The Case of the Missing Mayor

Flash fiction contest entry.

The Case of the Missing Mayor (283 Words)

One morning, I went to see my wizard friend, Dimble. When I was there, a knock came at the door. It was Captain Wort of the city watch.

“Captain,” said Dimble. “What brings you here at this hour? Why are you covered in mud?”

“There was a storm last night,” said Wort. “It’s slippery outside.” He blushed. “Anyway, I’m here because the mayor is missing.”

“Kidnapped?” I said.

“Don’t be hasty,” said Dimble. “Carry on, Captain.”

“We found the mayor’s coat draped over a tree branch, and footprints leading away in the mud,” said Wort.

“Follow the footprints and find the man,” I said.

“That’s the problem,” Wort said. “After a few yards, they stop. As if the mayor spontaneously combusted.”

Dimble shook his head. “Nonsense. If he had spontaneously combusted, it’d be obvious.”

“We’ve searched everywhere,” Wort admitted. “We hoped a wizard might be able to help.”

Dimble grinned. “Almost no magic required to solve this one. Let’s go.”

We followed the footprints through the mud until they ended.

“Hmm,” said Dimble. He wiggled his ears. A gust of wind scattered the yellow leaves on the ground where the footprints stopped, revealing a wooden hatch. “Aha! Looks like an old rum store.”

“How did you know it would be there?” I said.

“Think,” said Dimble. “The mayor is famous for his love of late-night walks.”

Wort nodded. “True.”

“The storm last night snagged his coat right off his back. He then sought shelter. And, seeing as he can’t fly away, he must have either dug a hole or gone,” Dimble pointed. “...down there.”

We went down the hatch and, sure enough, there was the mayor between two barrels, snoring like a pig.