Flash Fiction by James G. Piatt

An Erroneous Conclusion

He noticed a cigar stub in an ashtray when he entered the living room.  His anger flared, and he threw the ashtray against the wall.

His wife ran into the room.  "What happened, Dan?"

"I saw the cigar stub, damn it, who is he?"

"Who is who?  That was a stupid question.  There is no he, I . . . "

She never had the chance to explain anything; a knife went deep into her breast.

The telephone rang.  He grabbed it.

"Is Mrs. Long there?"

"No, why?  Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Harvey at the tobacco store.  Her favorite Cuban cigars just arrived.  She asked me to call her when they arrived.  It's funny how many women love cigars now, don't you think?"

James G. Piatt earned his BS and MA from California State Polytechnic University, and his doctorate from BYU.  His Science Fiction novel, "The Ideal Society," was published in 2012.  His dark thriller, "The Monk," was published in May of 2013.  His third novel, "The Nostradamus Conspiracy," will be released in 2015.  He has also had 34 short stories, and 7 essays published.  His books can be found on Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.