In my experience, those who beg for mercy seldom deserve it

That's the first line. 
Write the rest of the story and enter Alibi's new crime fiction competition.
Length: between 2,500 - 5,000 words long
Prize:Three finalists will win tickets to Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate (with travel and accommodation included), where they'll get to the chance to rub shoulders with leading authors and agents of the crime writing world. The winner will be announced during the weekend and will win a Sony e-reader, a library of 100 crime books including a signed Stuart MacBride back catalogue and they'll also see their story turned into a special online, downloadable e-edition by HarperCollins. 
Deadline: May 16th 2010
Click on the title of this post and you will be directed to alibi's website

Crime fiction is about the restoration of order

                                                      -- P.D. James