Lord Richard's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Lord Richard carried the first crate of files through the doorway of his new headquarters. Dust motes swirled in the afternoon light. The empty rooms echoed with his footsteps. He set the crate down in what would become his evidence room. This building would hide his work from prying eyes. Here, he could study crime patterns without his family's interference. He walked through each room, planning where everything would go. The investigation started now. By evening, he had arranged his desk near the tall windows. The files lay open before him, revealing addresses and dates. He needed more than stolen reports though. He needed to see criminals in action. The rougher establishments downtown would show him how these networks operated. He grabbed his coat and headed out. Within an hour, he found what he needed—a building where drinks flowed and dangerous men gathered. He watched from across the street as they traded secrets and coins. This observation point would teach him their patterns. The next morning, Richard built a cabinet in the corner of his evidence room. The elegant woodwork matched the building's style, but its purpose was different. Inside, he would lock away every piece of evidence he collected. Confiscated items, stolen goods, documents from crime scenes—all would stay secure here. He tested the lock twice, then placed his first items inside: a merchant's ledger and a forged shipping receipt. His investigation had its foundation now. A headquarters to work from. A place to observe criminals. A system to track evidence. The real work of dismantling organized crime could begin.