╢Only The Strong Survive ╢Elvis Presley╢

✔ Epilogue

October 4th, 1965, Graceland.

Elvis decided to take a month off from professional duties and devote time to his daughter.

Little Gladys slept in a beautiful cradle and had a new room decor. The previous one, which Patti had personally watched over, was gone. As was almost everything that in some way referred to Patricia Lange Presley.

Elvis couldn't quite displace the memories he had with his late wife. The only living memento of Patti was their daughter.

Elvis stood over the cradle and looked at his baby with great love. He touched her tiny hand, knowing he would give her the best life.

You don't have a mother anymore, but you have me. Anyway, I'll find you a better mother Patricia was a failure in every way.

Elvis took a deep breath, feeling calm for the first time in a long time. Officially, his wife went on a little trip, from which she did not come back. Elvis played the role of a despairing husband knowing Patti would not come home alive.

Some time later, a bloody suitcase and a piece of her hand were found. It was assumed that some maniac had murdered her, but despite intense investigation, the case stalled. Elvis had to maintain his interest in the investigation into Patti's death, and from time to time he demanded new information.

Two days had passed since Gladys was back at the family home. Elvis, who took a day off, traveled to Graceland by private plane.

Charlie Hodge was silent during the flight. Finally he asked in a whisper:

— You are afraid of? Your father and the Colonel's reaction?

—You're kidding — Elvis narrowed his eyes.—  I know thanks to you how they reacted. But do you think I would let myself be locked up in a mental hospital? Never.

Everyone looked at him strangely when Elvis entered the door, but one warning glance was enough for the staff and family to act normally.

Normally ... Elvis knew that nothing was going to be the same as before.

Vernon and Parker appeared quickly. Vernon looked at his son as if he were seeing him for the first time in his life. Father was cold and formal when he asked Elvis to speak to his office.

As the three men were there, Vernon walked over to the desk and sat down in the chair. He put his elbows on the table and hid his face in his hands. Then he took them back and looked at Elvis.

— When Charlie brought Gladys here, we knew you were meeting Patti — Vernon said. — Actually, you got her.

—Literally — Tom hissed. —Is she alive?

—Does it matter?— Elvis lifted the corner of his mouth mockingly. — The important thing is that she has disappeared from my life.

—Elvis.— Vernon stood up. —We can sort it out somehow. Maybe you and Patti will go to some therapy. We will convince her to give you another chance and ...

—I'd rather give her a chance — Elvis interrupted his father. —if I were still so naive. But I had matured she would never be with me. That's why she got what she deserved.

— You killed her — Vernon whispered, and Parker swore. —Fuck, you killed her!

—Dad, it's not nice to swear — Elvis muttered. —Yes, she's dead. Now it's time to figure out how to justify her disappearance from my life.

—Justify?— Coloner walked over to Elvis and gave him a piercing look. — Do you want to justify the fact that you became a murderer?

Elvis was silent. He looked down at his finger where he had once had a wedding ring and said calmly:

— And a widower. I was aware of what I was doing. As you are aware of what will happen if you try to harm me.

Vernon and Parker looked at each other and Elvis replied:

— I'm your cash machine. Patti was beautiful, so it's easy to cover up my act. Maybe we'll come up with a story with some psycho kidnapping and finishing her off? Who wouldn't rape a cutie like that?

— You're sick — Parker said. — If you think I'm going to be your accomplice, then ...

—You will hurt yourself by refusing me — Elvis raised an eyebrow. — I'm still helping you pay off your gambling debts, right? And I also pay for the comfortable life of your favorite mistress. You have secrets too, Tom. I wonder how your wife would react if she found out that you have been living a double life for two years.

Parker was silent, shocked. Elvis took a deep breath and finished:

— So don't be a fucking moralist and don't judge me. Besides, you really feel sorry for my wife? You didn't like her she just had a pretty face and that's it.

— Your daughter will grow up without a mother — Vernon's voice trembled. — Patti was such a sweet girl, and you killed her because ...

—Because I had to — Elvis interrupted. —She would take Gladys and my daughter would grow up without me. But now I can be calm I have money and you to cover up this ... incident.

Vernon looked at his son, who did something that could not be undone. Vernon and the Colonel had promised each other they would force Elvis into psychiatric treatment, but if he couldn't work it would all collapse. Besides, little Gladys would lose her father.

Vernon had to think rationally now. He was still in pain with Patti's death, but now he was thinking of his son and granddaughter. If there was any meaning in their lives, it had to act.

Elvis looked at his father emotionlessly. His eyes were black and empty. Was the trace of the old Elvis still in this man?

Elvis left Gladys' room and headed to his office. When he disappeared there, he thought about the future.

Of course, Frank Sinatra, his daughter Nancy, and Jay Sebring threatened him shortly after Patti disappeared and continued when it was discovered that the girl was dead. But Elvis used the right arguments and they were silent.

But he still had to be vigilant. He had a group of people whom he trusted, but not entirely. Elvis opened a drawer and took out a photo of the new candidate for a wife.

Priscilla Beaulieu, if she's smart, will take this opportunity. Elvis needed a new woman and a new mother for his daughter. Looking at the picture of Cilla, he reached for the telephone receiver.

The best was still ahead of him.