IAIN KELLY

NO QUESTIONS ASKED

Fabrizzio heaved the extra crate onto the roof and tied it down, next to his regular cargo of fresh seafood.

Tourists had already begun to emerge into the Venetian dawn, among the bustle of barges delivering and collecting goods along the canal.

He motored slowly along the narrow passages until he emerged into the lagoon. The sailboat was waiting as usual.

He maneuvered alongside and handed the crate to the waiting man. They nodded in acknowledgement, but neither said a word.

Fabrizzio turned and headed back. The money would appear in his bank account later that day.

No questions asked.


venice-fatima
Copyright Fatima Fakier Daria

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.

96 responses to “NO QUESTIONS ASKED”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Great sense of place, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Neil

      Like

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I suspect someone’s going to ask questions. Well done scene set up. .

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      At some point someone will ask, and who knows what will happen then! Thanks Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

  3. granonine Avatar

    While drugs are never mentioned, I guess that’s because there were no questions asked 🙂 Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, just look the other way please 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  4. James Avatar

    Sinister.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Best not to ask anymore…

      Like

  5. trentpmcd Avatar

    What, that was in the create? I just thought it was laundry. I had no idea I was doing anything illegal 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Deniability is the key word here 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. trentpmcd Avatar

        Yep, that’s the way it looks

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Rowena Avatar

    Once again a fabulous take on the prompt, Iain. I love that whole emphasis on no questions asked. It’s a phrase we know, but you’ve given it an added emphasis and gravity. Well done. You also recreated that theatre of an early morning at the markets.
    I personally struggled with trying to process the place in this prompt, although the photo was named Venice. While I’ve been to Florence, I haven’t been to Venice and I was trying to avoid transporting another dead body down the canal. My efforts have ended in murder a bit lately and I wanted to try a different route and set it here in Sydney instead where I’m much more comfortable.
    Hope you’ve had a great week.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, it’s tricky isn’t it? Writing so many stories and trying to find a different angle each time. That’s why I ended up going for a crate but not revealing what was in it. Venice is definitely worth a trip if you get the chance, a unique place, although I think I prefer Florence and Rome 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Rowena Avatar

        I didn’t get to Rome either. My cousin is currently in Milan for a few months on a scholarship playing Baroque cello. I don’t know if she’s been able to travel much but she’s had the experience of a lifetime performing in very old surrounds, which is particularly mind blowing for an Australian.
        Best wishes,
        Ro

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Milan is also lovely, although a bit more of a modern city too. I remember being in Rome and overhearing a group of American tourists being unable to comprehend how some buildings could be thousands of years old!

        Like

      3. Rowena Avatar

        My Dad went to the Palace at Versailles and wrote in his diary: “I wonder how much it all cost?” He was an accountant at the time. Fortunately, he went back and did an arts degree in his 40s.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 2 people

  7. joyroses13 Avatar

    Hmmm….wonder what was in the crate?? 🙂
    Oh to be back in Venice again on a gondola, but now I wonder, what was being transported in the barge next to us! LOL!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Lol, don’t ask, better to not know I think. Thank you 🙂

      Like

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        🙂 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. jillyfunnell Avatar

    I was right there with him. Sounds like easy work but I think there is a risk involved. Great story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jilly, perhaps it’s better for him to be ignorant of how much risk he may be taking!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    At some point, questions will be asked. It’s the way our world works.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      For him I guess it just depends who comes asking those questions!

      Like

  10. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Super writing, Iain, as smooth as a fine cognac. Just another delivery among scores every day. Why would anybody question that?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, I’m sure it’s not the only delivery no one is asking questions about either!

      Like

  11. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    What the eye doesn’t see…. Nicely done Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Edith M. Field Avatar

    I’d love to know what story he has ready for when a question is asked! Great writing, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True Edith, he’ll have to think of a good one! 🙂

      Like

  13. Frances D Avatar

    Love how much you communicate in so few words. I bought Collected Sketches from the Kindle Store and am nearly done reading it – really enjoying it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Frances, very much appreciated and so glad you are enjoying. About time I got round to publishing something new as well! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    It should be risky business but among the hustle and bustle, maybe not so much.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They certainly know how to blend in.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    Mmmmm … much going on yet nothing being said. The beginning of a pretty good crime story you described so well, Lain.
    Intriguing ….
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Alice Audrey Avatar

