Welcome to this great place!

Thanks, man! Also eff you 😂😂

Hello!

Horatio’s mind wandered again as he drove home.

The chief had refused to say more & seemed offended when Horatio offered a bribe.

Then when he offered more the convo turned into arguing how Kohl’s Cash isn’t the same as cash.

Of COURSE it’s the same…for the next 3 days.
#dsn

Horatio’s mind wandered again as he drove home.

The chief had refused to say more & seemed offended when Horatio offered a bribe.

Then when he offered more the convo turned into arguing how Kohl’s Cash isn’t the same as cash.

Of COURSE it’s the same…for the next 3 days.
#dsn

This information was a lot to take in at once, but on the other hand it was the right amount.

Something nefarious happened here tonight. Insidious.

“Arson,” the chief blurted.

Is he a mind reader? Or was I thinking out loud again?

“You were thinking out loud.”

Dammit.
#dsn

The chief gave him the side eye. “Nah, you should be fine. Unless you also heat up all your silverware in your toaster.”

“I do not.”

“And fill your kitchen outlets with lighter fluid.”

“Not lately.”

“And cut the gas line of your stove.”

“I…uh…wow all 3?”

“All 3.”
#dsn

“What happened here?”

“The house burned down,” the chief replied.

*sigh*

“That would explain the carcinogens in the air,” Horatio responded dryly.

The chief looked at him. “Who’re you?”

“A..concerned neighbor worried my house is next since we had the same electrician.”
#dsn

Horatio walked up to who he assumed was the chief. The man had distinguished gray hair, dressed better than the rest, and had a pot belly that implied if he tried the physical activities the other firefighters did - all of which looked straight out of a calendar - he’d die.
#dsn

Horatio got out of his car and walked up to a firefighter.

“What happened here?” he asked.

“A fire,” the firefighter responded.

As much as Horatio wanted to continue this mentally stimulating meeting of the minds, he felt he might get more clarity if he found the chief.
#dsn

Horatio’s eyes widened. The last time he saw this house it was more immaculate and way less a pile of ashes.

Firefighters walked to their respective fire trucks looking weary and exhausted.

What had happened here today?

Was this an accidental tragedy?

What had Stu done?
#dsn

Horatio drove out of the trailer park community, deep in his own thoughts.

Could the enigma named Stu just be a man overcompensating?

Snapping back to reality, Horatio realized he had mindlessly driven back to the house Stu previously entered.

It was burned to the ground.
#dsn

Horatio finally understood Stu.

Or so he thought.

For a brief time Horatio felt compassion for a man whose outward persona seemed to be an attempt to manifest a destiny greater than he was.

Something Horatio knew nothing about, of course, cuz he was born a winner at life.
#dsn

Yet again Horatio followed Stu as he drove across town.

As the sun came down Stu pulled into the Platinum Pines mobile home community and parked in a double wide that had a sign that read “CEO PARKING” hung above the parking spot awning.

Stu got out and entered his abode.
#dsn

A quick view of his nanny cam’s phone app - Leroy has hypervitaminosis D so he needs to check on him occasionally - relieved his mind that he did not, in fact, leave the oven on.

So now he had to wait.

And he did. And then more. And then more.

3 hours later Stu emerged.
#dsn

Why would Stu lie about where he was?

Horatio KNEW Stu was not to be trusted, but it’s a whole other story when gut knowing something turns into confirmed knowing.

So what was he hiding?
What was he about?
Did Horatio leave his stove on?

All questions demanded answers.
#dsn

“Oh hey, Horatio! How are you?” Stu replied. “How’s the girlfriend?”

Stu’s voice inflection indicated he knew Horatio lied.

Horatio cringed, “Anyways. I called to see if you wanted to get that coffee. Meet in an hour?”

“Darn it, I can’t. I’m at my dentist.”

Interesting.
#dsn