Mick had just finished evening shift at the hospital and was on his way home .
As he drove through the almost deserted streets he thought about the old woman who had died earlier that evening . He felt kind of happy for her as she had been suffering with a lot of pain and now he knew she was finally at peace . Driving along he saw this homeless man sitting on the side walk and he pulled over to the kerb briefly and threw out some spare change and shouted .
” Get yourself some food “
He drove off in a hurry . Its not smart to hang around too long at night in certain parts of town . A few moments later a car sped out from a side street right in front of him , it fish tailed and the driver had a difficult job keeping control of the vehicle . Mick thought it might be a good idea to take some time out and so he pulled into a petrol station to get some petrol .As he stood there filling up the car he was able to see all the events that took place . He watched as a police car gave chase to the speeding car ,. The police siren was screeching like a scalded cat and the car on the run turned back around in the effort to get away from the police roadblock . The chase soon came to an end when a number of other police cars emerged cutting off all exit points blocking the road completely . The officers producing their weapons and the offender had no where to run and gave himself up .
Mick walked into the shop and paid for his fuel as he looked at the shop assistant he could hardly believe his eyes . It was John Lennon behind the counter .
“Nice to see you . Lovely evening sir “
He said to Mick who couldn’t believe his eyes . At this point another customer approached . She was young but half bent over with osteoporosis . Mick noticed she had very long arms and her hands almost touched the floor , All her fingers were twisted . She wore a smile as she spoke to Mick .
“ Soon you will see what you cannot deny .“
“What do you mean ?“ Mick replied .
Suddenly she changed her appearance , the back that was bent over now straightened up , the fingers that were twisted were now normal looking and the disfigured arms had adjusted . Within a moment she became a beautiful looking woman . In fact standing there in front of Mick was Marilyn Monroe .
She smiled and said .
“Looks aren’t everything . They can be deceiving ‘
Mick replied .
“I can’t believe what I just saw .“
“ Didn’t I just say , you cannot deny what you see . Come up and see me sometime .“
With that she turned and walked out of the shop .
Mick stood there like a statue , questioning what had just happened , them he rushed out after her, but she was gone .
As he was going to get back into his car a truck pulled into the petrol station . Mick stood back until it came to a stop . The driver got out . Mick couldn’t believe his eyes but remembered what Marylyn Monroe had said .
The truck driver was the Duke , John Wayne and he walked towards the door of the shop .
Mick shouted out ,
“Hey John, what you hauling ?”
The trucker looked over ay Mick and closely checked him out ,
“Howdee partner, just some wild horses .“
Came the reply ,
Mick was just about to go over and speak to John when a police car drove into the service station . Two police officers got out and walked towards Mick .
“Come with us please sir .“
“What have I done .“
Mick replied .
In the dark sky a bright light shone down up the two officers who transformed into celestial beings , Now the two angels stood beside Mick .
“What’s going on ?”
Mick asked .
One of the angels smiled and said .
“Mick , on your way home from work you were involved in a car accident . “
Mick replied .
“You must be mistaken , I saw a car out of control chased by a police car .“
“ The car you saw being chased by the police had a few minutes earlier collided with your car and as a result your car had ran into the path of a truck that was unable to stop . You were killed Mick in that collision “
“Are you kidding me .“
“Its no joke Mick . Do you remember the last song you heard on the radio in your car ?”
Mick thought for a moment and said .
“Yeah ,actually it was one of my favourite songs , Imagine by John Lennon.” “Look over there Mick “
Standing at the door of the shop was John Lennon waving at Mick and he shouted over .
“Way to go Mick , I’m glad you like my little song . “
The other angel asked Mick .
“Did you have any favourite actors Mick .“
Mick replied ,
‘Yeah my two all time favourites were John Wayne and Marylyn Monroe .“
“Look over there Mick . “
Beside the parked truck was John Wayne and Marylyn Monroe . Both of them waved over and shouted over to Mick .
“Thanks for watching our little movie shows .“
Mick looked into the angels faces .
“They asked if they could be here to see you Mick . Its time to go now .”
Mick got into the police car with the two angels . As they drove out of the petrol station into the street a gate appeared in front of them . A signpost on the side of the road had the words Welcome To Paradise and the car drove through the gates and made its way along a road bathed in bright sunlight .
All Carson Reno Mystery Series Books are standalone novels. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order.
When a Tennessee Highway Patrolman is mysteriously murdered, the clues are nonexistent. Police have the name of a possible suspect,
