A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Seventy Four
Cassie is coming out of the laundry room when Richard walks in. When the door opens, she looks up and is surprised to see him. Putting the laundry basket down on the island, she comes over to him. She waits till he's hung up his coat up before she slips her arms around him. "I wasn't expecting you home till this evening? Did something happen with the campaign?"
"No, everything is fine on that front." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
There's something in his kiss that makes her pull back. "You're not home because you missed me are you?"
"Of course, I missed you." He says, trying to keep his tone light.
"Richard, I know when something is upsetting you. Did something happen at City Hall? Jeffrey didn't fire…?"
"No, Jeffrey didn't fire me. Where would you even get that?"
"You're not telling me anything."
"You haven't really let me say anything." He says, as she looks at him. "Everything is fine Cassie, with the campaign and at City Hall. There's nothing…."
"Don't tell me that? Something's happened. You won't look me in the eye. The boys, are they…?"
"I don't want to worry you."
"Not knowing is worrying me so tell me."
Sighing, he looks away. "I told Jeffrey I probably wouldn't be able to keep this from you."
"So it is something with Jeffrey, you're not still upset about what happened in San Cristobel."
"I can't tell you what has happened if you don't let me talk. But if I tell you this I want your promise that you're not going to stress about it." He says, as she looks at him. "Alright, so maybe that's only wishful thinking on my part. Will you at least promise to come to me when things get to be too much? We can't let this hurt the baby."
"Now, you're really scaring me. What is it?" Sighing again, he takes her hand and starts towards the living room. "Richard."
"I'm going to tell you but let's sit down first, okay." He says, leading the way into the living room. Once they are comfortable, he takes a deep breath. He still holding her hand when he turns to her. "Jeffrey came to see me just before I left for lunch." She opens her mouth and he looks at her. She closes it. "Anyway the reason he came to see me was to tell me that he had a message from the director of the agency he was involved with."
"He hasn't been an active agent in years, why would the director be contacting him."
"Jeffrey reminded him of that but the director wanted to ask for his help with a matter that concerns San Cristobel."
"San Cristobel, he's not involved…."
"Cassie, let me finish."
"Sorry, go on."
"According to what the director told him. The current prince is considering allowing Edmund…"
"He can't free him!"
"He's not going to free him. But he is considering removing him from segregation and into the general population."
"He would be a fool to do that. Edmund has supporters all over that island and some of them I'm sure within that prison. If he's allowed into the general population, he can do anything, including escape. We would have to be on constant watch again. He could come after Will again or you. Oh god, the baby." She whispers.
He can feel her getting tense. "Cassie take a deep breath. You have to relax. If you stay this tense it could affect you and the baby, please darling." He says, reaching for her.
"How am I supposes to relax? You know what Edmund does when he thinks he's been wronged. He won't only be after us, there's William, Ava and their baby along with Jeffrey and by extension Sam and their baby.. It was Jeffrey's intervention that sent him to prison in the first place!"
"Jeffrey said that he explained to the director what he thought would be the repercussions if the prince let Edmund out of segregation."
"Can someone not explain that to the new prince, maybe you or William?"
"The director doesn't believe he would listen to us."
"Why wouldn't he listen? He's the prince and you've been where he is. You know what Edmund's capable of."
"That's exactly the problem. I am the former prince as is William. The new prince wants to prove himself." She looks at him. "I understand where he's coming from. I wanted to separate myself from my father when I took over the throne. I'm sure William wanted to do the same thing. The director said that he would speak with the new prince and try to convince him that it's a very bad idea to let Edmund out of segregation."
"You should've finished it when you stabbed him."
"Cassie!"
"Well, you should've. It would have save us a lot of aggravation since then."
"And I would've been no better than him. It was bad enough that I lost control that night."
"You should've lost control a long time before that." Cassie says, looking at him and he sighs. She takes his hand. "I know why you always let him go. I know you felt guilty for everything that was done to him by your father as well as your part in his accident. But there should've been a time long before now that he had to face his actions."
"I know." He says, tugging her into his arms. "Will you promise me that you'll tell me if you get overwhelmed by this? We can't let this cost us…."
