The Thief's Tale (1.6) by Lee Murray

Author:Lee Murray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, suspense, mystery, short stories, supernatural, dark fantasy, weird fiction, refugees, refugees are humans
Publisher: Lee Murray

REFUGE. Yesterday afternoon, the dismembered body of Mr H. James Potaka was discovered in a dumpster behind The Blue Frog Tavern after police received a tip from an anonymous caller. Friends of the dead man are shocked at the brutality of the attack.

“It’s an outrage, isn’t it?” claimed one man who didn’t wish to be named. “Yes, Potaka was ambitious and outspoken, but whoever did this cut his nose off. Sliced it right off his face. No one deserves that,” he said.

A recent arrival in Refuge, Mr Potaka had applied for a licence to run a gentleman’s club, an application which was rejected at the last meeting of Council. It is widely known that Mr Potaka was bitter about the decision, posting numerous rants on social media, as well as in a letter to the editor published by this paper, a letter which Mayor Emeritas has described as ‘vociferous.’ The mayor, who has financial interests in Refuge’s Recreation Club, known locally as The Temple of Bes, described the attack on Mr Potaka as ‘unfortunate’, prompting speculation from Mr Potaka’s supporters.

“The Council’s rejection created a monopoly situation, didn’t it?” said our informant, who urged police to examine who might profit from Mr Potaka’s death. “Well, it’s suspicious, isn’t it?” he said.

“A preposterous allegation,” the mayor stated, from his Refuge office. “As mayor, my interests are fully declared. The Temple… the Recreation Club provides a valuable social network for Refuge’s business people. It’s a sanctuary for our hardworking entrepreneurs, a place to unwind after the events of the day. And as for restraining competition, quite the opposite: I welcome it. There’s nothing more compelling for sharpening a business plan than the existence of a credible competitor. I had no reason to wish any ill on the man. In fact, if you search the records, I think you’ll find the rejection of Mr Potaka’s application was due to a lack of compliance of his premises.”

On learning of the tragedy, Mr Potaka’s wife suffered a collapse and has been transferred to Refuge Asylum for treatment. Meanwhile, Mr Potaka’s business partner could not be found for comment. Police are calling for anyone who knows of Mr Mervin Phillips’ whereabouts to contact Detective Inspector Marie Carter at the Refuge Constabulary.

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