Role Play

by Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker

  Once Brooklyn closed the door, Lorenz placed his hands on her waist and turned her around to face him. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m—”

  He placed his index finger against her lips. “No matter what it is, tell me. I can help.”

  “Monty wants to kill you.”

  Lorenz looked surprised. “Who?” he asked.

  “Who do you think?” she said.

  “Please.” He smirked. “He has enough on his plate, the last thing he’s about to do is kill me. Have you been watching the news?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you see he’s on house arrest.”

  “I don’t believe that will stop him.

  “He’s dangerous and desperate. And I know him well enough to know he will go through with his threats.” She recounted the story of Monty having the police arrest her and take her to the abandoned complex where she’d once lived. “I didn’t stay here like he ordered me to. After I told you to leave, I took an Uber to my sister’s. He kept my car. I had to buy a new one.”

  “I can’t believe he did that. And the police pretended to arrest you? Did you catch their names? Furthermore, what about the body cameras? There has to be footage of that.”

  “Can’t body cameras be turned off?” she asked.

  “Yes. But that doesn’t mean they turned them off.” He pulled her close to his chest. “Don’t worry about me. He doesn’t scare me, and with the Feds on him, I don’t see him taking the chance to come after you again. At the same time, I don’t think you should take any chances. Maybe you should consider leaving for a while until this blows over.”

  “Leave?” She blinked in disbelief.

  “If you want, you can stay with me.”

  She chuckled. “Umm, no. I’m not leaving my home. I stayed some nights with my sister, and believe me, that was enough. Besides, I’m not letting Monty run me out of my home. I can take care of myself.”

  “I know, but at some point, you need to let someone take care of you.”

  Chapter 63

  Monty

  7 a.m. The next morning.

  Governor’s office.

  “The state legislature wants us to meet this afternoon.” Dominic said as he sat across from Monty, who sat behind his desk, clicking the head of a pen.

  “For what?”

  “They want you to resign.”

  “I’m not stepping down,” Monty said as he stopped clicking.

  “They are threatening to go public and ask that you be impeached. However, they have also said if you go quietly—”

  “They will have to drag me out of here.”

  Dominic paused. “That’s what I thought. I’ll have Carmen draft a statement for the press, saying you will continue to fulfill the role the people elected you to.”

  “Exactly.” Monty clicked the pen again.

  “I know this is getting to you—”

  He tossed the pen across his desk. “You think? I feel like I don’t know what will happen from one moment to the next.”

  Dominic leaned in toward Monty and said, “Just know that I’m still trying to find out what happened to Stephen.”

  “You keep saying that, but then when I ask you who you’re talking to and trying to get this information from, you never answer me directly.” Monty’s brows snapped together. “What’s up with that?”

  “I’m talking to everyone we know.”

  “And?”

  “Thus far—nothing. No leads.”

  Monty loosened his tie. “Meanwhile, my ass is in the frying pan. House arrest. State legislature on my ass. Feds watching me constantly—”

  “I know that things are tense right now and you’re feeling backed into a corner, but you need to relax and know that I’m doing what I can.”

  “How do I know that though, Dominic? Huh? Everyone I thought I could trust is a fuckin’ snake, what makes you any different?”

  “Are you serious? You know I’ve always had your back—”

  “You know how many people I’ve heard that from and look where I’m at.”

  “Monty, I’m the one who brought you out here to California. The one who got you into politics. Don’t let this shit fuck with your head and come between us. We’re family—”

  “Just seems like every day there’s more shit piling up against me. Now my attorney says the Feds want to question me about Carson.”

  Dominic looked taken aback. “Why?”

  “They think he’s dead and they’re trying to pin that shit on me.”

  Dominic shook his head. “The Feds are fucking with you. They can’t pin a murder on you without a body—”

  “I don’t put it past them to dig up a body, name it Carson, and slam it on me!”

  “They won’t do that.”

  “How do you know?”

  “DNA—it’ll be too easy to prove it’s not him. Don’t worry about shit that hasn’t happened. They won’t charge you with murder, because they will never find a body.”

  “Suppose he’s not really dead?”

  “You know Carson is dead—”

  “The last time I saw him he was alive.”

  “You know he’s dead because I told you he was. I also told you that when you walked out of the warehouse, I’m the one who put the bullet in Carson’s head and I know they won’t find a body because I watched Van and Johnson put Carson in a barrel of acid.” He leaned closer to Monty. “Carson literally doesn’t exist anymore.” He paused. “What I need you to do is stop stressing because you’re going to fuck this all up.”

  Monty shook his head and wiped invisible sweat from his brow. “Maybe you’re right. Lately, I just—I just can’t think fucking straight.”

  “I know, but relax.” He looked over at the clock and stood up. “I’m going back to my office to make some calls. if you need anything I’m here.”

  “You got it.”

  Dominic walked to the office door, then turned around. “I need you to remember two things: never let them see you sweat. And never forget you are the chosen one.” He gave Monty a reassuring wink, then closed the door behind him.

  Monty rose from his seat and walked over to the tall corner window overlooking the city’s skyline. He smiled as he drifted into thoughts about his inauguration,

  “I present to you . . .” He could hear Elle’s voice. “Governor of California . . .”

