Royal Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page B

emergency personnel said it appears that the driver lost control on the wet road. We did get our toxicology report back, and there isn’t any evidence that the driver had any drugs or alcohol in his system,” he told them. “I imagine the police who responded will be able to give you more details.”
    “ Grazie , dottore ,” Marta said. “Can we see Stefano now?”
    “The nurse is doing some blood work, but as soon as she is finished, someone will come get you. We should be able to release him within an hour or two.”
    “Why is the nurse doing blood work for a broken collar bone and some bruised ribs?”
    “It’s standard procedure,” Dr. Casale assured him. “The nurse will be out to show you to your son’s room shortly.”
    “ Grazie ,” King Eduard said, effectively dismissing the doctor. Then he led his wife to a sofa on the side of the room.
    They had barely sat down when the police chief entered the room and approached them.
    “ Mi scusi , Your Majesties.” He bowed then held out a single sheet of paper. “I wanted to bring you our preliminary accident report.”
    “What did you find out?” King Eduard asked, glancing down at the typewritten page.
    “Our findings are inconclusive at this point. I’m afraid no one witnessed the accident, and the only skid marks we found belonged to the limousine. Until we can question the driver, we can’t be sure what caused him to brake so suddenly.”
    “Was there any evidence of another vehicle involved?”
    “No, sir.” The police chief shook his head. “The limousine wasn’t struck by another vehicle.”
    “So you think the driver simply lost control.”
    “It looks that way,” he said tentatively.
    “You don’t think so though, do you?”
    The chief hesitated briefly. Then he chose his words carefully. “I find it unsettling that an experienced driver, especially one who has been working for the royal family for so long, would lose control on a familiar road.”
    King Eduard’s jaw clenched briefly. “You think this could be an attempt on my son’s life.”
    “Sir, it would be premature to make such an assumption.”
    “But the possibility exists.”
    He shrugged slightly. “The accident happened a short distance from Viale Settimo. We did find some muddy tracks near that intersection, but we have no way of knowing if the vehicle that made them was involved.”
    “Perhaps it would be prudent for the royal family to go into seclusion for a few days to give you time to explore the possibilities,” Eduard considered. “I think Prince Stefano would do well to spend a few weeks recovering at the chateau with his brother.”
    “Sir, I think that is an excellent idea.”

Chapter 5
    Alora stared at the meager furnishings of her one-bedroom apartment and considered what else she wanted to pack. For the first time in three years, she actually felt like she was looking forward instead of dwelling on her past. Her clothing was already neatly packed into suitcases, and the majority of the kids’ toys were boxed up.
    Right after finalizing the details of her new job with Janessa, Alora had visited her landlord and told him she was moving. She hadn’t worked since losing Carlo, and what was left from the life insurance money was dwindling fast. Still, over the past few years, it had been enough to pay rent and put food on the table. The boys’ clothes might always be secondhand, but at least they had a parent at home who loved them.
    “Mama! Mama!” Giancarlo rushed into the room, a toy in each hand. “Are we really going to live in a castle?”
    “Well, it’s not a castle, but a prince lives there.” She leaned down so she could look into the dark eyes that reminded her so much of his father’s. With a sigh, she reached for him and pulled him close for a hug.
    He snuggled into her for a second and then squirmed free. “Can we go see it now?”
    A smile tugged at her lips. “We have to pack first.”
    “Tomorrow, then?”
    “I thought we