Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
ELENA
E lena stared, her jaw hanging open and her brow furrowed. “What do you mean, Nathan is not here?”
Her stomach twisted into a knot. “Is he at the police station? Has something happened?”
“Umm, why don’t you come in and sit down. I’m not sure what you know, but…a lot has happened.”
Elena slid a nervous glance to Caroline who slipped a consoling arm around Elena’s shoulders as they followed Maddie into the living room.
“Can I get you anything?” Maddie asked as Elena perched on the edge of a chair.
“Nothing other than answers. Maddie, have you been crying?”
The girl’s features pinched as she eased into an armchair. “Yes. Did Nate tell you that Mom had to go in for questioning?”
Elena sucked in a sharp breath. “No. I knew she’d visited Chloe before her death, but not that she’d been taken in for questioning. Has she been charged?”
Maddie shook her head. “No.”
Elena bobbed her head. “Well, at least that’s something. Do you expect charges?”
Maddie opened her mouth to answer when Victoria strode into the room. “Maddie, I–“
Her eyes went wide as her gaze flicked between Caroline and Elena. “Ellie!”
Elena rose, a tentative smile on her face. “Hello, Mrs. Kingsley. I do apologize for the interruption, however, I felt I had to come to support you all.”
Victoria’s features softened with gratitude. “Oh, Ellie, you didn’t need to do that. But we certainly appreciate it.”
She crossed the room to pull Elena into a tight hug.
“Maddie has been filling me on what has happened. What a terrible shame you’ve been dragged to the police station. I do hope that is the end of it for you.”
Victoria wiggled her eyebrows as she pulled back from Elena. “I would love to think so, but I’m not certain. We’re just waiting for the investigation to proceed forward, right now.”
“Of course. I do hope you hear good news soon. Is Nathan at the police station now?”
Victoria’s lips tugged back in a wince as she shot a glance at Maddie. “Uh, no…”
“Oh? Where is he? Please don’t tell me he’s thrown himself into work to avoid the situation.”
Victoria’s features pinched before they broke into a tentative grin. “You’re not going to believe this…and you may even find it funny…though I doubt it.”
Elena held her breath, a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach as she braced herself for the information about her fiancé’s whereabouts .
“Nate…went to Eldoria earlier.”
“He did what?” Elena gasped, her knees buckling slightly as the weight of the revelation hit her. She steadied herself, barely catching the back of the chair to prevent a full collapse.
Victoria huffed out a forced laugh. “Yes. I can’t believe it. We sent him with Stephen to Eldoria to escape this madness. We wanted Maddie to go, too, but–“
Maddie crossed to her mother and looped an arm through hers. “I didn’t want to leave.”
“Of course not. I’m surprised Nathan wanted to leave.”
“We…asked him to go,” Victoria said. “He very much wanted to stay and help, but…I wanted them both out of the media’s reach and…I thought Nate could help you with some of the wedding planning and…you could spend some time together.”
A slight chuckle escaped Elena before it turned into a giggle, finally morphing into a full belly laugh.
Victoria, Maddie, and Caroline joined in with her.
Elena sank into the chair as she clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress her laughter. “Oh, well, it is rather comical as you suggested, Mrs. Kingsley. I’ve flown over here to surprise Nathan and offer my support, and he has flown to Eldoria as a surprise to offer his.”
Victoria’s chuckles softened as she nodded, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and lingering concern.
“We are a pair, aren’t we?” Elena said.
“I’m so sorry for this. I suppose I thought he’d tell you.”
“No,” Maddie said with a shake of her head. “He wanted it to be a surprise. We were actually supposed to leave a few days ago, then the next morning, and then…well, everything went sideways.”
“Yes, I can imagine how chaotic everything must have been,” Elena said, her voice tinged with empathy as she nodded slowly, fully absorbing the gravity of Maddie’s situation.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll want to return to Eldoria. I’m not certain if you prefer to fly back tonight or tomorrow morning, but you are both welcome to stay with us if you prefer tomorrow.”
