Worlds Apart
Chapter 2
For an out of country trip with the king, Joseph would rather have more than one agent with him. It was cutting safety very tight. However, manning did not permit such a luxury this time since both Queen Clarisse and Prince Philippe both required escorts to accompany them, too. The prince was in England on another of his research projects; Queen Clarisse had a full two days worth of public appearances in Genovia, and Joseph could not schedule her coverage short. Bringing Anton as their driver helped somewhat, allowing him or Bates, the other agent, to nap or take a break.
Despite his concerns, Joseph could not dwell on the inadequacies of his department at the moment for he had his hands full simply dealing with the king and seeing him safely through the evening.
The conference was between several monarchs of smaller nations, to discuss trade agreements and find ways to enhance their economic situation amongst the larger European countries. The hotel where they stayed was the site of most meetings, which made security arrangements less complicated, however King Rupert enjoyed spontaneity in his actions and it was giving Joseph a headache. He understood the king needed to be flexible, but his sudden decision to attend an informal meeting without allowing a thorough security check first had Joseph and his men scrambling.
"Sir, I've not had the opportunity to consult with the police chief about meas-"
"Tosh! It is simply a small gathering where we might meet and discuss affairs informally."
"Your Majesty, I am concerned about it being held at City Hall. I have spoken with several of my contacts across Europe and as you know, there are groups of anti-monarchists who've vowed to disrupt the talks. Just yester-"
Rupert waved his hand dismissively. "The City Hall is quite an impressive structure and will be a wonderful location for the meeting. Grand view of the original castle and the cathedral. I have full faith in our host's arrangements, don't you?"
"Sir, it is not my job to rely on others for your protection," Joseph said, his frustration mounting. "It is my responsibility and to do it adequately I must-"
"Yes, yes, I think we've been over this before." The king accepted a glass of scotch from his aide and turned his attention away from Joseph to the papers on the hotel suite's desk. "You are doing a fine job and I have no complaints, Mr. Coraza. I will attend the meeting. I feel certain those few protesters who do show up will be kept well out of our way. Now, if you will allow me, I have only a few minutes and must prepare."
Williams, the king's aide, cast a warning glance toward Joseph then began quietly pointing out items in his report. Joseph gave His Majesty a small bow, and then walked into the adjoining room where Bates waited.
"Is he still going, sir?"
"Yes. He insists."
Bates watched his boss cross the room to the window then stand there, gazing out over the city.
"You think there might be trouble?"
Joseph did not reply for a moment before turning to face his agent and crossing his arms over his chest. "Given the intel reports we've received, you tell me what, if any, concerns you have."
Bates shrugged. "Well, everywhere a king goes, there's always a small crowd gathering to look. Where several kings are, there's bound to be a bigger crowd."
Joseph stared at him, waiting for more.
"Uh, there's talk of protesters…"
"Yes, there was a crowd of about four hundred at the University yesterday with more expected to join the ranks today."
Bates swallowed. "The University is across town, so a demonstration shouldn't cause a problem over here."
"What's to stop them from going elsewhere…such as City Hall?"
"The police have extra men posted."
"How many men? Is it enough?"
"I…I don't know, sir."
"Where are they stationed…on the streets...indoors? What are they prepared for- crowd control or could they handle a riot?"
Bates didn't answer and Joseph walked to him and laid a hand on the man's shoulder. "That's what we need to know, in order to prepare."
Bates nodded. "Yes, sir."
The door between the rooms opened and they heard the king's voice as he approached.
"Unfortunately," Joseph said, taking a deep breath"we don't have time. Let's go."
Sticking close to the king's side, Joseph waited as last minute conversations took place and the gathered sovereigns said their goodbyes. The Hall was crowded and he could hear the hum of voices from the large foyer below. Why had the police allowed so many people to enter the building? He wondered what was keeping Bates from rejoining him. With the cell phones not working well, he'd sent the agent to summon the car.
He would prefer the king not walk through the lobby, particularly if there was not another agent to assist. There had been no time to scout the structure's layout, but from what few questions he'd had time to ask the staff upon their arrival, he knew the only way out, other than the small back steps used by the servants and staff, was the curved stairs that led to foyer. The king would refuse to use the staff stairs just as he'd refused to bring a bulletproof vest on the trip.
The king's aide nodded at something Rupert said then leaned close to Joseph's ear.
