Freedom 11
Shaan's arrival at Buckingham palace was swift, with Noah Fitzpatrick in tow, alongside Princess Catherine who had become his stalwart. The MI6 agents were waiting for him. They escorted him into a small sitting room. Even though he had Noah Fitzpatrick, from the US Consulate by his side, he was surprised that Princess Catherine had also not left his side.
Zahra's instructions to him had been clear, besides his name, let Noah do all the talking. Do not answer anything other than stating his full name, his date of birth and his job title. The MI6 agents were intimidating, but nothing like his own fiancée, or even a select few of the Secret Services he had first met. Cash and Amy, as well as Simone, from his fiancée's security detail. All of them had seemed more scarier than these two. But he knew they were probably going easy on him because they would not be on the case of a missing Prince, if they weren't the best that the UK had to offer.
"Mr. Srivastava, do you know where His Royal Highness, Prince Henry is?" The taller agent repeated for the fourth time in the space of six minutes, becoming agitated.
"My client has already explained to you that he has been in US, preparing for his move there." Noah interjected on his behalf.
Shaan was thankful for Zahra's ruthlessness in finding Noah. He had to admit that while the man Zahra had found may look like he could easily be intimidated, he was in fact a stalwart, standing true.
"May we enquire as to why you have a sudden move to the US on the cards?" The second, shorter agent asks, leaning back in his chair. He seems to be playing the part of the 'good cop' and Shaan smothers a grin. He remembers a time in his childhood when he and Arthur would play pretend. They would play cops and robbers with their other friends, where they would have so much fun playing good cop, bad cop. "It does seem extraordinary that a man who had been in the employ of the Crown for as long as you have, would suddenly up and leave to the States, for no apparent reason."
"My client has already informed you that he is in the process of immigrating to America, where his fiancée lives and works for the US President." Noah argued and Catherine nodded her head in agreement. "Mr. Srivastava has been granted a green card, making him a US citizen. He and his fiancée met here in London when President Claremont was here for a state visit with the PM, two years ago. Although they are in love and committed to one another, they have made time to further and deepen their relationship, over time. Ms. Bankston, Mr. Srivastava's fiancée is the Claremont Administration's Joint Chief of Staff. When he and Ms. Bankston began planning their lives together, it was clear that one of them would have to move and sacrifice their career. Mr. Srivastava has family in the States, as well as here in the UK and in India. Whereas Ms. Bankston's family is solely in the US. Mr. Srivastava has managed to find suitable employment in the US, to meet the terms of his Green Card."
There were a few more questions to and fro about his relationship with Zahra, before the taller agent began asking about his relationship with the young prince. "If rumours are to be believed, His Royal Highness Prince Henry has allegedly purchased a property in New York City. Is that where you will be continuing your employment in the States? Even though His Royal Highness will still be a working member of the Royal Family."
"My client has been employed by the Okonjo foundation as a personal assistant to His Royal Highness Prince Henry, on a part-time basis." Noah answered calmly. He had already informed Shaan that it was best for him, if they kept a level head and did not show any emotion at their line of questioning. "Mr. Srivastava has shown the US government that in addition to his vast personal savings, he has an untouched trust fund of inherited wealth that is untouched to support himself and his fiancée, if need be."
When the questioning line of his employment had been exhausted and they had begun repeating their questions, Noah Fitzpatrick intervened and closed down any more questions. "If we are going to begin repeating ourselves or have nothing else of importance to ask my client, then this interview has now concluded."
"One more thing," The agent who had been playing good cop added, as they prepared to take their leave. "We would like you to stay in London until such time as His Royal Highness Prince Henry is located and returned to the Palace. Am I understood?"
Catherine had now heard all that she could possibly stand. "That is more than enough, gentlemen. Mr. Srivastava has been employed by the Crown for many years now and has an exemplary service record. First as my late husband's equerry, and then as my son's equerry. Prior to his employment, he and my husband shared a friendship that has stretched back into their childhood, as far as infancy. I will not stand by and idly have him treated in such a deplorable manner. I do not care that you are following the orders of the Queen. You will not treat him in such an insolate manner. He has already been more than cooperative with you, after being the threat of being forcibly removed from the home he shares with his fiancée. Mr. Srivastava is not a threat to Henry. He has conducted himself with nothing but the utmost professional manner. He is to be allowed to return to the States immediately. Do I make myself clear?"
The future Queen's rant to the MI6 agents was something that Shaan had not seen in the woman, since before his best friend had fallen ill. The spark and the zest for life that she had carried with her until Arthur's diagnosis had returned in full flair and he wished that for once, he had filmed it. Moreso, he wished that her own children had been there to see it happen. They would not believe him, should he choose to tell them. He theorized that he could potentially tell his Zahra in vivid, technicolour detail, knowing that she could easily and intentionally slip it into a conversation with the boys and he would not be overstepping his professional bounds to Henry, directly.
"I said, do I make myself clear?" Catherine repeated low and vehemently towards the agents, when she didn't receive an answer. The agents made quick work of reassuring the Princess that Shaan was free to leave.
Shaan, Noah and Catherine took their leave of the agents and Catherine lead them to an unused wing of the house. As soon as they were alone, Cathrine handed him a small USB. "I do not know if I will succeed in my succession to the throne, but I need a back-up plan." She handed him a small USB thumb drive from her jeans pocket. "Do you know Mrs. Alfred Smythe, my mother's chambermaid? She knew of a recording device in my mother's sitting room. She managed to get me a copy of the recording from the meeting between Henry and my mother. My mother's demands of my son are clear, as well as her threats to both Henry, as well as her threats to Alex. I need you to take this with you to the States. If I cannot manage to get the majority, to take control of the Throne, I want you to give this the Ellen and your fiancée. Then have Bea and Henry apply for political asylum in the US. Arthur was right about one thing in his letter. It is time to protect our children from my mother, at all costs. I beg you to help me, please."
