Jillian Chantal

This week’s word is LONG. Click the link to see the other entries.

When Win arrived at his compartment a little after three a.m., he was stunned to see Cordelia’s bunk empty. Damn her hide. She’s probably out cavorting with someone and making me look like a man who can’t control his wife. He knew he shouldn’t have trusted her to behave. Who knew how long she’d been gone since he’d gotten stuck watching the American Donald Perry try to out drink and out gamble the Frenchman, Jacques Cassel.

Win stayed and watched in case one of the men said something to assist him in his investigation but it was a colossal waste of time. The only thing the late night game did for him was make him curious how the Cassel man could eat so many peppermints while he drank prodigious amounts of scotch. By the time the game was over, the table was littered with empty glasses, full ashtrays and a pile of candy wrappers. Tired and grouchy, all Win wanted to do was sleep.

He tugged off his tie and undid his cufflinks. Tossing them on the side table, he picked up the note that had been set there and opened it. The writing was too neat to be Cordelia’s and he glanced to the end. It was signed Fiona Vancleave. Well that was a relief. She must be writing to say that Cordelia was staying with her.

This week’s word is SUN. My story i’m working on is still the 1930s train trip mystery called Senior Assassin. Be sure to click on this link to see the other entries for the week.

Rozzelle grabbed Fiona’s upper arm and peered into her face. “Little lady, you’re on the wrong side of your compartment door dressed provocatively and I suggest you get yourself back behind the door lock on your cabin before someone molests you.”

“I have to get Cordelia and believe me, once I do, I plan on just that. Now, let me pass.”

“Listen to me. You’re not paying attention. You better not go any further or you could be in danger. This is the end of the first class area and you have no idea what’s on the other side of that door there.” He pointed at the exit.

“But my friend—”

“Forget your friend if you want to be safe. I’m telling you, little lady, it’s dangerous out there and I can guarantee that your friend has already probably found that danger.”

“Then I truly must go and get her.”

“You seem not to want to see the sun rise, missy. I’m telling you, only the worst of people are up and about at this time of night brokering deals of the kind that have been done on this train since it started running over a half a century ago. Go back to your safe little room and go to bed.”

“How dare you tell me what to do, you insufferable—”

Instead of letting her finish her sentence, Rozzelle jerked Fiona to his chest and grabbed a wad of the fabric of her gown and robe in his fist. He pressed his lips on hers and tried to poke his tongue in her mouth. She kicked his shin and twisted away from him so fast that she heard the fabric of her gown tear.

Unaware of how big the rip might be since she couldn’t see it for the tears welling in her eyes, she ran blindly down the corridor back in the direction of her own compartment.