The Plot

by Sharon A. Austin

While writing his own how-to book on gardening, Leland Gardner learned there are many superstitions and omens associated with plants. To ensure prosperity while setting himself apart from other florists he invents a machine that turns natural ingredients into an extraordinary green liquid fertilizer. When a mouse falls into the machine the formula is dramatically transformed. In order to recreate this magical product that guarantees maximum growth potential along with brilliant flowers he’d have to add two more ingredients. Blood and bones. But how and where would he get them?



If he lets her get away with it she’ll keep thinking she can do this. He grew angry and frustrated as he searched his pockets for the receipt. Leland Gardner, normally a shy and quiet little man, lagged behind the rest of the departing moviegoers still fuming about being overcharged for his food and drink at the concession stand earlier by a teenage girl more interested in flirting with boys than in accurately ringing up his order. Or were the casual flirtations simply a clever ruse to divert everyone’s attention while she pocketed some of his money? Whatever the reason for her poor behavior, the whole ordeal ruined his once a month movie day at the Hummer Bird Theater. By the time he reached the lobby he changed his mind about confronting her; two waiting lines had formed at the concession stand. He smacked a hand against the glass exit door and shoved it open. Staggered out into the blinding Saturday afternoon sunshine. Shielding his eyes, he scanned the crowded parking lot for his old station wagon.

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2015

About the author

Sharon A. Austin writes stories with a crime at its core. Aspiring screenwriter. Avid cyclist. Loves being on the water, the great outdoors, and antique and classic cars.

Sharon is the author of three novels in the Hellfire mystery series--SMOKE ON THE WATER, FIRE FLICKS, ASHES OF VENGEANCE: interwoven tales of love, mystery, murder, and arson.

Featuring Sheriff Josh Wolfe of the Hellfire Trilogy, KILLING SUMMER, a stand-alone mystery novel, is a gritty tale where one partner in crime concocts a plan to extricate himself from murder.

In SERIAL QUILLER a crime writer embarks on a killing spree, by means of voodoo magic, and uses details of the murders to maintain her best-seller status with an episodic thriller series. (Bad Mojo series)