The Goodbye Kiss . . . by Paul D. Brazill of Harbinger*33

A TORCH SONG? Oh yes, how could a thriller to me from He ~ the inimitably charming (and to some disarming) (but never harming), Paul David Brazill, be otherwise?

Splendid Ladies

and Dashing Gents

*** NOW PLAYING ***
*** AT THE BIJOU ***

The Goodbye Kiss
~ by the scintillating mind of Paul D. Brazill

The Salutation Bar was stiflingly hot and cluttered with the usual hodge-podge of misfits, waifs and strays. Walter sat at a table by the window watching the streamers of steam rise from his muddy coffee. Beside him, a gangling scarecrow of a man slurped his beer with all the enthusiasm of an ex-con in a bordello. Each sip was like a leaky tap drip, drip, dripping throughout a sleepless night.

Outside, the cloak of darkness had draped itself over the city, and the moon bit into the sky like a fang. The night was suddenly filled with the crackle of exploding fireworks as Lena oozed into the bar like mercury. She stood before Walter and a chill of recognition sliced through him. She nodded and he stood.

The next day a church bell echoed through the granite autumn morning as Walter lay slumped against a gravestone. On his forehead, a smear of lipstick and a perfect bloody circle were all that remained of Lena’s goodbye kiss.

The End
(c) Paul D. Brazill . . . 2009

Paul Brazill was born in Hartlepool, England and lives in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He has absolutely nothing to do with the shooting of Liberty Valance, nor the monkey purported to be hung in the renown of his town. He can be found stalking though (of course), @ http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com

To me, aboard the Harbinger*33, Paul is a cool character marked by sharp intellect, quick satirical wit and the sparkle of a rather knowing eye over two glasses in mid*clink*, on the starboard side or at any tempting tavern. The first time I wrote noir, back in ol'6*City, he came jauntily forward from the shadows, a mentor of sorts. Mon Dieu, my life, from that point in time and tiempo has decidedly and delightfullly ne'er been quite the same. Some of his talented writing chums have become Thrillers & Chillers of my own, and many more I Mythica'lly anticipate to meet.

Billowing thanks to you Paul . . . with always a kiss of *hello*. Honoured we all are that your talents are aboard Harbinger*33, sailing to its publishing journey of manifesting destinies.

~ Na zdrowie, with FairWinds, Favourable Seas
~ Absolutely*Kate and readers about to delight in you the more