Extraordinary Circumstances 8: The Man in the Shadows

By Stephen B5 Jones

Everyone knows the Academia is not a safe place after dark. Few people know why. There is something dangerous, something people only talk about in whispers. Hanich tells the story of what Mr. Scrimm does when an impossible murder happens in the rail yard, and Hanich finds an impossible explanation. Episode 8 out of 11 of Extraordinary Circumstances.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen B5 Jones
• Release date: Aug 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370518890

Stephen B5 Jones

Husband, Father, Philosopher, Bus Driver, Writer. Missionary.. but that's just today. I grew up in the U.S. southwest. I've been writing, sometimes coherently, since Jr. High. That was a long time ago.

Book preview

Extraordinary Circumstances

Episode Eight: The Man in the Shadows

Stephen B5 Jones

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 by Stephen Jones.

All rights reserved.

Inquiry

From Dust

The Opposite of Blind

Evening Meal

The Conversation

To Catch a Shadow

Previously:

Hanich, is the apprentice to a gentleman named Mr. Scrimm. Mr. Scrimm is the proprietor of the Kitchen. The Kitchen offers comfort to those in extraordinary situations in a neighborhood called the Academia, which is an epicenter of unusual events. Some of those in such situations are patient, and ill-deserving of such unusual maladies, others, deserving or not, have taken a darker turn.

Inquiry

The room was small and plain. The walls were whitewashed, the table was washed out woodgrain. There were four chairs which were all occupied. There were three windows, high up. They gave light to the room but did not offer anything in the way of a view.

This is an inquiry into the events of March eighth through March tenth, The magistrate said. Today we interview the young man Hanich Argus. He is stationed as an apprentice to Mr. Alster Scrimm, at a soup kitchen which is called the Kitchen. He is accompanied by an employee of Societal Services by the name of Ellie Meno who is here to protect the interests of the young man.

We would like to remind the young man, on the record, that at this time no charges have been brought to bear. This inquiry is part of the investigation process. Let it also be a matter of record that Mr. Argus is not a person of interest in this investigation, rather the young man is a witness to certain events during these three days, and is known for his ability to give particular attention to details. Do you understand all of this Mr. Argus?

Of course I do sir, the young man said. I’m all too glad to help, but my name is Hanich, most people call me ‘Itch’.

While we recognize that the young man is customarily addressed in a non-formal manner, the magistrate said. Such would not serve the purposes of this inquiry.

Fair enough, Hanich said.

"How