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Was there no end to this nightmare?
He’d known Annalena of Edelforst was trouble from the moment she marched into this room and the floor shifted beneath his feet.
He’d put that visceral response down to tiredness from overwork. Taking over the labyrinthine mechanics of his father’s commercial empire and trying to separate it from royal responsibilities and assets was even harder than he’d anticipated. His father had melded the two, running private business interests and the country to benefit himself and his cronies. Even his staff ran the country like a private fiefdom.
Then in strides Princess Annalena, who it seemed really was who she claimed, accusing him of being a usurper.
And his father of murder.
Benedikt had detested his father. The man had all but destroyed Benedikt’s mother and set an example to his son of the sort of man hedidn’twant to become.
But murder? Even Karl wouldn’t stoop to that.
Yet Benedikt felt a niggle of unease.
King Karl had been inflexible, selfish and devious despite his outward charm. Every stone Benedikt turned over, stepping into his shoes, revealed something questionable if not downright corrupt.
Grabbing the arms of his chair, he scooted forward, leaning across the desk. ‘Did the priest give a reason for keeping the wedding secret?’
‘The Prince and the bride’s mother, the Grand Duchess, swore him to secrecy. He only talked now because the Grand Duchess said that after all this time, if he were asked he should tell the truth.’
‘The truth!’ Benedikt shot to his feet, shoving his chair back and stalking away. ‘It’s all a lie.’
‘I did manage to track down the other witnesses.’
Benedikt spun around, but from Matthias’s expression he knew that wasn’t good news.
‘Apart from the Grand Duchess, there were two. One was and still is her lady-in-waiting. I haven’t spoken to either of them. I thought that was better done in person.’
Benedikt nodded. If the old lady was part of this scheme they’d have to tread carefully. As for her lady-in-waiting, she’d do whatever her mistress ordered. Who even had ladies-in-waiting any more?
‘And the other witness? His name seemed familiar.’
‘I spoke to him by phone. He had the same story as the priest. Brought in to witness a wedding but asked not to reveal the details until now.’
‘How did he sound? Plausible?’
Matthias pinched the bridge of his nose before meeting Benedikt’s gaze. ‘Very. He was a lawyer then. He’s now a judge with a reputation for probity and fairness. His name was familiar because he’s on our list to help manage your programme of law reform.’
A harsh laugh escaped Benedikt. ‘The old lady really pulled out all the stops with this plot, didn’t she?’
‘If it’s a lie, it’s a very good one. But we’ve only just started investigating. Face-to-face interviews might yield different results. Plus we have to examine the original documents.’
‘I want someone to dig out all available information on Prince Christian’s car smash.’ Benedikt paused, hating the hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. ‘Do we have my father’s diaries for the period?’
Like his predecessors, King Karl had kept a daily diary of royal business.
‘No. Apparently your father only began the practice after he was crowned. And, instead of writing it himself, he had his secretary note down key business.’
So there’d be no confessions about crimes he might have committed. Benedikt didn’t know whether to be pleased or disappointed.
‘Thanks, Matthias.’ Benedikt leaned one hip against the desk. ‘Keep me informed of progress.’
This couldn’t have come at a worse time, in the lead up to his coronation. Maybe that was why they’d chosen it.
‘Have you decided what you’re going to do?’
Benedikt met his sympathetic stare. ‘What can I do except find out what really happened?’