“Viewers! This is the polling station at Grukots City Hall. Our photographer has just captured an arrest by special agents—”
A short clip showed plainclothes agents surrounding a middle-aged woman, controlling her hands and placing her handbag in a black box which was then carried away by a small robot.
“Oh my!” the reporter exclaimed, “Was that a bomb? As you saw, the agents have taken the woman away. We’ll connect to the intelligence department for more explanation—”
“Unbelievable!” Angela said. “Did I just witness our agents arrest a terrorist?”
Seems so.
Kerns looked at Wilhelmina. “Do you know about this, Willy? Is it Annabel?”
“Probably,” Wilhelmina sighed in relief.
Citizens in city hall began to evacuate as the voting location was temporarily changed to the courthouse entrance. They cooperated with armed police. Meanwhile, the news media had already defined the earlier incident as an unsuccessful terrorist attack.
Relaxed, Wilhelmina smiled but suddenly froze when she saw Albert looking at her meaningfully. He stood up and left the study without a word.
“What’s wrong with him?” Angela and Kerns asked Wilhelmina.
“Nothing,” she replied, standing up to follow him.
Albert walked back to the bedroom, with Wilhelmina closely behind, closing the door.
“Albert, I…”
“You already knew?” Albert turned back, anger in his gaze.
Wilhelmina took a breath. “Yes, I knew yesterday. But…”
“But you didn’t tell me!”
Wilhelmina sighed. “Albert, this matter has been resolved. Why are you angry?”
Albert moved closer, asking, “I want to know, who came up with this plan with you?”
“Can’t I make this decision myself?” Wilhelmina snapped, “For heaven’s sake, I’m the Queen, not a housewife!”
“I have the ability and right to make a decision about anything!”
“Don’t quibble, Willy.” Albert grabbed his wife’s shoulders, looking directly into her eyes. “For such a big matter, you can’t make a decision alone. I know you; you must have consulted someone. Was it Hans Borg, right?”
Wilhelmina unconsciously pursed her lips. Albert let go of her with disappointment. “You told him, but not me?”
“Albert, please!” she tried to comfort him. “He was going to the Grukots City Hall today. I was just worried about his safety.”
