Challenge
Jan 2025 Drabble Challenge: Re-solve
With the new year upon us, let's solve a mystery. A crime. A murder. A heist. Tell me a story about how crime pays, or doesn't. In exactly 100 words, give me a flash fiction (or factual) piece that explores something criminal, either unsolved or easily explained. There's a prize for what I consider to be the most interesting entry. Here are the rules if you're interested in winning: tell me a story in exactly 100 words. Use prose, not poetry, standard punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Please do NOT tag me, I'll read all the entries conforming to the rules at the end of the challenge period.
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Not Quite the Low-hanging Fruit
My mandatory investigating partner is an AI-bot, and I haven’t solved a case in months before the machine does. One notorious thief, who leaves a cryptic signature behind, has eluded us both though.
At this crime-scene, random objects hang from the ceiling.
“Based on the MO, here's a list of suspects.” My partner crackles and rattles off names.
"Ha!” I scoff and walk to the entrance.
“I sense disagreement.”
“Don’t you see the burglar’s signature?”
“No.”
I take a picture of the room and the bandit's smirking face, a juxtaposition of random objects, mocks me with all of its notoriety.