Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring authors posting excerpts from works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I’m pleased you stopped by today. This week’s picture prompt is jewelry. Enjoy the other talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
Rachel’s eyes opened wide. “You mean you’re the one who found Leticia’s body?”
Peri’s fingers trembled as she brushed back a tuft of flyaway hair. “I’m afraid so.”
“Oh my lord! Here, come and sit down. We don’t open for another hour.” She ushered her to a table and more or less folded her into the seat of an iron wrought chair. “I’ll be right back. Don’t get up.”
She had no intention of getting up, as now her legs were accompanying her fingers in some kind of insane Saint Vitus dance. She clamped her hands tight and pressed her knees together. For god’s sake, it wasn’t like she hadn’t seen a dead body before. But it was Leticia. A wave of nausea washed over her.
Rachel returned with hot tea. “Chamomile and lavender, with a touch of lemon balm.” She took a seat at the table.
Peri sipped appreciatively. The dainty cup rattled fractionally on the saucer.
“Was Leticia opening the museum early? Is that how you found her?”
She stared at Rachel, realizing her misconception. “No, she wasn’t at the museum. She was in the—the alley behind the masonic lodge. I parked my car there to walk up to Mark’s office.”
“She was in the alley? Was it a heart attack or what?”
“I don’t think so. She was lying crooked. She looked…” She broke off. Something about the position of Leticia’s body niggled at her mind. But what was it? She pictured her lying there, her left arm flung out, her right hand squeezed against her abdomen as if holding something. That was it! A bit of silver chain had protruded from her palm, and her throat had been bare of the aromatherapy pendant she always wore. It was as if she had yanked off the piece of jewelry and held it tight.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the picture prompt jewelry. Thanks for stopping by. 
Read the other exciting excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2020 Flossie Benton Rogers
A mysterious and intriguing snippet, Flossie. Great job!
I’m so glad you find it intriguing. Thanks, Mae!
Love it. Why did she rip off her own necklace? Can’t wait to learn the answer. Great job.
Heh heh, thanks, Susanne, for liking the necklace part.
Great snippet! (Except for the stopping there factor. I wanted to keep reading!)
And that tea sounds lovely – and so calming with those three herbs. Loved it.
Ooooo very mysterious. Well done!!
Oh no! I don’t think her death was natural. Something sinister is going on. Great job!
I’m glad you picked up the sinister vibe. Thank you, Tricia!