Iain Kelly

Fiction Writing

THE ENTERTAINER

The press and public were behind the fence that circled the property, far enough away to prevent them seeing inside the old house.

Horowitz looked out at the growing crowd. News had spread fast.

He had got the call as he was about to end his shift. A dead body, suicide. He recognised the address.

Now he looked at the faded entertainer slumped behind the desk, gunshot wound to the temple. Note on the desk ending ‘Please forgive me.’

The investigation would take time. The grounds would be dug up. The truth about the rumoured bodies would finally be known.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

92 responses to “THE ENTERTAINER”

neilmacdon

March 22, 2017 at 11:30 am

Crunchy after so many celebrity scandals

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 11:33 am
  
  Thanks Neil, that’s where my mind was heading. Crunchy indeed!
  
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rochellewisoff

March 22, 2017 at 11:40 am

Dear Iain,

What is it about that gate that just inspires murder and mayhem? Well done and reminiscent of a hometown situation a few years back of a Kansas City man who had lured young boys to his home, then murdered them and buried them under his house.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 2:03 pm
  
  Thanks Rochelle. There must be something about that spooky old house! Or maybe it’s seeing it was J Hardy that took the photo! Not aware of the Kansas man but a few similar tales around, and a few scandals involving celebrities in recent years too, so used them as my inspiration.
  
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J Hardy Carroll

March 22, 2017 at 12:03 pm

Spooky story. This is a house in Peoria on Moss Avenue, a decidedly creepy street you can look up on Google maps. This story completely fits the area.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 2:04 pm
  
  Thanks J Hardy, must be something about the house that suggests that mood, that’s what came to mind when I saw it.
  
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Rowena

March 22, 2017 at 1:05 pm

Thanks for filling us in on the photo. I always like to find out the back story. I enjoyed your take on it.
xx Rowena

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks Rowena
  
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David K

March 22, 2017 at 1:21 pm

A succinct, macabre tale, well told, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks David
  
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James

March 22, 2017 at 1:24 pm

Well played, Iain.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 2:05 pm
  
  Thanks James
  
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ceayr

March 22, 2017 at 2:24 pm

Yes, Iain, well crafted and great denouement.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:30 pm
  
  Thank you CE.
  
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Jane Dougherty

March 22, 2017 at 2:26 pm

You people have gruesome imaginations! Nice one 🙂

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D. Wallace Peach

March 22, 2017 at 2:35 pm

Nice flash piece. I like the addition of the buried bodies at the end. 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:31 pm
  
  I felt it needed some sort of twist at the end. Thank you.
  
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Martin Cororan

March 22, 2017 at 3:59 pm

Should make for a fruity eulogy!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:33 pm
  
  I’m not sure many will be there to hear it!
  
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nonsmokingladybug

March 22, 2017 at 4:23 pm

He took the easy way out so it seems. Gruesome twist at the end, I didn’t see it coming. Well done!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:33 pm
  
  Thank you, glad I managed a surprise 🙂
  
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Magaly Guerrero

March 22, 2017 at 5:02 pm

It seems that old houses and creepy trees bring the grim out of the muse. I like it. I also want to know what happens next… and, of course, what happened before forgiveness was needed.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:34 pm
  
  Thank you, yes the house is giving everyone dark thoughts this week!
  
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Lynn Love

March 22, 2017 at 5:04 pm

Wow! That last line is a zinger, Iain. Where the bodies are buried, eh? Very well told, nice tension and pace throughout

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 5:34 pm
  
  Thanks Lynn, much appreciated.
  
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  1. Lynn Love
    
    March 22, 2017 at 7:47 pm
    
    My pleasure 🙂
    
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John Davis Frain

March 22, 2017 at 6:13 pm

That looks like a really cool house to live in. Until you read the story. Then … let’s drive by and look at the next one, Helen.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 8:14 pm
  
  Probably will be available at a knock down price now though…!
  
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csheldonblog

March 22, 2017 at 8:33 pm

oh interesting… Someone elses flash fiction I could see go in other directions…

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 8:34 pm
  
  Thank you
  
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Dale

March 22, 2017 at 9:27 pm

It does look like “that” kind of house. Now we are left wondering what he is begging forgiveness for…

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 9:42 pm
  
  It seems a few of us see it as that sort of house.
  
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rgayer55

March 22, 2017 at 9:34 pm

Oh, the tortured lives of celebrities. That’s why I never let them put my picture on the cover of the Rolling Stone. 🙂

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 9:47 pm
  
  Yes better to be unknown if you’re going to be murderer…
  
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  1. rgayer55
    
    March 22, 2017 at 9:51 pm
    
    I’ll never admit to that.
    
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joyroses13

March 22, 2017 at 11:39 pm

OH MY!! What a way to end! Good job.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 22, 2017 at 11:46 pm
  
  Thank you!
  
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plaridel

March 23, 2017 at 2:53 am

based on the stories i’d read so far, there’d be no happy ending this week. 😦

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 7:23 am
  
  Something about that house!
  
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J.A. Prentice

March 23, 2017 at 3:51 am

I love the sense of mystery. Wonderful story!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 7:24 am
  
  Thank you.
  
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draliman

March 23, 2017 at 9:14 am

Seems a shame to have to dig up the grounds. But the truth must out!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 1:37 pm
  
  We’ll see if they find anything, might be a shame, might be revealing!
  
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neelwritesblog

March 23, 2017 at 9:18 am

I liked this especially the last line which was a zinger. Well done, LAIN.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 1:37 pm
  
  Thanks Neel, glad I managed a zinger!
  
