Can You Hear the Suspense?

November 8, 2025 / roughwighting / 80 Comments

As Gregory and I raced our final mile, the sun rose, and I saw the shifting shadow.

“Huh,” I said. Gregory ignored me, outpacing me by a stride and allowing sweat to drop into his hooded brown eyes.

I used to love running this last surge before my body stopped, heart pounding, blood coursing through my veins. I’d pretend I was flying, feet off the ground, hair swinging behind me, legs like a panther.

But with Gregory joining me on these early morning runs now, there was always this competition thing going on. No conversation, no smiles and kisses before we warmed up and began a leisurely mile before the steadier second and third one. Just a serious, straight-ahead, running-is-my-life stride. Continue reading →

Trap Door Ignition

April 22, 2022April 21, 2022 / roughwighting / 107 Comments

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Can it be? It can’t be. (Click title for first part, Trapped…?)

I release the hook to the trap door and let it slam hard on the fingers of the person who’d been knocking below my feet on the secret door.

“Ow!” the deep voice growled. “Karen, open the door!” Continue reading →

Fifty Shades of Pink

July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 / roughwighting / 135 Comments

Paula stepped away, holding back a scream when the neighbor who had just moved into the apartment above her entered the shared laundry room, saying softly: “Is there a problem?” (In the Laundry Room, continuing from last week…)

“Oh. Um. Hello! It’s Stefan, isn’t it? Hi. I’m Paula.” Paula nodded her head as if in a business meeting, berating herself silently. He’s creepy!

Stefan ignored her as he glared at the laundry in her hands. “I believe those are my jeans. And Darlene’s nightgown.” Continue reading →

The Steamy Trunk

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 / roughwighting / 123 Comments

Even Janine is surprised when the trunk’s contents move with a big thump, but then she supposes that too many of them were placed rather haphazardly. After all, she practically threw them in, racing to her first destination. (see What’s in the Trunk).

The smoke has dissipated. The policeman looks as baffled as a man working on a 1,000 piece puzzle. A puzzle in the shape of books – dozens of books – piled together as if they’ve been kidnapped, or as if they have some nefarious reason for hiding in the trunk of Janine’s car. Continue reading →