Here is the final Jack Blackwood story. I was able to finish it early today. I'll have the whole collection in an ebook soon. I hope you all will like the ending to this four part short story Mystery series.
Who Really Is Jack? By P.C. Snider
As Joe Babcock investigates Jack’s apartment, he had noticed earlier that there were no credentials hanging up on the wall. He also noticed back at the crime scene that Jack never showed his Detective badge to the Officer he was talking to.
Joe had been hired by Randy the bartender–to find out the truth if Jack Blackwood really was a former Detective or not, as Randy had some suspicions, especially considering Jack was heavily drinking. After his divorce was finalized. But so far at least he has been able to stay sober for the time being. For the last three cases so far.
“How long were you a Detective for Jack?” Joe asked.
“About twenty years give or take.”
He replies as he sits down at his desk, and pours himself a coffee.
“Would you like a coffee?”
“Yeah sure. Thanks.” Joe said.
“Would you like a seat as well?”
“I’m good, I don’t think I’ll be long.”
“So I have been keeping an eye on you Jack.”
“You have?”
“Yep.”
“I don’t think you were ever really a Detective.”
“Oh really?”
“Yep.”
“I can prove it too!”
“How?” Jack said.
“Good news is, at least your name is the same.”
“But you never were a freelance Detective.”
Jack almost spills his coffee. He holds his hands on both sides of his head to give it a shake.
“The only job you ever had was a dishwasher at a place called Tony’s.”
“They were the only ones who would hire you.”
“I am thinking the shifts were so long, eight hours a day Monday to Friday. You had a lot of alone time to think of Mystery stories. You have done it for so long now. You convinced yourself that you were a former freelance Detective.”
“It can’t be true.” Jack was now gasping for air.
“Oh but it is.”
“Also I know for a fact that you had been in AA and Rehab for your drinking problem. Which could have also had an impact on why you thought you were a former freelance Detective.”
“Do I still work at Tony’s?” Jack asked.
“No, you are retired. Hard to believe from a job that pays so little.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to bring that bit of information to light for you. So you can hopefully move on from this former Detective persona.”
“Your friend Randy, really admires you, and wants to help you get back to normal.”
“Explain why you’re dressed like me. Please.” Jack said.
“That’s easy, I’m a regular at Tony’s.”
“Go on…” Jack said.
“I think you just saw me quite a few times, you liked my look.” Joe held in a bit of a chuckle at the thought.
“Yeah, I guess that would make sense.” Jack said.
“So between the long hours of working alone as a dishwasher, plus drinking, plus your own imagination. It all amplified this delusion that you were a former freelance Detective.”
“So basically what you’re saying is I don’t have to take any more cases.”
“Bingo again. My friend. I pronounce you Jack Blackwood, a free man.”
Jack's face lit up. No longer confused, or upset about the fact he was never a former freelance Detective to begin with.
“What do I do now?” Jack asked. As he looked on his wall of “solved” cases.
“Well I do suggest you give Tony a call. After I leave.” Joe hands him a business card of Tony’s. “You can verify if this information I have given you is true or made up.”
“I also suggest you continue your AA, and rehab meetings. They will help you.”
“One last thing. Mr. Blackwood…”
“Yeah Joe?”
“Please leave any more cases to the real detectives. I need work too.” He tipped his fedora to Jack.
“Will do, Joe.”
Joe the man with the broken-heart tattoo leaves, and quietly closes Jack’s apartment door.
“Will do.” Jack said to himself looking at Tony’s business card.
#
Jack picks up the phone, and dials Tony’s number.
“Tony here, all day breakfast is served, and lunch special today is chicken fingers, and fries.”
“Hey Tony, Jack here.”
“Hey Jack! Long time no call. How ya doing?”
“I’m alright, I guess.”
“Can I verify some information with ya?”
“Sure.”
“Was I ever a freelance Detective?”
“Not that I am aware of. But you were one hell of a dishwasher here. New guy not nearly as fast as you were. Barely can keep up.”
“Okay, thanks Tony, glad to hear that.”
“No problem Jack. take care buddy.”
“Will do.” Jack replied.
“Will do.”
He looked around at the solved cases on the wall and he lit one last cigarette. This will be the next bad habit to go. He thought to himself.
The End.
Copyright 01/17/2026
~P.C. Snider
