Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. Vol. 135, Nos. 3 & 4. Whole Nos. 823 & 824, March/April 2010

Femme Fatale by E.Shaun Russell

Her footfalls glide against the hardwood floor—

Such tenderness amidst each graceful stride;

With sensual simplicity her guide,

She makes her way towards the open door

And delicately pauses to explore

The threshold of the lonely world outside.

She takes a breath and looks from side to side

Before she disappears forevermore.

Her mission was the customary case:

To introduce herself, then infiltrate—

Seduce him, gain his trust and boost morale,

Then murder and depart without a trace,

A surreptitious instrument of fate:

The savage duty of a femme fatale.