Frank Olson’s Big Break

Crime Fiction By Shawn Schenck Sweat gathered and rolled down Frank Olson’s pallid face. His ice-blue iris’ had shrunk to the size of pins, exaggerating his yellowing white eyes. The meth had come in full swing, driving his hunger away and his heart into double time. He hadn’t felt more awake in the last thirty-sixContinue reading “Frank Olson’s Big Break”

The Last Mrs. Roberts

Crime Fiction By Marco Etheridge I am the second Mrs. Roberts. There will not be a third. Waste no time with mourning. Mr. Roberts was not a nice man. The first Mrs. Roberts is no more. She ceased to be in the fourth year of her marriage to Mr. Roberts. He killed her. Her murderContinue reading “The Last Mrs. Roberts”

Bulletproof

Crime Fiction By Mickey Dubrow Nell cradled the semi-automatic assault rifle in her arms like a baby, keeping it close to her body and giving it plenty of support with both arms. The rifle was fresh from the arms-factory that birthed it. Dozens of the rifle’s siblings hung on racks behind Nell at the BullardContinue reading “Bulletproof”

Under the Knife

Crime Fiction By Hillary Lyon “You know, darling, not everyone is as fortunate as I am,” here the old woman paused to massage citrus-scented serum into the crepey flesh of her throat. She tilted her head to admire her own jawline. Her much younger assistant, Mandy, rolled her eyes. Gazing in her dressing table mirror,Continue reading “Under the Knife”

Starting Over Again

Flash Fiction By Andy Betz When the police were notified, I was in the middle of sealing the final boxes. I gave my daughter the keys and deed to the house as well as my power of attorney. I had made peace with my choices and was ready for what was to come. I waitedContinue reading “Starting Over Again”

The Ride

Crime Poetry By Hillary Lyon conversation traveled alongthe Möbius strip of her mindshe took the sharp curves     fastwith no seat belts or air bags you unlocked the glove-box of her heartfound it stuffed with crayon scrawled mapscandy wrappers      six shinybullets and a warm pistol red and blue lights     flashedin the mirror of her mouthtoss careContinue reading “The Ride”

The Cost of Doing Business

Crime Fiction by Matthew Duffus Jamison Corey had finished plating the last of the trout he’d purchased that morning when his youngest waitress intercepted him at the pass with her mouth twisted to one side. He didn’t wait for her to speak. “Order up! Table seven.” “Did you make a special without telling us?” SheContinue reading “The Cost of Doing Business”

Confession

Flash Fiction By Dick Johnson “Yeah, I shot her in the face. She fucking deserved it.” The detectives looked at me like I was crazy. “You shot her?” “Yeah” “Because you caught her cheating?” “No” “But you knew she was cheating?” “Yeah, I walked in on her. The guy was on her just pumping away.Continue reading “Confession”