Running Around Royal (Prince Harry #4)

Chapter Ninety-Eight

When Meredith woke in the morning, her eyes felt like suction cups. The alarm was ringing freely, and her whole body ached from last night's panic attack. Today, she felt exhausted and sick to her stomach. Last night, she had gotten her shit together at least slightly, but in the middle of the night, when she slept, she had lost it again. Jack Campbell haunted almost every dream she had. Her mind kept going back to Dalkeith Palace, where those steps had been covered in blood, where she pushed him down the hill, where he tried to hurt her and Harry.

Shaking those thoughts away, she didn't want to think about it. It was all too dramatic. This was supposed to be a happy life, a calm life, a life filled with order and discipline, routine, kindness, giving back to the community. In this life, the biggest thing she needed to worry about was a comedian making an over the line joke or which royal protocol she accidentally broke.

Reminding herself it was the last day, Meredith let a smile loose. To say that it had been a tour was just plain wrong. There had been many wonderful moments. She learned many things. She had met amazing people. She had gone to places that she was only able to dream about. It just happened to be last night that put a damper on everything. Meredith just needed to get through today, and then she was free. However, that meant that she had more time to worry about Jack Campbell.

Rolling over, Meredith reached for Harry but found his side empty. She let out a huff.

Listening, she heard a rumble of voices. She crept from the bed and over to the door, where she pressed her ear to the crack. She heard Harry's voice clearly because it was definitely the loudest. They spoke about Jack Campbell, where Bodyguard Bill's voice piped in and Jessica's was a stern reminder of protocol. There was a voice that Meredith wasn't able to place. Carefully, she opened the door and peeked out, where she caught the look of a police officer. She seemed rather high up by the looks of her as she held her hat under one of her arms.

Bill repeated, "Jack Campbell is locked up. He is under hard security now. Everyone is watching his every movement. The prison has been watching all of his communications, and there has been nothing suspicious. However, the warden did see something about congratulations on a baby, but he didn't know it was the duchess."

Harry shook his head. "How is it possible that he knew that?"

"He probably guessed, just like many members of the public have." Jessica went on, "This is just a copycat. Since the news broke of Campbell's stalking you and his attack, there have been his fans. This is just one of them trying to get to you and her highness."

Meredith hadn't been aware that anyone knew, but newspapers and news stations were kept away from her most times. Sometimes her internet access was limited. They said it was for security reasons, but Meredith felt more in the dark than not. This whole time people knew about Jack Campbell, but she was only finding out about it now. And what did people know?

The police offer stated, "There will be extra security today at all events. The crowds will be watched. If anyone attempts to make a move that is suspicious, then they will be met with the Quebec City Police Department."

Harry didn't seem all that convinced, but with an outside person in his midst, he was on his best behavior. "Thank you, ma'am, for your, your department's and your officers' hard work."

"Yes, your highness." She bowed and then left. Bill walked her out, going over a few more security details.

When they were safely away, Meredith opened the door and stood in the hallway. Harry turned, and it gave him quite a fright with her hands on her hips and death glare. Meredith didn't like being kept in the dark, and that was exactly what they did.