"Princess -" Catherine interrupted him before he could manage more than the first word of his solemn promise.
"Catherine, please, Shaan. You were Arth's best friend, for his entire life." Catherine pleaded with him. "You are practically our family."
"Catherine, I love your children like they were my own. I am Henry's godfather. I promised Arthur I would always look out for you all, and I meant every word. You know I will protect them." Shaan replied to her fiercely. "Please tell me someone is protecting you too."
"I will be ok." She smiled at him. "As long as I know that Bea and Henry are ok. My mother cannot touch me."
"Call me if you need anything." Shaan replied to her, before slipping her a small business card. "This is my Zahra's card; she is fearless and not afraid to take on anyone. If you cannot get a hold of me, please contact Zahra. She will help you."
"Thank-you, Shaan." Catherine said, suddenly hugging him tightly. "Please hug my children and remind them I do love them."
Alex and Henry woke to a crashing noise downstairs. They had been sleeping soundly. It was the middle of night. They were naked as jaybirds, having made love before bed. The pinkness of Henry's delicate skin had softened and was slowly shading out. That had been a relief to Alex, who had been worried that his boyfriend's pink skin may blister and peel.
Henry leaned over the side of the bed, tossing Alex his boxer briefs, before collecting his own and slipping them on. Both men jumped slightly when a second crash was heard on their way downstairs. Henry kept Alex tucked behind him. He was the taller one of the two of them. Alex had silently protested, but Henry had been adamant.
Peeking his head around the corner, Henry let go of the breath he had been holding. A tree branch had broken through the small window by the back utility room. A consequence from the raging squall outside.
Henry moved to allow Alex into the room, to inspect the damage. "Huh?" Alex murmured, seeing the smallish branch wedged in the shattered window, half in and half out. "We should probably check out the rest of the house, just to be sure."
"Don't you think that is a slight overreaction, Darling?" Henry argued, seeing that Alex was serious.
"Considering the reason, we're here in the first place." Alex argued, vehemently. He couldn't help himself. He was still on edge and being woken by such a crash did not settle his nerves. "I'd say it's an underreaction."
"My gran may be cold and heartless; she may be a ghoul. But she would send an assassin to kill me." Henry argued back, trying to reason with Alex who seemed to be losing his grip on all rationality. "I am her grandson, after all."
"When has she ever treated you like family, though?" Alex snapped. He knew he was getting off topic. He also knew he needed to calm down before he said something that he truly regrets. "This is the same woman that threatened me with harm because I have the audacity to love you. This is the same woman who threatened to keep you locked in palace, if you didn't end your relationship with me. The woman who marched herself into your room in the hospital and slapped you with the ruler across the knuckles, for falling over and breaking your arm, playing rugby at school when you were six. The same woman, I might add, who told you that being gay was deviant."
"We're getting off topic." Henry huffed out, indignantly. He knew Alex was right. He knew that Alex hadn't even mentioned the most horrible things that his grandmother had ever done to him. But Alex didn't need to start getting paranoid. Nor did he need to start projecting his paranoia onto him.
"You stay here and deal with that. You don't want to make sure everything else is ok, that's fine by me." Alex said, defiantly. "I'll just check it out by myself, I don't need you to hold my hand, Pretty Boy."
Alex left Henry to deal with the broken glass, moving the branch out of the window and covering up the hole in the glass. They would have to call Shaan or Zahra soon and organize someone to come and fix it. As Alex wandered through the house, he reflected on the dispute he had just had with Henry. He knew it was an irrational fear of his. Henry leaving. He knew it stemmed back from the way his father left, when his parents divorced. But he also knew that he was worried. As much as he feigned not knowing, he was well versed in British history. He knew it could be within the Queen's purview to keep Henry in the palace, locked away. The upside to that argument was that in the modern days of social media, it would not be as easy for the palace to hide as it would have been back in times gone by. Henry was too loved; he was too popular. Someone would notice him suddenly disappearing from the public eye.
As Alex made his way through the house, he inspected every door. Every window. He checked over every nook and cranny, turning lights on as he went. If someone was outside, he wanted them to know that he and Henry were awake now. Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, Alex made his way back to kitchen, flicking the kettle on to make Henry some tea. While he waited for the electric kettle to boil, Alex set himself up with a hot, strong coffee. Something was gnawing at him and there was no way he was going back to sleep now.
"The glass is all cleaned up." Henry announced, coming into the kitchen and snagging a square of paper towel from the roll, off the bench to dry his wet hands. "I covered the window with a piece of plastic I found in the utility room. It isn't perfect, but it should hold until morning. Thanks for the tea, Darling."
Alex felt strange, as he stared off into the distance. He noticed he seemed to be focusing out the kitchen window above the sink on something in the distance. "Sorry, Baby." Alex muttered in apology. He didn't need to be specific; he was sure that Henry knew why he was apologizing.
"Me too, Darling." Henry murmured, leaving his hot tea on the counter to come closer to Alex and embrace him from behind. Henry knew Alex had been projecting his fears onto him and lashing out accordingly. Just as he knew he was too defensive, not wanting Alex to regret leaving the safety of his friends and family for him.
Alex didn't relax into the embrace, as Henry expected him to. He seemed rigid in his arms. Something was off. Alex was staring dead ahead. He had seen Alex hyperfixate once before and it rarely ended well. Alex muttered something, but Henry had to admit he didn't hear it the first time. When he caught it the second time, he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"Sweetheart, go get that phone. We need to call Shaan, now!" Looking out and squinting carefully, Henry now saw what Alex was fixated on.
"Fuck! I'll be right back."