UNRAVEL
A DARK DRABBLES ANTHOLOGY
Compiled & Edited by D Kershaw
Also available from Black Hare Press
DARK DRABBLES ANTHOLOGIES
WORLDS
ANGELS
MONSTERS
BEYOND
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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.