“His hypothetical theory of what might happen if such a thing occurred,” Reeve corrected. “Your Highness, I’m aware, very aware, of the frustration of not being able to close in on the evidence we have now. We had him once for over a decade, and it didn’t stop him. If we want to crush Deboque once and for all, sever all these strings and hack away his control in Europe, we have to have solid and indisputable evidence of murder and conspiracy. Hannah will give us that in a matter of days.”

Armand drew out a cigarette and shifted his gaze to Hannah. “How?”

“The payoff.” She felt herself on solid ground again. It helped to have Malori there, sharp-eyed and just a bit disapproving. “When Deboque is convinced I’ve completed the job, he’ll pay me off. As soon as money changes hands, we’ve got him.”

“He’s not a fool. You agree?”

“No, Your Highness, he’s not a fool.”

“But you will convince him you have murdered my family.”

“Yes. If you would look at this diagram, sir?” She rose and waited for him to accompany her to a table. With Reeve’s help, she stretched out a long roll of paper. “The blueprints I smuggled to Deboque show this wing as occupied by Prince Alexander and his family. I gave Deboque the information that Princess Gabriella and her family would also be staying here during the days before the Christmas Ball.”

“I see. In truth, my son’s family’s wing is here.” He skimmed his finger to the opposite side of the drawing.

“The night before the ball, I’ll set some charges here, and here.” She laid a fingertip on the areas. “They’ll be much smaller than what Deboque assumes, but with Reeve’s special effects added, it should be quite a show. There will be some damage, sir, but it will appear much worse, particularly from the outside, than it really is. You’ll need to do some replastering and painting.”

He lifted a brow, but she couldn’t tell if he was amused. “There are areas of the palace that could do with some redecorating.”

“It will be imperative, of course, to clear this wing. Discreetly.”

“Of course.”

“Ten minutes before the explosion, I will leave to meet with Deboque or his agent. The payment will be made after he considers the job done.”

“Have you considered that he would want to have the deaths verified before he pays you?”