Most people have something they’ve done in their past that they wish they could correct. Ex-athletes who failed to reach their potential often bemoan the way they squandered their God-given talent. Some men wince at memories of the disgraceful way they treated their former spouses—especially when the woman remarries and appears happier than ever. Yeah…everyone has something in their past that keeps them awake at night. But, very few people have a ghost in their closet that’s as terrifying as the one that chokes me every time I close my eyes.
You’re probably wondering what I’m talking about. What could be so haunting that it would drive me to fake my own death and voluntarily live on the streets of various cities throughout this country for ten years? Well, I’m going to tell you—but you have to promise to take this secret to your grave. Oh, before I get into what happened, I need to tell you that my sin is a double one.
Approximately a decade ago, I used to be the most decorated detective in the New Orleans Police Department. Yeah, I know…this matted beard, grungy clothes, and stench that you can probably smell as you’re sitting there reading this, makes what I just said hard to believe. Well, it’s true. I once was considered one of the best detectives in this country, and then I did something that pushed me to the brink of suicide—I murdered two people.
Late one night I got drunk. I drove my car on the wrong side of the street and killed a couple. As their car went up in flames I panicked. Since there were no witnesses I made the decision to disappear—forever. But now I’m back. I’ve decided to cleanse my soul by confessing my sin to the daughter of the couple I killed. That young lady is now 28 years old—and she’s a police detective. So, that’s my FIRST sin. Keep reading to learn my SECOND sin.
Lizzy Silverman is the daughter of the couple I killed. After ten years of living with the guilt, I approached Lizzy to confess. But, before I could tell her what I’d done to her parents she recognized me. She was so excited by my presence that she wanted to call her Lieutenant, my former partner, and tell him I was alive. I was forced to adjust my plan. Lizzy’s an ambitious girl so I decided to use her own ambition to squelch her desire to tell folks I was alive. How’d I do it? I promised to help her solve crimes so that she could move up the detective ranks. But, my mentorship came with a caveat—I made Lizzy promise to never tell anyone I was alive.
So, there you have it…my double sin is that I’m a murderer and a liar. And at this very moment, this murderer and liar is living in the garage of the person whose life I shattered. I know—you think I’m a piece of shit. I won’t argue that. But, until I can find the right time to confess my sins to Lizzy, I’m going to work like hell to help her become the most decorated detective on the police force…that’s the least I can do.
Oh, there is one more thing. I got so caught up in telling you my story that I forgot to tell you my name. I’m Donald “Sleepy” Carter, and regardless of what you may think of me, I really am a good man—who happened to do some bad things.