  “How would you like to become president of the United States? We start small . . . build you up . . . You would have to pledge your loyalty.”

  “Death before dishonor.”

  “Never let them see you sweat.”

  “Ever.”

  “You must listen to everything we tell you to do.”

  “Do not deviate from our strict instructions.”

  “Or there will be hell to pay.”

  Monty, whatchu doin’, boy!

  He turned away from the window, walked back over to his desk, and picked up his cell phone. He pressed the button to stop it from recording, then played it back. “I’m the one who put the bullet in Carson’s head.” He paused it. Played it again.

  He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

  “Kassie Francis,” his attorney answered.

  “Kassie, this is the governor.”

  “Good morning, Governor.”

  “I need to see you.”

  Chapter 64

  Lorenz

  First Look Journal’s newsroom bustled with anxious reporters desperate to break the next big story and meet their deadlines for the evening edition. Lorenz sat in his cubicle, his head tossed back and smiling at the text from Brooklyn, thanking him for the roses he’d sent to her at work this morning.

  Brggg! Brggg!

  His ringing cell phone snapped him out of his thoughts. He answered, “Lorenz Graham.”

  “Mr. Graham, it’s Dominic Sparks, I have another scoop for you. Anonymous of course.”

  “Of course.”

  “There’s a secret meeting scheduled for
this afternoon. The state legislature is calling for the governor to step down.”

  “Will he?” Lorenz asked.

  “Hell no. He’d rather be impeached. He’s also refusing to sign off on any new orders for the opioid treatment center. Says there’s no more money.”

  “Where’s the money?”

  “Check his pockets,” Dominic said.

  “What time is the meeting?”

  “Three p.m. I need you to release all of this to the public before then. The deeper you turn the screws, the quicker I can slip into the seat where I’ve always wanted to be.” Knock! Knock! “I have to go, someone’s at my office door.”

  Chapter 65

  Monty

  This just in . . .

  “Good afternoon, everyone. coming to you live from KLPQ I am Taylor Lake, and we are standing before the State Capitol, where Governor Fields’s chief of staff, Dominic Sparks, was just arrested by the FBI for the alleged murder of Carson Young. According to reports from First Look Journal there was going to be a secret meeting where the state legislature would have demanded the governor step down. However, prior to the meeting taking place, Mr. Sparks was arrested. Sources say there is allegedly a taped confession in which Mr. Sparks can be heard admitting to taking the life of Carson Young.

  “Mr. Young was the assistant director of Each One Reach One, a foundation headed by the governor and his wife. Mr. Young disappeared some time ago and has not been seen or heard from since.

  “We’ve been told that the governor is due to make an appearance at any moment. Perhaps he will provide more details . . . I’m being told he’s on his way out . . .” The cameras panned from the news reporter to Monty, who stood behind a makeshift podium on the steps of the State Capitol.

  Click!

  Flash!

  “Afternoon, everyone,” Monty said, “It is with great sadness, shock, disappointment and surprise that I am here to confirm that Mr. Sparks was indeed arrested. I am not yet aware of all of the details. Nevertheless, I am here to let you know that I am committed to doing my best. As you are aware, I have been wrongfully accused of heinous crimes that I did not commit. As my father always said, an innocent and honest man perseveres and works through it all. I am committed to draining the swamp, pushing out corruption, and taking back our state. Thank you.” He looked out to the sea of reporters and said, “No questions.”

  Monty turned away from the mic. He could hear reporters shouting questions behind him as he walked back into the state building. “Governor, can you give us the details of your house arrest? Will you be resigning? An anonymous source says you recorded Mr. Sparks and you were present for the murder—is that true? Will they be arresting you again?”

  “And there you have it.” The cameras panned back to the KLPQ news reporter, Taylor Lake. “Governor Fields has spoken. Again, this is Taylor Lake coming to you live. More at six. Back to you in the studio.”

  Chapter 66

  Monty and Elle

  The next day

  Three p.m.

  Monty and Elle sat in Kassie Francis’s office as she said, “The U.S. Attorney called me late last night and said they rejected our offer of no prison time. He said you’d have to do at least five years inside. We’ll have to take this to trial.”

  Monty shifted in his seat. “Prison time? What you’re saying is that I agreed to help them solve Carson’s murder in exchange for nothing.”

  Elle interjected, “Kassie, there’s no way this is happening. Monty cooperated with the FBI, he got Dominic to confess.”

  “He absolutely did,” Kassie said to Elle, then looked over to Monty. “And what that did was take Monty off the hook for suspicions of murder. Now you’re not facing life in prison. They aren’t willing to budge on the other charges. Most they would offer is a cushier place to do your time. Federal Prison Camp in Alderson—”

  “West Virginia?” Monty clenched his jaw. “Across the fucking country? How am I supposed to see my family?”

  “They could fly out to visit.”

  “Bullshit.” He clenched his fist. “Actually, I should be off the hook for everything. They didn’t find any evidence—”

  “They found enough to arrest, charge, and have you indicted. They’ve been watching you for some time now. Therefore, we don’t know exactly what they’ve found. Remember, I haven’t received the discovery yet.”