"I am going back to the hotel to make changes to tomorrow's arrangements for His Majesty. You will accompany him when he is ready to leave," Williams ordered.
It was all Joseph could do not to make further comment in return other than a terse "Of course." Williams made no secret of his displeasure over Joseph's active role in the king's day, and regarded him as one of the lower level employees. At present, it was not worth Joseph's time to set Williams straight.
Glancing around the room, looking for anyone who appeared out of place, Joseph wondered if there was even a soul at the palace who was not displeased over his becoming Head of Security. One person did come to mind- Queen Clarisse. As far as he could tell, he'd not done anything to displease Her Majesty….yet.
Rupert checked his watch, and then nodded to Joseph.
"Sir, Bates has yet to return. I would rather we wait until he does."
"Whatever for? It is but a simple thing to walk down the stairs and out the door," Rupert laughed.
"I am concerned about-"
"It has been a long day, Mr. Coraza, and I am ready to leave," Rupert said impatiently.
"As you wish. This way, Your Majesty," Joseph said, gesturing to the double doors across the room. It took a couple of minutes for the king to work his way through the crowd, but they soon found themselves at the top of the stairway landing.
"Quite a crowd turned out," Rupert said, leaning over to see the throng below.
"Your Majesty, perhaps we should take the other stairs."
"What? The one the servants use?" the king asked, incredulous. "My car is just outside the front door, is it not?"
"Yes, sir, however-"
"Then we shall go this way," Rupert said, walking purposefully toward the steps.
"Sir, I strongly urge you to-"
But, the king did not hear as he was already descending the staircase.
Joseph hurried after him, quickly taking a position in front of the king. The steps curved and more of the crowd came into view. From the way they were dressed, he did not think they were the social elite of Ravenstein. Joseph scanned the room below for Bates but did not see him. By the door, on the far side of the room, he saw two uniformed officers. Both appeared to be overwhelmed and were doing nothing to control the mob.
Heads turned as they neared the bottom of the stairs and Joseph tried not to think about how easy a target the king made, exposed as he was. He looked over his shoulder for a moment; Rupert was smiling broadly.
The crowd pressed closer as they took the last step onto the intricate tile flooring. Joseph motioned to the people nearest them to step back, but no one did. It was going to be nearly impossible to maneuver directly across, through the thickest part of the throng. They would have to go around the edges where there were fewer people. Joseph pulled out his cell phone while gesturing to the king to go to the right, to follow his lead.
There was no reception on his phone and frustrated, he clipped it back on his belt. There was a sudden shift in the crowd of people and someone bumped against him, then the king. Several of the onlookers began pushing each other.
Joseph took the king's arm.
"Sir, we must leave here! We will take a back exit and-"
Rupert pulled his arm free indignantly. "I most certainly will not!"
"It is not safe-" Joseph called above the noise, trying to keep his body between the king and the boisterous crowd. "You must not-"
Rupert shook his head. "I don't think there's any dan-"
"Sir, I insist!" Joseph grabbed Rupert by the arm again and pulled him toward a service door. He might lose his job over this but at least the king would be safe. Rupert resisted, jerking his arm free. He stepped back from Joseph, affronted.
"Really! You forget yourself, sir!"
The crowd surged forward and there was a shout.
"Death to monarchs!"
Seizing Rupert, Joseph pushed him to the door. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash- a knife- and he spun around covering the king with his body.
Joseph felt a sharp, stinging bite as the blade scraped across his left side and ribs, slicing crossways to catch the corner of his abdomen.
Suddenly quiet, the crowd watched, and then burst into screams as his shirt reddened.
That's why, Joseph thought dispassionately in the split second he glanced down, black clothing is preferable to white- it did not show blood.
The crowd fell back and he reached for the door, jerked it open, and then roughly shoved Rupert through. On the other side, he locked it behind them then turned to the king.
"We must get out of here, Your Majesty," he gasped, leaning against the door, his arm held tightly against his stomach.
"My God! You're…you've been hurt!" Rupert said hoarsely, his face white.
Joseph reached for his phone and flipped it open.
"Here, let me do that," Rupert said, taking it from Joseph. His hands shook.
"Press redial," Joseph replied, looking about the hall where they stood. It was plain and narrow. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to remember what little he knew of the layout. He heard shouting from the other side of the door and fervently hoped it was more police arriving- but he wasn't going to open the door to find out.
