Ruse

Leonard strolled up the lane. He gazed up at the mansion. The white lilies in full bloom hugged the winding walkway. He approached the front door and pressed the doorbell. He could hear the high-pitched chimes ringing.

After a minute, the door swung open. “Leonard, nice to see you.”

“Hello, Mr. Henson.” Leonard sauntered in the door past the gracious hand of Mr. Henson.

“What brings you here? I thought the Australian safari started tomorrow. I didn’t get my dates mixed up, did I? Mrs. Henson is really looking forward to seeing a koala bear in the wild you know.”

“No, No. It was supposed to start tomorrow.”

“Suppose to? Hey, we have a legal contract. You’re our guide!”

“I would except…” Leonard’s voice trailed off.

“… except what?”

“I found out the purpose of the trip Mr. Henson, and it doesn’t involve koalas.”

“Whatever do you mean? I know of no other purpose of this trip.” Mr. Henson’s brow wrinkled in consternation.

The smell of Mrs. Henson’s famous stromboli lingered in the air. A breeze shuffled in the doorway like a lost traveler and played with Mr. Henson’s gray hair.

“I know, Howard. I’ve looked up the life insurance contract, and an informant of mine told me you hired a Chinese assassin. What tipped me off was the fax. I read Chinese.”

Mr. Henson stared at Leonard. He turned to a nearby stand and looked up at the spinning ceiling fan. He pulled out the drawer and turned around with a .38 in his hand.

“Well, then. You know too much.”

“I figured that might be your response. Your wife thought so too. That’s why I’m wearing a wire, and this whole conversation is on tape. Mrs. Henson paid me ten times what I would have made on the safari.”

300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Legal contract, Koala Bear, and Mansion/Palace