”
He walked away, steam ready to burst from his ears. “Maddox, who is at the gates?”
“Lieutenant Colonel…Cage.” Maddox paused. “She family?”
Brett gritted his teeth. “Let them through the gates and direct them to park by the entrance and walk down to us. I’ll meet them outside.
” He shook his head and returned to the Sutcliffes.
“The Army has turned up to help. I’ll speak to them first and then direct them.
I’ll try to get this sorted as soon as possible. ”
“Take your time, Brett,” Andrew said. “We’re good until you tell us otherwise.”
The amount of respect he had for the king was more than he could ever explain, but he was truly grateful that they let him do his job without complaint.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He headed for the door, being careful to avoid the roses, not wanting to displace anything, and slipped through it.
Met with flashes of cameras and loud voices thrown his way, he ignored it all and headed back towards the main house.
He saw several figures walking his way, and he braced himself.
Despite having seen his sister at the hospital, he hadn’t seen or spoken to her for years before that—and he wasn’t looking forward to it that day.
“Lieutenant Colonel,” he said by way of greeting. “Your appearance here is not needed, but as we don’t want to cause undue concerns, I ask you to use your people to scan the surrounding areas and see if anything is amiss. We don’t need you inside the chapel right now.”
“Nice to see you again, Brett,” Venus said. “We were called in for an emergency situation. The Army can take it from here.”
“You are mistaken. You were called in without authority. Therefore, you will remain on the outskirts until I tell you otherwise. Understood?”
Venus’s eyes tightened, but she nodded. “Understood.”
“Do not enter the chapel without permission, or I will have to assume you have something to do with this event.”
He turned and walked away, but not before watching the anger cross her face. She had never liked having the power taken away from her. He just hoped she listened and didn’t go off half-cocked because they would never figure this out if she took over.
****