Written for MLMM Monday Wordle #454.
Our twelve prompt words are shown below.
Here’s where they took me. Thanks, Di!
balance, try, flat, beauty, understand, hope,
give, peace, happy, thought, dedicate, and share
Medical Examiner Dr. Lauren Vega stared at the flat line on the monitor. Another one gone. She didn’t understand how the killer maintained such perfect balance …. clinical precision, yet deeply personal violence.
“We have to try something different,” Dr. Vega said to Detective Kyle Morgan, her exasperation clearly showing. “This bastard’s playing us.”
Three victims in as many weeks. All found in peace, almost serene, like they’d accepted a gift. The thought made the ME’s skin crawl. What kind of monster could give death such a gentle look?
She studied the photos again, searching for the beauty others claimed to see in pattern recognition. Nothing. Just bodies and a city on edge and losing hope.
A few days before Christmas, Detective Kyle Morgan uncovered his first clue; the victims were all volunteered at the same shelter. They’d dedicate their time, cook and share meals with the homeless …. each one on the Thursday shift.
“Happy Holidays,” read a card left at the last murder site.“You sicko,” Morgan thought. “Who leaves a card with a smiley face after mutilating someone?”
And in that moment, he knew! Detective Morgan ran down a hall to Dr. Vega’s office. “C’mon, Doc! I know exactly where to find this SOB.”
The shelter was warm, crowded. And there, serving soup with that practiced smile, was the creep Morgan recognized from the volunteer logs. Their eyes met across the room. Finally, something broke in that carefully controlled balance.
“Merry Christmas, dirtbag.” Detective Morgan whispered as he reached for his weapon.
NAR©2025
#MLMM
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This is “Riders On The Storm” by The Doors
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Thank God for Detective Morgan!
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He got his man! Thank you, Lisa
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Ooo what a wonderful story. Makes me want to read more.
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Thanks very much, Mark. I do enjoy writing this type of story.
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Great story and musical selection Nancy. Thanks for joining in.
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Creepy, but at least they caught him in the end…or did they?
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We can never be too sure about these things. Thanks, D.
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I am glad they got that dirtbag and I loved your song pairing. There’s a killer on the road. His brain is squirmin’ like a toad. There won’t be a Merry Christmas for this mentally disturbed slimeball.
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You got that right, Jim! He deserves whatever he gets.
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Gottem! I wonder what gave him away? I mean I know the card but…..
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I thought I created a link between the smiley face on his cards and the smile on his face, but what do I know? I just wrote the damn thing! Lol 😊
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A horrific killer who was caught out
In a place charity and kindness
By his own disparity for humanity’s mindfulness …
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That is it in a nutshell, my dear friend. Lock him up and throw away the key!
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And good riddance!!
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Case closed. A great tale, Nancy.
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Book ’em! Thanks so much, dear Keith
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