Aiden’s new short story “The Picture of the Hot Air Balloon Race” (3400-word mystery/crime fiction) appeared in Close To The Bone.
Undercover detective Kate, using the alias Carolyn, infiltrates the world of serial killer artist Sophia and stumbles upon a chilling discovery in her apartment: a painting depicting Kate herself asleep in a hot air balloon. All previous subjects in Sophia’s art met their demise within three hours of being posted on Instagram. On the same day, Sophia shares this ominous painting on Instagram. Meanwhile, Kate enjoys a hot air balloon ride with her boyfriend Nick at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in St. Louis, while her boss Aaron tails Sophia to uncover her murderous method.