Lost Exit

Flash Fiction by Michael Downing A driving rain whips across the motel parking lot, beating against the windows in a staccato rhythm.  Cuba lights another Marlboro and rechecks the magazine in the Glock before tucking it beneath his shirt, snug against his back. Tall, broad, and Black, with a shaved head, gold caps, and aContinue reading “Lost Exit”

Independence

Flash Fiction by Ron Riekki “So?” “So?” “What’re your thoughts?” “Well, nothing makes sense.” “It all makes sense.” “I beg to differ.” “It’s love.” “You’re looking at a guy chopped up into pieces and you think of love?” “He’s not chopped into pieces.  He’s in one piece.” “That’s a finger over there.” “OK, two pieces.”Continue reading “Independence”

Some Form Of Promotion

Crime Fiction by Zach Dundas Tobias Carlton, owner of Carlton’s, where I tend bar and catch mice and keep court with a diverse citizenry, favors white linen in summertime. He favors a silken ascot. He favors a sort of English accent. I think he’s from Rhode Island but attended one of those schools with aContinue reading “Some Form Of Promotion”

Drunk Tank

Flash Fiction By Dick Johnson Carl awoke. His head hurt and the light was bright. His memory flooded back to him, and he realized where he was. He was in his underwear, and lying on a concrete bunk in a room with almost zero features. There were fluorescent lights in mesh glass above, grey rubberContinue reading “Drunk Tank”

First

Crime Fiction by Lissa Muir I’m walking in the ravine. It’s early Fall, a Thursday, and I am alone. Well, not alone, exactly. There have been fifty squirrels, mostly black, and one scrawny coyote, hungry and haunting at the top of the hill beside me. This is the twelfth walk I’ve done over the pastContinue reading “First”

Blackberry Engorgement

Crime Fiction by Carbon Bleauxmoosle You’re finally awake said the old man as he sat readying himself for a night of unconsecrated activity. The room was damp and cold; the dim light was just bright enough for Nelson to see the filth and the rats scurrying across the cracks in the stone floor. All ofContinue reading “Blackberry Engorgement”

What A Buck Will Get You

Flash Fiction by J. David Harper Marie Haddon was sprawled on the floor of the dollar cinema lobby like it was a spa for rich dead people. Dried blood was pooled out for five feet around her head, and Detective Mills walked around it to get a three-sixty of the body. A couple of uniformsContinue reading “What A Buck Will Get You”

I Thought I’d Play Detective.

Crime Fiction by Trelaine Ito “This is a bad idea,” I said, aloud, to myself. I was right, of course. I shouldn’t be in the woods to begin with, at least not this late and especially not alone. My father taught us to go out in pairs. Always. I generally don’t like the night. There’sContinue reading “I Thought I’d Play Detective.”

Thou Shalt Not…

Crime Fiction By Dick Johnson Sweat dripped down his face as he watched his house. This wasn’t the first time she had cheated and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. But, it would be the last time she cheated on him, with this guy. Wind blew through the trees above him, cooling him slightly. ItContinue reading “Thou Shalt Not…”