Super Secret Snippet

In my last post, I mentioned a super secret special project that will be completed sometime in the first part of February. I thought you might enjoy a taste of my contribution to the project. Here’s a snippet from a story titled “Speed Murder.”

Valentine’s Day 2003

Hollywood Division, Los Angeles Police Department

Hollywood, California

Rob Jones opened a witness interview form on his computer and clicked the box labeled Last Name. Around him, his fellow homicide detectives were locking desks and donning coats, preparing to leave for the evening. He suppressed a chuckle as he listened. 

“Yeah, I bought her jewelry. Never hear the end of it if I didn’t…”

“We’re taking the kids to In-N-Out. Not my fault she waited too late to call a babysitter…”

“Do you have any idea how much a dozen damn roses costs?”

“I dunno, one of those places where you pay a hundred bucks for two fucking sprigs of parsley…”

Rob’s partner, Stu Burgess, leaned over the cubicle divider between their desks. “Staying late?”

“Yeah. I want to get these statements typed up before I forget.”

“Uh huh. You never forget anything. No plans for the evening?”

None that are any of your business. “Diane’s out of town, remember?”

“Ah, right.” Stu slid his trench coat over his shoulders. “You’ll have the most enjoyable evening of all of us.”

You have no idea. Rob asked, “Are you and Brenda going out?”

“Nope. She said she wanted me to cook.”

“My God. She’s living dangerously.”

Stu laughed. “I figure I can handle steak and salad. See ya later, probably.”

“No doubt.” Rob and Stu were up for the next case. The citizens of Hollywood Division would surely commit a few crimes of passion tonight.

Stu slapped the top of the divider. “Go home.”

“As soon as I write up this interview.”

Stu rolled his eyes and left, shaking his head.

Gradually, as Rob typed, the room cleared. He waited for another fifteen minutes, to make sure no one came back for anything, then dug into his pocket for his new Nokia cell phone – no bigger than the palm of his hand – and dialed a number.

The voice on the other end – male, deep, warm – said, “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Rob. Be there in about an hour, probably.”

“Sounds good. See you then.”