Category: Guest Authors

The Case of the Amber Rose of the Amazon – Part 23

It is the story of three Oxford men who at the turn of the century, theirs not ours, set out on a great gamble to make their fortunes. Armed with Pascal’s excellent advice on gaming “Be the House,” they set out to corner the market on the tools of gambling.

Hill Grand and Ford formed a triumvirate though equal in wealth and responsibility, Mr. Hill exerted the greatest control in their financial endeavors. Your namesake was quite comfortable with this arrangement, but Jedidiah Grant planted seeds of resentment that took full bloom in his daughter your grandmother.

“Thread lightly sir.”

The Case of the Amber Rose of the Amazon – Part 22

Holmes handed Adams the red and white ribbon and a stillness crossed his visage that drew down a sorrow so deep it even moved the stone hearted detective.

“I’m sorry for your loss. You are in grave danger.

“How?”

“In the commission of an unsuccessful murder attempt.”

“Impossible, Hasid is Sufi.”

“But steadfastly loyal to at least one in your firm who proved less loyal to him.”

“I do not understand.”

“If I may I would tell the tale of your family tree that wound about the roots of The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards like constricting ivy.”

The Case of the Amber Rose of the Amazon – Part 21

“I do not wish to hurry that moment. I love my Grandmother dearly; hope many more years are hers. Our firm is quite guarded in the identity of our office staff your ability proceed you, but alarming all the same. I fear you know us all a good deal deeper that we wish, but of course that is why you’re here.”

“Yes its my purpose to prove you killer or one who draws the killer to them.”

“Holmes. Lightly”

“No need Dr Watson; I expect the rigorous of tests.”

“Would it shock you the Turk lies expired on my ottoman?”

The Case of the Amber Rose of the Amazon – Part 20

A door opens, light pours into the black. A man in his mid 20s beckons the doctor and the detective into the foyer up the staircase to the upper floor. Watson carefully took in the framed playing cards, all the ace of spades. The pressures of Mycroft’s words rang in his ears.

“It is the custom for each Master of our firm to have his image placed in the center of the ace of spades. This is my grandmother,” explained Mr. Adams.

“This last frame is empty,” stated Holmes, “the next master would be Mr. Grant the first vice president?”

Monster by Tom

(Just got Tom’s WX #421 file. 1.96 meg up, 1.95 meg down in the hotel. I’ve had worse.)

I’ve been a Scot Sigler fan for some time. When I was a Podcast whore I
got a chance to interview him. We drank some beers at Baycon. In those
heady days of 2005 I coined the term Sci-Gor to describe his brand of
fiction. I was gratified one of my suggestion made it into his football
series. He was so hot to get a book deal that would get his work out on
the front table. Just before Border’s tubed it his book got shelved
between Stoker and Shelly. His monster right between Frankenstein and
Dracula, pretty good company.

***

Ben wanted to build a monster, but being as he was only nine and half
funding was a serious problem. Profits from yard work and the lemonade
stand came to $57.35 He took the cross-town bus into the city. At the
office of Stein, Stein, and Leberwitz he was directed to a perky
para-legal who took his fifty seven dollar and thirty five cents and Ben
left the proud chairman of non-profit corporation. Who would guessed Golem
Inc. would become the 2080 monster of Wall Street. He got his way will the
high court too, constitution rights for animated clay.

***

Alma Sue love driving in Billy’s monster truck. Despite the size and power
of the thing Alma Sue always thought Billy maintained the driving
temperament of an 80 year old grandmother. It wasn’t apparent as the front
wheel turn subcompacts into sardine cans, or sent up a column of Georgian
clay, or when Billy took the Black Beauty airborne. It was the way he ran
through the gears. After 10 years the Black Beauty was still running the
same gear box. If Alma Sue got her hands on the monster it would have been
in the shop in a week.

***

Captain a worm hole has opened up directly in our path and it is drawing
us in Lord Vader a worm hole has opened up directly in our path and it is
drawing us in. Both ships directed full power to their bows. They just
might have reached escape velocity, but for the arrival of the White Star
Flagship. All three ships disappear within the hole as it collapsed. A
monstrous glow above Deman shifted the visible spectrum to hard hulkish
green. Everyone looked as if they had just escape from the black lagoon.
“GGGRRRR ARRG!” gurgled Sparky Jones.