There Is Nothing Without It.

There Is Nothing Without It

“Can I trust you?”

Ellis looked deep into his fathomless blue eyes as if trying to find the answer there.

“Of course you can, my love,” Douglas said earnestly while squeezing the hand he held gently.

“Then I’ll tell you a secret, lean closer and I’ll whisper it.”

Her beloved did as she asked.

His eyes widened in shock as she spoke in his ear. He released her hand and drew back from her like she was contagious.

“You will keep my secret, won’t you?” she purred as she reversed the hand he’d held and clutched at his desperately.

Frantically, Douglas tried to pull free, but she tightened her grip.

“I can’t, you know that! I am the law; I must stop you!”

“I thought you loved me!” Ellis pouted dramatically.

“But I can’t let you continue on the bloody path you say you’re on!”

“So, trust is just some word to you, is it?”

“No, that’s why I must stop you!”

She reached up with her other hand and grabbed the knot of his tie. Gradually, she twisted it into a garrote. Slowly his face turned from red, to purple to puce.

She eased his head down on the restaurant table and released his other hand. Gathering her things, she stood and left quietly. As she swung through the doors of LaFleur Dolmage, a hand grabbed her elbow.

“How could you do that? He loved you!” said the voice of Douglas’ partner.

“That’s why, he had to die,” she whispered as he snapped on the cuffs.

She barely heard him read her the Miranda rights as she drifted away from reality. She was docile as he drove her to the station. The next day, she was locked up in a psych ward, ranting about trust.

300 WORDS DAILY FLASH 11/28/2024