The Woman in Brown

By Marisa Fife

An original short story by author Marisa Fife.

 

Action, adventure, suspense, and a touch of romance.

It's 1938, and Betty Morelli is on the run from her abusive husband. When she reaches out to her old flame Harvey Cooper for help, she has no idea what dangers await them on the road. Undeterred by obstacles, she is determined to get out of harm's way and bring her husband to justice. But she may realize too late that trying to escape a man with underworld ties could be a grave mistake.

 

 

This story contains some violence, traumatic situations, and mature themes.

It may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader and listener discretion is advised.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marisa Fife
• Release date: Apr 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201073718

Book preview

The Woman in Brown

THE WOMAN IN BROWN

A SHORT STORY

MARISA FIFE

Night Light Press

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

The Woman in Brown

About the Author

Copyright © 2022 Marisa Fife

All rights reserved.

Visit the author’s website at www.marisafife.com.

---

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. To request permissions, please contact us.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, companies, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.

---

Cover design by Marisa Fife.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This story was woven with many helping hands. Special thanks and appreciation to my writing critique group. Thanks also to all the editors, readers, family, fellow writers, and friends who read this story, listened to my ideas, and helped me bring it into being. Special thanks to Linda, Kate, Alain, and Otis, who reminded me to eat, sleep, go outside, and take breaks.

For Dorothy

1938

---

The Midnight Ride was one of the oldest taverns in Boston. It was the type of place that lured tourists looking to marinate in the city’s colonial past as they chowed down on fish and chips. It was also a good spot to meet someone you hadn’t seen in a while. There were plenty of witnesses and lots of exits, just in case.

Coop studied the tavern’s patrons as Gershwin’s Summertime flowed through the air, sung by a sultry-voiced beauty by the piano. The band was hot tonight, making bodies sway in the smoky room. A painting of Paul Revere hung over the fireplace, his laughing eyes seeming to approve of what the rebels had done to the colonies.

A familiar, lovely face turned in Coop’s direction. The look of pleasure when she saw him hit Coop like a sucker punch to the gut. He pushed past the crush at the bar and slid into her booth. The young woman studied him with her dark brown eyes, cigarette trembling in her elegant fingers. He set his battered hat on the seat, suddenly unsure what to say after all this time. He hesitated, then gave her a nod.

Betty.

As he stared, the delicate jaw tensed, her pink lips pulling down in a frown. She crushed her Lucky Strike into the onyx ashtray on the table between them. He could tell she’d been looking for a warmer greeting, as if