No-Kill Shelter

By Brenda Kilianski Woman Found Strangled in Uptown Apartment August 19, 1997. Dateline: Chicago. Diana Charlton, 29, a Loop-based attorney, was found strangled in her apartment in the 900-block of West Argyle. While police have no definitive suspects, a spokeswoman for the department noted similarities between the murder of Ms. Charlton and another murder fourContinue reading “No-Kill Shelter”

Serial Killer: Robert Berdella

By Chris Bunton I traveled to Kansas City, Missouri recently to investigate Robert Berdella, A.K.A. The Kansas City Butcher. Robert Berdella, was born on January 31, 1949. He committed his crimes between between 1984 and 1987. He raped, tortured and murdered at least 6 men, whom he captured by various means and kept them trappedContinue reading “Serial Killer: Robert Berdella”

I Won’t Be Me Tomorrow

By Melissa R. Mendelson Her fingers drifted across the steering wheel, falling across the keys.  The ignition was cut.  Her hand withdrew but paused, falling gently near the cup holder, her fingers stretched outward, reaching for the leg nearby, brushing gently against it.  But she moved away. “Still have cramps?”  Bailey brushed her hand againstContinue reading “I Won’t Be Me Tomorrow”

Sad Day

By Dick Johnson It was a sad day in a house full of assholes, and I was dying. It wasn’t always sad, like it wasn’t always daytime, but they were probably always assholes. It was a house in St. Louis. It was one of those slum houses.  I’d tell you where, but no one reallyContinue reading “Sad Day”

Judge and Jury

By William M. McIntosh I’ve seen just about everything. Thirty-three years in and I still get excited, though. The chase. The capture. The power. The idea that your hard work has paid off and you’re still the man; there ain’t a feeling that comes close. I remember my first. I still think about it allContinue reading “Judge and Jury”

Hard Case

By Glen Bush The wooden screen door slammed shut sending a rickety echo through the tavern.  The two fans sitting at each end of the hand-made, but not well-made, bar did little more than disperse the muggy, August air. It was St. Louis and August, nothing more needed to be said.  The smiling barfly atContinue reading “Hard Case”

The Notorious Texas Swindler

By Pepper Anne From the Amazon Book Description: “Bob Leach was a throwback to an era of legendary Texas desperadoes. He was a conman, a kidnapper, a cattle rustler, a stickup man, and more. But far from practicing his depredations in the Wild West heyday of the 1880’s, Leach was a modern-day badman who becameContinue reading “The Notorious Texas Swindler”

My Wife’s Brother

By Steven James Cordin I woke up with Joe’s gun in my face.  I rolled over on to my side and shut my eyes.  “Whatever it is, can it wait till after I have some coffee?” “You ruined my life!”  Joe screamed.  “You are a dead man!” I opened my eyes again.  The clock onContinue reading “My Wife’s Brother”