05.18.2008 / EP. 10
Plot for the Dead
“Death is good for everything, as it turns out,” said Kerry. “For example, you could kill me now and nobody would arrest you.”
“You’re already dead.”
“Right.”
“Here’s a different scenario. You and Carrie get rid of me.”
“I like the plot so far.”
“Don’t interrupt. You get rid of me and leak this story to the press: ‘Governor Brull’s campaign for the Presidency suffered a setback last night when a close aide was shot while being arrested for murder. Milly Troie, an administrative assistant in the Governor’s legal office, staged a burglary at the Dennis Quall building during which an unidentified man was killed. She resisted arrest and was shot by a police officer. Unconfirmed reports state that financial backers of Governor Brull are stampeding to dissociate themselves from the candidate.’ That’s front page news. Your name in banner headlines. There’s a book in it, maybe millions of dollars. And nobody can prove you wrong.”
“Why would I drag your reputation through the mud?” asked Kerry.
“You sell your soul to the opposition. You’re extinct, man. You’ve crossed the Lethe, listened to extreme unction. Kerry is a’moulderin’ in the grave. Suddenly you return and change sides. Back from the tomb. Publicity. That’s what this is about. Or you blackmail the Governor. He’d want the story suppressed. One of your henchmen shows a draft press release to the Governor and he directs a hefty payoff your way. You could approach the Governor yourself. Nobody would believe it. Everyone thinks you’re dead.”
“While we’re fantasizing,” said Kerry. “Humour me. Explain why you killed someone in your office?”
“I didn’t and you know it, but the story has charm. It sends up a smokescreen and maybe the average voter will believe it. Just maybe. You won’t frighten away the guys you’re after though. People who think about killing political leaders don’t scare easily. And drugging me was stupid.”
“Why?”
“You don’t want me as an enemy. But imagine I’m harmless. From now on other people will suspect everything you do. Have you doped their coffee as you did mine? Framed them? Also, you’re a fictional dead man and therefore defenceless. Who will believe you after you’ve lied so thoroughly about your own death? Even if people believe what you say, they’ve already expended your allotment of grief. They won’t care if you’re shot or poisoned. What else is new? they’ll think. In a week six books will appear claiming the story of your second death is government fiction and another six will say you’re the new Carlos. Imaginary extreme unction is halfway to the real thing.”
Kerry sighed. “Drugging you was Carrie’s idea.”
“Right. And she’s persuasive. It’s not your fault, poor lamb.”
“I’m tired of the competition. You don’t know what it’s like being a twin. I don’t want to cooperate with her or beat her. I want my own life.”
“You want life by pretending to die.”
“Escape.”
“Excuse me. And you pursue independence by helping Carrie kidnap and burgle.”
“Not burgle.”
“Excuse me again.”
“You present a problem, Milly.”
“I enjoyed your funeral. How’d you get undead?”
“Pardon.”
“The resurrection. How did it feel? Only one person has managed it till you came on the scene.”
“Sleight of hand,” said Kerry with sarcasm. He wagged a finger at Milly. “We were wondering, Carrie and I, about your office.”
“No you weren’t.”
“The private things you keep in it.”
Milly couldn’t decide if she was angry or embarrassed. “You mean what you planted to trash my reputation. More smoke and mirrors.”
“Like the dead man.”
And what else did you find? Milly thought. But she said nothing.
“And the gold,” said Kerry.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
What I like is the episodes are short. I can read it on my phone.