When Mark and Pat renovated the family home, they discovered an old bicycle hidden under the porch.
Detective Calebrese knelt beside the bicycle, treating the exposed area under the porch like a crime scene. His knees creaked, and his back screamed “Retirement.” But, he still had one open case. The disappearance of the Vaughn boy. Last seen laughing and riding his red bicycle down Chestnut Street. Just two blocks over.
But they’d canvassed the neighbourhood, knocked on all the doors, questioned all known the pervs. Nothing. Like the tabloid headlines – Abducted by Aliens. How could a ten year old boy vanish on a nice tree-lined friendly suburban street.
Now this, 30 years later. Funny, but the detective didn’t remember this house, this street. As if brushed from his mind, like Tommy brushed hair out of his eyes when the wind of riding blew it in. Didn’t remember til now the mysterious, mocking laughter, the quiet of a Sunday street under construction, the figure of a boy backlit by a mid-day sun. Shaking the boy for his wickedness – scaring his parents, being disrespectful of the police. The limp body, the rigid bicycle frame.
Not connected, he would report. No need for Forensics. Would just have to retire with one open case. Closed in his mind. (word count 199)
For mlmm Finish off Fridays: bicycle 06.01.17
(c) Lorraine
January 6, 2017 at 10:24 am
ooohhh … now this is edgy – and well done ….. just enough tension and unanswered questions to leave a lingering, metallic aftertaste in the mouth and mind! Great image for a prompt :)
LikeLike
January 6, 2017 at 11:58 am
I was so struck by the bicycle uncovered when the renovations moved down to the porch. Not sure what they did with it, but the possibilities as a prompt were flying as fast as a kid could ride the thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 6, 2017 at 11:58 am
I can well imagine …. totally mind captivating!
LikeLike
January 6, 2017 at 1:45 pm
I do wonder what became of the bicycle when they redid the porch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 6, 2017 at 1:57 pm
another layer to the mystery….
LikeLike
January 6, 2017 at 4:25 am
Fascinating response Lorraine, I did like the mystery of it all…
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 6, 2017 at 8:43 am
Thanks, Michael. I still wonder about the bicycle that did come to light during house renovations on the next street. Along with 1920’s style wiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person