IAIN KELLY

ROGUE AGENT

My wrists were tied to a wooden bar. The door closed and I was alone.

A switch clicked and light flooded the room and spilled through the fabric of the sack over my head.

‘Hello?’

A hand pulled the sack away and I looked into his face.

‘So you found me,’ he said. ‘What should I do with you now, old friend?’

‘Talk to me.’

‘Why should I talk to you?’

‘I can offer you a way back.’

‘Why would I want to go back?’

‘The alternative is I kill you.’

He laughed. ‘You don’t seem to be in a position to promise that.’

He was right. He was always right.


Copyright Sandra Crook

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more detailsย 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 weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

We lost one of the giants of modern literature this week, and a writer I simply adored. John le Carre was the master of the spy novel, but also one of the greatest writers of the last century full stop. This is my own little tribute to him. Thanks for the stories.


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49 responses to “ROGUE AGENT”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    A lovely tribute, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  2. Mister Bump UK Avatar

    I feel it is a shame that anybody goes at the moment, especially when their last several months enduring lockdown. It seems a waste for all that effort to be for nothing. But then I wonder how long I will keep saying that? And, after a while, it wears thin.
    /he was a very intelligent writer, I thought. I liked him, not so much for his writing because I’ve read very little, but in his real-life interviews, he seemed quite switched on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks. Yes, as well as being a great writer he was a great interviewee and speaker, and intelligent on any number of subjects.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. justjoyfulness Avatar

    Did feel like Le Carre. He better be a great negotiator ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much. Yes, he’s in a bit of a tight spot!

      Like

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    You left me wanting more. Apt and well written tribute.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle.

      Like

  5. Sandra Avatar

    A very fitting tribute, Iain. I was sorry to hear the news.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra, another sad moment in this year of depressing doom.

      Like

  6. Tannille Avatar

    Makes me wonder about the back story. A fantastic take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Susan Eames Avatar

    Well, hat’s off to him for his bravado!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If nothing else, bravado it out!

      Like

  8. AshleyDannie Avatar
    AshleyDannie

    Great story! I want to know what happens!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Ashley ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  9. notestowomen Avatar

    Great story and tribute, Iain. I’m sure le Carre would have been very impressed ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It would be nice to think so!!

      Like

  10. ceayr Avatar

    Excellent piece, Iain.
    I recently read A Legacy of Spies and the old master had lost none of his deviousness!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks CE. If you get a chance, his last book ‘Agent Running in the Field’ is also a perfect dissection of the madness of Brexit, and even writing at 88 year sold, he had lost none of his intelligence or knowledge.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. granonine Avatar

    I, too, loved leCarre, and sensed his style in your story this week. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’ll take that compliment! Thanks Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Very much in the great man’s style. A bit of a ‘what happened next’ teaser!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith, a nice compliment!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. liz young Avatar

    Offering to bring him in from the cold? Clever tribute.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Liz

      Like

  14. msjadeli Avatar

    Sorry to hear one of your favorite authors passed on. I can see why there was no happily ever after in your story ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He did not have many happy ever after endings to his novels!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        Isn’t he the author who wrote “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”? I’ve seen movie adaptations of his work (Obi-Wan as George Smiley) and enjoyed their intricacies.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        That’s the one, and one of his best books, among plenty of others.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. oldentimes Avatar
  16. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    I’m not familiar with John le Carrรฉ’s work, but you captured the spy genre well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      If you ever do fancy a new author, he’s definitely worth your time.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Nobbinmaug Avatar

        Always. I’ll have to look into him.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. oneta hayes Avatar

    I’m not familiar with the situation, but by other’s comments, you must have hit a homerun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Oneta

      Like

  18. plaridel Avatar

    just like the great writer would have written. a fitting tribute. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Michael Humphris Avatar
    Michael Humphris

    So many great writers have gone. I wonder if they are still writing. perhaps in a totally different style/genre…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Who knows? Thanks Michael.

      Like

  20. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Well done Iain, a lovely tribute.
    A sad loss indeed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie. Such a shame ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

      Like

  21. draliman Avatar

    Talking him round does seem to be his only option at this point.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let’s hope he’s a smooth talker!

      Liked by 1 person

  22. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Fascinating story even before I knew it was a tribute to LeCarre. I love how the last sentence captures the fact that this spy may in fact be on the verge of breaking. Well told Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much Anne ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Gripping story line, leaves me wanting more. A skilful tribute to Le Carre.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks so much ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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