The average comic shop newby heads immediately for the “New Comics” section, because new is better, right? Veteran comic shop patrons head for the back issue bins, because they’re always on the lookout for that one issue that will complete a story, or a collection.
I reached the front desk out of breath. “I locked myself out of my room. I left my sales figures on the desk and I’m already late for the meeting.”
The clerk smiled. “Room number?”
“Six thirty-three.”
Dan O’Leary dropped from Anna Peavey’s bedroom window and melted into the darkness of the neighboring alley. He oozed confidence now, was no longer worried about the still form lying on the bedroom floor.
Jimmy Hanson was a sallow man who enjoyed little in life save for his bird watching. Actually, he looked like a birdwatcher—which he was. He did not look like a blackmailer—which he also was.
Elroy Twade loved wheels. Always.
It started before he could walk or talk. Toy trucks, toy cars, toy anything with wheels. It didn’t even matter if it was a girl’s wheel toy; baby buggies were included. If he could push it, pull it, make growling sounds as he made it move, he was in heaven.
I snapped four shots of Stephen Kilbourne with the Polaroid his wife had given me. He made such a gruesome sight lying on the hardwood floor that I wondered if I’d overdone it. I set the pictures aside, tucking one in my coat pocket for a little insurance. For the pièce de résistance, I fired three shots from Kilbourne’s old .357 into his sofa, coffee table, and expensive hardwood floor. Mrs. Kilbourne would probably scream bloody murder.
“If he doesn’t have his company pay the firm by next week at the very latest, I’ll kill him myself.”
I have sold over 100 short stories to publications ranging from Woman’s World, HandHeldCrime and Futures to Wee Ones and Boys’ Quest.
I’ve published over 80 short stories in Futures, Mysterical-E, Short Stuff, Murderous Intent, Woman’s World and others–also write for juveniles.
Homepage: The Official Internet Presence of James R. Winter
James R. Winter lives in Cincinnati with his wife. Like Kepler, he works for an insurance company. Unlike Kepler, he’s not a consultant. His work has appeared in Plots With Guns, Judas, Nefarious, Hardluck Stories, Thrilling Detective, and the3rdegree.com. His first novel is being hammered into shape for some nice agent or editor. Go buy it when it’s out so his coworkers can get some peace by not having him work with them.