Working as a police officer in Mexico-Chapter 1833 - 800: The Who Doesn’t Matter, Only Being Nonstick Matters! (3)

Immediately afterward, the Daily Mirror obtained clearer photos, even a short video recorded by a tourist with a home video camera. Though the footage was shaky, it clearly showed Major Ellis being shot, and the whole process of the prince jumping out of the car and crawling away. The prince's terrified screams and cries in the video were enough to make viewers' hearts pound.

The royal family's image suffered an unprecedented blow. No longer a symbol of dignity, nobility, and calm, but rather an ordinary person rendered helpless and vulnerable in the face of death. For many conservative citizens who view the royal family as the "country's cornerstone" and "spiritual symbol," this kind of image collapse is catastrophic.

London, MI6 headquarters, underground briefing room.

The atmosphere was so tense you could wring water out of it. Acting Director Gray had a grim look on his face, standing before him were the counterterrorism chief, the technical analysis director, the Scotland Yard representative, and a senior investigator who had just flown back from Edinburgh.

"The gunman has disappeared."

The investigator reported, voice dry, "The serial number on that L1A1 SLR rifle was filed off, making it untraceable. Ballistic analysis confirmed it was the bullet fired from this rifle. No valuable fingerprints could be extracted from the gun; it was clearly wiped clean. There are no other clues within the building."

"Escape route?" asked Gray.

The investigator pulled up a map, "The back alley connects to three different alleys, none of which have surveillance. The white van was found three blocks away, burned, with fake license plates, and the vehicle identification number was destroyed as well. We interviewed seventeen potential witnesses along the way; only one vaguely remembered seeing a white van speeding by, but had no further information."

Gray sneered, "In the center of Edinburgh, in broad daylight, assassinate the Crown Prince and then disappear like a ghost, leaving a clean scene behind? You're telling me this is something that group of mud-legged Highland Freedom Army members can plan? If McTavish had this capability, he would have occupied Holyrood Palace long ago!"

The technical analysis director spoke up: "The on-site radio communication records show that thirty seconds before the gunshot, our sniper observation unit deployed at the vantage point opposite building D-5 reported 'no anomalies detected.' Yet, the gunman fired from that very window. Either our observer was severely negligent, or... the gunman entered position in those last thirty seconds and knew how to avoid observation."

"He knew the location of the observation points."

The counterterrorism chief slowly said, "He knew the precise timing of the convoy. He knew the Bentley was open-top, knew the prince would stand there. He even knew Major Ellis was sitting on the left — that shot was obviously aimed at the prince, but the prince happened to turn to wave, and Ellis blocked the trajectory. This wasn't luck; this was intelligence. Very accurate, very timely intelligence."

The room fell into a dead silence.

"Insider."

The representative from Scotland Yard uttered this word, "Security plans, routes, vehicle arrangements, personnel positions... only a very few people have the full picture. The gunman's precision suggests that someone within, at least in the Scottish Police or the royal security team, leaked information. And at a high level."

Gray felt a cold shiver climb up his spine. More terrifying than an external attack is internal betrayal.

The photo leak from the Diana incident had already shattered the royal family's trust in the intelligence and security systems to the freezing point. Should it emerge that an insider aided the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince...

He squeezed out words through clenched teeth, "Screen everyone who had access to the plan, one by one. Communications records, bank accounts, familial ties, recent abnormal behavior... dig thoroughly if necessary!"

"Also."

He added, "Where did those photos and videos in the media come from? Who took them? Such close proximity, such clear images—I don't believe it was accidental. This could also be part of the plan—not only to assassinate but to humiliate, to display the royal family's most disgraceful side to the world."

Just then, a secretary rushed in, whispering a few words into Gray's ear.

Gray's expression turned even darker: "When did it happen?"

"Fifteen minutes ago, directly delivered to the reception at ITV's Scotland division. The recipient was labeled as 'Head of News, urgent.'"

"Where's the package?"

"ITV already saw it, they... they're preparing to broadcast it as breaking news. Our people are on their way but fear they won't make it in time to stop it."

Gray stood up abruptly: "Notify the Communications Authority (ITC), demand they delay the broadcast citing national security! Hurry!"

But it was already too late.

…

Glasgow, ITV Scotland division building.

News editor Allen Mackie sat in the editing room, eyes glued to the screen, gripping a can of already cold coffee. A recording was playing on the screen.

The video quality was mediocre, seemingly shot with a home video camera. The backdrop was a plain wall, possibly curtains or a bedsheet.

A man sat before the camera, wearing a black Balaklava hat, revealing only his eyes and mouth. He wore a simple plaid shirt, with no other distinguishing features.

The man spoke in English but with a heavy, seemingly deliberately mimicked Scottish Highland accent:

"The incident today in Edinburgh is a small gift from us, the 'True Scottish Freedom Army' to the London ruling group and the royal traitors."

The voice was slightly distorted, a bit skewed.

"Charles Windsor, you bloodstained parasite of the people, today you only tasted the flavor of fear. Your henchman went to Hell in your place; this is the manifestation of justice! We warn the usurpers in London: The land of Scotland does not belong to you! The resources of Scotland do not belong to you! The fate of the Scottish people is not for you greedy thieves to decide!"