Crime Fiction by Joseph B. Cleary Eddie Washburn stopped and blew his bulbous, gin blossom covered nose. Then he continued to plod down the snow blanketed street. Everything on him hurt. He took a deep breath as an AA sign that was perched above a church door came into view. He couldn’t believe this wasContinue reading “Merry Christmas Pops”
Category Archives: Hard Life
Happy Hour At The Holy Grail Bar
Flash Fiction by Pamela Ebel Emma Macaulay looked in the mirror on the back wall and watched as some of the parishioners crossed the parking lot of the church where the service was over and walked into the Holy Grail Bar for Happy Hour. As the noise level picked up the front door flew openContinue reading “Happy Hour At The Holy Grail Bar”
Brooklyn
Flash Fiction by Diane Lefer So I was driving home about 3:00 AM. Around the clubs, of course, there are always people and cars, but near home usually there’s no one. That night, there was a car up ahead, stopped at a red light. Then this other car comes speeding up from behind, comes aroundContinue reading “Brooklyn”
The Womanizer
Crime Fiction by Dick Johnson Graphic Sex and Violence Warning The kissing was amazing. Not the lack luster kissing of a first date, but the hungry kissing that leads to fucking, and he knew it was coming. Her mouth was so warm and soft and inviting. Juicy is the word. She was juicy. The cricketsContinue reading “The Womanizer”
A Catfish No More
Crime Fiction by Andrew Ricchiuti Palmer spent the last thirty days in a private room hidden in a sanitarium. Except for Benny, he spoke only to one doctor and one nurse. He only saw them. Now, healed, he was ready to re-enter the world. A world he hoped wouldn’t recognize and hound him for runningContinue reading “A Catfish No More”
The Nest Egg
Crime Fiction by Roy Dorman Bobby Mason walked out of the front gates of the Nevada Restitution Center with a spring in his step. He’d done seven years and eight months of a ten-year sentence, leaving early due to his good behavior. Bobby had gone in at age twenty-three and was now a free manContinue reading “The Nest Egg”
Macy Walks The Labyrinth
Crime Fiction by Lina Chern Macy dreams of the little girl in red again. Old-fashioned pinafore dress, pigtails. Or pigtail. One eye, half a mouth frozen in a toothy grin. Macy only sees half of her, like she is always just around the corner. Today, for the first time, the girl is all there. She’sContinue reading “Macy Walks The Labyrinth”
Shadowland
Crime Fiction by Sean O’Leary A fourteen-year-old girl was missing. Candy had taken the call two hours ago. The father, Peter Ling, sounded like he was in agony when he told Candy his daughter had been missing for two days. Missing or lost forever. That was Candy’s job. The missing girl’s name was April. CandyContinue reading “Shadowland”
For Soraya (From “The Stoning of Soraya M.”)
Poetry by Shontay Luna By the time she realized who her husband was, it was too late. Maybe they loved each other though, in the beginning. But now, whispered lies disguised as truthful rumors are the soundtrack of the town’s daily activities. Scandals the audible snacks gossip mongers feed on. Who needs food with soContinue reading “For Soraya (From “The Stoning of Soraya M.”)”
Yes, Mama
Crime Fiction by London Baker His name was Big Tony and as for me, I was called Al Greco. Big Tony was sort of the boss, you see? He was a big deal back then, though I guess he still is now. But now isn’t that important. Back then is what matters. Back then IContinue reading “Yes, Mama”