Gorodskoy Park in the sunshine. Not the most beautiful park. More concrete than greenery, but well-maintained. A series of paths connected by roundabouts. Along the wider walkways, freshly painted green benches, shaded by overhanging wispy branches.
So what was I doing in this nondescript park in the middle of Minsk? Well, that is a longer story than can be told here. Suffice to say I was waiting for a woman, and it was a life or death situation. Hers, not mine. Isn’t it always?
Surveillance cameras – theirs and ours – were focused on me. Directional mics waited with baited breath. My only hope was that she changed her mind and decided not to show.
Ten past. She was late. Maybe I had got away with it. Then the heel clicks approach. I sigh inwardly. Oh well, another lamb to the slaughter.
I put on my best welcoming Western smile.
Linking up with the prompt at What Pegman Saw. The task is to write a story in 150 words or less based on the destination that Pegman is visiting. This week’s destination is Minsk in Belarus. Flicking through images around the prompt on Google maps, I couldn’t resist when I noticed a lone person sitting in an empty park in the sunshine.
You can read other stories based on the prompt HERE.
To find out more about my novels and buy the books, follow the links below:
A JUSTIFIED STATE: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA
STATE OF DENIAL: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA
Cracking opening to a Cold War thriller, Iain. Though I can’t help wondering – I’m sure your intention – if there hasn’t been something between your operative and the lady he’s waiting for? Or perhaps he’s just George Smiley-jaded? Great atmosphere whichever.
And btw I love your cover art on State of War – all your covers have been very professional looking. Did you get help with the design?
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Isn’t there always something between the agent and the femme fatale? 😉 Thanks for praising the book cover. The designs are all my own work, with free to use images from Google. I usually do them on the days when the writing creative juices aren’t there, a nice distraction. This last one I finished before the actual first draft of the novel, but I’m getting there now!
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That’s what femme fatales are for, of course 😀. You did a very impressive job on the covers – showed my other half (arty/media sort) and he was very impressed too. Good luck with the last book and with them all
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Thanks Lynn – stay tuned for news on the last one, I hope to have it done before summer arrives!
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I saw that was your plan – brilliant news, Iain. Hope sales are going well
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Sounds like the beginning of a great spy novel!
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Thank you, I do love the spy story genre.
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Cool LeCarre type of opening. I like the breezy style.
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Just finished his latest book, he still has it at 88. One of the very best writers in any genre.
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Agreed
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O.K.!!! I want to more. Very well done. Love (?), espionage, perhaps murder? Thank you! very well done.
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Thank you Alicia – one day I’m going to write that spy novel…
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I hope the woman he’s waiting for turns the tables on him. He’s complacent. He deserves to get taken down!
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Harsh Penny, you’re taking no prisoners! 😉
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That brings a gulp.
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What will happen next?
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