Cat and Mouse (1st Place)

“A second hand of a clock ticking…
Woman swinging her hips walking…
Man with an umbrella standing… waiting in the rain.”

“Images are powerful. The psychology involved has been studied for centuries,” Dr. Kluger set his glasses on his desk.

“What does that have anything to do with this case? I mean you’re the psychologist. I don’t understand.”

“You see these images clearly when I say them. You may even make a story out of these ‘basket’ of random thoughts. That’s what good detectives do. They piece together seemingly random events and make connections.”

“I think I understand. So, the more clues I find the better the picture, the better the story I can make.”

“Yes. That’s it exactly. For a rookie patrolman, you learn quickly.”

“Thank you. Now let’s get back to the case. I sent you over some photos.”

Dr. Kluger pulled a manila folder from his desk, and opened it. “I’ve studied them. I believe I know who the perpetrator is.”

“That’s fantastic. Who killed the woman?”

“You see this pattern here next to the maple leaf?” The doctor pointed to a circular shape indented in the dirt next to the woman’s body.

“Yeah. It’s faint, but I see it. Looks like a ‘C’.”

“You’ve seen the surveillance tapes at the bar on 5th street?”

“The woman left there swinging her hips. Those weren’t just random images you said. They were pieces of this murder, but I never saw a man.”

“Look closer,” he handed the file back to the patrolman.

“But you already know.”

“It's not that I won't. I can't tell you. Find the man in the rain.”

“All right. I just don’t want him to get away.”

“He won’t.”

The patrolman leaned back in the patient’s chair. The second hand ticked in the stillness.


300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Umbrella, Leaf, Basket