The Arena Casino Atrium Lounge windows on the 20th floor shone like the sun, a star at night. They illuminated Lincoln Point’s suburbia like a lighthouse. The glow was warming and cool, reassuring and came with the cost of enormous grief and hardship along the way.
Malcolm and Leo had eyes on the prize tonight, it wasn’t a friendly eye, but one of armed robbery and murder should it be required. Leo’s family and Michael’s crew were ready and all were loyal.
Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Peter Thomas sat reading some old case files while researching today’s murder in Lincoln Point’s seedier side at Gloryville. These disastrous events were 5 years ago. Peter scanned the list of participants and remembered the major players.
Malcolm – 34, was a man with no grace at all. He was gruff, impatient with enough OCD traits to ensure everything went smoothly. He would react in a heartbeat with a vicious outcome.
Leo – 32, was a man of asian background, that far back in his family tree he’d not bothered to trace too much at all. He did manage to take advantage of his looks when it suited him and deny his roots when that did.
Ruth – 28, was Leo’s long suffering girlfriend. A retired stripper from the Luna Lounge. She was the owner of the best breasts in Lincoln Point, awarded to them in numerous online competitions. She and they kept in shape. Shapes that Leo liked.
Robert – 30, was an idiot. A loyal violent idiot. A man that could win fights with 10 men at once, all while being an idiot. Michael was God according to Robert. Michael treated him well, after all he was an idiot.
Mark – 27, was a friend of Ruth’s from the stripper world, although Mark had a certain bulge the clients were surprised to find when the time came. They still came though. Mark was as tough as the lot of them combined, bar Ruth, Mark was the best looking in the bunch.
Gloryville
“DCI Thomas?” … asked a timid voice from the doorway. “Can I come in?”
“Sure thing Marianne, what’s happening?”
“Forensic have an outcome from the Gloryville Murder. They claim it’s Malcolm Smith’s DNA at the scene and they found skin traces under her fingernails with a semen sample in her underwear.
“Well that’s fucking great, I’m catching up with the 2017 robbery at the Arena Casino just now. Amazing coincidence. Get my car please Marianne.”
DCI Thomas was well aware that Malcolm had been declared dead at the scene of the robbery 5 years ago. His DNA at Gloryville could be explained in any number of ways. Dropped there, family ties close enough to confuse the tests, he’s alive or there has been a major fuck up in the lab. Peter would work though all considerations and hopefully sought out the murder and the DNA mystery. Maybe even catch those that got away in 2017.
Preparation
The plan for the Arena was 2 years in the making. Leo came to Malcolm and between them realised the detail, the numbers required and the possible outcomes. The job was to be called The New Tattoo. Describing detail was coded with a range of seemingly silly language that those listening could never understand. In fact the silly language process was changed every week and the chatter was kept to face to face as much as possible.
Vehicles were purchased, sold and bought back again to confuse any trail. The accoutrements required for The New Tattoo same. Weapons were imported via a drug route known only to Malcolm’s family. The crew was recruited through well worn and trusted referrals. Thankfully not many were needed outside of family and the pre-existing crew.
The Arena Casino was 2 years old in 2017 and had exceeded all expectations for turn over, acceptance by the local community and the unexpected relaxation of security measures. Whales were brought in by the plane load and the Arena was earning a reputation for gamblers of all sized pockets. Of course the State Government appreciated the turn over and subsequent tax earnings. Many a hospital and school benefited from the loss of those brave enough to risk their house, family inheritance, kids futures and in some cases, their life. The 12 Island Company Pty Ltd could be well pleased with their decision to build a casino in the seaside backwater that is Lincoln Point. continued …
