Unravel Read online

  UNRAVEL

  A DARK DRABBLES ANTHOLOGY

  Compiled & Edited by D Kershaw

  Also available from Black Hare Press

  DARK DRABBLES ANTHOLOGIES

  WORLDS

  ANGELS

  MONSTERS

  BEYOND

  Twitter: @BlackHarePress

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  Website: www.BlackHarePress.com

  Unravel, A Dark Drabbles Anthology title is

  Copyright © 2019 Black Hare Press

  First published in Australia in October 2019 by Black Hare Press

  The authors of the individual stories retain the copyright of the works featured in this anthology.

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this production may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

  Cover Design by Dawn Burdett

  Book Formatting by Ben Thomas

  “It seemed to me that a careful examination of the room and the lawn might possibly reveal some traces of this mysterious individual. You know my methods, Watson. There was not one of them which I did not apply to the inquiry. And it ended by my discovering traces, but very different ones from those which I had expected.”

  The Adventure of the Crooked Man, Arthur Conan Doyle, 1893

  Table of Contents

  Foreword

  Whoosh by Virginia Carraway Stark

  Missing Persons by Wondra Vanian

  Law and Disorder by Tracy Davidson

  Sisters of Perpetual Mercy by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Worse, Much Worse by David Bowmore

  Calling Card by Susanne Thomas

  False Lead by Terry Miller

  Things That Go Bump in the Light by Chris Bannor

  Dust to Dust by Jason Holden

  Night Shift by Carole de Monclin

  Not Worthy By Eddie D. Moore

  The Love of a Good Wife by Nicola Currie

  Fingers in the Cookie Jar by Gregg Cunningham

  Scratches on Paper and Skin by Shelly Jarvis

  Skull by Andrew Anderson

  One Last Case by Alexander Pyles

  What Remains by Liam Hogan

  The Intruder by Gregg Cunningham

  Maggie by Rhiannon Bird

  Project Infertility by Aditya Deshmukh

  Cliché by Rennie St. James

  The Knife by Alanna Robertson-Webb

  The Price by Chris Bannor

  An Eye for an Eye by Beth W. Patterson

  An Eerie Homage By Olivia Arieti

  Find Me by Susanne Thomas

  Shared Goals By Eddie D. Moore

  Crop Circle by Pamela Jeffs

  The Poison Poisoner by Shawn M. Klimek

  A Note by Joel R. Hunt

  The King by Alanna Robertson-Webb

  Trapped by the Payroll by Abi Linhardt

  Bad Luck by Jonathan Inbody

  The Walk by A.L. King

  Auto-da-Fe by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

  The Masked Surrender by Shawn M. Klimek

  Deep in the House of Watobra by Stuart Conover

  Innocently Guilty by Terri A. Arnold

  Rush Job by G. Allen Wilbanks

  Homemade by Abi Linhardt

  The Curator by Cameron Marcoux

  Bad Math by Glenn R. Wilson

  Dressed for Carnage by Rowanne S. Carberry

  The Sting of Justice by Shawn M. Klimek

  Dirty Tricks by John H. Dromey

  Grave Oversight by Diana Grove

  The Unmaker by Nicola Currie

  Heist by C.L. Williams

  The Unfortunate Record by Galina Trefil

  The Best Resource by Cindar Harrell

  Down by the Water by Laura Hughes

  The Smuggler by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

  Mass Madness by D.J. Elton

  An Eye for Detail by Mason Harold Hilden

  In a Warehouse By Stephen Herczeg

  Fire Starter by Paula R.C. Readman

  The Velvet Purse by Peter J. Foote

  Driving for a Living by Jason Holden

  Orange Crumbs by Ximena Escobar

  HomiCider by Gregg Cunningham

  Bittersweet Justice by John H. Dromey

  Jetsam and Flotsam by Pamela Jeffs

  Good Friends by J.A. Hammer

  Too Late by E.L. Giles

  Mabel by Sinister Sweetheart

  Cleared by Gabriella Balcom

  New York Night by Ann Christine Tabaka

  Until It Happens to Your Child by Carole de Monclin

  No Evidence to Find by Radar DeBoard

  The Dead Wife by J.M. Meyer

  Monster Hunter by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

  Hitchhiker’s Delight by Kelly A. Harmon

  Who’s Is It? by Wendy Roberts

  Love Letter by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Duty Calls by Amber M. Simpson

