Role Play
Page 29
Epilogue
Elle
A week later ...
She couldn’t remember when it all started.
Did it happen when Monty fell in love with someone else...
Or was it before then . . .
On the beach, when Sheila sliced her heart and spread it across the sand?
No.
It was the moment Violet said the sooner she realized the “princess and the witch were different sides of the same bitch,” the better off she would be.
So...
First, came the divorce filing, which made way for her to spin the media. Send them on a tizzy. Reporters loved victims and victors, and having to file for divorce due to adultery, made her appear to be both. Then lie and say it was never filed. It appeared confusing, but it also made her appear to be the wife fighting for her family’s life, which she was.
Next—select the sacrifice: Dominic. The ill-treated and secretly jealous best friend. The weakest link. She knew that Dominic wanted everything Monty had, including her.
She had seduced him, made him feel that switching lives with Monty was possible. Rendered him weak, then she could have him do whatever she needed him too.
Last . . . Sheila . . . The hardest stone to swallow. But a necessary one.
Elle never wanted it to end . . . not like this.
But when the PI confirmed that Sheila was an FBI agent, Elle knew . . . it was only a matter of time before Sheila would turn on her. To avoid that, she gave Sheila what she needed to nail her case . . . The only surprise was her being murdered.
Elle sniveled quietly. She swiped at her eyes, but the tears came anyway.
“Oh, Ellaina-Marie,” Violet said to Elle, as they sat in the back of the limo, preparing to make their way into the church for Monty’s final services. “I know a lot has happened. But Mother is so incredibly proud of you.”
Elle forced herself to smile.
Violet continued, “You have exceeded all of my expectations. You, my sweet girl, helped to pull this off without a hitch.”
“I did,” Elle agreed. “Though Monty attacking Brooklyn was unexpected.”
“That trollop had it coming. As far as I’m concerned, she got off easy. She’ll be fine. She’s young. She’ll bounce back. Maybe get a book deal or something. Who cares? But you, my dear. Bravo!” Violet clapped her hands. “Unlike Monty and Dominic, you stuck to the game plan. But those two went rogue.” she shook her head.
“What do you mean went rogue? How so?”
“They knew they had to follow our strict instructions and they didn’t. Instead they went out on their own and offed my beloved Carson—without permission.” Violet clutched her chest and a catch settled in her throat. “Oh, Carson, he was to move up the ranks. We had plans to send him East, to run the East Coast prayer groups. He was to be a chosen one. But they killed him The family knew then who we had to handle . . . Slowly, but surely. One by one.
“And we began.
“Rebecca and Sheldon couldn’t keep their mouths shut. They knew too much, always running to that reporter, Lorenz. We warned them. They didn’t stop. I ordered Stephen to do away with them. Which was the only thing he managed to get right.
“After all, Stephen was responsible for keeping an eye on Monty and instead of doing what he’d been assigned, he was busy importing illegal weapons and counterfeit money. Of all the foolish things to do. We didn’t need any of that. We are about power and control. And spreading the good Word. Illegal guns and counterfeit money, that is beneath us. And that is exactly what placed the FBI in our midst.” Violet shook her head. “Unacceptable.
“Why did Sheila have to die?” Elle asked, dabbing her eyes.
Violet responded, “She deserved what she got as well. Her being FBI, you and I both know, you were next on her radar. Those agents are always looking to make a name for themselves.”
“That’s why I made sure she had all the evidence she needed to bring down Monty. That was enough. We could’ve let her go.”
“Really? Then what would’ve happened when she put the squeeze on you? Because she never would have settled on being quiet and minding her business. Even those on the family’s payroll we are constantly keeping an eye on . . . imagine someone who simply thinks they are Robocop. Tuh! At some point, my dear, she would have had to go. And I believe in getting straight to the point. Besides, Monty had killed her before I got there. And I was thankful.”
Elle sighed.
“Now-now, dear. She’ll have a legacy. The public will think she offed the governor-gone-mad, Monty. Never suspecting that it was me. As for who they’ll say killed Sheila, the FBI has a list of poor and desperate souls they pin unsolved crimes on, and they’ll choose one . . . I told you a long time ago that I would never allow anyone to destroy our perfect family. And I meant that.”
“I see.”
“But as for you, my child, I am extremely pleased. You really listened to me.”
“Yes, Mother. I do listen to you—sometimes. How do you think I knew Dominic had to be the sacrifice?”
Violet clasped her hands together. “One of my proudest moments. And you were exactly right. And do you know that was decided long ago?”
“Was it?”
“Yes, it was preordained. For when the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to cast lots upon two goats, He said one lot was for the Lord and the other lot was for the scapegoat.”
“And Dominic was the scapegoat.”
“Exactly.”
“Mother?”
“Yes.”
“With Dominic being the scapegoat and Monty dead, which goat was for the Lord?”
The privacy partition rolled down.
“Daddy?” Elle said, surprised that he was in the limo with them, let alone in the driver’s seat.
Elijah looked into the rearview mirror at his daughter and smiled. “How would you like to become president of the United States?”