CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN – ALMOST HAD THEM

As the night wore on, they observed the man closely. He seemed ordinary enough - middle-aged, unremarkable features, nursing his pint slowly. But there was something about the way his eyes constantly scanned the room that set Charlotte on edge. Suddenly, there was a crash from the kitchen. Charlotte whirled around to see a tray of glasses shattered on the floor, a flustered server apologizing profusely. When she turned back, the man was gone. "Damn it," she muttered. "Tony, did you see where he went?" Tony shook his head. "Slipped out while we were distracted by the mess. Clever bugger." Charlotte felt frustration bubbling up inside her. They'd been so close, and yet once again, their suspect had managed to evade them. Later that night, after the last customer had left and they'd cleaned up yet another 'accident', Charlotte, Linda, and Tony gathered around a table, exhaustion etched on their faces. "So, what did you find out?" Charlotte asked Linda. Linda shrugged helplessly. "N