Page 78 of The Unlikely Spare

The Lord Chamberlain materializes next, somehow managing to look both deeply concerned and mildly nauseated. Lady Powell from the Foreign Office rounds out our digital tribunal.

All of them wear similar expressions to disappointed parents at a particularly shite school parents’ evening.

“Her Majesty has been briefed on the situation,” The Lord Chamberlain, Sir Fergus, announces. “She is naturally concerned and wishes to be kept apprised of all developments.”

“The situation is contained,” Cavendish replies. “All suspects are in custody, and Prince Nicholas received only minor injuries.”

“We need to decide about the remainder of the tour. The press coverage is already extensive.” James pulls up several news sites on his tablet and projects them beside the video feeds. “They are all painting Prince Nicholas as heroic rather than reckless.”

Headlines flash across the screen:

Royal Rumble: Prince Headbutts Attacker in Daring Escape

Warrior Prince: Nicholas Channels Medieval Ancestors in Battle

Royal Tour Under Siege

Sir Fergus has a thin-lipped frown. “Heroic or not, the palace’s primary concern is the feasibility of the remainder of the tour. If there are credible threats to the prince on the New Zealand leg of the tour, perhaps it would be prudent to postpone.”

Across the table, Nicholas tenses. The word “postpone” clearly isn’t in his vocabulary.

“The suspects aren’t speaking, but the evidence suggests this was a highly localized operation,” Cavendish says. “They appear to have detailed knowledge of the Darwin Naval Base and Australian security protocols, but nothing to indicate preparedness for New Zealand.”

“Intelligence reports no suspicious increase in activity in New Zealand,” Pierce speaks up.

“That could mean they haven’t activated their New Zealand cell yet,” I point out.

“The diplomatic implications of canceling the New Zealand visit would be significant,” Lady Powell speaks up. “TheCommonwealth relies on these symbols of continuity, especially with republican sentiment on the rise.”

I can’t contain myself. “With all due respect, Lady Powell, diplomatic implications should be secondary to keeping the prince alive.”

Nicholas shoots me a look that could freeze hell. The eye contact sends a jolt through my body.

The members of the protection team turn to look at me too. Singh gives me a look like I’ve grown a second head, and Malcolm’s fingers have paused over his tablet. Even Blake’s eyebrows have climbed toward her hairline.

Fuck. I’ve just broken character. That’s not how Officer O’Connell, career protection officer, would respond. It’s Detective Sergeant O’Connell talking, the man who’s used to having opinions in briefings that matter.

“That is a valid point, but we must balance security with duty. The monarchy has faced threats before without retreating,” Sir Fergus says.

“There’s the fact that they seem to know aspects of our security,” Cavendish says, his voice tight. “Combined with the spider incident, it’s clear we have a significant breach. Someone with intimate knowledge of our movements, our protocols…”

He trails off, and the temperature in the room drops about ten degrees. Blake’s hand drifts unconsciously toward her concealed weapon. Singh’s face goes blank. Davis’s boyish face actually drains of color when he realizes what Cavendish isn’t quite saying.

“So we change the protocols,” Nicholas says suddenly.

All eyes turn to him.

“We create new ones, on the fly if necessary. We alter routes, change timing, adjust the schedule without advance notice,” he continues.

Cavendish looks physically pained by this suggestion. “Sir, security planning isn’t meant to be improvisational.”

“Neither is it meant to be predictable to our adversaries,” Nicholas counters smoothly. “If someone is feeding them information, let’s give them the wrong information.”

I’m reluctantly impressed by his tactical thinking.

Although I still want to shake the stubborn bastard for not simply accepting the safer option of returning to London.

“The public optics need consideration as well,” Lady Powell interjects. “Cutting the tour short after an attack sends a message of vulnerability. Continuing shows strength and resolve.”