Lewis Drabble Challenge Part Deux

[wendymr]

Discussing drabbles with complexlight and divingforstones reminded me of the previous drabble challenge I hosted here last year. Who'd like to play again?

Rules:

• I will post a drabble (drabble meaning a short fic of 100 words exactly)


• The next person to play will write another drabble starting with the last word of the drabble I post


• The next person after that must start

Comments

First drabble - from a prompt provided by <lj user=divingforstones>

[wendymr]

“Careless, James? It was a lot more than carelessness. The Chief Constable’s recommending disciplinary action.”

“I’m sorry he feels that way, ma’am. And you must do what you see fit.”

“I’m glad you realise that, Sergeant.” She sighs. “Have you anything to say for yourself?”

“Nothing worth saying, ma’am.”

She holds his gaze for a long moment. “I’ll ask Inspector Lewis, of course.”

“Naturally.” Though Lewis will be able to tell her nothing. He was unconscious at the precise moment James accidentally tripped up the bastard who nearly killed him.

Even if it costs James his job, it’s worth it.

Re: First drabble - from a prompt provided by <lj user=divingforstones>

[venturous1]

heee! this will be fun! (though I would like to Drabble about S 08)

[venturous1]

It took forever for James to answer the door. Cold rain ran rivulets through his thinning hair as Robbie felt worry rise in his throat. He willed it down, swapped it for irritation as rain seeped under his collar.

He pounded the door again, then heard footsteps, approaching so damn slowly that when it opened he was poised to punch James in the face.

But instead Lewis plowed in and flattened him against the wall. He honestly intended to read him the Riot Act, but somehow his mouth was all over James, who threaded his fingers through Robbie’s wet hair.

[b37d45]

“Hair? You suspect him because of his hair?”

“No,” Hathaway says patiently. “Because of his hair product.”

“James are you feeling alright?”

“What was said in the victim's house?” Realisation dawns on Lewis' face.

“It smelt like raspberry. Harrison uses that raspberry shampoo, he was boasting about it!”

“Oh, but he's got an alibi. He was at the hairdressers until three.”

“The pathologist ruled that the time of death could have been as late as four o'clock. He's guilty.”

Hathaway looked smug. “And we solved it forty five minutes faster than Midsomer CID.”

[owlbsurfinbird]

“CID.” Hathaway jabbed the journal. “Clinical Infectious Diseases. Millhauser wasn’t talking about criminal investigation. In his dying breath-“

“-His killer was at that drug discovery laboratory.”

Hathaway pulled up the CCTV images. A shadowy figure loomed before PCR trays.

“What’s that-zoom in-a raspberry shampoo bottle?”

Hathaway frowned. “Rubus stunt is a raspberry phytoplasma: characteristics of a bacteria and a virus, requires a vector,” he mused. “A virus could be engineered.”

“Thought they were making pharmaceuticals.”

“Or creating the perfect bioweapon.” Hathaway smirked. “Jam. Off with their heads.”

“Good enough reason to kill. Spoiling everyone’s raspberry tarts.”

Tarts

[wendymr]

“Tarts, sir? How very Delia Smith of you.”

James reaches for one of the tiny delicacies, but Lewis smacks his hand away. “No touching. They’re evidence, Sergeant.”

“Oh?” James pouts. “But I’m starving, sir. Thanks to that unscheduled journey out to Witney you had me make, I missed lunch.” His stomach growls, right on cue.

“Should’ve stopped for something, shouldn’t you?” Lewis doesn’t fail to hide his amusement.

James gives him a pleading look. “Surely CPS won’t miss just one?” He reaches again, this time snagging one.

“I really wouldn’t, man.” Lewis shakes his head. “They were the murder weapon.”

Re: Tarts

[skyebabycat]

Ha! Love this! Was thinking along the 'Tarts and vicars' line, but you beat me to it. :)

Re: Tarts

[owlbsurfinbird]

Snort! Love the last line!