CHAPTER 29
Cassiopeia was wrestling over whether to believe Westlake.
The assertion that his wife was somehow complicit, however passively, in her own kidnapping bordered on the absurd.
But why would the man toss out such an allegation to the prime minister and king of Sweden unless he could back it up?
So she asked, “Why did you not mention this before now?”
“No one was ready to listen.”
“You’re saying you took the blame for her?” Stephanie asked.
“Not willingly. The SVR came to me, through Monica Butler-White. She told me that I had a choice. Go along and say nothing or be killed, and probably Lysa killed too.”
Cassiopeia was curious. “The princess is totally unaware of what happened to you? How can that be?”
“She knows nothing. I was just always busy when she wanted to return here. On those occasions when I had no choice but to come, the Swedish government made sure I was carefully watched. And His Majesty here kept me at arm’s length.
Which was not all that unusual for us. Sure, Lysa knows there is tension, but she thinks that is related to me being a commoner. ”
“So the SVR has continued to use the princess?” Stephanie asked.
“To my knowledge they have, but I am not in any sort of information loop. Today was the first time Monica Butler-White has contacted me in a long time.”
“And you were okay with your wife being used?” Stephanie asked.
“It mattered not to me. I just wanted her safe. Myself safe. And quite frankly, the way I was treated by all of you, I did not really care about the ramifications. I simply did as the SVR demanded.”
“Why were you at the circus?” the king asked Westlake.
“I have explained that.”
“Do it again.”
“I was sent a note, which used a term of endearment that is only known to Lysa and myself. That was surely for authenticity. So I went. Once I saw that Monica was there, I had no choice but to participate in whatever she was doing. I learned a long time ago that arguing with her is useless. Once I realized what was happening, I did what I could to disrupt things. Ms. Vitt here witnessed that. Monica obviously wanted to implicate me once again, just like she did years ago, drawing me ever deeper.”
“I saw her remove his mask,” Vitt said. “She made a point to do it. It was like she wanted him seen.”
“You could have come to the government,” the prime minister said. “Told us the truth.”
“Nobody would have believed me, and Monica would have put a bullet in my head to make sure their secret stayed safe.”
“You were exposed by an active Russian operative,” Stephanie said. “I was there when he was interrogated. He named you specifically as an SVR asset. You’re saying that was planted?”
Westlake nodded. “Of course it was, all designed to protect Lysa. I was told that they used that defector to pass that information along.”
Stephanie shook her head. “Then killed him?”
“Precisely. They pointed everyone at me, then silenced the source and left me to hang. Of course, I am sure that traitor thought he was doing what they wanted and would not be harmed.”
The king’s eyebrows bristled into lines of doubt. “My sister is not a Russian spy.”
“Not knowingly. But a spy nonetheless. And let us be clear. All of you needed someone to blame. The Russians gave you that person. I was an easy choice since, Your Majesty, you despised me anyway. The SVR played to your fears. They tossed out the bait and all of you bit on the hook.”
The room went silent with a long, uncomfortable pause.
Cassiopeia nearly smiled at the decisive manner in which Westlake had turned the tables.
This guy was good.
But there was one point he’d not explained.
Stephanie was trying hard to keep an open mind about the situation.
Was it crazy? Maybe not. Princess Lysa had a flawless reputation.
She’d raised millions for charity. There was even a yearly scientific research prize that bore her name.
Her popularity with the Swedish people was unparalleled.
Not a bad word was ever said about her. She ranked as a “must guest” for any social occasion.
Her presence at the Nobel Prize festivities was never in doubt, an invitation to sit at her table the most coveted after the king and queen.
On the one hand, she would be the last person anyone would suspect as a foreign asset.
But on the other, that made her perfect for the job.
Her access to people and information would be endless.
And no one would suspect her. Sweden stayed on everyone’s radar.
Technically neutral territory, but both Russia and the United States maintained a constant presence.
Having Russian eyes and ears so close to the royal family, the government, and society would be like intelligence gold.
Still.
“Is Lysa in danger?” she asked Westlake.
“She could be.”
That grabbed the king’s attention. “Could be?”
“I worry that she is becoming expendable. The Russians want results. When noon comes tomorrow, whether the Devil’s Bible is turned over or not, it will be easy to put a bullet in her head just to prove the point.”
“You think this Monica woman would do that?” Cassiopeia asked.
“I assure you, she is most capable. One thing I have learned is that Russians are dangerous and unpredictable when cornered. They do not want Sweden in NATO and, from my experience, they will do whatever it takes to achieve a result. Lysa has no idea as to why she is actually there.”
“How did she get there?” the king asked.
“Yes,” Cassiopeia added. “You have not explained that point.”
“I have no idea. Which was another reason I went to the circus. I had hoped Monica would take me to Lysa. Hold me captive too. That did not happen. I fear my wife desperately needs our help.”
“On that we agree,” the king said. “We have to find her. She is my only sibling and I will not allow her to be sacrificed.”
“Can you contact Monica Butler-White?” Stephanie asked.
Westlake shook his head. “I cannot. But she can find me.”
“Are you sure about that?” Cassiopeia said.
“She will not be happy with what happened at the circus. She will find me.”
“What do we do in the meantime?” the king asked.
“We wait,” Westlake said.
And Stephanie was grateful for the time.
Cotton had told her precisely what the old man said about the moment Princess Lysa was “taken.” It all seemed far too cordial.
But was that information correct? Or planted for Cotton’s benefit?
A way to spur him along? Get him underground in that cistern.
Regardless, a point was still nagging at her.
If Lysa was an unwitting ally, how had the Russians managed to get her to cooperate?
Stephanie glanced across the room at Cassiopeia.
Who seemed to be considering the same question.
She slowly shook her head, signaling that the issue should not be further explored.
Instead they would wait.