screengrab of photo by Paul Barlow courtesy google maps
He’d spared no expense: from the limousine ride, to the first-class direct flight, to the upper balcony suite on the Caribbean’s finest cruise line. Romantic gestures, to be sure, but it was one of those things she disapproved of—his want of frugality. He’d squander his inheritance in a few short years if he had his way about it. In her hands, however, those paltry millions of his could be doubled–no tripled–in as much time.
She smiled and squeezed his hand before getting up.
“Will four days be enough for a honeymoon?” he asked as she walked to edge of their balcony.
She rested her elbows on the railing and looked down. It had to be ten stories at least. From this distance, the ocean waves were barely more than orange peel. From this distance, a stumble—a scream—a splash, might never be heard.
“Four days will be plenty.”
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150 words
This has been an edition of What Pegman Saw, a location-based prompt inspired by Google Maps. To read more stories inspired by the prompt or to submit your own, click below:
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It’s been awhile since I’ve indulged in any literary spouse-killing, something which has probably been a relief to my reader(s). I was helpless to resist this one though, because for some reason, murder is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a cruise ship. You’ve been warned 😉
k. Rawson 
I was wondering how that Seven Seas luxury cruise brochure wound up in the bathroom. Maybe I need to change my will before we go?
Great story. Nice pacing.
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Don’t be silly, I wouldn’t book a cruise. We’re going to a remote fire tower in the Pacific Northwest, remember? 😉
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Nice turn! Very tight. Well rendered.
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Thanks Carl!
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Splashingly good.
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Josh, you are hilarious.
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He is 😉 Thanks for reading.
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Dear Karen,
What a conniving female. Paltry millions? Watch out, Josh! Oh wait! This is fiction, right? Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Alas, no millions, paltry or otherwise. We’re still waiting on those seven-figure advances for the Random House multi-book deal. Did you get yours yet? Starting to wonder if our checks got lost in the mail….
Thanks for reading Rochelle!
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Oh if only I’d been lucky enough to have been picked up by Random House. However, one of the advantages of small press has been being able to use my own artwork on the covers. However the advances were two digits. 😉
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She’s baaaaaaaaaaaaack.
You crafty devil.
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What a great way to bump off a spouse! A little slip into the sea, ages before anyone will notice them missing … Nicely done, Karen. And she’s right, such a shame to waste a few million like that 🙂 Great tale
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Gladly for my spouse, I wasn’t the originator of that idea. I must’ve watched one too many of those true crime shows! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Ha! Sounds a bit like an Agatha Christie plot – Murder on the QE2 🙂
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She’ll get caught. They always get caught (I hope).
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They do in all the Cold Case Files! Thanks for reading.
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Very taut story telling. I think i love her style. She deserves more.
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I think she’s going to get it! Thanks for reading Neel 🙂
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