"I'm not going to do anything that will harm this baby. I can't promise that I won't worry about this, at least until we have a conclusive answer on the new princes decision." She pauses for a moment, leaning against. "Did someone tell William?"
"I'm pretty sure Jeffrey's going to handle that. After all, this involves his daughter now."
There's a moment of silence before Cassie says. "Another thing I don't understand is why the director would go to Jeffrey, besides being the agency liaison to San Cristobel for several years and impersonating you, why would he think Jeffrey could be of any help?"
"Those are the exact reasons he thought Jeffrey could help. His connections to the country gave him access to all of us and that's exactly why Jeffrey can't speak to the prince about this. He's too involved with us to be objective towards Edmund, at least that's most likely the argument the new prince would have if Jeffrey tried to contact him."
"So that's why Jeffrey turned him down."
"Well that and the fact that he hasn't been an active agent for years and because Sam is about to give birth. There's too many unexpected events that could come up with him speaking with the new prince on behalf of his director."
"Alright. So are you hungry?"
"I'll grab something on the way back to the office. If you don't mind I would simply like to sit here and hold the both of you." He says, pulling her in closer. She snuggles into him and he lightly kiss the side of her head. He wants to believe that there's no threat to Edmund's being moved from segregation but there's simply too many unknown variables as to what he will do."
Jeffrey is coming in the door as Sam comes upstairs from the clinic. She looks up when the door opens. "Hi." She says, walking over to him.
"Hi." He says, closing the door behind him. She waits as he shrugs out of his coat and hangs it up. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls into him as they kiss. "I missed you." He murmurs, kissing her softly.
"You saw me…."
"Beca!"
"Okay." She says, smiling as she snuggles in closer. "I missed you too, okay." She says, leaning back slightly and looking up.
"How are you feeling?"
"I told you..."
"Sam!"
"I'm fine J. I'm a little tired but I'm fine. I don't have a really busy schedule this afternoon and if things get to be too much I'll ask Leah to take the patients, okay?"
"Alright."
"Why are you home?"
"I need a reason to come home and see my wife and our soon to be born son or daughter?" Jeffrey asks, releasing her.
"I thought you had meetings all day."
"I do, but I can still come home for lunch with my beautiful wife and unborn child."
"J, stop stalling." She says, pressing him.
"There's noth…."
"J!"
"Alright, the director called me this morning."
"The director, why would he call you?" Sam asks, as Jeffrey takes her hand and leads her over to the couch.
Jeffrey settles in beside her. "I don't want you to get upset, because I told him no."
"You told him no, about what, J?"
"Apparently the director has intel that Edmund has petitioned the new prince to be released from segregated housing."
"Edmund, you mean Edmund Winslow? Richard and William's brother?"
"Yes. The director called me this morning because he's learned that the new Prince of San Cristobel is considering letting Edmund be moved to the general population."
"What does that have to do with you?"
"I was the one that helped William arrest him and I have an extensive history dealing with the government of San Cristobel."
"You have a history with the Winslow Family and their government."
"That's one of the reason's I told the director no, after I explained that I'm related to Richard, Cassie and William by marriage. The other reason was because I'm not leaving you in your last month of pregnancy, even if it's only for a few days."
"What did he say?"
"He understood. And even if I wanted to go to San Cristobel it wouldn't do any good."
"Why?"
"The director thinks the new prince is trying to separate himself from the Winslow reign, so he probably wouldn't listen to anything I have to say and he's certainly not going to listen to William, Richard or Cassie."
"Okay, so what's going to happen? I mean why is it necessary for him to be in segregation?"
"Edmund tried for years to undermine Richard's reign. He outed Cassie's past on national television before the royal wedding. And when they were married, he set Richard up to think that Cassie had cheated on him with her body guard. When that didn't work, and the truth came out about Richard's paternity and Richard went before the country and recommended that the monarchy be disbanded and democracy be put in its place, Edmund staged a coup and hunted both Richard and Cassie until Richard's escape which resulted in Cassie's capture and her being held in an old abandoned army barracks until Richard tricked him into releasing her by faking his death. Richard and Phillip were finally able to overthrow him and he was basically exiled for the second time. The first time being after he revealed Cassie's past on national television. And then all the stuff went down with Richard and William, William became prince to keep Camille from taking Will from Richard and Cassie. They came to Springfield, then there was Richard's accident and Edmund was basically given Richard's title of Ambassador at large. He and Cassie begin dating and they were together until I came to Springfield."
