Her Conclusion

== HER CONCLUSION ==
=== By Jason James Parker ===
Published in StoryStar 2013
There were no two ways about it; he would have to kill her. She owed her
life to him anyway, how fitting that her end should come at his bidding. He would have to work out who should actually do the deed of course, that would be
a necessary evil. Patrick massaged his temples as he often did when deep in
thought, as though he was coaxing the needed clarity from his cluttered mind.
Who would do this thing for him?
Standing abruptly, Patrick pulled a cigarette from a crumpled pack and
shuffled over to his office window. The view was bleak, as grey clouds rolled
in from over the ocean. 'A good day to plan a murder', Patrick thought blackly.
As he lit up, he thought back to a very heated conversation with his best
friend Harold. He had brought up his intentions at dinner and Harold had
vehemently opposed him. He felt that the act of killing someone like Estelle
was not only callous but pointless. Patrick and subsequently Harold had come to
know her intimately over the course of many years. She was one of the major
reasons for Patrick's climb to success. She had become a vehicle for his
triumphs and although he had been responsible for her growth he had used her
all the same. Harold knew that Patrick dealt with such matters everyday. They
had always been close as they operated in similar circles. Harold didn't take
such decisions lightly, however, and that's what made Patrick's dark objective
that much harder for Harold to swallow.
Patrick stubbed his cigarette out in the crystal ashtray that his wife;
Saffron, had given him for his fortieth birthday. He wouldn't tell her of his
plans, not yet. She would question him incessantly, eventually letting emotion
override any sense of reason. His working life was his business and his alone,
the less others knew, the better. Everyone would know eventually as always. He
was good at what he did because he was able to make calculated decisions and
stick with them; he didn't need anyone's approval. Estelle had served her
purpose and was nothing more than a hindrance now. She was certainly a
profitable appendage early on but soon enough she would be responsible for his
downfall. She was proving to be something of a distraction for him. Saffron had
even joked about him spending more time with Estelle than he ever did with her.
He could tell there was a tinge of truth in the seemingly 'throw away' comment.
Perhaps Victor could do it. Patrick smiled at the thought of what a
cold-hearted character Victor really was. He would be perfect for the job. Yes,
Victor would tie up this loose end and then Patrick would be done with it.
Pouring scotch into a thick bottomed tumbler, Patrick wondered how it would be
done; strangulation perhaps, maybe poison. It would have to be discreet as
there was a lot riding on this and so would have to be done right the first
time. Yes, poison would do the trick. Victor had experience with poisons of all
kinds; this was all fitting together perfectly.
Draining his glass, Patrick sat back down at his desk. Massaging his
temples once again, he thought about Estelle's child: Mandy. What would he do
about her? Perhaps he would just have to finish her off as well. He couldn't
very well just let her survive, what would become of her in the end? Maybe one
day she would avenge her Mother's death, that would certainly be interesting if
nothing else. Pouring another drink, Patrick thought back on the time he had
spent with Estelle. Maybe this was just a heartless act and nothing more. He
really had become fond of her over the years. They had ultimately become
synonymous with each other; people had always said that, hadn't they? No, it
was time. It was now or never. 
Patrick jiggled his mouse, rousing his computer from hibernation. The
screen came to life and he exhaled deeply, steeling himself for what was to
come. He began typing; setting events in motion for what would soon be
Estelle's demise. He typed furiously, just wanting to be done with the whole
thing as quickly as possible. He decided the next chapter would be the one; he
would have Victor kill Estelle at the end of chapter nine. For so long she had
been the protagonist of his novels but it was time to move on, time to leave
Estelle behind for good, it was time for her conclusion.
Category:StoryStar
Category:Parker
Category:Web-published