With Security Audit finished, I turned my attention to the second story for my patrons, a mystery. When I sat down to create the prompts for all three stories, I originally wanted to go down one direction, but after the alteration of Security Audit’s ending, I revisited the first prompt I had for this mystery. So instead of an unconnected tale, I chose to highlight the tail end of Kyle Rickman’s investigation. While I could have detailed the entire process, I bypassed the actual investigation, which would have been a little dry, and focus on an interaction with the primary suspect.
So find a comfortable chair and settle down as we witness Kyle confront the individual, which all the evidence suggests has stolen the painting.
After a rigorous investigation into the theft of his client’s Monet, Kyle and the police have sifted through the evidence and obtained a warrant…
After several tense moments, the home’s entrance cracked open, letting the captive light spill out and bathe those gathered outside. With a curse, the man inside slammed the door. Fortunately, Kyle expected the reaction, so he stepped forward and wedged his foot into the door’s path. The investigator smiled as he gestured toward his companions. “While you don’t have to allow me in, Mr. Davis, the police have a warrant that you cannot ignore.”
Without pulling the door, he forcefully thrust his hand through the opening. “Let me see it.”
“Of course,” Kyle said as he shifted his body, giving a cop the opportunity to offer the man a folded piece of paper. “Could you please stop trying to crush my foot?”
“No,” the homeowner said as the pressure digging into Kyle’s toes increased.
“The paperwork is in order,” a nearby officer said. He stepped toward the opening, reached across the investigator’s chest, and tapped on the door. “It would be a shame if your refusal to cooperate resulted in your arrest.”
A harsh groan escaped the man’s lips as he backed away while motioning for Kyle and the cops to enter. “This seems like a fool’s errand, since you’re restricted to examining what’s in plain sight.”
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