Blood

 Blood

Prompt: Sticky

WC: 300

Shelly entered the house through the open fron door and looked around. She spotted something on the floor in front of her. Blood! 

 

Shelly bent down and touched the spot of blood on the floor. It was sticky and not dry or wet. She followed the trail of drops to a door on the third floor landing. 

She didn't know what she would find there but she had to look. She opened the door and looked around. 

Next to the boarded up window, Bryce sat with a gun in his hand. He was unconscious and there was blood on his shoulder. 

Shelly closed the door and pulled out her phone. She called 911. 

"There's an officer down at 2364 Mulberry Street. He's unconscious and bleeding." She put the phone on speaker and sat it on the floor as she knelt down. "He's still breathing! Bryce, you idiot, why didn't you wait for backup?" 

Bryce stirred. "Shelly…. I thought….."

"I know but I'm still pissed at you for being stupid. Help will be here soon." 

"The shooter…. Across the hall…." Bryce handed her his gun. "Carefull."

"Got it. Be right back." Shelly stood up and went to the door. She took the safety off the gun and searched the rest of the house. 

She saw the ambulance drive up as she was checking the first floor. She put the safety back on and put the gun in her pocket. She went out to meet them.

"He's on the third floor, door on the left." She called out then she saw Jax. "Great! That's all I need."

She sighed. This was going to be tricky to explain without getting into details with Jax. She plastered a smile on her face and hoped for the best. It was all that she could do.

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Champagne

 Champagne 

Prompt: Raconteur person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.

"a colorful raconteur"

 

WC: 200

 

Violet got out of the car and headed to the front door holding her head.

 

"Darling, how was I to know Lord Phillson would be there." Cedrick chased her into the house. "Please forgive me." 

 

Violet paused on the stairs. "I know he is a friend and he fancies himself a great raconteur but he tells the same stories over and over again. It makes my head ache." 

 

"So those four glasses of champagne were for your head then?" Cedrick knew as soon as it came out of his mouth that he would pay for it. 

 

Violet raised an eyebrow at him. "Since when did you start counting my drinks?"

 

Cedrick shrugged. "It's just unusual for you to drink more than a glass. I was concerned." 

 

Violet let out a weary sigh. "Next time we make our excuses before he tells that off color duck story." 

 

Cedrick nodded. "Agreed. I still can't figure out how he got the duck to do that. I bet there wasn't a bit of truth in it." 

 

"Come to bed, Ced." Violet started up the stairs. "You can puzzle it out while I sleep off the champagne."  

"Yes Darling." Cedrick followed her up the stairs. 

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The Ukrainian Job

 The Ukrainian Job

Prompt: Anxious

WC: 300

Shelly paced the floor. Bryce was late again. It wasn't unusual for him to be late but she had one of those feelings of hers. She tried to shake it off but she couldn't. 

The door opened just as her phone rang. She looked up as she picked up her phone. "Jax, what are you doing here? I was supposed to meet Bryce."

"Answer your phone." Jax sat down and crossed her legs.

Shelly hit accept and sighed

"Shelly don't be mad…." Bryce knew her well.

"I've been waiting on you for over an hour." Shelly glanced at Jax. "Where the hell are you?"

"I'm on a stakeout. Jax has what I want you to look into. I just need background. Don't get too nosy. These guys are dangerous."

"So, you want me to do the digging. Seriously?"  She looked at Jax and held out her hand. 

Jax handed her a flash drive. 

"They won't expect a P.I. to be looking into them…. Take your gun in case there's trouble." 

"I don't like this. I'm charging triple. Bryce, be on your toes. If anything…."

"Shelly, goes both ways. I gotta go, they're on the move." The call disconnected. 

Shelly looked at the phone. "Damn it! He's gonna get himself killed one day."

"I agree. He takes a lot more risks than I would." Jax stood up. "Just like someone else I know." 

Shelly looked at the flash drive. "Mob?"

"Worse. Human trafficking. These guys are from Ukraine. They grow them ugly and dangerous there." 

Shelly chuckled. "It's the cold. I'll get started. Jax, watch his back." 

"Yeah. My job. Remember?" Jax smiled. "You still love him, don't you?"

"Yeah but don't tell him I said so. It will go to his head." 

Jax nodded. "Not a word from me."

X

A Bit of Rough

 A Bit of Rough

Prompt: Pretentious 

WC: 300

Cedrick stood in the garden next to the door of the ballroom. He needed a moment of peace before he went back into the heat and the noise. 

"Did you see Violet's new thing?" A female voice asked.

Cedrick fought the urge to move away. It wasn't everyday he could listen to the whispers about himself.

"Lord Wicksom." Another female voice answered. "He is some far flung cousin that inherited after the tragedy at Manchester. I bet she has her hands full training him up." 

There was a giggle. "At least he's not some pretentious fop like the last one. That one was all hot air and fancy clothes. This Lord Wicksom fellow may hold his fork improperly but he's not a fool. Quite handsome as well." 

"No, he's not a fool." There was a loud sigh. "Well, it's just like Violet to get her hands on a socially acceptable bit of rough. She has all the luck." 

"Doesn't she just? I'd never put my skirts down if he were mine. Did you see the size of his hands? She'll have a bun in before you know it." 

Cedrick raised an eyebrow. 

"Minerva. Grace. What has you over here with your heads together?" It was Violet's voice this time. 

"Prudence and that tragic dress." The first voice answered. "Don't you agree, Violet?"

"Awful color." Violet answered. "Have you seen my escort? He went out for a breath of air." She paused. "Oh, there he is! Cedrick!"

Cedrick rounded the corner. "Yes Darling? Is it my dance?"

"Yes." Violet led him to the dance floor. "I know you were listening. What were they really talking about?"

"They were speculating how soon you will be with child because I'm a socially acceptable bit of rough with large hands." 

Violet giggled. "Jealous tarts."

X

Anniversary Surprise

 Anniversary Surprise

Prompt: Rustle

WC: 200 

Cedrick opened the black velvet box as he sat at his desk. He smiled when he looked at the diamond and sapphire necklace and earrings inside.

It was their anniversary in a few days. He couldn't believe how fast the year had gone by. It seemed like just yesterday they were discussing wedding plans. 

There was the rustle of silk skirts coming closer. Violet must be looking for him.

Cedrick closed the box and put it in the bottom drawer then locked it with the key.

He had just dropped the key into the top drawer when Violet walked in.  

Violet walked in and leaned against the desk. "Ced, are you finished with the accounts? We have guests coming for dinner and you need to change." 

"Just finishing up." Cedrick stood up and gave her a quick kiss. "Walk me up and tell me about the party plans for our anniversary."  

Violet gave him a questioning look. "Since when do you care about parties?" 

Cedrick shrugged. "It's our anniversary. I assume there will be a cake of some kind. Champagne." 

"Of course silly!"  Violet linked her arm around his. "There can't be a party without cake and champagne. And you too!"

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