In the central conference hall of his building, Mayor Tyrone Corrigan sat at the head of a broad, polished marble table, his paunchy belly pressed against the edge while he slouched over. His black hair had mild streaks and flairs of grey, and thin eyeglasses over his aging eyes. Alongside both ends of the table sat twelve of his colleagues. The forty-seven-year-old mayor sat rigidly with hands over his chunky jowls. “Okay, what exactly happened out there today?”

“Sir, Niko Sandori assaulted me. It’s pretty clear he did in fact steal money from that establishment. There’s a laundry list of charges against him right now. He said he earned the money, but the manager claimed he never even worked there. Someone’s story isn’t adding up.”

“Officer, how do you know the money was stolen?” a woman said.

“Only evidence I have is the restaurant owner’s testimony.”

“What’s the name of this restaurant?” Corrigan asked.

“It’s called the Arugian Oasis Tavern. The owner seemed very cagey when I questioned him. There’s not much else to go on.”

“What else did he tell you?” Corrigan asked.

“Not much else.” He took out his notepad. “It’s being operated by three Arugian men; Gino Jirani, Dhuvari Shigoh, and Iamo Norasi.”

“What?” said the mayor in surprise.

“Sir?”

Corrigan twisted the golden ring on his left finger. “Those three individuals are employees in this very building.”

Deafening silence befell the boardroom. Corrigan forced himself up from his leather chair and walked around the table. “Ms. Tommins?”

“Yes sir?”

“Please retrieve the files of the three aforementioned men.”

“Right away,” replied the secretary as she hurried from the conference room.

“Officer?”

“Yes, Mayor?”

“Go back to the restaurant and bring those men here. I have some serious questions for them.”

“Immediately, sir.”

The mayor stared out of a large window overlooking the city, his dark brown eyes tensed.

“Sir, what actions do you propose we take next?” one man said.

“As far as this matter’s concerned, leave it to the police for now. Once Mr. Jirani is brought here, we’ll have our answers.”

“Don’t you think it’s strange the way things have been out there the last few years?” another woman asked. “I mean, what about the incidents that happened a few years back: the crime, the rioting? Now we have three Higonji men responsible for this underhanded behavior?”

“I don’t disagree, Barbara. The incidents in that part of town have bothered me for years. All that time spent building that place up, it only takes a few bad people to dismantle it all. Well, this kind of sedition isn’t going unpunished anymore.”

Outside, the officers bustled down the streets, searching for the underground galleria. As they hurried among the crowds, they passed a mysterious hooded person tending a nearby merchant’s cart.

“Excuse me, you there?” the first officer said.

“Yes?” the woman replied.

“Can we ask you a few questions?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Officer Kirk Ebson, Senigot Police.” He showed her his badge. “First, I need you to remove your hood, ma’am. Sorry to disturb you.” He looked over the shoddy cart. “Perhaps you could help us with something?”

She stepped down from her stoop and approached them, leaning against the cart. “Depends. How about you take some of this merchandise off my hands? It’s pretty tough out here.”

“Um, perhaps another time. Listen, since you live here in Higonji, have you heard of a man named Gino Jirani?”

Her thin eyebrows furrowed. “Yes, what’s this about?”

“We received word that he’s been involved in some unsavory behavior,” he said sardonically.

“And you want to see what I know.”

“Miss, please bear with us. Would you mind showing us your ID?” She rummaged in her cart while the officers carefully watched her. “Alia…Tengura? Is that right? How do you know Mr. Jirani?”

“He works for my father.”

“Really?” Ebson said curiously.

“Yes.”

He snapped a finger to one of his men. “Jobs, take notes. Miss Tengura, would you mind answering a few more questions?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“You do, of course you could face litigation for withholding information from the authorities. We don’t intend to arrest you, we just want to obtain as much information about this man as possible. Right now you seem to be the only person we can talk to.”

“This could be a conflict of interest,” the third officer said. “She seems to have past relations with these men.”

“Yeah, I do. Like I said, he’s one of my dad’s bodyguards. He’s a minister from my home country.”

“You getting this?” Ebson said to Officer Jobs. “Negashi? Where is that exactly?”

