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The Foundation Files

09.23.2025

The Foundation Files: Oil Over Water

The Foundation Files: Oil Over Water
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The Foundation Files

Oil Over Water

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

It was good to run into you the other night. It’s been far too long! As promised, following up on our chat, and thanks for offering to send someone to help out. I completely understand that you’re too swamped to be here yourself.

Just to get you some details on paper. In Dunwich we have two unidentified bodies, heads missing. They have long gashes on the torso which we’re assuming have been caused by edged weapons, but don’t ask me what kind. The doc here says they could almost be claw marks, but they’re much too big. The weirdest thing: the bodies were found outside of town, tangled up in the high branches of a tree.

It looks like they’ve been branded with some kind of symbol. Again, don’t ask me of what. I’m going with “branded,” but the marks also look like scars, or maybe even birthmarks.

If all that wasn’t enough, people have been reporting hearing the sounds of giant wings. I kid you not.

Told you this was one for the books.

Any help you can give us will be most appreciated.

My love to Julie and the kids.

Sincerely,

Paul

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

It was good to run into you the other night. As promised, I’m following up on our chat, and thanks for offering to send someone to help out.

Turns out things weren’t quite as dire as I had thought. The wounds were confirmed to be caused by knives. Turns out there’s a moonshine operation spitting distance from where the bodies were found, so we’re turning our eyes that way.

Sorry I got the wind up. Looks like we don’t need the extra help, but thanks all the same.

Love to Julie and the kids.

Sincerely,

Paul

Bureau of Investigation
Desk of Agent Mark Eburn

Dear Paul,

I’m glad things are turning out to be more straightforward than you’d initially thought.

Let me know how things turn out.

My best to Carol.

Sincerely,

Mark

Bureau of Investigation
Desk of Agent Mark Eburn

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the details. I’m sending out just the man for this. So you know, he tends to keep to himself, so don’t be surprised or offended if he doesn’t check in much, or at all.

My best to Carol.

Sincerely,

Mark

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

I’m glad you warned me about your guy. At least, I assume it’s him who’s come to town and been spotted at the crime scene. He really isn’t the social type, is he? I haven’t even managed to catch up with him. Some townsfolk at the diner said they thought they caught his name as Doxbury? Doxburied? C.G. Dox-something. Wouldn’t say what C.G. stood for.

This him?

Are you sure he doesn’t want to liaise more officially with us? He hasn’t even come by the station to examine the bodies.

I don’t mind telling you it’s all a bit weird, but if he’s as good as you say he is.

Sorry. Was interrupted. Turns out he must have been here, because the bodies are gone. This is a bit more than rude, Mark. What the hell is going on?

Paul

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

Turns out it was the moonshine gang after all. Taking out some rivals and trying to put a scare on people. They even went as far as flapping heavy tarp in the night so folks would think they heard wings, to scare them off. Stirring up imaginations.

Anyway, we rounded them up, and I think we can put a bow on the whole thing. Thought you’d like to know!

Sincerely,

Paul

Bureau of Investigation
Desk of Agent Mark Eburn

Dear Paul,

That’s great! So glad it came together so tidily. I wish that was always the case.

Catch you again some time!

Sincerely,

Mark

Bureau of Investigation
Desk of Agent Mark Eburn

Dear Paul,

Yes, that’s our man. I apologize for his methods, but there are reasons for them. I wish I could get into them, but I can’t. I know – I hope – you understand. Trust your old friend in this.

What I can tell you is this: thanks to you, we have a solid lead on a smuggling gang that has its fingers in some dangerous and profitable pies. But they’re just the tip of the iceberg.

We’ll take it from here, but I don’t think you’ll be having any more trouble.

Oh, and those sounds of wings? A hoax. Heavy tarp being flapped.

So, I guess that’s that. Sorry if it was all a bit unorthodox, but at least that’s another case wrapped.

Sincerely,

Mark

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

Understood. You won’t hear anything more from me about this. Word to the wise and all that.

Thanks for everything.

Sincerely,

Paul

Aylesbury Police Dept.
Desk of Sheriff Paul Strayer

Dear Mark,

Yeah, they should all be so simple! But hey, chalk up a win for us local cops!

Take care, see you when I see you. Always good to have a friend to lean on.

Sincerely,

Paul

by David Annandale

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