Short story: Calm in the midst of the storm

In the small coastal town of Torre del Mar, where the waves of the sea caress the golden sand, a mystery was unleashed that enveloped its inhabitants in a veil of disquiet. The discovery of a corpse, apparently of a man whose identity remains in the shadows, has altered the tranquility that used to reign in this tourist spot.

It was a group of young night owls who, on a Wednesday night, stumbled upon the macabre discovery. The body lay in an uncomfortable position, its clothes torn by the weather and the salty sea air. The shocked and fearful youths did not hesitate to alert the local authorities. The corpse, like an unsolved enigma, became the focus of community attention.

The police, in their call for calm, urged residents to trust the investigative process. In spite of the visitor season, the city had to maintain its reputation as a quiet and safe place. The authorities promised to clarify the origin of the disturbing event. Any evidence or suspicions were to be reported to 911 or the nearest police station. Maria Castillo, the local TV reporter, reported the discovery with professionalism, although her gaze reflected the concern shared by all.

However, in an office hidden behind closed doors, two men analyzed the news with unperturbed faces. Concern seeped into their eyes, but their words were cold and calculated.

-It's been two days since the discovery," one of them commented. Investigations have begun, and that could affect our business.

-Risks are always present," replied the other. These things tend to happen.

-Should I keep calm? -asked the first, with a note of anxiety.

-As the "authorities" say, yes, but remember that I have contacts within those agencies. If I give the order, they can stop any investigation or manipulate the results.

-I hope so. If everyone finds out, we'll all go down, including you.

-Don't worry. The migrant business is lucrative for everyone involved. Even the businessmen, with their petty profits at the expense of the workers, will benefit.

-We cannot allow this to happen again.

-For the next boat, we have given instructions to improve security measures. Anyone who gets upset in the middle of the voyage will not only be eliminated, but a chain will be tied around his neck along with two cement blocks. The body will then be lowered into the depths of the sea. It will also be burned to make it unrecognizable, but it will also serve as a warning to others. We don't want riots in the middle of the journey.

-Let's let some time pass. The waters will calm down, and people will forget what happened. It's tourist season; there's no hurry.

-So it will be.

The two shook hands, sealing their pact. One withdrew, while the other was left to ponder the business and the plan. However, his attention was diverted when the phone rang. It was his wife, reminding him of their daughter's birthday. "I'll stop by the house in a little while," she said. "I'll buy a present first and then go straight home." "See you." "Bye." The man hung up, and his mind wandered back to the dark secrets he shared with his partner.

Source of the images.

Image created with Starryai.