Short Story

Belle Terre

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for WTFAIOA Pick 3 #4.
Each week the inspirational list
will be comprised of 21 randomly
selected words; we may use as many
as we want but must use at least three.
Here’s our list of words; I have used all.


Around, Body, Echoed, Hedgerow, Impromptu, Inhabitants,
Little, Midnight, Money, Morning, Nets, News, North, Reach,
Skeleton, Supplies, Surrounding, Trip, Troy, True, Watching

© Vecteezy

Belle Terre, on the north end of the island was a quiet place, the kind of town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. But as the clock struck midnight, the peace was shattered by a spine-chilling scream. A body lay sprawled beneath the hedgerow, a little too close to Trip & Troy’s Seafood Shack, where the inhabitants of Belle Terre often gathered for impromptu clambakes and frosty mugs of beer.

Detective Jack Steiger arrived at the scene, his mind racing through the news he’d heard earlier about a missing shipment of expensive boating equipment and supplies. The sound of the rustling sea grass echoed ominously as he examined the lifeless figure, torn fishing nets surrounding the bruised body. It was a clear indication of foul play, and Steiger could feel the weight of the town’s secrets pressing down on him.

As the morning sun began to break the horizon, he turned his attention to the townsfolk, watching their reactions closely. Some were curious, others were rattled but all were hiding something, and Steiger could smell the money involved in the illicit dealings that had crept into their lives.

“Who would want to kill her?” he pondered, his thoughts drifting to the skeletons buried in every closet around in Belle Terre. “How could boating equipment lead to murder?”

With every question he asked, the truth became murkier. The residents of Belle Terre had perfected the art of deception. Steiger had to reach deep into their shadows to uncover the real story behind the murder, a tale that promised to be darker than he ever imagined. Now to discern what was true and what was a lie.


NAR©2025
#wtfaioa

This is “Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine” by The Killers

Pick 3 #4 This week’s new list

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️ 🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al. and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Pick 3 badge ©
Donna B. McNicol, 2025

28 thoughts on “Belle Terre”

  1. Pingback: Pick 3 #5 This week’s list – wtf Am I On About Now?

  2. Kudos! Well done! Sweep of the hat while bowing towards the author! Not only all words used, but such a great read. You’re hooking me with your participation in these. Can’t wait to read more.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks much, Fishman! These challenges are a lot of fun and I love the open-ended version of a story because I don’t have to think about how to wrap it all up! 😂

      I guess you didn’t like The Killers. Oh well. As my Dad used to say, “Sauseech his own!” 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks a lot, Jim! I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. It’s a fun challenge.

      I found The Killers about a year ago. It was their Mr. Brightside video and I was so impressed by the lead singer that I remembered them. His eyes are extremely expressive and tell the whole story. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to use them again. Thanks so much, Jim!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Tell me what you're thinking. 🖊️