fiction
Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.
The little black book
Tim stirred. Everything was black and he could not move his hands or legs. He tried to shout for help but what noise that came out was muffled. He realised his mouth was covered with some fabric that tasted of old fast food. Everything around him smelt of petrol and metal.
By Drew Budds3 years ago in Criminal
The Book
The cargo in the trunk was quiet. Either from accepting the inevitable or worse. Andrew Ruocco hoped it was the former. A light snowfall started just as he exited the highway. That wasn’t good either. The weather experts on the radio were calling for one hell of a nor’easter. The winter blizzard of 2017 as the media called it. But this kind of business followed the same adage of the postal service. Rain, snow, or shine, it had to be done.
By Keith Weaver 3 years ago in Criminal
A Binding Contract
It had become one of the central tenets of his new belief system and he hadn’t so far experienced anything that persuaded him to revise his opinion. All the same, he felt on the most basic level that unless there was at least a modicum of whimpering during the proceedings, he wasn’t doing the job properly. And it was a job, after all. Not in the traditional sense of the word, true, but he did receive payment in exchange for services, which enabled him to define it as such. And he did have a set of terms and conditions – notionally, anyway - to which he strictly adhered, as did his clients: 50% up front and 50% on completion. To him, this was more than a quirk; it was what gave the transaction validity, what turned something that could have been regarded as a mere hobby into a professional contract. Reconciling the end-to-end transaction also rationalised any reservations he may have had at the back of his mind. Not that there ever were any. Despite his initial anxiety, it turned out he had quite a talent for his work. Taking pride in the art of instilling a real fear in his prey - while not overdoing the physical damage - was an unexpected bonus.
By M. A. Rolli3 years ago in Criminal
Painting from Nantucket
I was back from Nantucket renting a room in Casey’s house. She told me she needed the room for her sister, Pamela, who was back from college. If needed, I was welcome to the couch and we would make things work. I had little money and had just spent a good chunk of it on my trip to Nantucket where I created my most recent painting, a fishing scene of a fishing seine. My attempt at humor. I sell my paintings at the gallery. Earlier I had dropped off a few paintings for a big auction on Friday, including the one just completed. Hopefully I would get something. I saw my painting in a gallery ad in the paper and it looked nice.
By Marilyn Glass3 years ago in Criminal
A poisoned life...
Maybe it was the attention she had always craved or maybe it was due to her mother never showing her the love she so desperately longed for that set her on this path of destruction. Thinking back she knew once upon a time she had a good soul, a kind heart but now the bitterness, hate and resentment flowed through every fiber of her being and Barbara found it impossible to be either positive or happy.
By Celice Maree3 years ago in Criminal
Consequences
The funeral was mercifully short and so was his temper. James leaned back in his father’s desk chair and gulped his whisky. Mona had left out a sandwich and the bottle for him, perhaps hoping it might improve his mood. The study was an absolute mess, his father’s usual fastidious nature seemed to have abandoned him in the last years of his life. It was going to take hours to get through it all.
By C. T. Grout3 years ago in Criminal
Redeemed?
I am set to be released today. They say I’m reformed, that I am not a threat to society. But I really don’t want to be released. I don’t feel like I deserve it. I killed a man, and even though I have worked every day to better myself and to help others in an attempt to make up for what I did, nothing can ever make it right. The parole board is offering me mercy, they say I deserve it. But do I truly deserve it?
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in Criminal
Land Of The Blind
Henry entered the main building at Churchill Downs. His presence at the track felt odd. He couldn't remember placing a bet in his entire life. Certainly not on something as unknowable as which thoroughbred might outrun others of its kind on any given day. He appreciated the magnificent beasts with their long, terribly slender legs and muscular bodies, but the only reason Henry was at Churchill Downs on the day the most famous horse race in America was being run, was because his uncle had come to this very place to attend this event for the last seven years of his life.
By Donna Snyder-Smith3 years ago in Criminal