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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Mystery
- Subject: Crime
- Published: 06/30/2010
Her Conclusion
Born 1976, M, from Whitechapel, AustraliaThere 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 every day. 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 had certainly been 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 throwaway 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, ergo it 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, which 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.
Her Conclusion(Jason James Parker)
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 every day. 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 had certainly been 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 throwaway 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, ergo it 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, which 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.
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Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
08/26/2022Jason,
That wasn't fair. I had all my ire worked up for the slug...and then he turns out to be a Writer. Sigh. All that judgment gone to waste...not to mention the hope for some cumuppence ! Great job.
Smiles, Kevin
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
08/26/2022Thank you, Kevin. I promise to deliver more cumuppence in the future. Lol. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shelly Garrod
01/08/2022Very gripping story Jason. Enjoyed reading it right to the end. The ending is not what I expected! Great twist!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
P.S. Winn
09/12/2020I love this story, as a writer when I have to do away with someone, I have to hold my breath and try to pusj through as my heart rate rises. Thanks for sharing a story that shows I am not alone.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
09/12/2020Thank you very much for reading, P.S.
It certainly is hard killing our own creations. Any wonder the writer in this piece drinks so much. Lol. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Valerie Allen
09/07/2020Jason ~ Good read, well written, and a suprise ending. I kept thinking it was going to be a pet or a mouse, but how clever - a character! Congrats for having this story in the Anthology - well deserved.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
09/07/2020Thank you, Valerie. That's an excellent compliment coming from a writer as talented as yourself. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
06/14/2020Thanks Georgette. It was written a long time ago--I'm more economical with words these days. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
04/26/2020Thanks so much, Aziz. And thank you for everything you do on Storystar. You're a pillar of our community. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Martha Huett
04/09/2020That was so exciting to read your first story on Story Star! How cool. "Deviously delicious" as Jd said is a perfect description. Fantastic ending. Thanks for writing and sharing, Jason :)
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
04/09/2020Thanks so much, Martha. Seems like a lifetime ago. I probably thought I was so smart at the time. lol. I've certainly matured since then. : ) Thanks for reading and for your kind words.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Gail Moore
04/01/2020Congratulations Jason, well-deserved story star of the month.
Your stories are amazing. I always look forward to reading.
You have a wonderful imagination. :-)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
04/01/2020Thanks so much, Gail; that's high praise indeed. I love your stories as well. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
04/01/2020CONGRATULATIONS on being selected as the Short Story Writer of the Month, Jason! It is a well deserved honor. Not only have you been part of Storystar since the beginning, ten years ago, but you have become an integral and valued member through your encouragement of other writers, and the many new stories you've shared in recent months and years. You're awesome! THANK YOU for ALL you have contributed to making Storystar great for everyone!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
04/01/2020Thank you very much, JD; it's a real honor. Story star is a gift to the writing community: it gives us all a voice and that's a wonderful thing. : )
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
05/04/2018This is one of my all-time favorite stories on Storystar! It is so clever and deviously delicious! Thanks for sharing your story, and congratulations on being selected as the Story Star of the Day! :-)
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
JD
12/03/2019No worries, Jason. If you would like to 'fix' the errors in punctuation in this story, just email Storystar Admin the corrected version of your story and it will be replaced. Thanks.
Please note that this story was not just featured as the Story STAR of the Day, but in earlier years it was featured several times as the Story STAR of the Week and Month. I think it is one of Storystar's Best! :-)
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Jason James Parker
12/03/2019I feel the need to apologise for all the punctuation errors! I'm much more careful 14 years later, it seems.
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