04.25.06 Avarice - Stars, Hide Your Fires

The agony on his face is excruciating. His eyes have been beet red for days on end, but it's finally come to this.

We quietly approach the small white casket where the innocence of youth was lost just a week ago.

"My Edward..."

He collapses in a torrent of grief again, sobbing uncontrollably. I put my arm around him and kiss his cheek, lifting my black veil to do so.

His entire body shakes and convulses in anguish. I have never seen a man so distraught.

His lip quivers as tears begin to soak his shirt; I squeeze his arm, and take him away from it.

I force a gentle smile at the Vicar as we head back to our seats at the front of the small chapel here in the Estate, which is filled to capacity. Flowers and wreaths abound, as the dreary organ sounds a holy lament.

Surely the angels above cry and sob at this saddest of sights.

Edward was his all, his whole life. Even though he was so busy with his career in America, his thoughts were always at home with his little boy, his heir, his precious son whom he knew all too little.

Edward looks so peaceful. His skin is pale, his lips a frozen red. He is dressed in a little suit sent by his mother, Stephanie. She sits quietly at the back with Simkins. We have put the war aside for today.

He was as much her son as he was his. I cannot help but feel sorry for her, now especially that I am pregnant. I am thankful for that fact. I can only hope our child will bring as much joy to Robert's life as Edward did. I can only hope.

The vicar steps back up, looking somber.

"Dear friends...let us pray."

We bow our heads.

"Oh Merciful Lord. Giver of life. We commend unto you this day Edward James Lancaster. Bless him and hold him in Your arms for eternity. Bless and keep this family who is now in such pain. Comfort them, let Your light shine upon them, and know that everlasting life belongs to this little boy, who now knows no pain, no sorrow. Only love and joy - all that is Yours. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, we pray - amen."

I open my eyes and hold Robert's hand again, which still trembles unabated. The organ begins again as the lid on little Edward's casket is closed, and the Ducal standard of the Duchy of Wessex is draped over top.

It was to be his kingdom. Now denied.

What was filled with such life is now silent.

...because of me.

FLASH

II: Paris, France - Parisian Home of Robert Lancaster

I am here in a sun drenched day here in Robert's Parisian home. He frequents it hardly ever, and I've often bothered him to sell it. Shit, a few extra million in my - or his - pocket, why the hell not?

But whatever, the sonovabitch wants to keep it, fine.

"Paulus, hold on a second."

I cup the receiver on my cell.

"EDWARD stop that Daddy doesn't want you to get hurt!"

He pouts a little and ceases his intolerable jumping up-and-down on the plush leather couch. At least for now. Ugh. I COULD have been in New York shopping today or something, but Robert insisted that he bring Edward with us here. That's all right. I plan to take full advantage of it.

"Marissah I want to go swimming!"

"Just a moment wait for Daddy he's coming back in a second."

I pull my terry cloth robe a bit tighter around my bikini clad body, it's fucking freezing in here, something my nips can testify to.

I giggle to myself. Damn I am hot.

"Sorry Paulus," as I resume my chat. "Listen, I don't care what you have to do to launder that money, just get as much as you can out of there before he starts to notice anything that seems less than legitimate. A few million here or there is one thing, but TEN million might raise his attention. Okay...love you too."

I hang up the phone just as Robert makes his entrance, wearing his bathing trunks with a towel draped over his shoulder.

"Daddy I want to go swimming!!"

"Come here big boy," he runs over and into Robert's arms. "I know we're going to right now." He looks at me with a smile. I fake one in return.

We slide open the patio doors and step into, I'll give him this much, an exquisitely decorated swimming pool area. Interlocking stones surround the pool with lush greenery and superb patio furniture - no gaudy beach umbrellas to be had, thank God, otherwise I'd have him castrated.

I remove my robe much to Robert's delight. A white ring halter bikini by Melissa Odabash ingratiates the area in which I stand. I do a little twirl for him.

He applauds. Fucking right.

Enjoy it while it lasts, asshole.

I walk over to him and kiss his lips gently before slipping into the pool. The heat is intense outdoors and I welcome the cool embrace of the water, it takes the edge off the environment.

"How is it babe?"

"Brrrrrrr! But exquisite. Edward, want to come in?"

He can hardly wait as he walks over to the edge, but is obviously frightened by what he perceives to be dangerous.

I hold my arms out to him. I smile broadly.

"Come on baby, Marissah'll catch you."

"Don't worry Eddy, Daddy'll come in in a few moments."

With that, Eddy took the plunge right into my arms. He laughs gleefully and begins to splash around as I hold him, getting some pool water right in my face.

I move him up and down in the water, trying to get him used to it. He's obviously loving it now.

"You're going to be such a wonderful mother," Robert calls out.

Aww. Sometimes I do love him. Sometimes.

I look back at him and smooch my lips at him.

"Bloody hell."

"What?"

"I need to call Paulus, he left a message saying to call him back, it's urgent. I can see why, my bloody portfolio has been losing money hand over fist. I might just have to kick his ass baby, friend or no friend of yours." He smirks playfully.

I'm not playing though. I'm bleeding this idiot dry. And I am going to guarantee my family's ascension to the heights of power and respect. And all it'll take is two minutes.

"I'll be back. Eddy I'll be back in a few moments, wait for Daddy."

Too late.

As soon as he went indoors, I grab his spawn by the back of his head and drive it underneath the water of the pool. He begins to fight it but his little body can't fight hard enough. His hands and arms flail about and his little legs kick, and slowly, and slowly...and slowly...he puts up less of a fight. He starts to fade. I squeeze the back of his skull but making sure not to apply too much pressure - I don't want the fucking cops on me, this will look like an accident - I'll make it so.

Suddenly he's stopped. He's not moving.

I know he's dead.

FLASH

III: New York City, New York - Trump International Hotel and Tower; 4:00 AM

I wake up in a jolt. The moment he died I jolted awake. I look over to the night table and see it's 4 AM.

...a dream, and nothing more.

Some dreams become reality.

I'm wet.

But it's not sweat.

I brace my legs and close my eyes. Holy shit.