Charles broke into a sweat when he saw the hat. Wide straw brim and distinctive Halloween motifs around the crown. A pumpkin, black cat, ghost and a witch.

‘Don’t you like it?’ Juliet looked crestfallen. ‘I bought it at a yard sale. I thought it would be perfect for our first Halloween together.’

‘I love it!’ Charles hugged her. Then frowned.

He pondered all afternoon. Surely it couldn’t be the same hat. Sally told him it was an exclusive design and the store took a photo for their Facebook page, but sales assistants probably tell all their customers the same. It was just a coincidence his gorgeous new girlfriend found a hat just like his ex-wife’s.

He resolved to put it out of his mind but it was impossible as Halloween approached and stores filled with reminders. Pumpkins, black cats, ghosts and witches. They haunted his days and sleepless nights.

Then Juliet told him she’d be going shopping in the city with her sister the following day. ‘I don’t want to spend a day without you, darling, but I haven’t seen Jenny for ages. You don’t mind, do you?’

‘Of course not!’

As soon as Juliet’s car disappeared down the street, Charles raced to his garden shed. He needed to be sure. Selecting a long-handled spade he dug furiously in the pumpkin patch. Three feet. Four feet…six. He’d buried Sally deep along with her clothes and credit card he’d used to buy a one-way ticket out of town, corroborating his story that she’d left him. And that hat. That awful, creepy hat.

He sweated profusely as the sun rose higher in the sky. His back ached but finally the spade clunked on the metal trunk. He cleared the soil from its lid, began to lift the latch, when…

‘Boo! Gotcha!’

He looked up. The sun glinting on the police badge blinded him for a moment but he recognised the voice.

‘Charles Richardson, I’m arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Sally Richardson. You do not have to…’

Another case solved by undercover detective Juliet Collins.

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    The characters portray a variety of emotions during the story which allows the suspense to build up during the second half to culminate in a wonderful surprise ending. Very well written and easy to read. We do love a good mystery, especially with a female detective!! Go, Juliet!

    Mary Wallace
    Mary Wallace(@mary-wallace)
    2 years ago

    Fun story Sandra.

    musing mind
    musing mind(@musing-mind)
    2 years ago

    Wow! What a wonderful story. Loved reading it. Didn’t guess the outcome at all.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Interesting story Sandra. You get that inkling all the way through that he’d been up to no good. Certainly dedication to duty to have to be the girlfriend of a suspected murderer.

    Alan Kemister
    Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
    2 years ago

    Hmmm, I fear your undercover cop will face some issues related to entrapment and illegal searches, but it was a great story. I really enjoyed it.

    Genya Johnson
    Genya Johnson(@genya-johnson)
    2 years ago

    This kept me guessing right to the end. A really good read. I never saw that ending coming.

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Ha, ha – I thought he had buried his hat with her, and was going to be horrified to find it missing, caught out again. I love it when the writer leads you down the wrong path. Well written Sandra.

    Inderjeet Deusi
    Inderjeet Deusi(@inderjeet-deusi)
    2 years ago

    I enjoyed reading this story and was not expecting the ending.

    Leena Auckel
    Leena Auckel(@leena-auckel)
    2 years ago

    A perfect suspense thriller!

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    You built up the base of your story very well, Sandra. As a reader I was quickly drawn into the intriguing situation, wondering what the connection was and how it would be resolved. Good job!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Wow  ? . You perfectly made it. It is very easy to read and understand. You draw different emotions to me while reading your story. You led me to feel surprise in a very amazing ending.

    Katerina Bizirtsaki
    Katerina Bizirtsaki(@katerina-bizirtsaki)
    2 years ago

    What an interesting story you’ve written, Sandra! I didn’t expect such a turn of events.

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