Page 60 of Wicked Shadows
Elle stared at the screen in sheer disbelief. Before her eyes, an image of herself appeared on the screen, extolling the romance between her and Jax, how they were perfect for each other, and she’d never been happier than she was at that moment.
Words she’d never uttered.
A message she’d never sent.
Lies that sealed her fate.
Complex deceptions that took talent to achieve.
She’d cried too many tears over her circumstances. At that moment, she was absolutely numb. From the moment she saw herself deliver a falsified message to the world, her emotions automatically shut down in a self-preservation and coping mechanism.
“Most people would accept that prerecorded message as the gospel and move on with their lives, allowing Jax and Elle to live and love in peace. However, Elle’s parents have maintained from the start that this is all a ruse and a far more sinister agenda is afoot.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our video department received a second file of Elle Sinclair, with an email urging our station to compare the two videos and see for ourselves that the first one is an edited farce. So we did. Industry film editors have reviewed them and formed an expert opinion. Before we hear from them, have a look for yourselves.”
The screen cut to a series of press junket interviews with Elle, where a long line of journalists entered the room one at a time and were given fifteen minutes to ask their questions. Her answers, all conveying the excitement and enthusiasm she displayed while speaking of Jax, her fake new love, were projected toward working with him on the movie. Each time one journalist was escorted out of the room, another one was brought in to ask additional questions.
“After reviewing these two videos, all our industry experts agree the first video is a spliced and fake recreation, using clips of the second video. The unanimous decision is there is no possible way the purported message from Elle is valid. This evidence has been sent to local law enforcement to urge them to open a missing person’s case for Elle Sinclair, Beth Condra, and Jax Hart. Hollywood Biz News suggests the detectives start with Barry Jacobson as the primary person of interest.”
The screen went black before Mary Ellen finished speaking, but Elle caught just a glimpse of her parents and brothers when the camera panned in their direction. Knowing they were close and pushing for the truth gave her an instant swelling of hope. Whatever plan her captors had for her would surely fail.
“Your family is very tenacious. We expected your video message would be enough to satisfy them for a few weeks, giving us time to complete our business deals before they started looking for you. Make no mistake, Miss Sinclair, this wrinkle temporarily changes our plans but does not cancel them in any way. You will not be returned to your family or to the life you used to have.”
Elle stared at the woman, dumbfounded, and shook her head. Her eyes floated between the badge she wore on her belt and her angry eyes. Her words and her attire were direct opposites.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I know who you are, but I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Detective Joanna Gough, and I’ve just been assigned to your missing person’s case. Since they’re so closely related, I also volunteered to take Beth Condra’s and Jax Hart’s cases. Unfortunately, my stellar record for solving cases will take a major hit, but I’ll just have to find a way to live with it.”
“Why? Why would you do this?” Elle wailed.
“Don’t be stupid,” Detective Gough replied. “So naïve and stupid. Take her back.”
The butler wrapped his hand around her bicep and pulled her to her feet. Once they were out of earshot of the detective, Elle turned to him.
“I don’t understand what’s happening. What are you going to do with us?”
“Do you want to go to your room or to your friend’s room?” His reply was cordial, but his avoidance of her direct question was blatant.
“Take me to Beth.”
He opened the door to find Beth pacing back and forth across the bedroom, shouting obscenities and her own terroristic threats. When Beth saw Elle in the doorway, she rushed to her and pulled her into a death-grip hug.
“I thought I dreamed you earlier. You really were here, weren’t you?”
The butler pushed them into the room and closed the door again. Elle waited until his footsteps could no longer be heard before she told Beth what had happened. When she finished repeating every word for the third time, Beth paled and quickly sat.
“What? What are you thinking?” Elle had to push her friend to speak her mind for the first time in their friendship.
“They abducted us. Drugged us to bring us to this secret mansion prison. Put us in separate rooms. Concocted this elaborate video of how happy you are with Jax. The detective assigned to our case is in on this scheme. But now they’re letting us talk and stay together? Something about that last part doesn’t sit well with me. It’s the complete opposite of everything else they’ve done.”
Dread settled in Elle’s gut.