"You broke them up?"
"I did, but not until about a year later. And we didn't stay together that long because Josh told her about a picture of me in San Cristobel. She confronted me about it and that's what broke us up. But before that, Edmund tried to use Will to get Cassie back and that's what landed him in prison. He should've been there long before that, but Richard explained that he let his emotions rule how he handled Edmund's behavior."
"How do you mean?"
"Richard was the favored son. He got everything, the title, the attention, all of it and Edmund was basically left on the outside. Richard told me that he and Edmund were close until Edmund's accident."
"What type of accident?"
"I don't know. Richard would never tell. But after that, he always felt Edmund pulling away and for years he didn't understand why until Edmund's first exile. Richard told me that after Edmund told the country about Cassie's past, he had ordered his execution until he was given, well actually the letter was dropped from Edmund's wallet. It was a letter, written to Richard about Edmund on the night before Edmund woke up from his coma after his accident. It was written by their father and it wasn't at all flattering towards Edmund. Richard said that that letter is what made him open to sending Edmund into exile the first time."
"How do you know all this?"
"I had to know it, if I was going to impersonate Richard."
There's a moment of silence before Sam looks at him. "I can see why the director wanted your help and if you want to go..."
"I meant what I told the director. There's no way I'm living you this close to your delivery date."
"I have about a month left. New babies…."
"I'm not leaving you Sam."
"But maybe you would be able to convince the new prince not to…."
He lays a finger across her lips. "I'm not leaving you. And I offered some advice to the director. It might help him to sway the new Prince. But I'm staying here with you and our child." He says, leaning into kiss her.
"What about Richard and Cassie, do they know about…?"
"I told Richard before I came home. And I will need to tell William about it as well, if Richard doesn't beat me to it."
"What advice did you give the director?"
"I guess it wasn't really advice more like a reminder that Edmund has friends not only in the general population but still on the island itself. If he's released to the general population, he will attempt to escape."
"What if he seizes control of the prison?"
"I don't know. And I don't know if reminding the new Prince of Edmund's connections both within and outside the prison will be enough to keep the new prince from moving him. But I'm still not going down there."
"Okay, are you hungry?" She asks, as he shrugs his shoulders and smiles. "Why did I ask, you're always hungry."
"Hey I work hard for this appetite." He says, as she laughs.
"Do you want me to heat up the chili from last night?"
"That's fine." He says, as she moves to get up and he moves to help her. Even though their couch is new. Being this far along in her pregnancy it's hard for her to get up sometimes. Once she's up, she leans in and kisses him softly before she moves away. "There's something else I found out too." He says, following her into the kitchen.
"What's that?" She asks, walking over to the refrigerator.
"We'll be attending another wedding sometime soon." He says, watching as she begins heating up the chili. It would be faster in the microwave, but neither one of them really likes heating things up like that and they have the time to do it this way.
"Who's getting married?" She asks, looking at him. "Marah?"
"Marah, why would you even…? Never mind. No, it's not Marah. Although I haven't talked to Josh or Reva in a while so maybe, but this time it's Billy." Jeffrey says, as Sam turns to look at him.
"He proposed, when?"
"Last night, I believe. Stace is wearing a ring and she wasn't wearing one yesterday, so I assume it was last night. I mean he could've proposed before…."
"No, he did it last night, on Valentine's day. That's Billy's style." Sam says with a smile.
He walks over and slips his arms around her, letting his hand rest on her stomach. "Are you ready to be in another wedding?"
"What makes you think I'll be in the wedding?"
"I don't know. You're sort of close with Stace and she might…."
"J, she'll have her own friends in her wedding. Ava has a better chance of being in that wedding than I do but I will be expecting our invitation as soon as they figure out a date. Have they set a date?"
"No, she said that he's only just proposed." Jeffrey says, nuzzling the side of her neck.
"Well that make sense and our lunch is ready."
"You're going to eat this too?"
"Yes, of course I am. It didn't bother me last night. Besides there's really nothing else here for me to eat. We need to go grocery shopping."
