The Mysterious Life Of Lorelei Jones

XI

Lori found it hard to go to sleep. Joel and Connor had passed out shortly after they came up with the plan. Lori didn’t notice how late it had gotten. With everything that happened, she was surprised that she wasn’t exhausted. Lori decided to walk around the Miller mini-Manson.

“This place is massive! I had something similar,” Thomas said.

“You were rich too?” Lori said, closing the living room door. “Seriously! Who needs a sliding door for their living room?”

“I kind of like it. Privacy and all that…Lorelei? I still feel bad about earlier. When I was alive, I was a terrible person. I’d yell at my employees for the smallest things. Sometimes just for being a second late. I’d work them so hard. Make them stay long nights. I was the worst. I know that. I know that some of them are happy I died. My company is being run by my secretary. I looked into it just to see how it was doing without me.”

“And how’s it going?”

“Fantastic. I barely recognized the place. Everyone was so happy. They actually wanted to come to work. They all smiled and greeted her without the slightest hesitation. They wanted to see her. I’m gonna be honest—that hurts. I’m starting to think that my death was a good thing. The company is better than ever.” Thomas laughed. “Sorry, you didn’t ask for my life story.”

“I don’t buy that no one misses you. What about your old secretary?”

“I don’t know. She looked like she didn’t even know I existed. Like I was a bad memory no one wanted to remember. That’s sad, huh?” Thomas leans against the wall. “I get it. I would love to forget the old me too.”

Lori leaned against the same wall. “I don’t know anything about running a company, but I think it could’ve turned out worse. You could have turned out worse. True, you can come off rude, selfish, crude, insulting, infuriating…” Lori trailed off.

“How’s this supposed to make me feel better? I think I’m even more depressed than anything.” Thomas tried to slam his head into the wall, but it went straight through it. “God, this sucks!”

“I wasn’t finished. Demanding, a little ruthless, and a jerk. However, the fact you’re regretting it now proves you have feelings. True, it took you getting murdered for you to realize it but still. You’re not the only spirit that I’ve met that regrets their actions. If I had a dollar for every person who said they would do better if they could have a second chance, I would have enough to buy my own mini-Manson. I don’t know if there’s anything after death, but if you do get reborn, then do better next time. First, we need to find this killer and stop him. No one else needs to die. If it’s alright, I’d like to ask for your help.”

“You want my help? Mine?” Thomas asked, dumbfounded. “Sorry, I don’t get that a lot.”

“So, is that a yes?” Lori smiled.

“Yes. What do you need me to do?”