He does, but he wants full sentences. There are a few key words that set him off entirely, but if you don't want to interact with him at all, you don't have to. You'll have have slightly altered dialogue later on if you find certain things.
want some hints for the questions think about things you know. Example: things in the surrounding area, methods of death, things inside the mansion. Just word in it a sentance, can be short like 'is there a ____?'