Sitting in the cafe with a view of the Houses of Parliament, he double-checked the decoded message.
A simple cipher using ‘The Ambassadors’ by Henry James – the numbers referred to the pages of the book, the first letter of the third line on each page combined to give the location.
He had it right. ‘Marx Highgate’: the cemetery across the city, the grave of Karl Marx. His money would be there.
He slipped on the glasses, part of his disguise, and prepared to fulfil Mrs. Newsome’s request.
It was not his job to ask why, he just had a contract to fulfil.

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.
71 responses to “THE CONTRACT”
Clever take on the photo prompt – nicely chilling.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan
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Dear Iain,
A contract is a contract. This sounds like the beginning of a story of intrigue. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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Interesting how so many of us saw this innocent shot as the basis for intrigue.
Nicely worked tale, Iain
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Thank you CE
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Congratulations on using the book and the note
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Not forgetting the glasses!
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Another day, another killing! Good one.
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Thank you
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A cool character. Whatever he has to do will, I think, be executed dispassionately.
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Undoubtedly. Thanks Sandra
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I enjoyed your take, Iain.
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Thank you Roberta
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Could be to beginning to something big. Great use of the prompt.
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Thank you
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Perfect prompt for a tension-filled, scary mystery/spy story. Well done, Iain 🙂
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Thank you Linda
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It does sound like the beginning of an exciting story!
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Thank you
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Ooh, mystery and intrigue. This feels like a teaser that begs to be expanded.
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Maybe one day 🙂
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I imagine hitmen are just like this.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome!
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I wonder how anyone could become a criminal and be able to kill others for money. This goes against every single thing we learned in kindergarten! Scary story and I’m sure this is spot on for the true actions of a hit man. Yikes!
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Thanks Nan, it certainly seems an odd line of work to end up in!
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Good use of the photo, you did your research!
Hope his money wasn’t taken by any vandals.
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Thank you – that’s true, not the best idea to leave it lying around like that! 🙂
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Great job of deciphering the code. Real spy thriller feeling.
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Thank you
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What kind of contract, I wonder? Nothing legal, if he’s being paid this way!
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Definitely dodgy! 🙂
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People who “fulfil contracts” without asking why always give me the chills…
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Anything where it’s better not to ask any questions should always start alarm bells ringing!
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A clever mini spy story, I want to know, what happens next ?
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That’s for another time! Thank you 🙂
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It’s a brave person that mucks about in that cemetery! Nice one Iain.
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Certainly this week it is, there seems to be a lot of assassins and spies hanging around!
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You have to be cold-hearted to do this type of job… Shudder!
Well done, sir!
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Certainly not for those with a conscience. Thanks Dale
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now, that’s he’s a real professional for you. 🙂
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Some people are just meant for certain career choices 🙂
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You’ve got to respect a professional. Nice read Iain!
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Thank you Russell
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Fabulous spy snippet. What is the money for I wonder. You’ve got me hooked.
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Thanks Laurie 🙂
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Super, Kelly
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Thank you Neel
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I like how you used the period of the book, and added the mystery.
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Thank you James
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Well done! I don’t suppose he ever asks why when fulfilling a contract
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It’s better not to in his line of work 😉
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Nicely decoded. I am promoting you to the rank of master code breaker.
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In reality of course, I’m terrible at breaking codes and riddles!
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For the sake of his contract, I hope the money is still there. Eyes seem to be everywhere these days and I seem to remember reading Highgate Cemetery is in a rather rough part of the city. A good, well-written story, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne. I’ve never been, but a rough part of the city would fit my story well.
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Fun stuff!
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Thanks Dawn
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Love your take on it. Suspenseful. Guess I need my glasses, I thought it said Maxx, not Marx.
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Ha, thank you 🙂
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Perhaps he might find that the target is someone who will change his life? loved the way you used secret codes in the story. I wanted to, but failed to develop it. Nicely done, Iain.
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Thank you so much
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I think he will tempted to take it all for himself… and he will end up with a pianowire round his neck
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A common end in this line of work!
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Hi Iain – Lovely. I also wanted to connect to let you know I’ll be taking an extended blogging break. Not sure if and when I’ll be back (you can read more on my latest blog post.) if you’d like to reach me, email is best at weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com. Would be nice to stay in touch.
Blessings – all the best with your writing,
Debbie
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All the best for your NYC adventure Debbie – I hope it gives you everything you are looking for! Do keep in touch – in just over a week my new novel is released and I would love to hear what you think of it. All the best, Iain
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Great start to a fuller tale. get it written I’m intrigued!
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On it!
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A well-scripted vignette. You left me intrigued.
Isadora 😎
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Thank you 🙂
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