"Hello...hello? The connection is breaking up! Hello!" Rupert shook his head worriedly. "There's nothing! I can't get through!"
Joseph took the cell phone and slipped it into his pocket. "The signal is too poor." He sucked in air sharply as he pushed away from the door. "We must go."
"We can't! You're bleeding- we must get help!"
Joseph straightened as best he could and faced the king, his jaw tight.
"How do you propose we do that, Your Majesty?"
King Rupert stared at him for a moment. He nodded and took a steadying breath. "You're quite right, Joseph. Forgive me. Which way?"
Joseph tilted his head to the side, considering. "I think there, and to the left. It should bring us out near the kitchen area."
After two wrong turns, they ended up in the kitchen to the great surprise of the catering staff that was busily cleaning up. Someone quickly pressed a towel to him and within minutes uniformed officer arrived to escort them to the limousine.
A very worried Bates pushed him into the back seat with the king, and Anton sped away before the last door slammed shut. Joseph sank wearily into the plush leather seat and closed eyes. One way or another, he swore, he would get the funds needed for proper staffing and equipment…if the king didn't fire him when they returned to Genovia.
In actuality, obtaining the funds took no further effort on his part. Stitched up and drugged against the pain, Joseph awoke in his hotel room the next morning to find King Rupert sitting by the window with a cup of coffee in hand, deep in thought. He made to get up, but thought better of it as fire burned across his gut.
"Ah, so you are awake! Very good" Rupert said, relieved. He came to stand by the bed. "How do you feel?"
"Well, Your Majesty" Joseph lied.
Rupert snorted. "Like Hell! Here, these are pain pills- tiny things, but the emergency room doctor promised they would help." He shook two white pills into his palm. "It's been a while since you had that last shot at the hospital, so it's time you took these."
"I'll wait. They might make me sleep."
"Take them," Rupert ordered. His voice softened. "I feel terrible as it is. The very least you can do is not lie there in agony."
Joseph laughed then quickly regretted it. "No jokes, sir."
Rupert helped him with a glass of water to wash down the pills then sat in a nearby chair.
"Well, Coraza, I owe you an apology, along with my life," he said, stretching his legs out. He regarded Joseph intently.
"Sir, it isn't necessary to-"
"Yes, it is! If I hadn't been so stubborn and had used some sense, none of this would have happened."
"It was a confusing moment and-"
"Don't make excuses for me!" Rupert sat forward in his chair. "I should have listened to you! Clarisse warned me my bull-headedness, as she calls it, would bring trouble one day and it has- could have damned well gotten you killed!"
The king stood and paced to the window then abruptly turned back to face him. "I didn't listen to you before, but I'm listening now. You tell me what you need to properly guard my family and protect your staff. Make a list of any and everything necessary. And men- you asked for more staff and you shall have it!"
He looked away. "I do not want anything like today occurring again." Rupert shook his head and closed his eyes. "If it had been Clarisse…"
Joseph took a deep breath, ignoring the pain. An attempt on the life of the king was unthinkable; an attempt on the life of the queen was his worst fear.
Rupert faced him. "You asked for a minimum of five extra men- hire ten, at the least- more if needed. When you are well, go to London and purchase equipment as you see fit. Don't worry about the cost- I'll take care of the funding. I want my family protected."
Joseph swallowed; his mouth felt like cotton and, on top of it all, he medicine was making him drowsy. His words were slow. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll see to it."
Frowning, the king moved to the side of the bed. "We'll discuss this later. For now, you need to sleep."
"Where's Bates? What are your plans?" he asked groggily.
"Sleep, Joseph." Then, because he knew his Head of Security would not rest until assured, he patiently added"I have changed my remaining meetings to here, in my suite. I will not leave the hotel until we depart for the airport this evening. Would you prefer we delay our departure to allow you more time to rest?"
"No, sir…won't be necessary," Joseph replied as quickly as his tired, fogged brain would allow. Sleep sounded very good at that moment.
"Very well." Rupert hesitated, and then spoke again. "There is one more thing- I want your personal priority to be my wife's safety. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty" Joseph mumbled, eyes closing. There was the soft click of a lamp switch then the sound of the door closing. That he would look after Queen Clarisse and guard her with his very life were his last thoughts before sleep overtook him.