DEFENDING THE PEN
It’s all about murder . . . romance – writing it!
I post flash fiction, book announcements, interviews, and the things I love.
Careful . . . you may end up the victim . . .
of fun!
"Do you
want to go alligator hunting today?" Greg asked his wife.
Shanna
smiled. "You realize it's Friday the 13th."
"I've
promised for months now. Besides, you aren't paraskevidekatriaphobia.
But if you'd rather wait until next week. I'll consider taking next Friday off,
too."
"Are
you kidding? I'm not superstitious. I consider the 13th my lucky day. I'm game,
let's go. We've been here for a year, and I still haven't seen one, but they're
always in the news. I'll get Charlie's lease if you'll get the camera. It's on
the table in the den."
*****
Shanna
wandered around the apartment in a daze, then the doorbell rang. After she
accepted the delivery of Dahlia Yellow Star, she recalled the last twenty-four
hours in detail, and the tears flowed like the water from the spigot.
It wasn't
the shock of Greg's death hitting her so hard but the uncalled-for accusations
from the detective investigating what he called a brutal murder.
Would he
apologize after he viewed the film, or would he still want to prosecute her to
the full extent of the law? What a rude bigot of a man, she thought.
When he
claimed she had hyperbolized the horrific details of her husband's death.
Shanna wanted to knock the dull gold tooth from his mouth. Thank goodness she
thought better of it and instead handed her camera to the young lady beside
him.
"This
shows the exact details of what happened. And nothing I've said was hyperbole.
I hand this to you because obviously your youth and gender will ensure a
different outcome than what this," she looked at the startled detective,
"Neanderthal is hoping for."
Shanna stood.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make arrangements for Charlie."
"Don't
you mean Greg and Charlie?" the Neanderthal asked.
"No.
That film will prove my husband tried to feed me to that beast. I'll call
Jenny. Apparently, she wanted him. He's all hers, well, what's left of him. If
not for Charlie...well, you'll see."
Olly olly oxen free. Hide and seek is over. I won. Why won't
you appear? Death is no deterrent.
I hear your final words. Nightmares that haunt asleep or
awake. You said you'd always love me. I remember your lovely whisper as blood
gushed from my first slash on your delicate throat.
You even said you'd forgive me before my blade sank deep
into your heart. And as I covered my body with your blood, you promised to
always be mine. Forever and always, that's what you vowed.
Did you lie? Have you deceived me? Where are you, my love?
