Written for Crispina’s
Crimson’s Creative Challenge
Detective Nadine Harrow pushed through the dense undergrowth, thorns catching her sleeve, until the red paint stopped her cold. The victim’s Alfa Romeo …. nose-down in the treetops, cradled by hazel and bramble, like Mother Nature’s woods had been waiting for it with open arms.
No skid marks on the road above. The Alfa hadn’t crashed here; it had been deliberately driven off the embankment and into cover.
Nadine circled to the driver’s door, hanging open at an angle that made her stomach turn. Empty. There was blood on the seatbelt buckle, drying, but no body.
So someone had walked away …. or was picked up. Injured, maybe …. that blood wasn’t nothing …. but if they were on their feet and thinking clearly enough to hide a car, they could still be in the area.
Nadine looked up through the canopy at the strip of sky. Whoever did this knew these woods. Which meant they probably knew where to hide out and hadn’t gone far at all.
She radioed Jeffries back at the footbridge to inspect the road above for the possibility of a get-away car. She removed her gun from its shoulder holster, and took her first steps deeper into the woods.
NAR©2026
This is “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage The Elephant
Everything seen here was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
That was a good one… hmm, what will happen next?
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Not even Det. Harrow knows the answer to that one! Thanks much, Chris.
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A very interesting story Nancy
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Thank you, Sadje. I enjoy a good cliffhanger 😬
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Very cool.
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Intriguing, you’ve left us dangling like an Alfa in a tree!
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Hahaha! Thanks, dear Keith!
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I hope this is going to be one of your continuing stories, Nancy as it is very interesting.
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We’ll see, Jim. I kept up with one continuing story until I started having trouble seeing a clear picture of what came next. I don’t know if I’m ready for that involvement and focus again; right now the desire isn’t there. In any event, Detective Nadine Harrow will be back. Thanks for your interest in my stories. I appreciate you.
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Wait for your backup babe!
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She’s a woman on a mission!
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Then, suddenly but not surprisingly…
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Isn’t that always the case ?!
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Nadine is well on the way to untangling the treetop wrangling my friend … and an appropriate soundtrack from “Cage the Elephant” …
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Nadine is a recent addition to my mysteries, the only one representing the UK. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and music, my dear friend. Thank you! 💙🥰🌏
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Always my pleasure my friend 🎶🥰
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Really enjoyed reading this story, and now want to tell her to be careful! … And this is a song I’ve heard on the radio but didn’t know who it was from. Adding it to my favorites. 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed both the story and the music, Barbara. I love this song and thought it went well. Thanks! 😊
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Brilliantly penned. Love it. I do like a who-done-it, and a what-did-they-do.
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That car in those trees? Had to be a who-done-it! Thanks, Crisp; so glad you enjoyed it. 🥰 🚗
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When I saw it I knew it would make a great photo for CCC, and you really did it proud. Excellence!
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😊
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Brilliant 💜💜
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Thanks so much, Willow! 💜
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This is a great start to a murder mystery Nance 😃🙌
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Thanks, Ange! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😃
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