“Oh, please stay,” Maddie said, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Please, Ellie? We can have a sleep over.”
“Maddie, she isn’t a kid,” Victoria said. “And I’m sure she has more important things to do than have a sleepover here. She’s come to see Nate.”
Elena smiled at them both. “I had hoped to see Nathan, however, I also would love to discuss something with you, Maddie. If you wouldn’t mind, I would very much like to take you up on the offer to stay.”
“Not at all. We’re happy to have you stay. I’ll have rooms made up.” Victoria shifted her weight toward the door, then hesitated. “Ellie, thank you so much for coming. This means a lot to us. And Nate will just be…thrilled to know you thought this much of him. I know I am. As a mother, I’m warmed by the fact that you’d come out to support my son. You’re going to make a wonderful spouse.”
Elena pressed a hand to her heart before she pulled Victoria into another embrace. “That means so much to me, Mrs. Kingsley.”
“Well, it’s not undeserved,” Victoria said as she pulled back. “I told Nate that you bring out the best in him. I’m so glad he found you.”
“I feel the same way about him,” Elena answered.
“I’ll have those rooms made up.” Victoria disappeared from the room as Maddie grabbed Elena by the hand.
“Come up to my room while you wait. We can talk.”
“All right,” Elena said with a nod, motioning for Caroline to follow, “though I should try to call Nathan. I’m certain he’s quite stunned if he’s arrived in Eldoria already.”
“I’ll bet,” Maddie said with a nod. “He should be there by now. Poor Nate. He’s going to be so disappointed.”
“I wonder who will greet him when he arrives, Mother or Father.” Elena tugged her lips back as she shot a glance at Caroline. “It could be a disaster.”
Caroline covered a giggle. “Let’s hope Her Majesty. Poor Mr. Kingsley would be quite overwhelmed to see His Majesty instead of you.”
“You can call him as soon as we get to my room,” Maddie promised as she led them through the hall to her door.
They pushed into the room, and Maddie threw herself across the bed. “Make yourselves comfortable.”
Caroline settled into one of the barrel chairs along with Elena, who tugged her phone from her pocket to dial Nate.
The call when to his voicemail. She waited through the greeting and the beep before leaving a brief message. “Well, it seems you are on your way to Eldoria, and will be in for quite a surprise when you arrive. Sorry, darling. I hope to connect with you, soon.”
“No answer?” Maddie asked.
“None. I cannot wait to hear his reaction when he finds me gone from the palace.”
The ladies giggled as they imagined the comical scene.
“Well, thank you for inviting us to your room, Maddie,” Elena said. “There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Maddie sat straighter as she waited for Elena to continue.
“I was hoping you would consider joining my wedding party. I–“
“Yes!” Maddie squealed before she could finish.
“Oh, wonderful. I imagine you’ll be paired with Alexander, my cousin, who will be a part of it. ”
The grin on Maddie’s features said she approved without the words needed. “Have you picked dresses for us yet?”
“Not yet. I thought we could discuss it with the wedding planner once we are back in Eldoria.”
Maddie bobbed her head. “Oh, cool. I can’t wait to see what you pick.”
“Well, you should be a part of the decision, too. We’ll select together.”
Maddie’s smile broadened. “Okay. That sounds good. Oh, umm, I won’t be able to go with you tomorrow, though. My mom wants me to go, but I can’t leave her. I’m just…really scared something will happen.”
“I understand, Maddie. I hope the situation resolves quite soon. This is taxing on everyone.”
Maddie bobbed her head. “I know. I actually asked Nate if we could do some investigating before he left. I just…I want to help.”
“Investigating?” Elena asked.
A knock sounded at the door before it popped open. “I’ve had bedrooms made up for you both. Maddie, they are in the suites at the end of this hall. Make sure they find their rooms when they’re ready, will you?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“I’ve had your luggage brought up,” Victoria said. “Is there anything else I can get you? Something to eat or drink maybe?”
“No, we’re quite all right, thank you, Mrs. Kingsley. I really appreciate how gracious you’ve been.”
“I hope you sleep well.”
