By Glen Bush The wooden screen door slammed shut sending a rickety echo through the tavern. The two fans sitting at each end of the hand-made, but not well-made, bar did little more than disperse the muggy, August air. It was St. Louis and August, nothing more needed to be said. The smiling barfly atContinue reading “Hard Case”
Tag Archives: Noir
My Wife’s Brother
By Steven James Cordin I woke up with Joe’s gun in my face. I rolled over on to my side and shut my eyes. “Whatever it is, can it wait till after I have some coffee?” “You ruined my life!” Joe screamed. “You are a dead man!” I opened my eyes again. The clock onContinue reading “My Wife’s Brother”
That Money
By Seamus O’ Leary The hood was ripped off Darrel’s head and he found himself strapped to a metal folding chair in a basement somewhere. He was next to a long haired guy who was strapped down also. In front of him stood two men, a well built guy who held a pistol and aContinue reading “That Money”
By Morning
By Andy Betz By morning they would come for me. I stole the funds, in small quantities, over a long time. A little here. A little there. I have been careful over the years. But, not careful enough. Walter, my associate, caught me last week. It took him nearly as long to research the lostContinue reading “By Morning”
Madeline
By Nicole Mancha I shift in my chair for the fifth time in twice as many minutes, attempting to relieve the discomfort of the stiff metal backing against my spine. Dr. Maryanne Warner sits across from me, scribbling furiously. It’s exhausting to watch, so I cannot even imagine how it must be for her. SheContinue reading “Madeline”
Bag of Soap
By Dick Johnson I was in the county jail. I won’t say which one. But, I was locked up in a cell block with 6 other guys. We were all awaiting trial. The cell block was made up of 2 cells with bunks, connected by a day room, with a table. The jail was overcrowdedContinue reading “Bag of Soap”
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”
Dancing Dolls
By Rena Robinett The night DeK met Tyla was not a good one for him. DeK, as he’d renamed himself after a desperation-filled adolescent idea had morphed into a company that became worldwide slang, was a half hacker whose one creative thought had made him very rich. After his former nerd buddies refused a dealContinue reading “Dancing Dolls”
Turtle
By Scott McDonald I took a job in Tucson. Unusual for me but the customer was very motivated and paid extra, plus all expenses. Wanted the job done in a particular way. Insisted that I don’t kill the guy instantly. That I incapacitate him, and then explain to him why a total stranger is makingContinue reading “Turtle”