"Do you have a list made out?" He asks, releasing her.
"I can start one while we eat." She says.
"Alright, start one and I'll stop at the store on my way home after work."
"You hate grocery…."
"I can handle grocery shopping if it makes things easier for you. Don't think I haven't noticed that you're getting tired quicker now that it's later in this pregnancy. Just make the list and I'll do it for you."
"Thank you." She says, turning to kiss him
"You're welcome. Now go sit down and I'll serve it up." He says, taking the bowl from her hand and nudging her out of his way. She huffs slightly but he only smiles as she waddles, and it can only be referred to as that. She waddles over to the table, pulling their chairs out before she settles into hers. He comes a few moments later with their lunch.
He moves to sit down but she stops him. "Can you get the pad and a pen from the table by the door?" Walking over to the table, he gets them for her and then comes back. Handing them to her as he sits down to eat his lunch.
Winslow Federal Penitentiary, San Cristobel.
Edmund lay on the cot the made up his cell. He spent most of his days reciting different passages from the books he had read as a child. All the hours he spent in the library alone, while Richard was off with their father, learning to be prince had left him with and extensive knowledge of Dickens, Keats and Dante. Today he was especially focused on Dante's Inferno and as he's remembering the different passages, he remembers recommending that book to Susan Lemay, Beth's step daughter at the time.
Like everyone else, he couldn't understand why he was so drawn to Susan. He was gentle with her, treated her with the respect his father never gave him. And maybe if he thought about it he might've realized that the things he needed to be happy had nothing to do with the throne of San Cristobel, money or power. He only needed to allow someone to love him, like Richard had allowed Reva and Cassie to love him. That thought flints across his mind, and like every other time he pushes it away, unwilling to admit that the reason he's spending the rest of his life in prison is because of things he did to himself. He's just beginning to focus back on the passages of Dante when there's a rap on his cell door and the little window that he uses to speak with the guards comes open from the other side. "On your feet." The guard says, as Edmund glances at him. "You have a visitor."
"I'm not allowed visitors." Edmund mutters, standing up slowly.
He shuffles over to the door and slips his hand through the tiny window. The guard snaps the cuffs in place and says. "Stand back." Edmund takes a step back and then the guard unlocks the door. Pulling it open, the guard nods and says. "Come with me?" Edmund shuffles out of the cell. He stands to the side as the guard pulls the door closed.
"You know in America, the cell doors open and close automatically."
"Have a lot of experience with the American prison system?" The guard snaps.
"No, just saw it on a documentary once. Even their Gitmo prison has automatic doors."
"Come on, let's go." The guard says, ignoring his comment towards the San Cristobel prison system.
This prison has been in service for more years than he could remember. It's always been here and it's fashioned more along the lines of the cells in the palace dungeon than a modern day prison. He wished he worked at a new facility, but little money come for remodeling these days. Although, they have never lost a prisoner. The structure maybe old but the guards who work here are the best in the country. The guard leads Edmund down a narrow hallway to a small room with only a table and two chairs, one on each side of the table. The guard leads Edmund into the room. Standing beside the table is a man. He's not overly tall but he's well built. He's wearing a fairly decent suit, it's not tailor made or even designer but it's well made. His eyes are clear blue, reminds Edmund of the waters of Riker's Point where Richard seaplane came in and landed and where he captured Cassie. He skips over the point that he held her prisoner for days and most of that time he was incapacitated by the stroke from the point blank shot Richard had given him that night.
Edmund shuffles over to the table and the guard helps him sit down before he unlocks the cuffs and then steps away. The man looks at the guard and waits for the man to leave the room before he turns his attention to Edmund. "Who are you?" Edmund asks.
"I'm your attorney." The man replies.
"You're not my attorney. Benson is much older and fair better put together." Edmund replies, eyeing the man's suit.
"Excuse me, I should've said I'm your attorney's partner. Mr. Benson is dead." The man says, looking Edmund in the eye. "My name is Lee Roman."
"Benson has handled all the legal matters for my family. What happened to him?"
"Age caught up with him, a couple weeks ago. I've been looking over all his cases and I've familiarized myself with yours. I understand that you asked my partner to submit to have your conviction overturned and thereby allowing you to be released from here."
