photo prompt © J Hardy Carroll
It was a disaster waiting to happen, During the renovations flamable paints were left lying around in amongst debris that needed only a spark to set it alight. The fire had smouldered before igniting the experts decreed. A preventable accident. Someone had to be held responsible. Politicians, architects, builders and the work foremen were all questioned. Money passed hands. New evidence showed it was arson. Probably the mafia. More money passed hands and the prosecutor’s family threatened before the mafia was cleared. The charred remains of a cat were found. No-one was to blame. A clear cut case of spontaneous combustion.
Thank you for hosting Friday Fictioneers Rochelle and thank you to J Hardy Carroll for the photo prompt.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
I smell something suspicious.
DJ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Char grilled pussy perhaps or pollies in a stew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate it when cats do that!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes it is most annoying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Irene,
You can’t trust animals. I can’t help but think of Mrs. O’Leary’s cow who set off the great Chicago fire. 😉 Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hadn’t heard of Mrs O’Leary’s cow and you sent me on an educational journey. I have now seen a most interesting youtube by Brian Wilson and know about the 1871 fire in Chicago. Don’t you love blogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world was ever so
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely.
LikeLike
Oh, poor kitty! Nice story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, black magic is so much more likely than mafia arson.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Poor cat, an innocent victim and then has the whole thing pinned on it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Crooked logs make straight fires and end in cat astrophe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor kitty was a fire starter (like in Stephen King’s novel).
My wife had the garage painted recently. On Friday, they’d put on an oil-based coat that smelled to high heaven. Good thing the painters are diligent about removing any hazards (except to my breathing).
LikeLiked by 1 person
They sound like good workmen and I guess the mafia isn’t too interested in you garage. Watch out for cats though….
LikeLiked by 1 person
When enough money changes hands, the cat is always left holding the bag. Great story, Irene, very clever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sharon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The purrrrfect alibi. Meow!
Click to read my FriFic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. More like Meowll.
LikeLike
Enough money is banded about and the problem mysteriously goes away. Nicely told Irene
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lynn. True in most societies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, yes – money talks loudest
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha – they let the cat out of the bag?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or the bag caught fire first when pussy ignited.
LikeLike
What a great take on the prompt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Penny
LikeLike
This is so well written that I find myself angry at all the evil people involved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. I’m sorry I made you angry but glad that my writing moved your emotions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The truth is an ever-changing scenario, depending on the artist. Good one.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Sandra
LikeLike
The living pin the blame on the dead to wash their hands off. Nicely done, Irene. Now we know what might be the reason for all those forest fires – spontaneously combusting animals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha.
LikeLike
You’re a cynic, Irene, but probably wise to be one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The way of society (or those in power at least.)
LikeLike
Something stinketh in the ashes
LikeLike
Hee hee. You are impussibly clever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you D. Haha
LikeLike
I’m still thinking the mafia is behind this catastrophe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess the pollies were all for the catalyst reaction as they wanted to abdicate their own responsibility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
AS they are wont to do, leaving the cat holding the bag.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor pussy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cat must’ve used up her eight other lives! I’m watching my own cat more closely now 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL I’m sure it is a rarity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The vagaries of law and the hoodwinking of justice. No wonder she is blindfolded!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Money talks. Expert opinion can be found that suits the buyer.
LikeLike
Yep. It’s sad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny how that all works out…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we have to round everything off so we are all satisfied.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
In the end… the money wins
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always.
LikeLike
Hi Irene, so much cynicism in these stories – which I completely agree with. I like all the possible ‘explanations’.
LikeLike
Thanks Rachel. Sadly I think money talks and protects and as in your story others are unseen and hurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Money talks and protects’ – a good characterisation there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, but it wan’t an accident at all. My husband was a fireman for 5 years and he said that they never caught an arsonist but when he was in high school, two shady guys came to the gas station where he was working and bought 5 gallons of gas in a container in the afternoon. Within five minutes, the dilapidated chicken house was on fire and the fire trucks were on the way. No evidence of mischief was found and no solid evidence, so the insurance was paid out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Sounds like self combusting chooks to me.
LikeLike
Sounds like New York City, ha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is cities and countries world wide. Money talks, cats burn.
LikeLike