    No way I’d do that job. I’d be looking over my shoulder all the time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m assuming he gets paid well to make it worth his while, and worth the risk

      Like

  17. Dale Avatar

    See no evil, say no evil…
    See how long they can keep it on the down-low before they get discovered…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps it depends how closely anyone is looking or taking an interest…

      Liked by 1 person

  18. yarnspinnerr Avatar

    Lots happening here … like any other large city. Great atmosphere..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very true, except with more canals! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  19. draliman Avatar

    Nice little bit on the side. Whatever it may be!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nice little earner, as they say.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Sandra Avatar

    I like the ambiguity, the casual efficiency of the operation. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Sandra

      Like

  21. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    I was tricked until i read the last to know the suspense.. Mind blowing fiction, Iain.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

  22. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    I too was planning to take the smuggling route, but thankfully, didn’t 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Great minds 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Jan Morrill Avatar

    I liked the growing tension in your story and the questions it left in my mind about the “rest of the story” and what’s in the crate. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jan 🙂

      Like

  24. Tamara Avatar

    Oy, what might be in the secret extra crate..?

    Here’s what I think: it was your Liebster Award nomination:

    https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2018/06/liebster-award.html

    Case solved. Congratulations 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Well, he wasn’t expecting that! 🙂

      Like

  25. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    What you don’t know, you can’t be forced to testify to… sometimes best not to ask questions. Great write this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jelli 🙂

      Like

  26. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I really like the way your story starts with the innocent early morning scene and moves quietly to illegal transactions. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Anita Avatar

    Wonder what the crate contained- drugs or armaments?…
    We won’t get to know. Many illegal deals like this keep happening.
    I Spy You – Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They certainly do – best not to ask! 🙂

      Like

  28. robbiecheadle Avatar
    robbiecheadle

    I like this – wish people wouldn’t always ask me questions, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, that’s true (although I hope your not involved in any illegal smuggling…!) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Lynn Love Avatar

    Sinister goings on in the canals of Venice. It’s a strange, smelly, floating enigma of a city, odd and on its own and shouldn’t really be there at all. The city creates its own identity and so has Fabrizzio – great writing Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lynn, a place I must get back to one day, definitely a city with a unique character.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Russell Gayer Avatar

    A crate of Chef Boyardee Ravioli, I suspect. Fabrizzio is obviously in cahoots with the Riddler.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s saying nothing… 🙂

      Like

  31. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Hmmm wonder what the delivery was. Though I guess that doesn’t matter as long as the money is good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Sometimes you have to look out for number one first…

      Like

  32. plaridel Avatar

    i could visualize the scene as it actually happened. excellent writing as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  33. lisarey1990 Avatar

    Great piece Iain that leaves the reader intrigued.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lisa

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Russell Avatar

    Interesting take. Not at all where I went, but that’s what I like about the challenge. Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Russell

      Liked by 1 person

  35. justjoyfulness Avatar

    Loved the word pictures, I could almost smell the seafood and the smell of the water. Loved the intrigue too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, much appreciated 🙂

      Like

  36. Ellie Scott Avatar

    Lots of intrigue and atmosphere!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Ellie

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Beautifully described. I’m sure Fabrizzio is up to no good, but he’s doing it in a lovely setting, and comes across as a nice, so maybe he’s not up to nefarious activities?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Possibly, or perhaps he doesn’t realise he is?

      Like

  38. Cheney Meaghan Avatar

    To channel Brad Pitt in “Seven” … WHAT’S IN THE BOX??? WHAT’S IN THE BOX, MAN?!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nothing as gruesome as that I hope! 🙂

      Like

  39. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Nicely told, Iain. Surreptitious exchange of contraband, just the right level of brooding understatement

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  40. evergreenmeadows Avatar

    Nice take on the prompt. You described it so well. Perfect excerpt for a story which can transform in so many ways!

    http://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-ride.html

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    You created a vivid scene of Venetian life along the canals. I really want to know what was in that crate! The beginning of a longer story? =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Maybe, thanks Brenda

      Like

  42. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Excellent. Everything is so nonchalant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sascha

      Liked by 1 person

  43. Dahlia Avatar

    Right out of a thriller!

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    “Venetian dawn” sounds just dreamy. Can’s say the same for the contents of that suspicious box. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Fatima 🙂

      Like

  45. kph52013 Avatar

    Sounds like a great start for a short story!

    Liked by 1 person

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