"And where would we most likely be able to find Kymeth and Onamae?"
The skulk still looks hesitant, but continues.
"They gave us the keys to this place. We were supposed to kill all the guards, see? We just needed it 'cause we needed more shiver. That's the only reason. But when we got here, we only found one guard. So we took care of him, and started looting the place. The others called me when they heard the lady coming back, and so I ran. But I fell down here before I could get out." He stops for a moment, like he forgot what he was going to say. He nods, and then continues. "Kymeth and Onamae? They come to us. They've left the tribe now, and work with the humans. I never seem 'em unless they have a job for us."
"How did you take care of the guard? Did any of you have a list or description of anything particular to steal? Or were you taking whatever? Tie your loot to the rope, so we can bring it up first.
Sense Motive
Azubah whispers to Durnim "Why would they hire others to rob the place if they had the keys? This story is full of holes, even if he does believe what he is saying"
"Who killed the owner?"
Durnim shrugs and whispers to Azubah. "I've heard of using disposable assets to compartmentalize operations.
Hmmm Azubah responds because he does not want to admit that he does not understand what the inquisitor said.
Dennie whispers to Durnim "Do you think this creature is a fall guy then?"
She shivered slightly feeling a bit more noir than she felt before. A sudden urge to discuss gunsels with a shamus swept over her. She fought if off. This dame was no frail. A broad brimmed hat or even a fedora would be cute though.
Durnim shrugs at Dennie and whispers. "It's possible. Let's also find out where he was supposed to bring the loot."
Talgil pulls the rope back up about a foot.
"Come now, you aren't going to talk your way out of this hole if you can't tell me everything. We had more than one murder last night and you're going to need to make sure you tell me everything if you want out.
Just how sincere is this mook? Denessrael wondered.
When Azubah sees ilKahn sharpening his sword he remembers the discomfort he felt on first meeting him. In order to take his mind off of the menacing brute he looks back at the skulk and waits for him to answer Talgil.
Gareth taps Durnim on the shoulder and whispers: "I'm thinking we want the Sheriff in on this. It'll save time if she gets the confession from this sorry sod's own lips, and less dubious than if she has to go by our word. Filthy mess, this. Drug peddlers, abusing their victims even more than normal, bah!"
Gareth spits to the side, his face briefly twisted into an ugly mask of contempt.
Durnim nods and whisper, "after we get our information."
"We took care of the guard...we killed him. And our instructions weren't to loot the place, but when there was only one guard, we tried to make the best of the changed situation. I don't know anything about any other murder," he adds as he reaches down and grabs a small sack, which he opens and shows you the contents—numerous gems that look quite valuable. "This is all that I took before I fell in here."
"You were 'just' to kill the guards?" Gareth repeats. "Then who was to do the looting?"
Durnim's eyebrows raise and replies to the skulk, "I'm confused. What exactly were your instructions? And where did you kill this guard?"
Agnes interrupts, trying to lend clarity despite not knowing the whole story herself.
"One of my guards, the one I sent back to watch the shop when the others came with me to look for my husband, was killed while we were away. His body was taken with my husband's to the temple to be prepared for burial."
The skulk looks ashamed at the mention of the killed guard, but continues.
"We weren't sent to do any looting—I'm not sure that anyone was supposed to. We expected four guards, and when we only found one, we started looting in hopes of making up for not ... taking care of them all. We just needed more of the shiver, I swear that's the only reason we did it. We needed more."
He starts to shake even more violently, and wraps his arms around himself to try to calm his body down.
"This poor sod needs a doctor, as well as a jail cell," Gareth harrumphs.
"Why don't we just let him go? IF we follow him, he likely will lead us straight back to his friends" whispers Dennie.
"He did murder a man," Gareth says. "'Sides, look at him. He's on death's door already. He needs a Cleric to clean out the poison before he shakes hisself to death."
"And he can blend into that wall. If he can conceal himself so well he might easily elude us once he is outside the pit."
