The Recording in the Cathedral Wall
Chapter 10 - The Recording in the Cathedral Wall
The cathedral’s official cameras had failed during the six minutes surrounding the toast.
Owen’s security report blamed a power surge.
An electrician named Thomas Gray disputed that finding. The cameras operated on battery backup. Someone manually disconnected the recording server.
Thomas had been ordered not to discuss the problem.
He contacted Mara after seeing Helena’s statement.
During renovations years earlier, Thomas installed a small maintenance camera inside the wall behind the altar to monitor water damage. It was not connected to palace security and recorded locally.
The footage showed Owen enter the altar area twenty minutes before the ceremony. He carried the ceremonial cup into a blind corner.
Three minutes later, Marcus joined him.
The image lacked sound, but Marcus removed a dropper bottle from his pocket. Owen held the cup while Marcus leaned over it.
Then Emily entered unexpectedly.
Marcus stepped away. Owen handed her the cup and pointed toward the aisle.
The recording captured the act directly.
Ortiz obtained an arrest warrant.
Marcus left the palace before police arrived.
His vehicle was found near a private airfield, but no aircraft departed. Investigators believed he remained in the capital under protection from loyal guards.
A message reached Sophie’s phone.
Marcus offered the location of additional evidence in exchange for a private meeting. He claimed Queen Helena had ordered the poisoning and he possessed proof.
Ortiz advised Sophie not to respond.
Adrian said the same.
Sophie studied the message. Marcus no longer expected to win legally. He wanted confusion, leverage or another victim.
Police traced the signal to the abandoned royal maternity hospital where Sophie’s father once worked.
Marcus had chosen the building deliberately.
Ortiz created a controlled response. Sophie sent a message agreeing to meet while officers surrounded the site.
But Marcus anticipated surveillance.
When police entered, they found no one.
A projector turned on automatically.
On the wall appeared a live image of Adrian’s hospital corridor.
Marcus had not invited Sophie away to meet him.
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He had invited police away from the prince.
At that moment, the hospital fire alarm sounded.