"That's correct." Edmund says, not quite sure if he likes this man or not.
"I've reviewed your case Mr. Winslow."
"It's Prince Edmund, or Prince Winslow."
"As it stands now, it's Mr. Winslow. I'm sure that you know you're family has renounced its claim to the throne and both of your brother's have left the country."
"William left?"
"Yes, he's left. He has moved to the US. The throne has now been turned over to the next in line. Now judging by your case and the evidence that was presented at your trial, I find it very unlikely that my partner agreed to submit to have your conviction over turned." Mr. Roman says. Edmund only looks at him. "It doesn't really matter if he did or didn't. I've reviewed your case and while I don't believe the new prince will over turn your conviction I do believe he will agree to move you from segregated housing into the general population."
"I deserve to be free. I was only convicted on lies and fabricated statements made by a man that pretended to be my brother Richard." Edmund insists
"Mr. Winslow, you were convicted of treason and sedition with extensive evidence proving such charges are valid, not to mention the eye witness accounts as to your actions while you were Prince of this country. You can't honestly believe that the new government will be willing to let you go free after that."
"I want another attorney. Benson would do as I asked."
"I doubt that. He would have told you the same thing. Maybe not quite so bluntly but he would inform you of the reality of your situation. I can certainly arrange to have other council come to see you Mr. Winslow, but it's not going to change the fact that this is our best option. It's time you faced this reality, Mr. Winslow. Besides the papers have already been submitted with the palace to ask for and audience with the new prince. With your okay, I will present our case to have you moved from segregation."
"I want you to try to submit for my conviction to be overturned." Edmund continues to insist.
"Mr. Winslow, we have no new evidence to succeed in getting the conviction overturned. This is the only option available to you and in my opinion will make your life much easier."
Edmund looks at the man before him. He might've preferred his old attorney, but there's something to be said about a man that will stand up to a client such as him. "Alright, if granted the audience, I give my permission to petition to have me moved from segregation. Maybe it will make my life slightly easier." Edmund says, conceding to the new attorney.
"As you wish, Mr. Winslow." Mr. Roman says, getting up. "I will update you as to what is decided."
While they're eating lunch Sam pauses from making her list for Jeffrey. "What?" He asks, looking up from his bowl.
"How did the director know that the prince is considering moving Edmund?"
"I didn't ask him, but I would assume that he got the Intel from our man inside the prison."
"There's a man inside the prison?"
"Yes, one of the guards." He says, taking a drink while she watches him. "After he used Will to try and win Cassie back and because he's gotten away so many other times, I couldn't quite relax where he's concerned. He's spent too many years evading capture, some due to Richard's guilt towards how Edmund was treated as a child, but mostly because he's a sneaky bastard and he still has friends on that island. It was my recommendation to William that sent him to segregated housing when he was first convicted and my instincts at the time told me that if he ever was allowed into the general population, something terrible would happened."
"He could either escape or try to take over the prison."
"He could. The director agreed with my assessment of the situation and he convinced William to listen to my suggestions even though I hadn't been within the country for several years at the time." He says, as she looks at him. "What are you thinking now?"
"He has more reason now than before to want to harm you. Maybe you should go…."
"We've discussed this Sam. I'm not going to San Cristobel. Not this close to your delivery date." He says, reaching for her hand.
"But the new prince might listen to you. You are a bystander that knows the details of the case."
"I'm a bystander that has direct connections to the former royal family. He wants to distance himself from their policies, which means that it's unlikely that he'll listen to me." He says, as she looks at him. Reaching for her hand, he looks at her. "Do you want me to go? Is that why you're pushing this?"
"No, I don't want you to go. I want you here with me before he comes, but…." She pauses and looks down.
"But what, Beca?" He asks.
"I also want you here for after he's born and if Edmund escapes." She pauses again but Jeffrey doesn't prompt her to continue. "What if he comes after you? I almost lost you a couple months ago because of my brother interfering in our lives. I don't want Edmund to succeed where my brother didn't."
Sighing, Jeffrey puts his silverware down and stands up. He takes her hand and draws her up beside him and then leads her over to the couch. He tries to pull her down onto his lap but she fights him. "J."
