revealed the fact that had hung heavily in the air since they'd hauled Jimmy in. "Mr. Kirk, I have absolutely no idea who this Missy is that you keep talking about…"
Jimmy's heart began racing dangerously. "What are you talking about? If you've got me, then you must know about our crimes…"
The cop studied Jimmy intently. "We know about YOUR crimes…"
With a frustrated shriek, Jimmy strained savagely against the cuffs and thrashed in his seat. He knew he couldn't escape, but he had to release some of the tension inside threatening to stop his heart.
The cop picked up a remote and trained it on the silent TV, bringing it to life. Jimmy became still, as a surveillance video of him washing the company Nissan played on the screen. His breath caught in his throat and he instantly calmed as he waited for Missy Raven to appear in the scene.
He clearly saw himself muttering as he angrily cleaned out the car. But, instead of Missy, this tape showed him finishing and pulling back out of the lot. No peep show. No red convertible.
Another scene from a surveillance video aired next, showing only Jimmy, holding the gun in the face of the ancient cashier in the gas station. No sweet kiss. No gorgeous tits.
Finally, he saw himself again in the hotel parking lot, seeming to laugh menacingly as he bashed the company Nissan. No fucking past dawn. No Harley Davidson.
The detective shut the TV off once more and sat staring at Jimmy, who sat staring at the cold steel table, trying to shake the cobwebs that formed in his mind.
"A Mr.," the detective paused to consult a small spiral notebook. "Gerald Hines reported that he called you to come into the office, is that correct to the best of your knowledge?"
Jimmy didn't look up, just nodded lifelessly.
"Mr. Hines told me that he and the senior VP were afraid you'd be discouraged by a recent sales plateau and seek employment elsewhere, so they planned to offer you a promotion…"
Jimmy's eyes snapped up. He suddenly felt like vomiting.
"He later reported the company Nissan of Jones, Jacobs, and Jackson Insurance Sales and Brokerage Firm stolen and we put together the pieces. I was just wondering if you'd care to fill in the blanks."
Jimmy Kirk laid his head down on his arms and cried.
THE END
O -bla-di, o-bla-da, life goes on, brah!...
Lala how the life goes on...
O-bla-di, o-bla-da, life goes on, brah!...
Lala how the life goes on. -The Beatles
Simone Miller's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Rose's fussing. Simone glanced at the clock and saw it was only three A.M. and Rose was waking for the third time that night. Simone sighed as she threw off the covers and heavily hauled her weary body out of bed. In the hallway, she encountered two year old Rose, who launched into Simone's arms.
Simone picked Rose up and cuddled her. "Rose," she murmured softly. "What are you doing up again?" Her voice bordered desperate.
"Want mommy," Rose whined.
Simone groaned and carried her little bundle back to the pink princess bedroom. She laid Rose down in bed and climbed in with her.
Miller house night time shenanigans were the common occurrence that had poor Simone on the verge of exhausted collapse daily. She loved her kids dearly. Six year old son, Blade kept Simone in stitches with his comical remarks. And Rose was adorable with her free spirit and wild ways. But their beautiful zest for life translated into never wanting to sleep. Simone was constantly chasing after wayward small people, playing Lego at 2 A.M., or sleep peeing in the living room, or waking up ten times a night for no discernible reason. Simone's days had become a muddled blur of fatigue induced confusion.
Eventually Simone wo ke once more, uncomfortable in Rose's small bed. She slipped out of bed and returned to her own room. She looked at the peaceful mound of her slumbering husband. She couldn't help but feel a modicum of contempt at his ability to sleep soundly through the