RECKLESS — Bad Boy Criminal Romance (42 page)

              I stand and look over his shoulder and realize what it is.

The officer takes off his sunglasses to take a closer look at it.  “Would you mind telling me—” He turns around and finds me right behind him with the iron from the TV stand.

              I smash the officer across the face, shattering his nose and driving bone fragments into his brain.  He collapses, reeling off the bed and onto the floor.  He is motionless, blood pouring from his nasal cavity.  I stand over him, staring, before I drop the iron and pick up the photo strip.  I place it in my pocket along with my wallet and the piece of motel stationary imprinted with Angela’s kiss.  I quickly pack up all of my belongings and wipe my fingerprints from every surface.  I pick up my car keys and look the room over one last time.

On a desk is yesterday’s newspaper still turned open to the job listings.  I take the paper and look at it briefly.  I crumple it up and toss it into the trash can.  I exit the room and close the door.