  “Whatever they have is circumstantial, nothing direct. And that I know for a fact.”

  “How is that?” Kassie asked.

  “Dominic and I burned the hard copy evidence and the rest we deleted.”

  Kassie drew in a breath and shook her head. “Ask Hillary Clinton how well deleted emails and files worked for her. Governor, you have to clean the server.”

  “Did you do that, Monty?” Elle asked, her voice revealing a slight panic.

  Monty hesitated.

  “That would be a no,” Kassie said.

  Elle fell against the back of her chair. “I’m so tired of this.”

  “Not now, Elle. I don’t need your stress,” Monty snapped. “I have to figure this out.”

  Kassie said, “Perhaps we can make another deal with them.”

  “Like what?” Monty asked.

  “You have to give up Stephen Himes.”

  Monty shook his head and mumbled, “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?” Elle demanded to know.

  “He’s dead,” Monty said.

  “What?” Elle and Kassie said simultaneously.

  Monty continued, “Last week Dominic and I went to meet him and discuss everything. We got to the warehouse where he was hiding and somebody had killed him.”

  The room fell silent.

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?” Kassie asked.

  Elle exclaimed, “I asked you about Stephen and you said you didn’t know where he was. You lied to me. Every fucking thing is a lie. And everybody around you seems to die! Carson, Sheldon, Rebecca! Am I next?”

  “Elle, what the fuck is wrong with you—”

  “My God, you couldn’t just be the governor. A great one. Square. Straight laced. Together. You had to sell your soul. Be walked around like a house pet rolling over on your belly and being told what to do and what crime to commit—shit!”

  “Not now, Elle.”

  “Right now.”

  “Hold on.”

  “Hold on? I’ve been holding on and held up by your rotten-ass bullshit long enough. Held up from moving on with my life. Held up with not being who I needed to be for me. Just held hostage by your fucking ass, and the way it looks, I will never be free. So, no, I don’t want to hold up for you again.” She stood up. “Mph. Maybe I shouldn’t even blame you. Truthfully, I brought this on myself, so busy trying to turn a ho into a husband, now look.”

  “Elle,” Kassie said calmly, “I know you’re upset but—”

  “You have no goddamn idea.”

  Elle walked to the door. “I’m out of here. You two figure it out, because this is where I get off.”

  Chapter 67

  Elle

  Elle sat in her attorney, Zora West’s, downtown office, with her right leg crossed over her left. She bounced her knee and twitched her left foot. She held an intense stare as she faced Zora and said, “I just can’t believe it. My foundation has been shut down.” Her eyes welled with tears. “Then Monty springs on us that Stephen Himes is dead? How? Why?”

  “Breathe. Try to relax.” Zora handed Elle a Kleenex.

  Elle dotted her eyes and continued, “And now I don’t know what Monty will do. Do you think he’s going to try and pin some of his charges on me?”

  “Did he say that?”

  “No, but he’s desperate. Zora, my boys, I can’t go to prison.”

  “Ellaina, you haven’t been charged with anything—”

  “Yet. Agent Shaw made it very clear that it was only a matter of time. God only knows what they really have on Monty and what he’s telling them.” She paused. “Do you kno
w he was high as hell when they busted in? The damn coke was laid out on the nightstand. Imagine, the goddamn governor of California snorting lines when the cops run in—this doesn’t look good, Zora.” Elle shook her head and her bottom lip trembled. “I’m scared. I knew Monty wasn’t perfect—but this—My God. I have two boys, Zora. They need me.”

  “Ellaina, I understand how you must feel. But I need you to know this, if the FBI had anything on you, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here, we’d standing before a judge right now.”

  “I’m in the clear?” Elle wiped her eyes again.

  “For now, unless they opt to turn up the heat.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Means that just because they don’t have anything now, doesn’t mean they won’t have something later.” Zora leaned forward in her chair. “Tell me, and be completely transparent with me, do you really believe Monty will turn on you?”

  Elle dotted her eyes again. “With everything going on, I just—I just don’t know.”

  “Well, you need to be sure. Because I’m here to tell you that I’ve been doing criminal law for a long time and I’ve seen family, friends, lovers, and spouses turn on one another. Trust me, everyone swears they’re solid until criminal charges and the real possibility of prison time proves they’re not.” She paused. “You just never know. We weren’t present in the courtroom with Monty, so we don’t know what he actually said, or even what his attorney is advising him.

  “You yourself said he’s not perfect; what does that really mean? Does it mean that there’s even a slim possibility that he may try to pin some of his charges on you? I mean, he’s facing a lot of time.” She paused. “Sooner than later the FBI just may come looking for you and they will want to know something. Can you pass a lie detector test? Are you sure there’s nothing out there that will pop up and tie you to this?”

  “You know Monty is a no good motherfucker who would pin something, anything, on you in a heartbeat to save his own ass—” Shelia’s voice played in Elle’s thoughts.

  “I don’t know that—”

  “You’re right, you don’t. And therein lies the problem.”