The Queen’s Bentley State Limousine
H aving arrived, the Queen got out of the limo to talk to the police. Everyone seemed surprised by her presence, but she was welcomed, especially by the press. But before she started babbling on national TV, she’d made sure to send Jack to talk to Margaret in the limousine. Margaret had blurted the words out as bluntly as she could. She’d asked Jack to kill Alice. And Jack said yes, so spontaneously that Margaret had to investigate.
“Just like that?” she wondered. “You’re ready to kill the girl whom you know loves you so much?”
“She doesn’t love me,” Jack said. “She used to stalk me.”
“You’re used to killing anyone who stalks you?”
“Not really, but Lorina, my girlfriend, really hates her guts.”
“Oh.” Margaret was about to slap him on the face, but figured she didn’t want to upset the Queen to get what she wanted. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”
“Lorina and Edith taught me. They’ve asked me to kill Alice as well.”
“Some family,” Margaret mumbled. “So, I guess my work is done here.”
“All in the name of the Queen,” Jack said. The boy sounded as if brainwashed, but Margaret didn’t want to ask. “All in the name of Black Chess.”
“You know about Black Chess?”
“The Queen told me I should work for them. She promised they will pay my college fees and help me marry Lorina.”
“I see. Can I ask what you really like about Lorina?” Margaret refrained from saying more about the bratty girl with no empathy whatsoever.
“She likes me, so I like her back.”
“You sound so dumb,” Margaret said under her breath.
“What did you say?”
“I said you sound like my first boyfriend when I was in college.” She flashed a fake smile. Who was so dumb, she added in her mind. “So.” She clapped her hands. “I guess we wait here until the right moment comes so you can shoot Alice.”
“I thought I was going to enter the asylum to kill her.”
“No, darling,” Margaret said. “You will have to wait for the Queen’s orders. I’m not sure what exact plan she has in mind, but you will get your shot.”