A Life Cut Short and the Ensuing Coverup, a Musical Mystery

by Drew Holmes

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Ellen’s lifeless body lay motionless in the death chamber, her final meal untouched. Allan, her advisor, surveyed the scene in front of him. The cause of death was obvious — a concoction of drugs administered prior to her demise. The only question was what to tell the press.

Growing up under uncertain financial security, Ellen was expected to transcend her humble roots by attending college. Instead, like many in her chosen profession, she moved to New York. This led to jobs with several squads, culminating in the formation of the crew she would be most known for. Over a three year span their work became globally famous, ending up on many top ten lists.

In London, the law finally caught up with her. Scotland Yard issued a warrant for her arrest and a half dozen officers forcibly removed her from her vehicle to bring her into custody. She was eventually cleared of wrongdoing when the prosecution could produce no concrete evidence. The Magistrate released her, saying “You leave this court without a stain on your character.”

On the outside the gang seemed harmonious, but dissonance was bubbling underneath the surface. Drug abuse, alcoholism, and romantic jealousy festered within the crew, so Ellen went out on her own. Naturally for someone in her line of work, she ended up in Las Vegas, a city known for its vices and big scores. She landed a plum job with a huge payday, but she proved not up to the task and was let go after just one night. Rumors spread that heroin use contributed to the failure and Ellen fell into a deep depression.

Over the next six years, Ellen performed odd jobs and one-off gigs. She went from one place to the next, finding work here and there, eventually returning to the site of her previous run-in with the law — London. This would be her final destination.

The official account stated that prior to her demise she stayed awake for more than twenty-four hours. She did not eat her last meal, but it would play a key role in the story of her death. When Ellen’s advisor saw her body, he assumed she died because of drugs. And when he confirmed her death with the press, rather than…