I’ve always wanted to write a serial post on here, and I figured what better way is there to get people interested than to get them involved?
Blood Red Sun is going to be a regularly posted crime-drama series, but with a twist. At the end of each section, there where be a poll. The readers can select how the section will end, by putting their vote behind the ending of their choice. The top voted ending will be made canon for the next post.
So without further adu, follow Ben Carson in…
“I’m glad that you can help,” Audrey said.
Ben was not quick to respond. He stared at her with a calm indifference that made her feel uneasy, and spun the pack of strike-anywhere matches he had bought on his Australia vacation in his hand.
Feels like a long time since that vacation, he thought wearily.
He stood one of the matches up on the desk, tip down, with his pointer finger on top, and gave it a good flick with his middle. It blazed brightly, allowing him to pull it toward the cigarette between his lips and ignite the end.
“I don’t think we’ve quite gotten that far, Miss Ferringway,” he said. The statement brought a quick tension to the woman’s shoulders.
“Joe told me that you guys could help.”
“Joe doesn’t speak for everyone he knows,” Ben said between quick drags. He blew smoke toward the window. “You think you can buy my loyalty?”
Audrey leaned in, sliding across the cheap wood table.
“I was under the impression,” she whispered, looking around the room and through the office window. “I was under the impression that it was for sale.”
Ben stood and walked toward a filing cabinet. The safe on top spun open easily and he withdrew a black 9mm handgun.
“I’m afraid you’re not paying for my loyalty,” he said. After a quick check of the magazine, he dropped the handgun on the table between them.
A moment passed as the two of them shared a look. Ben directed his eyes down toward the pistol pointedly before returning them to Audrey.
“I…see,” she said. “Well perhaps that will do. If I tell you the man’s name, you’ll do it?”
“Don’t say anything more.” Ben glanced over her shoulder, out of the office window and into the musty hallway.
“Then I’ll leave it at the drop that Joey talked about.”
Ben shrugged and walked the handgun back to the safe. It locked shut with a clank and the clicks of a spinning dial.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are a confusing man, Mr. Carson?”
The room was silent.
“Well,” she continued. “I look forward to putting all of this behind me.”
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A
The short, plastic-encased, name plate caught Audrey’s eye as she rose from the desk. It read ‘Agent Carson’, depicted in white block letters on the black background.
“Thank god for the FBI,” she said snidely. It only took her a minute to leave.
Ben picked up his phone shortly after, speaking gruffly.
“Joe? You have the agent waiting downstairs? Good. Let me know where she goes.”
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B
Ben nodded. “Say hello to Joe for me.”
After getting up, Audrey walked toward the door and opened it, activating the recorded ‘ringing bell’. The simple words ‘Ben Carson – Private Investigator’ were printed in black on the front of the door window.
——————————————————————————————————————–
C
“Tell Joe to stop sending people my way when you see him, Miss Ferringway. I don’t need his publicity for ‘smash-and-grabs’.”
Her quick nod let him know that the implications of his message had sunk in. She left quickly, ignoring the title of his false business – “Carson Photography” – that was printed on the door window.
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PART II is up now! The Winner? End B.
Don’t hesitate to head over to the new chapter, its a quick read.
ALEX BILLEDEAUX 