Tuesday Tales 2024-3-19 Mark

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, powered by a small group of authors, where word prompts inspire passages in the books we’re writing. Today’s word is mark. My snippet is from a cozy mystery set in fictional Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.

Roy continued, “Covering something up is the worst thing Luella can do.”

Guilty heat crept up my neck. Did he guess I was covering up the scratchpad where I’d made my marks and murder doodles?

He went on. “When I take her in for questioning tomorrow, I’ll try and set her at ease as best I can. Pelier doesn’t have much of a bedside manner.”

“That’s the ever-lovin’ truth, if I ever heard it. Does he suspect her? Does he suspect me?”

“At this juncture he suspects everyone.”

“You don’t, do you?”

“He hesitated.

“Roy!”

“I know you wouldn’t hurt a fly. I don’t know Jack’s cousin from the man in the moon. I suppose you think she’s innocent?”

“Of course!” I hoped I sounded certain. I was well aware that a tiny tidbit of doubt had settled in my abdomen where Luella was concerned. “Jack is an excellent judge of character.”  A mournful sigh escaped me. “By the way, Luella wasn’t hungry, but I told her I’d save her some supper. What do you want to eat?” I asked.

“Vicky is bringing food,” he said, smiling. “Barbecue from Maddie Max. She wants to see you anyway. I hope your taste buds will approve?”

My mouth watered. “Certainly they will. Oh, it will be great to see her! I’ll give Robin a buzz to come join us.” I didn’t move my arms to do so.

He nodded, eyeing me intently, or suspiciously—I wasn’t sure which–and scratched an eyebrow. “I’ll wait for Vicky by the back door.”

He headed down the hall, and I yanked off the sheet of paper with my murder doodles, folded it, and stuffed it in my pocket.

Robin could and did join us, arriving shortly after Vicky. We all enjoyed the delicious barbecue Vicky brought, and I wrapped up a plate for Luella and stuck it in the fridge. Roy’s wife was an energetic soul with a wicked sense of humor. She could get on anyone’s good side but was blunt in speaking her mind. I had always been in awe of her ability to juggle ten balls at once and tickled by her warm belly laugh.

Formerly she had worked for others but now ran her own alterations shop, called Sew Sew. She had also ventured into volunteering for the history group when costume repairs were needed.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the piece inspired by the word mark. If you haven’t done so already, check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories

All rights reserved, copyright @ 2024 Flossie Benton Rogers