Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
Trash
“Why did I say that I would do this? Why did I let him hustle me into doing something he’s not even sharing with me? I must be out of my mind!” Linda says under her breath as she moves back and forth between the roadway and the ditch picking up trash with the ‘grabby thing’ the supervisor of this clean-up gang gave her and putting the trash in a bag she carries with her.
By Merrie Jackson5 years ago in Criminal
Dead Man Sitting
Jeffrey sat slumped on the lower bunk of his cell, staring at his hands in silence. His attorney lifted the creases in his trouser legs a fraction, then sat on the only chair in the small, close room. He was accustomed to the smell of latrines and sweaty clothes. He often met his clients in their cells but not usually so late in the evening.
By Jonathan Tanburn5 years ago in Criminal
The lady in red
Elena looked out the window at the bay from her apartment in Scarlett Washington as she sips on a cup of green tea at the table, hoping that a miracle would happen. That day was like any other day clouds in the sky with cold wind blowing through the small town. The streets are wet and heavy rain falling to the ground. When Elena was done with her tea Elena went to the kitchen, washed the cup, the plate dried them both, then she put them back into the cupboard. Going back to the bedroom Elena finished getting ready to go to her dead beat not really going anywhere job, especially in Scarlett. Walking out of the apartment complex Elena opened up her umbrella, held it over her head and then walked into the pouring down rain, and headed towards Leo’s diner. Entering the diner, Elena immediately went into the kitchen. Elena put on a black waist apron with three pockets, headed out of the kitchen, grabbed a notepad, a pencil from behind the counter and took customers' orders. The door to Leo’s diner opened making the bells that hang from the bar handle chimed and walked in is a lady in red. The lady in red took a seat on one stool at the counter and picked up a menu that was there on the counter. Elena walked over to the lady in red and greeted her with a smile. “Welcome to Leo’s diner. Can I take your order?” “Yes. I would like a bacon cheeseburger with French fries and a chocolate milkshake,” said the lady in red as she puts the menu back down onto the counter again. “Coming right up, “said Elena with a cheerful smile. “Would you like your milkshake now or with your food?” “With my food would be just fine, thank you for asking.” Elena went back into the kitchen and gave the cook the lady in red’s order, and left the kitchen once again to take other customers' orders. Twenty minutes went by in a blink of an eye and Elena brought the lady in red with her food and the chocolate milkshake. “Here’s your bacon cheeseburger and the chocolate milkshake,” said Elena, putting the food and the milkshake in front of the lady in red. “Could I get some ketchup?” Ask the lady in red. “Yes, you may,” was Elena’s answer as she reached under the counter, got a ketchup bottle and put it in front of the lady in red. “Thank y. Do you enjoy working here?” “It’s fine, the hours sucks and the pay check is horrible. I barely get by on how much I make here,” said Elena. “Would you consider getting a new and better job if it pays twenty thousand dollars?” Asked the lady in red. Elena was about to answer the question when more customers walked into the diner before she went to serve them. The lady in red finished her food and the milkshake the bill, but before the lady in red got off the stool she took out a little black book from her purse opened it to the first page and wrote: To Elena Go to this address 6488 Heavens LN Se Scarlett, WA 12421 And tell them that the lady in red sent you. When the lady in red was done writing her message to Elena, she’s closed the little black book and leaving it on the counter. Returning to where the lady in red was sitting at the counter, Elena saw that the lady in red has already left the diner and found a little black book instead. Picking up the book, Elena put it in one of the apron pocket. Elena finished her shift, and she put the note pad, pencil and the apron away before she left the diner.
By Michelle Hall5 years ago in Criminal
Top 6 tips to prevent crime on construction sites in 2021.
When construction sites close down for the night and weekends, they become highly susceptible to crime due to the lack of activity on site, therefore there are measures you need to put into place to ensure that these crimes don’t take place. Construction site security is vital to deter and detect theft and vandalism on construction sites and keep people and valuables safe.
By Lucy Gardiner5 years ago in Criminal
Jailed For Good
I don’t have a bucket list. And if I did, I doubt “Go to jail” would be on it. But when I heard the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office (Minnesota) was offering a night in their new jail to help train staff on procedures and equipment, I was curious. I wanted to take a chance on what seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (hopefully, anyway).
By Lori Zabel5 years ago in Criminal
The Message
Mia woke up comfortable and warm in her bed and had a brief, blissful moment of contentment before the memories of the last few days came crashing down around her and she realized that today was the day of the funeral. She was past crying now, but her face ached from the tears she had already shed. She knew that later today they would flow once again.
By Nadia Cowperthwaite5 years ago in Criminal
Numbers
1 The clock on the bedside ticks over to show 4:00. 4am isn’t a time everybody has seen. It’s late enough that even the staunchest of late-night revelers and club staff have fallen into bed but early enough that the first of those fabled early birds haven’t even thought about a worm yet. It’s a time seen only by the wanderers, the chronic insomniacs and those with secrets that keep them awake, staring at the clock.
By Graham Wade5 years ago in Criminal
