By Anika K. Clausen The plastic lies heavy on my frozen limbs. My efforts to move are pointless, screaming –impossible. My idle olfactory capabilities allow me to discern the remaining air underneath my suffocating duvet. An iron odor fills my uncompromising trap. With my limited peripheral vision, I can sense the bed of dead leavesContinue reading “Help Me, I’m Not Dead”
Tag Archives: Mystery
Julia and Katherine
By Andy Betz “Hello. My name is Katherine Adams.” It was my reserved opening. Neither abrupt nor capricious, I remained steadfast in my resolve to make a singular opening. I made discreet inquiries about her idiosyncrasies and decided to discard such second hand information and decide for myself. “I read your ad in the tradesContinue reading “Julia and Katherine”
Nicole and Julia: Death at Poolside
By Andy Betz “The brochure says the Williams Aquatic Center houses a full sized Olympic swimming pool, bleachers, separate locker rooms and showers, and ample parking for up to 500 spectators. The hours today are from 8am to 10pm which includes lifeguard and CPR classes from 10am to 1pm and free swimming for the restContinue reading “Nicole and Julia: Death at Poolside”
The Dead Are Smiling
By Melissa R. Mendelson Johnny Cash battled the static, but he was losing, fading in and out. The screen door to the diner wasn’t helping. It screeched opened and clattered shut, and the swearing of the cook in the kitchen was louder than the small radio over the counter by the pies. Even the buzzingContinue reading “The Dead Are Smiling”
Patches of Paradise
By Hart Vetter I. Housesitting If you ask me what I am to Royce, it gets complicated. To his business associates, as we meet for dinner, he’ll introduce me as someone I’m really not, My special friend Marianne. In the car over, he winks, Let them fill in the blanks. Case closed. If you askContinue reading “Patches of Paradise”
Detective Santana’s Holiday
By Russell Guenther It was 11:25, Tuesday evening, and Detective Rogelio Santana drove up to his unlit and empty house. By no means a paranoid man like many of his colleagues, he rarely locked his own car when parked under the shelter of the carport. Tonight, however, Santana had driven the county car home withContinue reading “Detective Santana’s Holiday”
Death by Leaf Blower
By Susan E. Rogers He yanked the pillow down over his head and jammed the sides up against his ears. The noise still leaked through. Rrruhrrr… Rrruhrrrr… Rrrruuuuuhhhrrrr… Rrruhrrr… Rrrruuuuuhhhrrrr… He jumped out of bed and ran to the open window. “Stop! Stop! Just stop!” Of course, no one heard him over the roar ofContinue reading “Death by Leaf Blower”
Stacks of Cord Wood
By David Larson Chapter One The bodies were stacked like cord wood. Four high like dominoes. Except these weren’t flat like dominoes. Nor like pizza boxes. More like the old glass bottles soda pop came in. Try to visualize four odd-shaped potatoes stacked. I’ve been a homicide detective for twelve years now. My partner andContinue reading “Stacks of Cord Wood”
I’m Tired of Murder
By David Larson Chapter one “Damn, I’m getting tired of murder.” “Did you say something, Clarence? Do you want another cup of coffee” Your breakfast should be out next.” “I’m sorry Helen, I was talking to myself. I read this editorial in the paper where the writer thinks all the deaths in the last monthContinue reading “I’m Tired of Murder”
Oleander
By Andy Betz The man with the ax faces me. His face is always unrecognizable, but his blade singularly distinct. I see the few drops of blood mirroring an otherwise perfect finish reflecting the light from the moon in the sky. I can feel it burning me, coaxing me, almost provoking me into making theContinue reading “Oleander”