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justjoyfulness

March 23, 2017 at 11:06 am

Ah! What a last line twist! Loved it!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 1:37 pm
  
  Thank you 🙂
  
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  1. justjoyfulness
    
    March 24, 2017 at 1:12 pm
    
    Thanks Iain 🙂
    
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Rommy

March 23, 2017 at 1:12 pm

Sounds like fodder for a really gripping biopic, bodies or no bodies. Horowitz is going to be busy.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 1:38 pm
  
  I think it could be the case that makes his career.
  
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Vaidehi Soni

March 23, 2017 at 1:37 pm

Some people hide their secrets so well. Great story. 😊

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 3:55 pm
  
  Thank you
  
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Clare Hempstead

March 23, 2017 at 1:38 pm

Shame the truth will only come out now he’s dead – sounds familiar! Great story.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 1:39 pm
  
  Yes, based on true events.
  
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Sarah Potter Writes

March 23, 2017 at 2:33 pm

I’m guessing the entertainer has gone somewhere nice and hot for his afterlife! Sadly, this scenario you describe, happens far too often. At least the finding of the bodies will mean closure for the families and friends of the victims, but the murderer has taken the coward’s way out.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 3:57 pm
  
  Afraid so, leaving a trail of devastation behind him. Thanks Sarah
  
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Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

March 23, 2017 at 5:32 pm

A twisted tale. So did the gates keep his victims in or curious people out?

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 6:21 pm
  
  Ideal for both 🙂
  
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Laurie Bell

March 23, 2017 at 7:53 pm

Ooooo i sense a lot more is there to be found. Sorry for what? Well told

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 23, 2017 at 8:24 pm
  
  Thanks Laurie
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

March 23, 2017 at 8:50 pm

There are scandals and there are SCANDALS in the entertainment world.

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goroyboy

March 24, 2017 at 3:57 am

No doubt a “Dramatic ” actor . Well done Iain. Nice realistic touch on the detective was almost off duty

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 24, 2017 at 7:59 am
  
  Thank you.
  
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Keith’s Ramblings

March 24, 2017 at 9:57 am

He carried a few guilty secrets to the grave methinks! Nice one Iain.

Click to read my story

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 24, 2017 at 10:13 am
  
  Thanks Keith
  
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anintrovertedblogger

March 24, 2017 at 4:45 pm

I wonder what he did to ask for forgiveness. Well crafted!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 24, 2017 at 4:50 pm
  
  Thank you, I leave it up to you to decide!
  
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Sascha Darlington

March 24, 2017 at 5:21 pm

Good story. I like how the title is open to interpretation.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 25, 2017 at 9:45 am
  
  Very much so, thanks Sascha
  
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Joy Pixley

March 25, 2017 at 1:35 am

That looks like the perfect grounds for burying a bunch of dead bodies in, too. Liked the celebrity aspect too. Of course, my mystery-reading mind wants to know — was the celebrity really left-handed, or right-handed, and where was that note?!?

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 25, 2017 at 9:47 am
  
  If he was left handed why is the gun in his right hand? And where did the 2nd bullet lodged in the wall come from?!? 🙂
  
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  1. Joy Pixley
    
    March 25, 2017 at 4:06 pm
    
    Yes, exactly — inquiring minds want to know!
    
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Dahlia

March 25, 2017 at 11:35 am

A gruesome but gripping tale

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Inside the Mind of Isadora

March 25, 2017 at 3:28 pm

A haunting thought that’s often played out in the news.
Bodies buried on properties like cast-a-ways. You nailed the feeling and the gruesome acts perfectly, lain. The photograph does exude horrific things happening behind that gate.
Isadora 😎

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 25, 2017 at 5:16 pm
  
  Thank you, it certainly has a menacing look to it – not sure I would want to stay there!
  
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gahlearner

March 25, 2017 at 9:49 pm

He made sure that he’ll be talked about a lot even after death. I wonder who gets the book and film rights… Nicely creepy and telling a lot between the lines.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 25, 2017 at 10:15 pm
  
  Very true, someone will make money out of it, that’s for sure!
  
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The Reclining Gentleman

March 26, 2017 at 6:48 pm

Lots of dark tales this week, I enjoyed yours Iain. His truth caught up with him, as it tends to do eventually

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 26, 2017 at 9:29 pm
  
  Thank you
  
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Emily Livingstone

March 26, 2017 at 7:12 pm

A dark story! I love it. It ends just right.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 26, 2017 at 9:30 pm
  
  Thank you Emily
  
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magarisa

March 26, 2017 at 11:06 pm

Suspenseful story – it goes so well with the prompt!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 27, 2017 at 6:31 am
  
  Thank you
  
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  1. magarisa
    
    March 27, 2017 at 2:02 pm
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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lingeringvisions by Dawn

March 27, 2017 at 5:09 pm

Another mystery. I love it!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 27, 2017 at 6:35 pm
  
  Thanks Dawn.
  
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athling2001

March 27, 2017 at 9:21 pm

Great story. Sad but true.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 27, 2017 at 9:50 pm
  
  Afraid so, thank you.
  
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Michael Wynn

March 28, 2017 at 6:31 am

Great story. People are certainly wondering what went on behind the railings this week.

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 28, 2017 at 7:29 am
  
  Not much of it seems good. Thanks Michael.
  
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Siobhan McNamara

March 28, 2017 at 8:32 pm

There’s room for a lot of bodies in that garden. The dig could take a while!

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1. Iain Kelly
  
  March 28, 2017 at 8:33 pm
  
  Yep, could be a long few weeks…
  
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