Page 81 of Royal Agenda

“Of course.” Harry waved her off. “Hazards of getting up … in years.”

“Ha ha,” Don said dryly, but he watched Harry with a sharpness that said he was ready to jump into action should Harry need him.

Harry walked to the murder board haltingly, his forehead shiny with beads of sweat at his

brow. His already pale Scottish complexion went pallid. “My turn, huh?” He chuckled half-heartedly.

Nancy eyed him carefully. A set of nerves was one thing, but this felt like something else.

“Time to set up my…gr—” His shoulders rolled forward slightly, and he put a hand to his

chest. “My grandson…Lucas.”

He was not okay. Nancy stood, almost toppling her chair as she rushed to get

to Harry’s side. “What’s wrong?” This felt all too familiar. Though the last time she was in this situation, she was the one having chest pains and shortness of breath.

He breathed out a laugh that held no mirth. “Just felt like someone was knuckling my

sternum there for a second.”

“Oh my! He’s having a heart attack!” Rosa, too, jumped from her chair.

“Should we call 9-1-1?” Winnie asked.

“I’ll call Virginia.” Polly fumbled with her purse to find her phone.

Nancy spun and grabbed her chair. “Sit down,” she commanded Walt–her boardroom voice taking over. He did and she started pushing him out of the conference room. Don came around and took over. “Too the lobby,” she instructed. It would be easier for paramedics to get to him there.

Harry nodded, hand still at his chest.

“Walt?” She caught his concerned gaze. “Find Ty.”

Ty Curtis wasn’t a doctor, but as The Palms’ physical therapist he’d be easier to find, and

he’d been trained in CPR. Walt rushed out of the room. The rest of the Secret Seven followed, clumped together. Polly had Virginia on the phone and was talking her through what was happening. Rosa prayed, her hands pressed together in front of her shirt, her squinted into slits.

Nancy was the last one out. She shut the door firmly behind her. If something happened to Harry, it was important that the Secret Seven match Lucas for him.

Harry had never let them down and she’d make sure they did the same thing for him.

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