"The Fugitive" by Mario Montani

Read the original Spanish version here.

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The Fugitive

by Mario Montani

translated by Mario Montani

I was called to solve the crime under very unusual circumstances. The victim, a prominent, middle-aged man, was found dead in the street, without clothes, practically naked. I had seen and touched his body. I had smelled the blood spilled on the floor. I had heard the comments. The city is in turmoil, which puts additional pressure on my investigation. I must inform law enforcement officials with some urgency, but there are details that still elude me. The murder weapon has not been found. The prime suspect in the death, an employee with access to the deceased's liquid assets, has disappeared, which, at first glance, seems to definitively incriminate him. The homes of his relatives and a few friends have been searched, but no one seems to have seen him recently, although it is possible that some of them are hiding him or know his whereabouts, so they have been interrogated and placed under discreet surveillance.

The other employees at the victim's various properties have been unable to detect anything missing, despite the fact that significant valuables had been brought in the previous day, so we have ruled out robbery as a possible motive. On the other hand, they claim that the fugitive had a gentle disposition and enjoyed the deceased's utmost trust. However, the gruesome manner in which he decided to kill him speaks of a lingering resentment or some irreconcilable difference, as well as an unexpected strength within him. There is also no plausible reason for the missing clothes.

According to the reconstruction of the moments prior to the incident, the deceased had been participating in a social or business meeting with colleagues until late at night and was returning home when he was intercepted by the attacker.

This is one of the strangest cases I have ever encountered. But tomorrow, in my report, I will be categorical regarding the fugitive's responsibility, and he must be apprehended promptly. His name is Zoram…

This piece was published in 2025 as part of the 14th Annual Lit Blitz by the Mormon Lit Lab. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.