0200 hrs.
Wispy fog.
Whirling, swirling.
Streetlight.
A lone bat,
Looping, swooping.
Night sounds.
Frogs, crickets,
Train whistle, far away.
Radio crackles,
Against still, night air.
Prowler,
Outside window.
“I’ll take it.”
“10-4.”
“Backup?”
“Negative.”
Front porch.
Yellow light.
Shadows.
Moth,
Flittering, fluttering
Yard.
Weeds,
Dried, crispy.
Breeze.
Gentle
Cool,
Leaves,
ticking and clicking
across worn porch floor.
Wooden swing.
Rusted chain,
Crooked.
Siding.
Paint,
Faded, peeling.
Door,
Loose knob.
A knock.
It opens,
Slowly.
Just a crack,
And a creak.
Tiny face,
Crinkled, by
Days long since passed.
“I heard them again, Officer.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Damp, anxious eyes.
Faded gray with time.
“They were at the window, like before.”
“I’ll check around back.”
“You’re too kind.”
“I wish my Bill was still here.”
“I know.”
“He’s been gone ten years this week.”
“A good man.”
“Thank you.”
“Coffee? It’s fresh.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Two sugars and a little cream, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Be right back.”
Outside.
Flashlight.
Waiting.
Neighbor’s house, dark.
Furnace, humming.
Rattles, then stops.
Quiet.
Two minutes pass.
Kitchen window,.
Brightly lit.
Darting here and there.
Full coffee pot.
Silver tray.
Cookies.
Cups.
Saucers.
Spoons.
For two.
Screen door.
Spring, squeaking.
Thump.
“Everything’s okay.”
“Yes, I do feel better now.”
“Thank you.”
Warm smells.
Vanilla.
Fresh bread.
Pumpkin spice.
“It’s just that, well, with Bill gone …”
“I know.”
A downward glance.
Wall clock
Tick-tocking.
A sigh.
A tear.
Silence.
Tick, tick, tick.
“Would you mind if I sat for a minute?”
A sniffle.
“I’m tired, and really shouldn’t drive.”
“After all, how would that look?”
“A cop asleep at the wheel.”
A smile.
Relief.
Just like last night.
And the night before.
And the night before.
At 0200,
Ten years after her Bill passed away.
Only SIX days remain to sign up for a “Seat” at Virtual MurderCon’s interactive event, and spots are filling quickly!
I urge you to sign up asap to reserve your spot at this unique opportunity, one that may never again be available. This is a live event, presented in realtime. Q&A is available at the end of each presentation. In addition, the final session is live panel and Q&A discussion with each of the experts. So have your questions ready, because this is the time to gather the extraordinary details that will make your book zing with realism.
Registration to the Writers’ Police Academy special event, Virtual MurderCon, is scheduled to end at midnight, July, 31, 2020. However, registration will close when all spots are filled, and it certainly looks like the event will indeed sell out any day now.
Again, this is a rare opportunity for writers to participate in virtual, live and interactive, “for law enforcement eyes only” training.
This incredibly detailed, cutting-edge instruction has never before been available to writers, anywhere. Until now.