“It’s a country in Aruga,” Alia said.

“You’re Arugian, then. So how come you’re not quite as, eh—?”

“You mean why am I not as dark as the others?”

Ebson cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you.”

“Nice police work.”

“Miss Tengura…” He nervously watched her pace alongside the cart.

“Let’s just say Aruga’s a big place. We’re not all the same. Just like your gun there, it’s not as big as your buddy’s, but it’s still a gun, right? Just smaller.”

“Miss Tengura, please try to stay with me,” Ebson said, becoming flustered.

“He’s got the gun, but she’s got the bullets, if ya get me,” the other officer whispered to Jobs.

“Gentlemen…what else, Miss Tengura?”

“I was born in a religion that believes in arranged marriages. My dad and I fought for months about it, so I ran away. I should’ve known he’d do this—always has to be in control!”

“You didn’t want to be forced into an arranged marriage so you sought to make your own life, but three men have followed you. Do they intend to force you back to Aruga?”

“I’m sure of it. Wait, there’s three of them?”

“That’s right,” Jobs said. “Seems he’s got two others with him, Duy Shigoh and Iamo Norasi.”

Alia turned back slightly, her eyes tracing along the ground.

“Something wrong? Miss Tengura? You know them too?” Ebson asked.

“Uh, I vaguely remember Shigoh, but not the third guy.”

“How long have you lived here now?”

“Three years.”

“And where’s home for ya?”

Alia’s hands rested on her hips, her fingers tapping anxiously.

“Some locals from a nearby restaurant took me in for a while. I live in their apartment a few blocks from here,” she replied while glancing over at Jobs, who busily scribbled on his pad.

“I see,” Ebson said.

“Anything else I can do for you guys, maybe ask pointless questions about your personal lives?”

“Alright, this just took an unexpected turn. Jobs, have you got the information we need?”

“Yes sir.”

“Jobs, you stay here with Miss Tengura. Keep her safe in case those men come looking for her. Officer Calvin, take this dictation to the mayor. He’ll know what to do next.”

Officer Calvin saluted his colleagues and returned to his vehicle.

“Alright, Jobs, I’ll track down Mr. Jirani. Keep an eye on Miss Tengura.”

Ebson ran down the opposite end of the street further into Higonji and left Officer Jobs behind with the girl. Amid some passing citizens, Alia shuffled down the sidewalk, using the street lamps as cover.

“Alright, Miss Tengura, you and I are going to—damn it, she took off!”

Jobs erratically searched the crowded street corner. Alia hid behind a parked car along the street and waited for the disgruntled officer to take off down the sidewalk. She ran over to the cart and stuffed the gemstones and valuable items into a small sack around her waist, then ran in the opposite direction.

Ebson found himself at one of the entrances to the galleria, where inside were different stores on either end of the walkway. Eventually he came to the restaurant at the last end cap within its area. He approached the slightly cracked neon door sign and peered through one of the side windows, his eyes combing along the exotic Arugian photographs adorning the walls. “Looks pretty empty.” As Ebson walked inside the empty establishment, a pleasant melody chimed and Mr. Jirani appeared from the kitchen dressed in his culinary attire, hand-drying a large plate.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to…ah, Officer, how can I help you?”

“Are you Gino Jirani?” questioned Officer Ebson.

“Yes, what is the problem?”

“There are a number of problems, Mr. Jirani. I’d like to ask you a few questions about Niko Sandori. He claims you gave him the money to work here. Mayor Corrigan wants to speak with you. Seeing as how you work for him, he’s very displeased right now.”

“Officer, it is true! Niko broke in…frightened my customers! He robbed me!”

“Sir, there’s a lot more that you’re not telling us,” Ebson said while adjusting the radio on his shoulder. “Tell me, does the name Alia Tengura sound familiar?” The plate slipped from Mr. Jirani’s fingers and shattered on the floor. “Mr. Jirani, you are under arrest.” Ebson took out his handcuffs. “You’re going to explain yourself to the mayor.”

