James Pyles's Blog, page 166
February 13, 2018
The Überlingen Collision Affair
2 July 2002 – London “Are you out of your fucking mind?” MI6 operative Ian Dennis could hear himself asking that question in his mind over and over again. How the hell was he supposed to find the courier’s briefcase amid the widely scattered wreckage of the Tupolev passenger jet? The horrendous mid-air collision with […]
The Ganesh Chaturthi Affair
“This is fabulous, Ian. You’ve been to Ganesh Chaturthi here in Kolkata before?” Ian Dennis could barely hear his assigned companion Victoria Craft over the celebratory yelling, music, singing, and chants as different representations of the elephant-headed god Ganesha appeared before them. “Yes, Victoria. Over the years, the job takes you all kinds of places.” […]
February 12, 2018
Transience
Kimbra was singing in her heart as she executed a series of flawless pirouettes. “We’re going to get married!” She never thought Sebastian would ask her given the circumstances, and knowing he was a traditionalist, she was determined not to ask him. But he did, he did, he did and she was walking on air […]
Tell Them Daddy’s Gone To Bed
“Yes sir, this is the Parks residence. No sir, he can’t come to the phone right now.” “Betty, who are you talking to on the telephone?” Lillie Parks was home alone with her two little daughters and especially when her husband Arthur was out, he was very protective of the children. “Says it’s the police, […]
February 11, 2018
The Other Side
This had to be a dream because it had that totally unreal feeling about it. He was walking down a corridor with closed doors on either side, but the one he really wanted was the doorway straight ahead. He could see daylight coming from underneath. It was the way out. He also couldn’t help but […]
February 10, 2018
Notzrim
The group of men entering the synagogue at Terni caused murmuring among the Jewish men and not a few of the women. Everyone’s hearts sagged with news of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Holy Temple of Hashem by the Romans. These men had been there. They were refuges forced into the […]
February 9, 2018
The Signal
The lunar rock was about the size of a bowling ball and weighed almost eight kilos, one of the larger samples collected during the Apollo missions, but it had never been examined until now. Within weeks of it returning to Earth with the Apollo 17 crew on 19 December 1972, it had vanished from its […]
10AM
John had timed it all perfectly. Renee was at the front reception desk talking with Brian when the flowers were delivered. He watched through the large windows that showcased the lobby as the vase with a dozen long-stemmed red roses (a classic) were placed on her desk. He couldn’t tell what they were saying, but […]
February 8, 2018
The Unchosen
“I’m sorry Norman, but as long as you continue to sin, you are not welcome in this church.” Norman Walker had been attending First Church of the Baptism for over a year now. At first Pastor William “Billy” Hubbard was excited that someone in his twenties wanted to attend. Over half the current membership was […]
Love’s Blood
“…I met this girl…she ruined my philosophy…my heart skips a beat when she comes around” From “I’d Rather Have A Love” performed by Joe Writer(s): Derek Louis Allen, Gerald Isaac, Alvin Jerome Garrett Even knowing this is what her father wanted, what she wanted, Zachary wasn’t sure he could do it. He loved Deborah very […]