"I can still hold you." He says, tugging again and succeeding in getting her to sit down. He wraps his arms around her. "I know you think your brother could've succeeded that day but he didn't. And I understand what a sacrifice it was for you to kill him for me. And I'm proud of everything you've ever done for me and with me. But I will not miss these next few weeks. The prince may allow Edmund into the general population and Edmund may attempt to escape and personally if he does he will be doing the country of San Cristobel a huge favor."
"J." She chastises.
"He terrorized his own countrymen when he was prince. He terrorized both Richard and Cassie and nearly broke them up before they even has a solid chance. But on top all that, he used an innocent child for his own selfish gain. So, if the prince and I did say if, if he lets him into the general population and Edmund manages to escape, which I doubt because the Winslow Penitentiary is old but it's staff is some of the most competent guards working in law enforcement in the world. So I have no doubt that if he does try to escape he will be stopped, either voluntarily or by force." He says, looking into her eyes.
She smiles and nods. "Okay." She mumbles.
"Okay good, because I do need to head back to the office." He says, as he helps her up. Once he's standing, he turns to her. "Are you sure you're going to okay?"
"I'll be fine. If I need to I'll have Leah take over the patients and I'll rest."
"Good." He says, laying his hand on her stomach. He smiles as he feels his son kick. "I'll stop at the store and get the groceries for you." He says, releasing her completely and walking over to the door.
"You need the list." She says, turning and walking over to the table. Picking up the list, she walks over to him. He's adjusting the collar and scarf around his neck. She hands him the list and he slips it into the pocket inside his coat. "I'll see you tonight." He says, slipping his arms around her and pulling into him. "Don't worry, everything will be fine with Edmund."
She leans up and kisses him. "I'll try not to, I promise." She says, leaning back.
"Good, I need to go." He says, releasing her. He opens the door and she releases him. Leaning in, he kisses her again before he steps out. "I'll see you tonight. I love both of you." He says.
"We love you." She replies, standing in the doorway watching as he goes down the steps.
When he reaches the sidewalk, he turns back and calls out. "Don't go off and try to handle the Edmund stuff, let the agency handle it." She looks at him and nods. "Sam?"
"I promise I won't go off on my own. I'll be here when you come home tonight." She says, as he nods and then turns around and leaves. She watches him until he disappears into the garage. The truth is, she probably wouldn't have the energy to go off on her own right now, even if that thought had entered her head.
After Richard holds Cassie for a while, he lets her go so that they can fix lunch. He's at the door when he pulls her to him. "Don't let this worry you, please promise me you won't stress yourself out."
"I can't promise that I won't worry but I'll try to keep it under control." She says, snuggling into him.
"He's still locked up so he can't get to you, remember that." He says, before he places a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"I'll be okay." She says, pulling back and looking up.
"He's not worth what the stress of you worrying will do to you and the baby, okay." He says, his eyes filled with concern.
She leans up and kisses him. "I'll be okay." She says, after she pulls back.
"I'll be home by six, okay."
"Okay." She kisses him quickly and then releases him, stepping back.
"I love you."
"I love you too." She says, with a soft smile.
Turning, he picks his way across the porch and yard to his car. When he reaches his car, he looks back and she's standing in the door way. He smiles before he opens his car door and gets in. She doesn't go back inside until he's driving down the drive way.
Twenty minutes later, Richard walks into his office to find his next meeting waiting for him. "I'm sorry I'm late." He says, holding his hand out.
"It's okay. I actually just arrived myself." The woman replies as Richard nods.
"Would you mind giving me one moment? I need to make a phone call. I won't be but a few moments?"
"No, of course." The woman replies, sitting back down as Richard walks over to Amelia.
"Just hold my calls, okay." He says, as she nods.
Richard walks into his office. Closing the door behind him, he pulls out his cell phone and pulls up William's number. After a couple rings, William picks up. "Richard, this is a surprise. Is everything okay with Cassie and the boys?"
"They're all fine. I actually called to tell you about some San Cristobel business."
"Okay."
"Jeffrey came by my office just before lunch. He wanted to tell about a call he received from the director of the agency that he worked for."
"Alright."
"I'm not sure how the director came to know this information but apparently Edmund has petitioned the new prince to lift the order for segregated housing."
"What! Why?"
