Read Online The Tudor Plot: A Cotton Malone Novella by Steve Berry - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Steve Berry
Ads: Link
weaken the institution.
The House of Yourstone would not begin business with a deficit.
“Back home,” he told his driver.
The car motored from the palace.
Malone considered what Thomas Mathews had just said and noted, “Eleanor is third in line to the throne.”
“I am aware of that. Her brother and nephew come before her. But Richard has been the subject of brutal attacks by the press. He has virtually no public image. We now know that Nigel Yourstone has been orchestrating those attacks.”
“And you haven’t bothered to tell the queen?”
“That would be problematic. There is no way to maintain a secret within Buckingham Palace. In order to stop this, we must have total secrecy.”
“So you think Yourstone is trying to prevent Richard from becoming king?”
“There is no doubt. And that will not be difficult. Richard could easily be primed to abdicate. Which is precisely what Yourstone is planning.”
“And my visit to Yourstone compromised all of that?”
Mathews nodded. “He now knows that someone is watching.”
But none of that was Malone’s fault. He hadn’t asked to be involved and had been thrust into this fight with little to no information. He was only doing what the queen of England and Stephanie Nelle had asked him to do.
“Cotton, I don’t want to overdramatize the situation, but Yourstone and Eleanor are plotting the death of Albert. With Albert dead and Richard abdicating, Eleanor is queen.”
He decided to tell Mathews the rest of the bad news. “There’s been a meeting of several lords at Buckingham Palace, which is surely over by now. Yourstone was there.”
And he explained more.
“I have to check with my people,” Mathews said, when he finished. “Assess the damage.”
Malone looked at Goulding. “While he does that, I need to use your phone.”
“Mr. Malone, you are saying my daughter is plotting regicide.”
The queen’s voice cracked with emotion.
He’d called William at the palace and told him he needed to speak with Victoria immediately. Mathews had okayed the call, provided no mention was made of him or his agency’s involvement.
“Malone’s right,” James said through the speakerphone. “You heard Yourstone earlier. He told us there are precious few secrets in this world. But I believe we have just confirmed one.”
Malone listened as they explained what happened at the meeting.
“What do we do now?” Victoria asked.
“At least Yourstone knows we’re watching. It might slow him down.”
“Why not just arrest him?” James asked him.
“We have no proof. Talk about a PR disaster. You’d have a giant one. It’s too early for that. But security on Albert should be tightened. Perhaps a retreat to an estate for a few days. That’ll make him easier to protect.”
“He has some previously scheduled duties for today,” William said.
“Finish them. Then change his schedule.”
“And what of our daughter?” Victoria asked.
“Keep her isolated. Do nothing to alert her suspicion.”
“And Richard?”
“He’s not a player, until Albert is dead. Since that isn’t going to happen, just let him be.”
“You sound confident,” the queen said.
“I am.”
“And what of Yourstone?” James asked.
“Leave him to me. No more contact with him, either.”
“I’d prefer to strangle the bloody bastard,” James said.
“You might get your chance, just not at the moment. I’ll be back in touch.”
He ended the call and glanced at Professor Goulding. Mathews was still outside on the phone. “You really believe Arthur is buried in Iceland.”
“With what we already know, combined with what Yourstone uncovered, I think he is.”
“Can the grave be found?”
Goulding nodded.
CHAPTER TEN
Yourstone reentered his London flat. Eleanor had stayed with Richard on the pretense of making sure he was all right. The real purpose was to cement the Prince of Wales’ resolve to abdicate.
Inside, he headed straight for his study and was
The House of Yourstone would not begin business with a deficit.
“Back home,” he told his driver.
The car motored from the palace.
Malone considered what Thomas Mathews had just said and noted, “Eleanor is third in line to the throne.”
“I am aware of that. Her brother and nephew come before her. But Richard has been the subject of brutal attacks by the press. He has virtually no public image. We now know that Nigel Yourstone has been orchestrating those attacks.”
“And you haven’t bothered to tell the queen?”
“That would be problematic. There is no way to maintain a secret within Buckingham Palace. In order to stop this, we must have total secrecy.”
“So you think Yourstone is trying to prevent Richard from becoming king?”
“There is no doubt. And that will not be difficult. Richard could easily be primed to abdicate. Which is precisely what Yourstone is planning.”
“And my visit to Yourstone compromised all of that?”
Mathews nodded. “He now knows that someone is watching.”
But none of that was Malone’s fault. He hadn’t asked to be involved and had been thrust into this fight with little to no information. He was only doing what the queen of England and Stephanie Nelle had asked him to do.
“Cotton, I don’t want to overdramatize the situation, but Yourstone and Eleanor are plotting the death of Albert. With Albert dead and Richard abdicating, Eleanor is queen.”
He decided to tell Mathews the rest of the bad news. “There’s been a meeting of several lords at Buckingham Palace, which is surely over by now. Yourstone was there.”
And he explained more.
“I have to check with my people,” Mathews said, when he finished. “Assess the damage.”
Malone looked at Goulding. “While he does that, I need to use your phone.”
“Mr. Malone, you are saying my daughter is plotting regicide.”
The queen’s voice cracked with emotion.
He’d called William at the palace and told him he needed to speak with Victoria immediately. Mathews had okayed the call, provided no mention was made of him or his agency’s involvement.
“Malone’s right,” James said through the speakerphone. “You heard Yourstone earlier. He told us there are precious few secrets in this world. But I believe we have just confirmed one.”
Malone listened as they explained what happened at the meeting.
“What do we do now?” Victoria asked.
“At least Yourstone knows we’re watching. It might slow him down.”
“Why not just arrest him?” James asked him.
“We have no proof. Talk about a PR disaster. You’d have a giant one. It’s too early for that. But security on Albert should be tightened. Perhaps a retreat to an estate for a few days. That’ll make him easier to protect.”
“He has some previously scheduled duties for today,” William said.
“Finish them. Then change his schedule.”
“And what of our daughter?” Victoria asked.
“Keep her isolated. Do nothing to alert her suspicion.”
“And Richard?”
“He’s not a player, until Albert is dead. Since that isn’t going to happen, just let him be.”
“You sound confident,” the queen said.
“I am.”
“And what of Yourstone?” James asked.
“Leave him to me. No more contact with him, either.”
“I’d prefer to strangle the bloody bastard,” James said.
“You might get your chance, just not at the moment. I’ll be back in touch.”
He ended the call and glanced at Professor Goulding. Mathews was still outside on the phone. “You really believe Arthur is buried in Iceland.”
“With what we already know, combined with what Yourstone uncovered, I think he is.”
“Can the grave be found?”
Goulding nodded.
CHAPTER TEN
Yourstone reentered his London flat. Eleanor had stayed with Richard on the pretense of making sure he was all right. The real purpose was to cement the Prince of Wales’ resolve to abdicate.
Inside, he headed straight for his study and was
Similar Books
