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 boil. 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.
Brady peered down and offered me a knowing look. “Someone’s been telling tales, haven’t they?” Wryness saturated his voice. “The murder was a shock, of course, but finding the body must have been one for you, too.”
“Yes. I could have gone my whole life without that. What a horrible way to die! Who would have hated her enough to kill her, Brady?”
Glancing up at the overcast sky, he was silent for a moment. He let out a sigh and then said, “She wasn’t everyone’s speed, but it’s hard to think of someone hating her enough to strangle her.”
“But someone did.” If only I could read him better. He seemed genuinely regretful but also a bit remote from the dark subject under discussion.
“Yeah, as far as hate–I don’t like to say it, but, well, Monroe’s hostility toward her had become unmistakable. He has a temper all right. Still, I can’t see him taking it that far.”
“What caused the hostility?”
He glanced at the ground. “Now I’m telling tales. Oh, the usual. They were going out, were together for over a year, and then…” The fingers on one hand balled together and flicked apart as he said, “Kaput. She started in on someone else.”
“Oh! Who?”
“I don’t know. Word is Monroe didn’t either.” His look turned penetrating. “Of course, a person can murder for reasons other than reaching a boil.”
I tilted my head to try and soak in his meaning. “Such as?”
He shifted his boots on the uneven earth. “To name a few, there’s revenge, greed, trying to protect yourself or someone else. Who knows? Anyway, I hope they figure it out soon. I only went out with her a time or two, never seriously, but her mother was always nice to me. I saw her at the store yesterday. She’s sickly, you know?”
I cringed, not wanting to feel sorry for the murdered woman. “Does she have other family?”
“Her younger daughter is up from Atlanta. We’ll see how long that lasts. That girl left Glisten as soon as she could. I don’t like to think how Mrs. Lacy may end up. I know if it was my mom…” He broke off, as one the workers called out to him. “Best get back to work.” He touched the bill of his cap in a departing salute.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the piece inspired by the word boil. 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
Getting old is no fun and if you have no one to help … great scene.
We are so lucky to have loving family.
I like how Brady sort of seeps out of the woodwork to raise new questions and give us more information about Monroe and the murder. And speculation. Which muddies the waters, but makes you think. Such a good story!!
Thanks for the positive thoughts about Brady!
Nicely done on the use of boil. I like how you segued that in and I like the new details we’re getting from Brady. Jillian
Love the backstory of the family and all the lovers. There were a few reasons that someone would want to murder her. And poor Mrs. Lacy! Great job!