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Cera Chronicles - Murder Most Fowl - #atozchallenge

Murder Most Fowl – Part K #atozchallenge

Posted on April 12, 2014April 14, 2014 by Loni Townsend

For the A to Z challenge, I present Murder Most Fowl, an unedited serial story from the unpublished Cera Chronicles. Please excuse the grammar mistakes. This hasn’t been critiqued yet. If you’re just diving into this story, you may want to start with part A.

Keeping one arm wrapped around the masked man’s legs, I elbowed him with the other. He gave a muffled harrumph from behind his gag and squirmed some more. I batted my eyelashes at the bartender. “Do you have a room we can use?” From the thumping coming from over our heads, I guessed the place doubled as a hotel. Or a brothel.

The bartender narrowed his gaze on me and his lips compressed around the toothpick. He tossed me a key. “Up the stairs, first room on the right. Don’t be getting blood all over the furniture.”

I couldn’t guarantee that, but offered him a convincing smile. Molly followed and we climbed the steps and ducked through.

A small window lit the tiny sleeping area, and a familiar bird-shaped shadow splayed out against the worn wood floor. I scowled up at the bird. “Go away.”

It snapped its beak and screeched in reply.

With a huff, I dropped the masked man on the bed. He flopped a couple times before flipping over and rolling off the back side. I leaned forward to peer over the edge. He rose to his feet—completely untied, though who knows how—and pulled the gag from his mouth, letting it hang around his neck. His gaze raked me from head to toe. “You’re the most peculiar person I’ve ever met.”

I puffed a bit and suppressed a smile. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“That wasn’t a…” He sighed and shook his head. “So now what? A standoff at high noon?”

I shrugged. “Really, that’s up to the kid here. Though I’m pretty sure she’s innocent.”

The masked man’s brow twitched and he folded his arms across his chest. “Why? Because she says she is?”

“No. I’ve seen her aim a gun. The barn’s broadside hath no fear of this woman.”

Molly made a choking sound. “Hey!”

“I would’ve blamed her for shooting me, if she hadn’t been the one with the ray-gun.” I studied the now unarmed masked man. “Speaking of ray-guns, maybe you shot her husband.”

He sneered. “I shot the sheriff, but I didn’t shoot the deputy.”

Molly gasped. “Bobby’s dead?”

“No. I had my phaser set to stun.” He walked around the bed and approached. I stepped in front of Molly. He met my gaze and held it. His jaw tightened. “Why are you protecting her?”

I shrugged. “She’s cute.”

“She has a nasty personality and her features are only mediocre.”

“Says the man in a mask.” I rested my hands on my hips. “Who are you to her anyways?”

“Her brother-in-law.” He matched my posture. “And according to the law, she’s now my wife.”

Read L here.

Thanks for reading! If you want to start at the beginning, find it here. Don’t forget to visit other bloggers participating in the A to Z Challenge.

7 thoughts on “Murder Most Fowl – Part K #atozchallenge”

  1. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    April 12, 2014 at 10:14 AM

    That complicates things.
    Her little friend just lost his meal though.

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      April 13, 2014 at 8:50 PM

      Maybe. *evil grin*

      Reply
  2. Liz Blocker (@lizblocker) says:
    April 12, 2014 at 7:37 PM

    Nice way to bring in Marley, there!! You know, if I had to give a critique, I would say that by this point I really do need to know a little more about Cera and what’s she’s doing in this world. It’s totally OK to leave a lot of it a mystery, but it’s hard for me to focus on Molly and THEIR plot before I know the larger one – or at least have a sense of it. I hope that makes sense! I’m really enjoying these 🙂

    Reply
    1. Loni Townsend says:
      April 13, 2014 at 8:49 PM

      Thank you! I really appreciate the feedback. I tend to lean toward both extremes, either info-dumping or not giving enough. I’m making adjustments based on your comments and hopefully the revision will be even better. 🙂

      Reply
  3. vikki says:
    April 14, 2014 at 1:32 AM

    Just stopping by to say “Hi” from the A-Z list and wish you good luck with the rest of the challenge 🙂

    Excellent! x

    Reply
  4. Cristina says:
    April 14, 2014 at 12:08 PM

    Wife?! Whaaaaa?!?!? My favorite: “I shot the sheriff, but I didn’t shoot the deputy.” Love that!

    Reply
  5. SD Neeve says:
    April 15, 2014 at 11:12 AM

    Poor Cera is getting sidetracked by this Molly. I hope she’ll still be able to find her companions.

    Reply

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