Chapter 21: Commander McAllister

*Princess Belasarius*

I marched down to McAllister’s office, my heels echoing against the stone walls. Two guards barred the entrance to her office. “Sorry Princess, Commander’s orders. She is not to be disturbed.”

“Commander’s orders?” I asked. I grabbed them by their shirt collars and yanked them down to eye level. “Future Queen’s orders. Take the night off.” They obliged, briskly walking away. Meanwhile, I took a deep breath and opened the doors. She and I needed to talk.

It all started this morning, when, on a hunch, I went to oversee the interrogation of the assassin who had supposedly murdered Advisor Price. As I learned, my suspicions about that day were well founded.

***

EARLIER THAT DAY

As per the deal, the assassin, whose name was Elizabeth Smythe, was free to go… after she answered some questions, of course. However, when I arrived, her cell was empty. “Where is she?” I asked the guard stationed at her door.