Mr. Jirani scowled. “It’s not quite that simple.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Mr. Jirani suddenly flung the damp dishrag at Ebson, then bolted forward and punched him. Officer Ebson reached for his gun as he shook the wet rag off, firing in Jirani’s direction. Amid the flying glass and wood shrapnel, Mr. Jirani swerved across the floor and kicked Ebson’s shins, then grabbed a serving tray and struck him over the head. Mr. Shigoh and Mr. Norasi jumped from behind the partition and dragged the officer towards by the arms.

“All of you are under arrest!” shouted Officer Ebson.

The three men laughed. “You are in no position to give orders,” Mr. Jirani said. “You tell the mayor we resign. If you come after us, then we go after him!”

“You won’t threaten the Mayor of Senigot!” Ebson’s foot bashed into Mr. Jirani’s genitals, then squeezed his arms inward, causing Mr. Norasi and Mr. Shigoh to knock heads. Ebson grabbed his gun. “You’re all going to the mayor!”

“You’ll see him in hell first,” Mr. Jirani said, drawing a small dagger from his pocket.

“Drop the weapon. I will shoot!”

Mr. Jirani threw the dagger, piercing Ebson's arm. Ebson dropped the gun, spattering it with blood.

“Ah, don’t you want to retrieve your weapon? I am unarmed,” Mr. Jirani said with a wide-eyed grin.

“You want to apprehend us, no?” Mr. Shigoh said.

Ebson’s eyes briefly focused on the trio of eerily composed men. “Alright, Officer Jobs, come get ‘em!”

As the men turned away, Ebson dove for his firearm and shot Mr. Norasi’s chest, knocking him against the wall. Mr. Jirani hurled his dagger, lodging it in Ebson's skull. Ebson’s frozen body sagged onto the floor, limbs grossly contorted while blood trickled down his head. Mr. Jirani knelt down and placed his shaky hand over Mr. Norasi’s shoulder. Mr. Norasi’s fingers clasped his chest, unfurling as his arm dropped beside him. Mr. Jirani’s head sank as he dragged himself back up, his lips gripped shut. “Look at what Niko has done.” He slammed his fist into a nearby table. “All we had to do was bring her back, not become pawns!”

A few bystanders grouped outside the restaurant after the alarming gunshot rattled in the building. He and Mr. Shigoh hunched behind the divider between the host area and the bar, peering out the window.

“Anyone in there? Can you hear us? What’s happening?” a man said.

“Damn it to hell, we have to leave. Duy, pack our things.”

“What about you?”

“I will handle them.”

Mr. Jirani sidled behind the bar while the men intruded on the scene.

“The officer’s wounded. Quick, call an ambulance,” said one of the men.

“What the hell happened in here?” the second man said. He then met eyes with Mr. Jirani. “Hey, you there, did you see what happened here? Are you responsible for this?”

Mr. Jirani quietly grabbed a bottle of liquor and held it behind his back. “This man here was resisting arrest,” he said, gesturing at Norasi’s body while calmly approaching the two men. “We tried to force him to go peacefully, but he attacked me and this officer.”

“So what happened? There’s two wounded people here. We need paramedics.”

“Yes, I agree. Do it. Here, you can use my phone,” Mr. Jirani said, reaching around his backside.

“Well where is it?”

Mr. Jirani whacked the man upside the head with the liquor bottle, then jerked his arm and slugged him in the nose, his body tumbling over one of the tables and landing alongside Mr. Norasi’s body. Mr. Jirani dusted off his hands and adjusted his vest. “Hmm, tell police whatever you want. They’ll never find us.”

Mr. Shigoh eventually returned from the kitchen with their satchels. “What do we do now, Gino?”

“Nothing we can do here. We’re leaving for Gundul Island. If Niko and Alia are together they’ll be there. They will pay dearly for what they’ve done. Come Duy, we must use the back entrance.”

Mr. Shigoh followed Mr. Jirani towards the exit at the back of the kitchen leading to the small loading area. Outside in the garbage pickup area near a pair of large dumpsters, a small stairwell led to the upper level to the street. A metal fence surrounded the garbage area’s perimeter.

“Come, let’s get moving. We mustn’t draw attention,” Mr. Jirani whispered.

Mr. Shigoh hefted the bag over his rotund body and followed. Eventually the refugees blended in among the crowds of civilians, leaving the grisly site behind them.