Investigator's Report
In the course of my investigation into the theft at the Vyukhalh Counting-House, I discovered a number of concerning truths. These revelations, and the conclusions that must be drawn from them, are of grave concern to the city of Lansk.
The following is an account of the robbery, based upon diverse accounts given by witnesses.
The robbery, termed a βrightful seizureβ by the thieves, was carried out at the Vyukhalh Counting-House three days ago. A wagon loaded with explosive material placed against the building's exterior was set alight, causing the device within to detonate. This brought down a sizeable portion of the Counting-House's wall, allowing ingress to the vault within; additionally, two passersby were killed by the detonation and a handful of others were wounded. A gang of four thieves rushed to enter the vault, while three others rushed the door of the building and assaulted the guards, who were recovering from the shock of the explosion. While the guards were thus occupied, the thieves within seized as much currency as they could carry, along with assorted valuables, and cast incendiary devices upon the rest. All four thieves made good their escape, pausing atop the rubble to declare their act a βrighteous seizure of funds, for the cause of agitation!β. Two of their confederates engaged in assaulting the guards likewise escaped, while the third was wounded grievously by a truncheon-blow and died shortly thereafter. While fleeing the site of their crime, the gang were heard to shout agitationist slogans, reported as βwe strike this blow for agitation!β, βSolidarity with the Nomadeersβ, βThe Popular Executive lives!β, and βMutiny!β. Due to the disorienting nature of the explosion upon the senses of the witnesses I suspect it reasonable to doubt that all of these were uttered in the process of escaping, though the general impression of the statements may be considered as accurate.
These are the facts of the case as generally understood, and as reported in the press.
In the course of my investigation, I have uncovered the following additional facts:
The thief slain at the Counting-House was identified as Keryen Afall, of The Bolt district. This individual was known to me personally, and to several other bailiffs. Afall was a known member of the Rubble tendency, militantly opposed to agitation. During the recent insurrection his brother was killed, allegedly at the hands of LPE enforcers. His place of work was also destroyed, depriving him of his steady and prosperous employment as a printer's assistant and causing him to rely on casual labour, for which his temperament was ill-suited.
Informants among the city's few remaining agitationist cells professed zero knowledge of this action; when questioned under significant inducement, none seemed to be aware of the theft's planning or operational detail.
According to our understanding, the few agitationists remaining in Lansk lack the ability or equipment to carry out actions on this scale, and since the insurrection have taken pains to avoid unnecessary deaths of groundsfolk. I consulted with the security office of the Valdjin Company, the operators of the Counting-House, and their understanding of the agitationists' current standing agrees with ours.
The Rubble tendency are likewise unlikely to have access to the materials required to carry out this act, being primarily engaged in street violence and counter-agitationist disruption.
The conclusions that must be drawn from this are:
This theft was most likely not the work of agitationists.
The action was carried out by at least one person affiliated with the Rubble tendency.
It is probable that it was carried out with assistance of a third party; the only actors capable of supplying these means are a Trading Company; either the Valdjini attempting some complex scheme or a rival company attempting a covert blow against Valdjini interests.
My investigation will continue.
Bailiff Ebraxh te Masvin, Lansk, report to Chief Bailiff. Found filed among Chief Bailiff's personal papers, not alongside ongoing investigations.