  Under the Microscope by A.R. Johnston

  Going Back to Mexico by Isabella Fox

  Blind Pursuit by Ann Christine Tabaka

  The Cross and Dollar Gang by Pamela Jeffs

  New Message by Brian Rosenberger

  Obsession by Carole de Monclin

  The World’s Greatest Artist by Charlotte O’Farrell

  Caught Red-Handed by Rowanne S. Carberry

  Living Forever by Charlotte O’Farrell

  Thieves and Cigarettes by Rhiannon Bird

  Mrs. McAdilly’s Garden by Shelly Jarvis

  The Rat by Roxanne Dent

  Third Round by Sam M. Phillips

  The Colour Red by Lyndsey Ellis-Holloway

  Jack and Jill by Gabriella Balcom

  Eye on the Prize by Crystal L. Kirkham

  To See Myself Bleed by Cindar Harrell

  Sprinkled in With the Sugar by Michael D. Davis

  Private Eye by J. Farrington

  Telling Evidence by Susanne Thomas

  Big Moment by Andrew Anderson

  Leave No Trace by J. Farrington

  Blood Sings to Blood by Zoey Xolton

  Not Alone by Pamela Jeffs

  Spider by Andrew Anderson

  Unhinged by J.B. Wocoski

  Home Security by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Burning Passion by Zoey Xolton

  Highway 109 by Crystal L. Kirkham

  Stolen Identity by J. Farrington

  Duel by Nicola Currie

  Relief by Brandi Hicks

  A Future, Lost by Aiki Flinthart

  The Butcher by Rowanne S. Carberry

  Mirror by Abi Linhardt

  Blindsided by Jonathan Inbody

  Backup by Joel R. Hunt

  Cold Case by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

  Confession by Jonathan Inbody

  The Backpacker Murders by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

  Discovery by A.R. Johnston

  The Perfect Crime by Ann Christine Tabaka

  Smoke and Lead By Eddie D. Moore

  Til Death by Cameron Marcoux

  Grit and Gravel by Jo Seysener

  A Thing of Beauty by Jo Seysener

  Panic and Plans by Jo Seysener

  Another Body by Jo Seysener

  Blue Blood by Jo Seysener

  Winner by Umair Mirxa

  The Hook Up by Amber M. Simpson

  Footprints in the Snow by Sinister Sweetheart

  Stalker by A.R. Dean

  Stockholm by Archit Joshi

  Boiled by Abi Linhardt

  Somebody Else’s Problem by Stuart Conover

&nb
sp; What I Coulda by Alexander Pyles

  Fraud by Jefferson Retallack

  Burglary Versus Robbery by Jefferson Retallack

  Ice by Jefferson Retallack

  My Hands are Like Lightning by Jefferson Retallack

  I Don’t Care If It’s Against the Law to Refuse to Escalate a Call, I’ve Already Passed Call Quality This Month by Jefferson Retallack