“Same to you. I’m certain you’re quite tired after your experience.”
Victoria offered her a sad smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, where worry still lingered. “Yes, though also still very anxious. ”
“With any luck, it will all turn around soon,” Elena said.
The sadness in Victoria’s eyes eased and her grin broadened. “Thank you. Sleep well.”
She left them alone, pulling the door closed behind her.
Elena shifted in her seat, perching on the edge as she focused on Maddie again. “Maddie, what were you saying about investigating?”
“You know, I wanted to go look around. Like Nancy Drew. Find a clue or something that would point to someone else. The person who really did it.”
“I see. Aren’t the police handling that?”
Maddie shrugged. “I overheard my dad talking to our attorney, and they were acting like the police didn’t have any other suspects.”
“But…” Elena’s eyebrows pinched as she worked through the details. “There must be someone else.”
“I know,” Maddie said. “But…the cops don’t seem to be looking for anyone else. Like…there’s some reason why they called my mom in. I’m just afraid they’re going to get stuck on it being her and not look for anyone else.”
Elena leaned back in her chair, her lips tugging into a frown. “Yes, I understand your worry.”
“But what can we do about it?” Caroline asked.
Elena shot her a glance. “Investigate, as Maddie said.”
“How?”
Elena pressed her lips together into a thin line. “Well, I believe we ought to begin with gathering some details on the case. Perhaps your family attorney has some files we could review?”
Maddie wrinkled her nose, shrugging a shoulder. “Probably. I doubt he’ll let us see them.”
“I wouldn’t exactly ask…”
Maddie’s eyes went wide. “You want us to steal them. ”
Elena tugged her lips back into a wince. “I wouldn’t call it stealing so much as…borrowing.”
Maddie grinned at her as she climbed off the bed. “Yes. I can do it. I bet my dad’s having a drink with him. Or…they may even be eating. I could sneak in–”
“Perhaps I should do it. If you’re caught…”
“No way! I’m not letting you get in trouble. I’ll do it. Wait here.”
Maddie scurried from the room, the door clicking shut behind her.
Elena shifted her gaze to Caroline who crossed her arms, her lips puckered.
“What?” Elena asked.
Caroline clicked her tongue. “Are you joking ? You have that poor child stealing files?”
“Hey, I offered to do it. She thought it best she did.”
“Poor girl. She’s so eager to help. And you’ve turned her into a criminal.”
“Desperate times, Caroline,” Elena said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Seconds later, she fidgeted in her seat, drumming her fingers on the arm of the chair. “Perhaps I should go find her.”
“What if you make things worse?” Caroline asked. “I could go.”
“You don’t know your way around.”
“Do you?” Caroline asked, incredulous.
“More than you. I have been here…twice.”
Caroline wrung her hands. “I don’t know, Your Highness. I’d hate to see either of you get caught.”
“I would hate to see her get caught.” Elena rose, adjusting the hem of her skirt. “Well, I will go. I’ll–”
The door opened, and a red-faced Maddie, puffing for breath, stepped into the room with a folder in her hand. “I’ve got it.”
Elena’s eyes went wide as her heart began to thud. “Good work, Maddie. Let’s have a look.”
The three women grouped around the white desk overlooking the back garden as Maddie opened the folder, spreading out the pages inside.
Elena’s pulse quickened as she read the notes scattered across the pages.
“Look!” Maddie pulled a copy of a photo from the pages, showing her mother walking across the lobby of the building.
“So, they have video footage of her arriving.” Elena tapped a set of numbers in the corner. “Here is a time stamp. I wonder how it stacks up to the time of death.”
Caroline shuffled through the pages. “His notes say it coincides. And…oh dear…”
“What is it?” Elena asked, her gaze rising to Caroline’s concerned features.
“It says…” Caroline swallowed hard. “It says Mrs. Kingsley was the last visitor seen on the video feed prior to Chloe’s death. She is the only person who could have committed the crime.”
Elena’s heart plummeted at the words. Nate’s mother would soon be arrested. Was there anything they could do to stop it?