WATCHER-REPORT: ANDRZEJ STANIEK REPORT#357
France is in shock over the death of Mitchell Ward. Newspapers and broadcasters have been buzzing since the story broke, and the usual talking heads have been rolled out to eulogise over him. His charity work gained him renown across the world, and the fact that he made Normandy his main personal residence endeared him greatly the local populace.
The Police have no clear idea as to the motive or to the killer. A robbery gone wrong was dismissed out of hand as nothing was taken. Information being allowed out is limited, although they have confirmed that Ward suffered serious injuries, consistent with torture and execution. Nothing further has been released to the media. That has been grist to the rumour-mill however.
The most likely option is a mafia hit. A terrorist attack is possible but unlikely. Journalists have dismissed that theory on the basis that if it was, why not attack the whole party? Terrorism works on mass impact. Why bother to cover their tracks by setting the room alight? Other less believable theories being circulated suggest that Ward was the victim of some bizarre cult killing, members of which somehow infiltrated the party.
Meanwhile the Police are concentrating their efforts on questioning the partygoers in their search for the hitman. Suspicion has fallen on one hapless individual at the party. It seems that Ward had sex with the wife of one of the guests during the party, something she later confessed to. Her husband has been suggested as a possible culprit. In my opinion that is extremely unlikely. Ward picked on the vulnerable, and the man in question is too timid to be capable of this.
They're wasting their time. This bears all the hallmarks of Staniek. This is his handiwork, the diversion, and the execution, everything down to the fire which has no obvious cause. Our agents in the police confirm that there were no traces of an ignition source, although they confirmed the presence of an accelerant, possibly alcohol, around the bodies.
A Mafia hit is the most likely motive. Staniek was in France three days before the killing, and there are other indicators. Before leaving the US he met someone in the back of a limo. For obvious reasons I could not get too close, but with hindsight I can only assume that it was a capo. Ward's connections were somewhat questionable to say the least. Allegations that his charities laundered money have circulated periodically, although nothing was ever proven. Watcher HQ Europe managed to obtain a copy of the autopsy. Ward suffered severe trauma, probably gunshot wounds to both hands. I don't think it is too great a leap of imagination to say that he had a terminal case of sticky fingers.
The fire in the bedroom is easier to explain – a Quickening. Yvette Bousier, Ward's maid and lover, was listed in our files as being a suspected pre-Immortal. I can only assume that Staniek activated her Immortality before taking her head. Her remains showed some evidence of major trauma unrelated to the fire or her decapitation. A colleague has informed me that a close friend of Yvette, an Immortal by the name of Jean-Marc DuBois, is so incensed at her death that he has sworn to find her killer and avenge her. If I were he I would leave well enough alone.
One can't help but admire Staniek's prowess, the whole thing smells of class and professionalism. The way he killed the generator and entered the house unnoticed in the confusion, sending the guards off on a wild goose chase. Brilliant, simply brilliant. This guy fully deserves the title Bushi-He truly is the ultimate warrior.
Staniek has gone to ground since the hit, although he is booked on a flight to Lisbon in three days time, under the alias Jens Moller. I leave for Lisbon tonight, the better to prepare for his arrival. The city has a small resident population of Immortals, none of whom we have ever recorded as having interaction with Staniek. Is he lying low, or head-hunting? Expect my next report from Lisbon within seven days when I have information to share.
Marc Showler