I love to hold suspense in my stories with unexpected endings. I hope you enjoy this one.

A Perfect Plan                                  

The old theatre seats looked grey under their cloak of dust and debris.  George walked down the center aisle, motes of dust billowed and swirled over his shoes and neatly pressed pants. There were no echoes of laughter, music or projected voices of actors, just a silence of lost times.

George’s hand gripped the briefcase’s handle, his knuckles white and sweat making his hands, neck and back sticky. He understood it was a good meeting place for the recipient but for him it increased his fear.  He’d tried to bluff his way out, threaten police action and even pleaded but the blackmailer was insistent on the amount of money for his silence. The facts relayed were undisputable and George knew he needed to comply with the demand. If his secret was revealed he would lose his position as a high court judge and also the respect of his peers and community. He did not consider his immediate family, after all their presence gave him the respectability he required.

George tried to think how anyone could know about his particular weaknesses – he was always so careful, so precise in its execution. A footstep behind him, George froze to the spot. A sharp authoritative voice directed.

“Do not turn around, place the briefcase on the floor and continue walking.”

George bent at the knees slowly and laid the case on the floor. He felt his skin tighten, and took a deep breath. Now, or never.

Turning as quickly as possible, he twisted around and aimed the gun at the dark clothed figure behind him. Without hesitation he pulled the trigger – ozone, a flash of light and a familiar face illuminated for a brief moment.

“What the hell, Simon?”

The figure fell to the ground.  George fell to his knees beside his son. Blood oozed from his young man’s mouth, his eyes glazed.

“Oh, my God, what have I done?”

George frantically searched his pocket for his cell phone. Thundering footsteps filled the theatre.

“Drop the weapon, raise your hands and stand right where you are.”

Handcuffed George was led away. Simon smiled; the bullet proof vest and fake theatrical blood had done their job. Now, he and his mother were free of the ogre they had feared for so long.