Mystery, Noir, Phrase Prompt, Recurring Character, Short Story, Writing Prompts

The Big Lie: A Dirk Malone Story

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #241 –
“The detective was sure the handwritten
confession was fake. Now all he had to do
was prove it”. Here’s my response.

Image by Me & ChatGPT

Rain like a busted faucet. 3 AM. The kind of night that makes a good man stay indoors. Dirk Malone was not a good man. He was just the one who answered the call.

She came through the door on a wave of gardenias and heartache …. legs up to her collarbone, eyes green as broken glass …. just like Dirk remembered.

“Hello, Dirk. Got time for an old friend?” She let herself in.

Her name was Vera Bishop but Dirk knew her as Vera Stolis. She was unforgettable.

And her husband was dead on a cold slab downtown.

Malone sat back in his chair. He had to admit, Vera still had it. And she looked damn good “I heard about your husband, Vera. My condolences.”

“They’re saying my brother did it. Nicky!” she whispered urgently. Her voice cracked like old ice. “They have a confession.”

Malone lit a cigarette and studied the paper she slid across the desk. The writing was too clean, too controlled. He knew Nicky Stolis, but then everyone did; he had the shakes so bad he couldn’t hold a pen steady, let alone a gun.

He also knew Nicky wouldn’t hurt a fly.

The detective was sure the handwritten confession was fake. Now all he had to do was prove it.

He’d need the ink analyst on Fifth. He’d need to talk to Nicky. And he’d need to stay away from Vera Bishop …. because women who smelled like gardenias at 3 AM always had a story prettier than the truth, especially Vera.

“Be careful, Dirk.” She paused at the door, silhouette cut against the rain-black glass. “Don’t forget about me.” She lit a cigarette before disappearing into the night.

The fragrance of gardenias was heady. Dirk Malone inhaled deeply, a crooked smile making a rare appearance. Yeah, like forgetting Vera was ever an option.

NAR©2026
#FSS

This is  “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds

Fandango’s Story Starter #241

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

38 thoughts on “The Big Lie: A Dirk Malone Story”

    1. I hear little bells. Is that the movie about a woman who gets a letter from her boyfriend who’s overseas in the army telling her he’s going to marry somebody else and she somehow gets involved with an artist who tries to rape her? Am I warm? That might be worth checking out on Prime. Thanks very much, Jodi. I’m glad you’re enjoying Dirk.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Ange, I’m so happy you love reading about Dirk; he’s definitely one of my favorite characters to write about. I’m not sure where I’m gonna to go with Vera, but I think I’ll be bringing her back. Dirk needs a love life after all! Thanks so much, my friend 🩵

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Tell me what you're thinking. 🖊️