Going through all that deception and subterfuge to talk to a small group looks like too complicated a story. Was Scalise really that desperate to get a speaker's fee or to get his message out to another 18 people?
Given how chaotic and scandalous Louisiana politics can be, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions at this point about what was going on.
Duke controlled a lot of votes in Louisiana at that time.
Also, Knight is Scalise’s friend and neighbor.