  Here, There, and Everywhere by Michael D. Davis

  Busted by Jonathan Inbody

  Verdict by G. Allen Wilbanks

  Hero by David Bowmore

  Elementary by Joel R. Hunt

  The Shoe By Stephen Herczeg

  The Confession by Mark Kodama

  Sharon By Stephen Herczeg

  Clues by Annie Percik

  Buzzing by Rich Rurshell

  Scratches by Jacek Wilkos

  The Midnight Man by Zoey Xolton

  The Sting by J. Farrington

  Leaf Memorial by Alexander Pyles

  War Crimes by Zoey Xolton

  Guilty by Terry Miller

  Mystery Man by Terry Miller

  The Deathbed Confession of Jenna Greenville by Mark Mackey

  The Giant by Marcus Cook

  Camping Celebration by J.M. Meyer

  Chompers by Shelly Jarvis

  Not How it Seems by Gabriella Balcom

  Revolver by Sam M. Phillips

  Too Much by Nerisha Kemraj

  Yellow by Umair Mirxa

  The Donor by Jason Holden

  Spiritual Confession by Sinister Sweetheart

  Nostalgia Burns Bright by Stuart Conover

  No Leftovers by Claire Count

  No Rest for the Wicked by E.L. Giles

  Aorta Red by Jacob Baugher

  Nightstalker by Jacob Baugher

  Animated by Beth W. Patterson

  Petty Theft by G. Allen Wilbanks

  The River by Ann Christine Tabaka

  Compromised by G. Allen Wilbanks

  The Artist by E.L. Giles

  Black Tears by Ximena Escobar

  One Last Thing to Do by Glenn R. Wilson

  Framing a Murder by Cindar Harrell

  The Investigation by Rhiannon Bird

  Heist by Sinister Sweetheart

  Death’s Door by Cindar Harrell

  Nine Cats Worth of Crazy by Aiki Flinthart

  Pack Justice by Stuart Conover

  Lost and Found by Joel R. Hunt

  Russian Roulette by E.L. Giles

  A Classical Conundrum by John H. Dromey

  The Murder of Miss Money by Ximena Escobar

  The Limo Driver by J.M. Meyer

  Guillotined by Carole de Monclin

  Dear Mr. Hempshaw by Copper Rose

  Vacant by Umair Mirxa

  Competitive Streak by Susanne Thomas

  Unlikeable by Serena Jayne

  I See My Faults by Marcus Cook

  The Man in My Room by Alanna Robertson-Webb

  Traffic Stop by D.J. Elton

  Easy Money by David Bowmore

  Blackout by Brian Rosenberger

  Quench by D.M. Burdett

  False Moves by Andrew Anderson

  An Innocent Man by C.L. Williams

  The Returned by Zoey Xolton

  A Death in the Mainframe by Stuart Conover

  In Memory of Kim by Ximena Escobar

  Blind Sided by Dawn DeBraal

  Killing the Vibe by Beth W. Patterson

  Animal Lover by Vonnie Winslow Crist

  Clearly Staged by Gabriella Balcom

  They Don’t Stay Still by Erik Goldsmith

  Scapegoat by Virginia Carraway Stark

  Sunset by Andrew Anderson

  Hobby by A.R. Johnston

  Piecework by Kelly A. Harmon

  Gone in Twenty Seconds by Nerisha Kemraj

  The Butcher’s Mother by Vonnie Winslow Crist

  Health Food by Jacob Baugher

  Targeted Theft by Joel R. Hunt

  An Accident? by C.L. Williams

  Crime Scene by A.R. Dean

  The Missing Flowers by Angela Zimmerman

  Cleaning Up by A.R. Johnston

  Belated Regrets by Charlotte O’Farrell

  Breakdown by Nicola Currie

  Open and Shut Case by Shawn M. Klimek

  Immaculate by G. Allen Wilbanks

  The Earth Gets a Champion by Aiki Flinthart

  Survey the Scene by A.R. Johnston

  A Significant Amount of Blood by Bob Adder

  The Quick Score by J. Farrington

  Far Enough by Brandy Bonifas

  Phantom Filth by Hari Navarro

  Double Vision by Dawn DeBraal

  On the Ground by Gabriella Balcom

  From My Cold, Dead Fingers By Eddie D. Moore

  My Little Memento by Jasmine Jarvis

  Crocodile Tears by Charlotte O’Farrell

  Adopt by J.A. Hammer

  The Spotless Weapon by Shawn M. Klimek

  Coming of Age with a Bang by C.L. Steele

  Crime Doesn’t Always Pay by Isabella Fox

  Steal My Sunshine by Steven Lord

  Somewhere in the Night by Destiny Eve Pifer

  Appearances by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

  Not Far from the Tree by Beth W. Patterson

  Another Quiet Small-Town Diner by Michael D. Davis

  Ransom by Jodi Jensen

  Good for Somethin’ by Brandy Bonifas

  Unspoken by Claire Count

  Entropy by Jacob Baugher

  Misdirection by Carole de Monclin

  Re-enactment by Charlotte O’Farrell

  Jealousy by Vonnie Winslow Crist

  Eric by Lynne Lumsden Green

  Scene of the Crime by C.L. Williams

  The Howler by David Bowmore

  Lost Voices by Richard G. Taylor

  A Point of View by Maxine Churchman

  Homeless By Stephen Herczeg

  The Meathook Murderer by Brian Rosenberger

  Underground Delivery by Crystal L. Kirkham

  In Pieces by Sean Martin

  Summer Madness by Aiki Flinthart

  Mannequin Confidential by Jodi Jensen

  To Do List by A.R. Dean

  A Fun Girl by Virginia Carraway Stark

  As Far as the Eye Can See by J.W. Garrett

  Cannibal Lee by Terry Miller

  Soup is People by Shelly Jarvis

  The Body by Steven Lord

  Have a Cuppa by Crystal L. Kirkham

  Unforgivable by C.L. Steele

  Petty Theft by Susanne Thomas

  Cigarettes and Whiskey by Terry Miller

  Left Hand by Vonnie Winslow Crist

  Pimped Out Ride By Stephen Herczeg

  It’s Harder with Kids by Jason Holden

  Injustice System by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Hot Lunch Buffet by Shelly Jarvis