"I'm not sure of all the details but from what Jeffrey explained to me. His former director wanted to know if Jeffrey would go to San Cristobel to try and convince to new prince to keep Edmund out of the general population."
"What about Sam? He can't go off…."
"That's exactly what Jeffrey told the director. He also explained that he's still connected to us and therefore is not a viable candidate to intercede on the agencies behalf with the new prince."
"I thought I made it clear what would happen if Edmund was allowed access to anyone other than his guards. The Prince has all of the information from Edmund's trial."
"I'm not sure this consideration is about Edmund's crimes and more about distancing himself from our rule. He needs to be his own ruler and he's feeling the pressure to step out of our shadow. I felt it when I took over from our father and I'm sure you felt it after I left San Cristobel." Richard says, William doesn't comment but he does understand the new prince's reasoning.
"Would it be beneficial to reach out to him at this point?"
"I doubt it. He wants to prove he's separate from us and I understand that even if every instinct in me is saying to fly down there and insist that he keep Edmund exactly where he is, just so I know that Cassie's not in any danger."
"Cassie isn't the only one that has to worry about Edmund, you and Jeffrey both have had altercations with him, the last being when Jeffrey stopped him from using Will to win Cassie back. I mean I never really understood that plan, but he did do it and there is way too much evidence on record for his other crimes, most of which was uncovered by Cassie's commission during your pregnancy. That evidence was what really convicted him. It's wasn't the attempt to use Will that landed him in prison, we all know that."
"Yes we do, but I have seen Edmund, lie and twist his way out of many things, most of which was done directly to my face. If he has a good enough attorney he could possible get the conviction reversed simply by calling into question the evidence that was used to convict him."
"That can't happen, Richard. You and Cassie have too much to lose and I'm not even sure what his reaction will be when he learns that you are actually alive."
"I'm not really worried about me. I'm more worried about what all this will do to Cassie and to the baby."
"Does she know?"
"Yes, I went home for lunch after Jeffrey stopped by and told me. I had to see her, hold her."
"How did she handle it? Will she be okay? Should I have Ava go over…?"
"I think she'll be okay, but I suppose it won't hurt to have Ava go over and spend the afternoon with her. I mean, they need to spend time together."
"Are you sure you want them together? Can you imagine what they'll get up to?" William says, as Richard smiles.
"I'm counting on Ava to be the voice of reason to anything Cassie tries."
"Do you know if Jeffrey's told Sam?"
"I'm sure he did. He was headed to lunch when we left. He did tell me that he offered some advice to the director."
"What did he tell him?"
"Basically if Edmund is moved, he has contacts inside and outside that prison that can and will help him try to escape and that he needs to keep tabs on everyone Edmund is in contact with."
"How are we supposes to know if Edmund is moved? I mean if the new prince is looking to distance himself from us, he won't tell us that he's being moved and the prison isn't going to disclose that information to us."
"For the way Jeffrey behaved I think they have someone on the inside that will advise the agency if Edmund is moved."
"Thank you for letting me know." William says, quietly.
"Will, don't blame yourself. You did everything you could to keep Edmund from hurting anyone else. In fact, you did more than I ever did."
"You attempted to kill him twice, all be it in self-defense, but still."
"It wasn't enough." Richard says quietly.
"Are you going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine. My main concern is keeping Cassie from stressing to much about this. The last time she thought she could keep Edmund from gaining power in San Cristobel, she snuck into the palace and hi-jacked a closed council meeting." Richard says, as William chuckles.
"I don't believe she'll do that now."
"Yeah me either, but I'm still going to worry about her. But then I worry if she's doing too much around the house or at the Beacon."
"Well, don't worry yourself into a heart attack. Stress is just as bad for you as it is her."
"I know." Richard sighs. "I need to go. I've got someone waiting for me but I wanted to let you know as soon as possible."
"Thanks." Williams says. "We need to plan a family night."
"Let's do that. I'll get with Cassie and let you know and Jeffrey as well."
"That's fine. I'll talk to you later."
"Take care." Richard says, hanging up. He takes a moment to collect his thoughts before buzzes Amelia.
"Yes sir."
"You can send her in."
"Yes sir." She replies, nodding for the woman waiting in the outer office to go in.