Ch24: The Monarch’s Call

Written by Kavya and Concept by Sidhant First go to previous blogs if you have not already....

Cloe awoke the next morning to the shrill ring of her phone. An unknown number flashed on the screen. Hesitantly, she picked up the receiver, bracing herself for whatever might come next. The voice that greeted her on the other end was formal, precise, and unmistakably authoritative.

“Hello, I am Agent Charlie from Great Britain. Am I speaking to Miss Cloe?”

Cloe sat up straighter in her bed. “Yes, sir, you are.”

“I’ve been informed of your recent actions in Finland,” Agent Charlie continued, his tone laced with respect. “You successfully thwarted a massive attack at the airport, and you were deeply involved in investigating the related cases. Specifically, the replica egg filled with rendel, the poisonous gas, which killed Mrs. Handa. You also apprehended Garry and Alex, who provided vital information regarding their instructions. There was, however, no trace found on the cook’s phone during your initial investigation. Did you manage to recover anything from it afterward?”

“No, sir,” Cloe replied, still processing the surreal nature of this conversation.

Agent Charlie’s voice became more urgent as he pressed on. “This case has now become of particular interest to Her Majesty the Queen. You are probably aware that Lady Rose Petrichia was found dead inside her house. Her body was discovered in the kitchen, next to that of her maid’s. The cause of death has been confirmed: a replica egg filled with rendel, just like in the Finland case. The cook opened it, and the gas released led to both the deaths. To complicate matters further, her phone, like the maid’s in Finland, has been wiped clean.”

Cloe felt a chill creep down her spine. The similarities between the two cases were striking. It seemed that someone was orchestrating a string of deaths, and now it was reaching directly into the British monarchy.

“My sources tell me that you are currently in Nairobi, investigating matters connected to this case. I must commend you on your efforts and breakthroughs. However, this situation is more dire than we initially believed. The monarchy is under threat, and they require the expertise of someone who has already handled similar incidents. I’m requesting that you come to London, or at the very least send a representative who can assist us in solving the matter.”

Cloe absorbed the gravity of his words. Her mind whirled with the implications. The Queen’s safety was at stake. And yet, she was still caught in the web of mysteries surrounding the tin box, Absko, and the cryptic message from Mr. Put. She needed time to think, to make a decision.

“Sir, I need a little time to decide,” she replied, carefully choosing her words. “There’s a lot going on here in Kenya. I understand the importance of the matter in Britain, but I must assess the situation before making any commitments. Please give me a few hours. I will provide an answer soon.”

After a pause, Agent Charlie agreed. “I will await your response.”

Cloe ended the call and sank back into her thoughts. The urgency of the situation was undeniable, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. She was trapped between two major investigations—one in Kenya and the other pulling her toward the British monarchy. But she wasn’t alone in this. She had Daniel and Shree to lean on.

Cloe quickly changed into her disguise, becoming Ruksana once more, and hurried to Daniel’s room. He was already awake, awaiting her. She wasted no time in telling him about Agent Charlie’s call and the situation with Lady Rose.

Earlier, Cloe had learned from Mr. Put that Lady Rose’s death had been kept a secret from Daniel, part of the larger plan to gain Absko’s trust. But now the news was out, and things were moving at an accelerating pace. Cloe needed advice—and she needed to act quickly.

As Cloe and Daniel discussed their options, she glanced at her watch. It was almost time for her scheduled meeting with Mr. Put. His messages always seemed to provide clarity when everything else seemed muddled. Perhaps this time, his message would help her navigate the current conundrum.