fiction

Mystery, crime, murder, unsolved cases. Contribute your own tales of crime to Criminal.

The Split Second Decision
Val was at her desk in the kitchen, talking on the phone with her boss, Jack. She had recently convinced him, after much cajoling, to allow her to work from a home office. Even though she lived just a block away from the business, it was proving to be a lot easier to do her job at home rather than in the confines of an office. She was trying to sound professional, and pay attention to what Jack was saying, he had called as she was putting the final touch on a proposal, and making a few personal notes in her Moleskine® Little Black Book. Jack wasn’t entirely convinced that Val could accomplish at home what she’d done in his office, and had called her as a sort of a test. Val knew that, so she tried her best to keep a professional sound to her uh-hums, as she put the Little Black Book away in a drawer, and turned the lock.
By Roxy Lentz5 years ago in Criminal
Jack in the Pulpit
“Jack-in-the-Pulpit? What the hell’s that?” “A flower — grows from a bulb-” “You’re killing me. All I said was I need to get my mother a plant.
By Darryl Brooks5 years ago in Criminal
Book
Rupert Crowne had spent much of his days as the free head of a budding empire. Through business dealings, intimidation, and manipulation, he all but OWNED Imperial City. The locals knew of his underhanded dealings; but the law couldn't touch Crowne. He had lower level hoods to take the fall for actually committing his misdeeds or to shakedown politicians and businesses who sought to remain beyond his reach. Crowne's men would roam the streets and commit any number of crimes in his name; he, on technicality, kept his hands clean by remaining in his higher office and making the calls to his gang. He needed only make a few calls, keep at least most of his underlings on the streets, and reap the benefits of organized crime and political and media manipulation.
By Kent Brindley5 years ago in Criminal
Mission
“Fuck!” I shouted, I jumped out of bed and turned off my alarm that I snoozed a few too many times. I hurriedly threw on my clothes and got ready for work. I rushed downstairs, let my Aussie outside to do his business, and fed him. I got a muffin from the kitchen, slipped into my shoes, snatched up my bag, and headed for the door. “Be good while I’m gone Koda!”
By Cheyenne Oswald5 years ago in Criminal
Killing on friendly skies
The plane was finally landing in London Heathrow Airport after a two hour delay in San Francisco go figure always that fog. I was exhausted and if one more person rang there call button for another Diet Coke I was about to lose my mind . I had only about an hour to make it to my appointment . On the crew van on the way to the hotel, I took out my black notebook for the name and address and googled to see where I had to be. The rest of the crew were discussing there night antics . I was hoping to make it back for at least one drink . After arriving at the hotel and taking a shower to get off that plane smell, I was getting dressed in all black feeling like a ninja of the night . The hardest part was leaving the hotel and not being spotted by a crew member .
By Pamela Widmann5 years ago in Criminal
Risk, Reward
Rami expected fear. He imagined pain. Daydreamed sadness. Envisioned chaos. Yet, when his dormant lizard brain spoke of peril, he chose a different emotion.
By Matthew Agnew5 years ago in Criminal
The Goblin with the Super Bee
Ghouls and jack-o'-lanterns lingered in the yards, their glowing faces fading in the biting winds of November 3rd. It was 1971, and while the streets still held echoes of Halloween mischief, spindly limbs of skeletal trees swaying in the breeze, dried leaves scattered like whispers, I was preparing for my final masterpiece.
By M.R. Cameo5 years ago in Criminal
The Windfall
The Windfall 1997 Ellis stared down at the cashier’s check, a slim blue bridge to a new life. What’ll you do with it? Captain Bryant had asked her back at the station. Something good, I hope.
By Amanda Crum5 years ago in Criminal
Molly's Escape
She was hiding in the restroom on the third floor when the alarm sounded. Even though she expected it, the shrill, high-pitched noise still startled her. “Oh no, I’ve got to get out of here,” sixteen-year-old Molly whispers to herself.
By Robyn Moss 5 years ago in Criminal
Plutocracy
(For reasons and purposes of this origin, all Japanese has been rendered English) (This is purely Historical Fiction) Shi was trying to remove Moto from dancing on top of the folding table while Naka was balancing the legs, hoping to keep him afloat as he flamboyantly flourished his hair to make a speech. Shi rolled her eyes as Moto drunkenly slurs to a fake audience behind the anxious Naka, still balancing the table with a concentration that seemed more focused than when he was mining bitcoin. He didn't flinch when the bottle in Moto's hands spilled droplets of Sake over his shoulders and hair.
By Nobodi5 years ago in Criminal
Little Black Book
It had to mean something. These were not just random numbers next to jumbles of letters. There was too much order in these pages for it to be nonsense. Something of incredible value was obscured in here, but the last two nights ended with nothing revealed and the book stuffed under the bed for another day. Tonight, though, the black leather-bound book sailed through the room and slapped against the wall.
By Alan Roberts5 years ago in Criminal
Guido The Knife
We were able to meet Guido the Knife at a charity poker tournament for an organization he and his friends run called “Mooks for Money.” I assume this is a very good charity as I witnessed several politicians there handing Guido and his associate, Vinny the Mac, envelopes that surely contained donations. I had gotten the invitation from another associate who calls himself Luigi the Pope.
By Duane Coyle5 years ago in Criminal