A security car pulled up alongside Joseph about three blocks from the Consulate. Shades jumped out, and Joseph knew by the expression on his face that something was very wrong.
"What is it?"
"Get in. There's been an accident."
Joseph drew in a breath, and then had to force himself to continue to breathe. He grabbed Shades' arm and gripped it tightly. "Who?"
Shades felt the most compassion he'd ever felt looking at the older man, knowing he had to tell him the thing he most feared had happened. "The princess, and Her Majesty. Joseph, get in the car. I'll tell you everything, but we have to get going!"
Joseph, now on autopilot, did as Shades directed and climbed into the passenger seat as they sped off downtown. "Where are we going?"
Shades hesitated. "To the scene. There's some difficulty, I'm not sure of the details." He paused. "I'm sorry, Joseph."
"Not your fault. She made the decision without telling anyone but Charlotte."
"No, that's not what I mean. Look, all I know is they had trouble getting Mia out of the car, but now she's on her way to the hospital."
"And Clarisse?"
"They're trying."
"Trying? Trying what? What aren't you telling me? Speak!"
"They rammed the trolley car going fast and at a bad angle, backwards in fact. It slid underneath, and crushed the car pretty badly. Mia wasn't jammed in as far and they pried her out. The Queen wasn't so lucky."
"She's hurt?"
His shoulders slumped, a sigh escaping his lips; he cast a sideways look at Joseph. God, how he hated to break the news to him.