Part 21 (1/2)

”There is one thing I haven't told you either,” she said. Nathaniel was fearful, but sat up straight as he couldn't speak.

”Gerald is in the Underground. I've known him my whole life but only found out recently. He can help us,” she said.

Nathaniel needed a minute to take it all in, as his disbelief in what he heard was beyond his imagination.

”What can he do?”

”Think about where he works. We can have our own plan,” she said.

”May I please speak with Chester?” Nathaniel said. He felt his heartbeat quickly. He knew it was extremely risky to call Chester, that he was explicitly instructed not to, but he had no choice. With Garrett in a dungeon and no way to contact Simon, he was in a corner.

”This is Chester,” said the friendly voice that he longed for.

”Joe Merino here. Sorry to bother you, but I must talk to Simon, immediately and I didn't know who else to call,” he said.

As quickly as the chipper voice had warmed him, there was a chill as the call abruptly ended with a click. Nathaniel felt deflated as he threw the disposable cellular phone he purchased into a dumpster on his way to work.

It wasn't the response he hoped for, but he still hoped that he would get a visit from Simon, and soon, even as he dreaded it.

”You're not going to do this,” Shayla said. She called him as he walked back to his hotel. He could hear she was in problem-solving CEO mode.

”Of course I'm not going through with this. I'm no murderer. Maybe I should just run. I'll leave tonight and just go away,” Nathaniel said.

”You are the one who made it clear that the Underground carries out their plans, no matter what,” she said, accusing.

”That doesn't mean that I can do it!” he said.

”Look. I'm trying to figure this out. Don't yell at me!” she said.

”I'm sorry. I just don't know what to do. Think of Garrett and all those men. They may be starving or tortured. I have no idea, but we can't stand by and do nothing,” he said.

”We don't know where Garrett is exactly. Why don't we proceed with the plan that I came up with last night?”

”It won't work,” he said, as he approached his hotel.

”Get in,” he heard as a black van approached and the door opened.

”I gotta go,” he said, and clicked his phone closed before climbing inside.

”This had d.a.m.n well better be good,” Simon said.

Chapter 34.

As he walked into the Palace for the second time in two weeks, Nathaniel couldn't enjoy the beauty of the silk wallpaper and oil paintings that lined the hallways. He could barely take pleasure in having Shayla on his arm, dressed in a form-fitting vintage gown that made her look like a movie star.

Each step was an effort as he tried to make it through the evening without drawing attention to himself.

”You're going to be fine,” she said to him, as if she could feel his fear through her skin. All he could think was that he should be consoling her.

Nathaniel entered the ballroom to a backdrop of live jazz, sprinkles of laughter and clinking gla.s.ses. He wanted to take Shayla by the hand and run the other way, but instead he allowed a smile to form on his face. He walked toward the Queen pretending that the gala was a pure joy to attend.

”You look beautiful, mother,” Shayla said, admiring her mother's new pear-colored sari with gold threads. It glowed when the light hit it.

”Thank you, my dear,” the Queen said, turning to Nathaniel. ”My daughter certainly looks stunning, doesn't she?” the Queen said. There was something that terrified him further, in that moment, as the Queen faced him. He knew she couldn't possibly know what was coming, but her eyes on him weakened his confidence.

”It is wonderful to see you again, your majesty,” he said. Just as he was about to bow, another couple approached the Queen. As quickly as she turned toward him, she was gone, gliding through the crowd with everyone patiently waiting to have a moment with her.

”That's probably the only time we'll talk to her tonight. She's busy at these functions,” Shayla said quietly to Nathaniel after the Queen stepped away. Nathaniel took little comfort in Shayla's declaration.

”Are we ready for the party?” Gerald said, approaching Shayla and Nathaniel, moments later. Nathaniel was still dumbfounded that Gerald was in the Underground.

”We're ready,” Nathaniel said, reaching to shake his hand, which allowed Gerald to give him a beeper that would alert them when they needed to get moving. This was a world away from his Underground training of romancing women and cooking vegan delicacies. He was out of his league and felt uneasy about it, but there was nothing to do but put aside his fears.

Throughout the evening, Nathaniel was glued to Shayla's side, greeting her mother's old friends and supporters until he felt that buzzer go off in his pocket. He jumped. He gave Shayla a nod, and the smile on her face fell, for just a moment before she pasted it back up. Nathaniel walked slowly toward the ballroom exit where Gerald was waiting.

”Mr. Merino, may I escort you to the exit?” Gerald said, dead-pan.

”Thank you, sir,” Nathaniel said, glancing gain at the Spot on Gerald's neck, yet another reminder of why he was taking such a great risk.

”Mother, it's Gerald, please come quick!” Shayla frantically said once all the party was over and all the guests were gone.

”What's the matter?” her mother said, with a concern Shayla hadn't seen on her mother's face since Shayla's father was near-death.

”He's in my suite. He isn't well!”

”Let's get the doctor!”

”No, you must come now,” Shayla said, grabbing her mother's hand, forcing her to walk quickly through the hallways.

”What happened?” the Queen asked.

”I don't know, but he has been asking for you for the last hour and I promised I'd bring you just as soon as you were free,” Shayla said. Shayla slowed her pace a little as they pa.s.sed a few servants, not wanting to cause alarm with them.

”Good evening,” Shayla said to the servant, forcing a smile as they pa.s.sed and curtsied to the Queen.

”Do you think it's something he ate? Where is Joe anyway?” the Queen asked.

”He's with Gerald. I didn't want to leave him alone,” Shayla said, her heart pounding as she lied to her mother. It's for a good cause, she reminded herself.