Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Al Forbes (A Mixed Bag) for providing this week’s challenging photo.
Overweight white male. Mid-40’s. Balding …
“Looks like a heart attack. Happens with these guys. Out of shape when the mid-life crisis hits. They forget they aren’t 20 anymore.”
Detective Harris ignored his partner’s observation and studied the dead man sitting in the back of the gondola. His eyes told a different story. Wide-open and full of terror. This guy knew he was about to die.
“No visible wounds?” Harris asked.
“Nothing obvious,” his partner replied. “No blood. I tell you, it’s a heart attack. The guy….”
Harris cut him off. “Who was he sitting with?”
“Blond chick in a pink ski jacket. Said she barely noticed him,” his partner huffed.
“Any identification?”
“Lift ticket in his hand said his name was Franklin Matters.”
Harris recognized the name. Matters was a key witness in a Senate investigation and scheduled to testify next week. Star witnesses do not go on ski trips days before testifying. Not without security, that is. Harris peered out the gondola window and noticed the small group of detained passengers. No one in the group was wearing a pink parka.
“This was no heart attack.” Harris raced toward the door, shouting, “Find me that blond!”
Redbuds and Roserocks 