210 Words - Part 5

Last time, our shady protagonist and his associate interrogate the suspicious Waffle House waitress and learn that she was a witness to the diamond heist. After she describes the thief and his unknown assailant to Officer Burgh, Jack recognizes him as the classy gentleman named Daniel Charleston, an improbable suspect. Our story continues as the duo investigate. 

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"My apologies, but Mr. Charleston isn't here." The cashier of Charleston's Apparel for the Sophisticated Man is speaking to Lem and Pepper Jack.

"When'll he be back?" asks the inspector gruffly.

"I don't know. He went home complaining of a injury or something."

"Could you tell us where he lives?" Jack is now positive that Daniel is guilty, but the cashier eyes him warily, not wanting to endanger his employer, "It could be a life or death situation," Pepper exaggerates.

After some authoritative persuasion and a short car ride, the pair arrive at the bachelor's front steps. When knocking on the door at various intensities fails to acquire a response, the two enter the mansion uninvited.

"You look upstairs, I'll check downstairs," commands Jack quietly.

As Lem creeps cautiously through the eerily unlit upstairs hallway, he hears a floor board creak several doors down. He freezes, heart pounding, then stalks quietly to said door. Upon entering, Lem finds himself in a shadowy unfinished room. Piles of boxes lie everywhere. Unbeknownst to Burgh, a dark figure in a trench coat and cowboy hat watches him from the rafters. Lem walks carefully across the room and around a pile of boxes. On the floor is the hulking, blooded body of Daniel Charleston.