Princess in waiting

Chapter 7

The encounter with Teran Russo was brief. He explained how he paid for and received information from Frieda about Giselle Goldsmith’s appearance at the royal member’s wedding, and he explained that they had sent a member in to get a picture of Giselle Goldsmith.

“As you and anyone can see, it was published in our magazine, and it was one of the greatest… Russo was interrupted by an irritated Chief of Police.

“We know that. Who did you send to the location, who actually took the photos?”

“Willie Forsyth. He was killed on his way to the wedding.”

“And which… the Chief of Police began to speak with renewed vigor. “Would have easily promoted you to his position and fame.”

Russo smiled scornfully. “That’s not how it works. Though I was the deputy, I had other more important engagements, and I sent Mchaugny. He is the one who should be given the credit for.”

“Yet we understand it was your name that was assigned to the photographer who took the photos.”

“Yes. And if not for being brought in like this, and if Willie’s death did not make us suspects, we had a deal. I would never have revealed all of this, obviously. Mchaugny made the money, and I had the credit. I was professional, and I settled the payment,” Russo chuckled. Sergeant Shetty snickered, disgusted at the reporter.

Sergeant Shetty presented Frieda’s picture to Russo. “She is the one. She leaked the schedule to me, and I had to take it to Willie as he was the boss.”

****

Julian turned away from the screen.

“I had been right about her friends all along. Cannot trust Frieda. But who killed the guy who was supposed to take the picture? Could it be that Frieda got the money and tried to shut him off so that we would never know she leaked info in the first place? Must never speak to Giselle about this. I have no more business being here. I’ve already crossed a line, and as long as this dead journalist does not bother Giselle’s future in the monarchy, I’m a happy man.”

****

“I believe Frieda has motive. She might have thought about shutting the journalist down, because when her friend found out about the betrayal, she would be in trouble…” While one officer continued to explain the suspicion against Frieda, another officer had increased the volume of the live news broadcast on television. The change in the volume drew the attention of the officers to the screen and who was speaking.