Take Your Best…
This week, Sisters in Crime New England challenges you with Mo Walsh’s latest creation: PlotShots: Take the writing prompt below and give us your best shot at writing a compelling crime story in 200 words or less!
A: Headline Crime: Write the story behind this headline:
‘Body in a barrel’ is missing pilot
PlotShots Rules:
Post only original, unpublished work. Do not use copyrighted characters. Include a crime or suggestion of a crime. Keep it clean. Post it here as a “Comment.” Have fun!
bethkanellbooks
Edith Maxwell
Julie Hennrikus aka Julia Henry
jpchoquette
Lisa Haselton
Liz Mugavero
Maureen Milliken
mowalsh
Nancy Gardner
patremick
sharon245
Pen, Ink, and Crimes 
Paula cursed out loud as she heard the radio story go on from its headline. Who would have guessed enough of Roger would be left in the barrel for an ID? Her mother had always told her she didn’t think things through far enough. Official airplane pilots probably had their fingerprints in a dozen databases, even after retirement. “But Mom,” she whispered to the presence that always seemed just behind her left shoulder, “this time I tried so hard. I helped him choose the ring. I booked the trip months in advance. I even convinced him that taking the adventure version together from the hotel would make everything sexier!” Her gaze flicked to the glittering rock on her left hand at controls, then to the horizon, and she adjusted the ailerons a fraction. Behind her, an unused barrel, still decorated with Niagara Falls stickers and silver ribbons, sat anchored with a seatbelt on the rear seat. She could put it onto eBay after she landed. But … she reminded herself to remove the sticker on the top of the souvenir, the one that said, “Just Married.” “Okay, Mom?” Her mother’s feathery touch on her cheek assured her she’d done it right, no matter what the headline said. And with her mother’s help, she translated the sign at the small airport as she taxied in: Welcome to Mexico. Anything to declare?
Love it, Beth! did you know the first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel was a woman, Annie Taylor? Get the story here:
http://www.niagarafallsinformation.com/daredevils/annietaylor.html
Great story, Mo! Wonder how the kitten made out …