Crime Fiction by Jim Courter As the car bumped over unpaved country roads, Ernie Sticklin bouncing in the trunk along with the jack and the spare and who knew what else, it occurred to him that he should have taken more seriously the plot-making gears in his head that had imagined this scenario, that oneContinue reading “No Ransom”
Category Archives: Hard Life
Nefarious
Crime Fiction by Michael Wegener Before approaching the auto shop, she’d duct-taped her gun hand to his back so he wouldn’t even think about trying anything. Had him help her wrap it around his torso, alternating with her wrapping it around her right hand and wrist—muzzle of the gun pressed right on top of hisContinue reading “Nefarious”
Great Big Alleyway
Crime Fiction by Richie Narvaez Felix turns his son forward so the whole subway car can see the boy’s sweet face. “I’m sorry to bother you,” Felix says, “but could you spare a dollar or a quarter to get me and my family something to eat?” He and Little Felix nudge, slide, push their wayContinue reading “Great Big Alleyway”
Real Walmarts of Hillbilly County
Crime Fiction by Mick Rose December 27th spawned three more fucking Walmart murders. No surprise to anyone who sheepishly lives or works in rust-riddled Hillbilly County. As portrayed on Google Maps? The sprawling county boasts it hosts a dozen Walmart stores. But as you might’ve guessed? Hillbilly County ain’t got nothin’ else for folks toContinue reading “Real Walmarts of Hillbilly County”
Barrel Of Ninjas
Crime Fiction by J. Marquez Jr. Sunday: The Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center The gods must have been feeling undecidedly mischievous on the day Nathan was born. The gray days in Southern California can be easily and accurately counted by the fingers on the hands of a notorious math flunky every year—even in November. AndContinue reading “Barrel Of Ninjas”
Cat’s Fight
Crime Fiction by Brandon Doughty When Cathy Ramsey returned home from the market, she considered ramming Sara Cargill’s Mustang down the hill into the lake. It sat parked in her spot in the short driveway. Her friend made a habit of stopping by while Cathy was away. That pattern had triggered a little fight orContinue reading “Cat’s Fight”
The Killman On The Kill Floor
Flash Fiction by Conor O’ Brian Barnes The Killman worked on the kill floor in the abattoir and always left at the end of his shift hungry for a bloody burger. The only problem he had with killing was that he didn’t think enough of it was being done nowadays. He was a violent man,Continue reading “The Killman On The Kill Floor”
Just Like Mishima
Crime Fiction by Steven McFann He stares at the options I laid on the kitchen table. They glisten against the flickering kitchen light he hasn’t bothered to fix. I tell him to choose the one that cuts the quickest. He thinks I’m kidding. I make it clear that I’m not. Because he crossed a lineContinue reading “Just Like Mishima”
The Last Days Of The Time Out Tavern
Crime Fiction by Daniel Bartlett The Time Out Tavern wasn’t much to look at, no doubt, but it was Martin’s, so being forced out of the property didn’t sit so well with him. Especially being forced out by a sleazy, corrupt son of a bitch like Jens Oberlin. Late morning on a balmy Tuesday, theContinue reading “The Last Days Of The Time Out Tavern”
The Quarry
Flash Fiction By Jason Smith Alex and his car were found at the same quarry where the man from 1984 was buried. The front of his car was a crumbled wreck. He had driven through a barricade and rolled down a hill before plunging to his final resting place. His autopsy showed his alcohol limitContinue reading “The Quarry”