  Three Suspects by Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer

  Cliffhanger by Bob Adder

  Seasonal Suspects by John H. Dromey

  To Stop Time by Alexander Pyles

  Shining Lights Below by Neen Cohen

  Sweetest Revenge by D.J. Elton

  Heiress by Mark Mackey

  A Hostel in Karamea by Kelli Pizarro

  Karma by Sue Marie St. Lee

  A Little Learning by John H. Dromey

  An Irish Airman Foresees His Death by Steven Lord

  The Killing by Mark Mackey

  The Photos by Sam M. Phillips

  Madman by Pamela Jeffs

  Can’t Outrun a Bullet by Marcus Cook

  Extreme Neatness By Olivia Arieti

  The Vanished in our Beds by Ximena Escobar

  Red Herrings by C.L. Williams

  The Evidence Auction by Michael D. Davis

  Bruises by Raven Corinn Carluk

  Protection by Rich Rurshell

  Guided by Beth W. Patterson

  Disposal by Cameron Marcoux

  Better Luck Next Time by Wondra Vanian

  Trouble in a Tig
ht Skirt by Aiki Flinthart

  Transform by Nicola Currie

  The Axe Artist by Nerisha Kemraj

  Jane by David Bowmore

  Marked by Dawn DeBraal

  Street Justice By Eddie D. Moore

  Capone and the Accordion Man by Sue Marie St. Lee

  True Justice by Crystal L. Kirkham

  Zealot by Umair Mirxa

  Blood Stained Hands by Cindar Harrell

  Gunshots in the Woods by E.L. Giles

  Death Visits Mexico by James Pyles

  Stabbed in the Back by Gregg Cunningham

  Long Ride to the Gray Bar Hotel by Alexander Pyles

  Delusions of Grandeur by A.S. Charly

  Freedom by Annie Percik

  Missing by Dawn DeBraal

  The Witch’s Sacrifice by Abi Linhardt

  A Hairpin in Southwark by Kelli Pizarro

  My Sweet Emma by Amber M. Simpson

  My Mom’s Face by Alanna Robertson-Webb

  Statute of Limitations by Sinister Sweetheart

  Undone by Umair Mirxa

  Cold Case by Vonnie Winslow Crist

  Paper Trail by Paul Warmerdam

  Doggy Done by D.J. Elton

  International Waters by Peter J. Foote

  Jean MacBeth by Simon Clarke

  Little Pipe Creek by Jacob Baugher

  Hook, Line, and... by Greg Thomas

  Desperation by Annie Percik

  Seegrist Syndrome by Bob Adder

  The Break Up by Dawn DeBraal

  Mystery Girl by Kent Swarts

  Captain by Chris Bannor

  On a Dare by Jason Holden

  Charlie by Scott Wheelock

  Necrophagia by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt

  Foreword

  While undoubtedly there are smatterings through history, the unchallenged fathers of crime fiction must be Edgar Allan Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle.

  From Poe’s, at the time, visionary role of the detective in The Cask of Amontillado, to Sherlock Holmes—arguably the most famous detective of all time—in Doyle’s prolific tales about the crime-solving mastermind, we find ourselves immersed in the trail of unravelling clues, often only finding out the true perpetrator at the very moment the detective unveils it.

  And so began our love of dark and vicarious adventures into the depravities of those living in the shadows.

  Love and kisses

  D. Kershaw & Ben Thomas

  Black Hare Press

  Whoosh

  by Virginia Carraway Stark

  Homeless people are the worst. Don’t you think? That’s why I do what I do. They’re scum. I’ve got rid of a lot of them like this; a can of gasoline and a lighter, whoosh, one last drain on society!

  I carried the can down an alley, looking for a target, and crumpled when something heavy hit me on the head. I woke up, a cop was standing over me. I tried to get up but I was handcuffed to an old iron pipe.