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charisstomaFB3X Drabble Cascade #41 - Christmas
Title: The Trees of Blackwood (Murder mystery, Wizards’ World, PG)
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 500
Prompt: Christmas
Meridae gave me this link to a singing Christmas Tree Here.
Ardnel shivered in horror looking across the room as the law enforcement people circled the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, the gaily blinking fairy lights blurring through his tears.
“So, your uncle arrived to put his presents under the tree today because he was going to be at his wife’s, your aunt’s, family gathering?”
Arnel nodded with a sniffle. “Yeah, he really wasn’t very enthusiastic about it but it was their turn, you know?”
The officer wrote his answer down in his report book muttering that, yeah he knew.
“And then what happened?”
“He’d brought over some cookies too and I left him to put them in the kitchen where the kids wouldn’t get them right away.”
“How long were you gone?”
“Only a few minutes,” Ardnel said plaintively. “I heard Uncle Sess shout and then I heard a kind of rustling and thumping. I thought maybe the tree had fallen over of something.”
“And when you entered the room …”
“It was like it is now.”
“Can you point out which of the pres..” The officer cut off with a shout followed by other shouts and calls for an ambulance over phones.
One of the investigative team was pulled over to a chair where pressure was being applied to some deep gashes. Luckily, Ardnel thought, the man was huge.
The tree was tipped to the side, the decorations somewhat askew and some of the garland dangled down towards the floor.
Obviously shaken the interrogating officer remarked, “Good thing that stand is heavy. It would have gotten Malone otherwise.”
Tearfully Ardnel said, “It’s a family heirloom. Heavy to prevent the tree falling over when kids or pets get at it.”
The officer snorted. “Riiiiight.”
“You say you cut down the tree on Wednesday?”
Ardnel took his hand away from his mouth, “Yes. We went out and chopped it down right after we both got out of work. It was our turn to host and our first Christmas together. Some of the extended family haven’t met Dallyn yet.” Glancing at the clock, “He should be home soon.”
“He normally home about this time?” The officer also glanced at the clock and then at his watch.
Faintly, “He’s a little late but he had something to pick up, he said.” Ardnel’s eyes flew to the tree, “You don’t think…” His voice died away.
“Where did you go to cut down the tree?”
Sniffling Ardnel said, “I don’t know. Dallyn heard about this place at his work. Said one of the guys he’s competing with for an account suggested it. We went east on Blackwood Hwy., I think.”
The officer groaned. “So you’ve kept the tree watered, did you add anything to that water? Anything like protein powder.”
“No. You’re supposed to do that?”
“Blackwood trees, when you cut off their roots from the soil, things like this happen. Why don’t you call your husband and ask who suggested that place.”
Shakily dialing the number resulted in a faint ringing from inside the tree.
There's more HERE in Part 2
Meridae protested that the tree ate Dallyn.
Title: The Trees of Blackwood (Murder mystery, Wizards’ World, PG)
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 500
Prompt: Christmas
Meridae gave me this link to a singing Christmas Tree Here.
Ardnel shivered in horror looking across the room as the law enforcement people circled the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, the gaily blinking fairy lights blurring through his tears.
“So, your uncle arrived to put his presents under the tree today because he was going to be at his wife’s, your aunt’s, family gathering?”
Arnel nodded with a sniffle. “Yeah, he really wasn’t very enthusiastic about it but it was their turn, you know?”
The officer wrote his answer down in his report book muttering that, yeah he knew.
“And then what happened?”
“He’d brought over some cookies too and I left him to put them in the kitchen where the kids wouldn’t get them right away.”
“How long were you gone?”
“Only a few minutes,” Ardnel said plaintively. “I heard Uncle Sess shout and then I heard a kind of rustling and thumping. I thought maybe the tree had fallen over of something.”
“And when you entered the room …”
“It was like it is now.”
“Can you point out which of the pres..” The officer cut off with a shout followed by other shouts and calls for an ambulance over phones.
One of the investigative team was pulled over to a chair where pressure was being applied to some deep gashes. Luckily, Ardnel thought, the man was huge.
The tree was tipped to the side, the decorations somewhat askew and some of the garland dangled down towards the floor.
Obviously shaken the interrogating officer remarked, “Good thing that stand is heavy. It would have gotten Malone otherwise.”
Tearfully Ardnel said, “It’s a family heirloom. Heavy to prevent the tree falling over when kids or pets get at it.”
The officer snorted. “Riiiiight.”
“You say you cut down the tree on Wednesday?”
Ardnel took his hand away from his mouth, “Yes. We went out and chopped it down right after we both got out of work. It was our turn to host and our first Christmas together. Some of the extended family haven’t met Dallyn yet.” Glancing at the clock, “He should be home soon.”
“He normally home about this time?” The officer also glanced at the clock and then at his watch.
Faintly, “He’s a little late but he had something to pick up, he said.” Ardnel’s eyes flew to the tree, “You don’t think…” His voice died away.
“Where did you go to cut down the tree?”
Sniffling Ardnel said, “I don’t know. Dallyn heard about this place at his work. Said one of the guys he’s competing with for an account suggested it. We went east on Blackwood Hwy., I think.”
The officer groaned. “So you’ve kept the tree watered, did you add anything to that water? Anything like protein powder.”
“No. You’re supposed to do that?”
“Blackwood trees, when you cut off their roots from the soil, things like this happen. Why don’t you call your husband and ask who suggested that place.”
Shakily dialing the number resulted in a faint ringing from inside the tree.
There's more HERE in Part 2
Meridae protested that the tree ate Dallyn.