Durnim listens and thinks. "Remove the four guards? That's it? You had no other instructions? I find that difficult to believe." He waits for the reply before continuing. He does not look at Agnes.
If he is telling the truth, then either the attack thought Agnes would be killed with her husband or would leave her alive and alone. It would also mean that the contents of the Locked Box wouldn't have any material value. It would also indicate a revenge killing on the husband and his four guards. We would need to interrogate the remaining guards. They probably should have some ideas who would want to kill them.
If he is not telling the truth...
If he's willing to kill for shiver, what can we get him to do...
Talgil leans back away from the pit while still holding the rope and whispers to the others, "I think I know how we can get this guy to help us find who we're looking for but I'll need you to play along. If he's willing to kill for shiver, I'll bet he'd be willing to help us out for some too."
"I'll not peddle in such poisons," Gareth says, glowering. "No matter how convenient it might be."
"Talgil only said that the assassin would help us out for some. He did not say that we would actually get him any. I understand this to be just a ruse. Is that right, Talgil?"
"Correct. But Gareth, feel free to keep that up."
The skulk looks up at Durnim.
"We were just to take care of the guards. That's all, I swear."
Durnim nods and says, "What do you say boys? Take him to the sheriff?"
Turning back to the pit, "You're looking pretty worn out down there, like you might need your fix pretty soon. How's about you get us some information and I'll personally see that you get what you need."
All this guy needs is to get away from that shiver anyway.
"I don't believe you. Just take me out of here—I don't care to where—and don't kill me. That's all I ask. I don't have any more information for ya—I've told you all I know."
"I believe you."
Quietly "We should either kill him or let him go. Killing him would not be right at this point. He has told us everything he knows. He's a distraction and we need to finish our investigation here. If you really do not wish to free him, then take him to the sheriff directly. You are being unnecessarily cruel."
Debessrael looks a little upset. Not a lot, but a little
"To the sheriff then" Azubah says. "Why would we let an admitted murderer go free?"
"Actually, we should bring the sheriff here rather than bring him to her. If he escapes in transit it would be our fault. And his allies might be in wait to aid him outside."
Durnim nods. "That's a good idea, Azubah. We should find someone to fetch the sheriff, maybe an urchin wanting a silver. Well sir, do you have a name? We are fetching someone for you. Please eat your ration and relax down there.
He motions to Agnes, "Maybe close the trapdoor, so we can investigate the vault. Also, we need to question your guards. If the mission here was to murder the guards instead of stealing, they probably know something."
Talgil motions to the manacles he left on the floor.
"I've got ways to keep him from getting far. This isn't my first arrest you know."
Durnim shrugs.
"If you must. Who will go fetch the law?" Dennie is emphatically not volunteering to leave the scene.
ilKhan raises his hand, "I'll go.". Fleetest of foot, the barbarian double times it to the sheriff's office and indicates the she is to follow him.
The sheriff looks started at the appearance of ilKhan.
"Can I help...oh, you're one of the investigators for the circus. I don't think I caught your name before. What can I do for you?"
The skulk looks up at Durnim.
"I'm not sure relax is the right word, but I appreciate you letting me out...eventually. My name is Rogi."
"Follow me." ilKhan sets off towards the Locked Box.
Durnim replies, "Hi Rogi. Not much longer."
He then looks at Agnes and repeats, "Agnes, maybe close the trapdoor, so we can investigate the vault. Also, we need to question your guards. If the mission here was to murder the guards instead of stealing, they probably know something."
Talgil is visibly bothered by his botched lie.
"I appear to be a tad off my game but I can question the guards if you'd like to search the vault. "
Agnes agrees, and closes the trap door. Rogi shouts slightly in protest, but has resigned himself for the most part.
"You may speak to the guards if you wish." she says, ushering you up the stairs.
Talgil follows her up the stairs. Upon reaching them, he introduces himself as an investigator on behalf of the town and sheriff and asks for their names and what a normal day guarding is like.
One of the guards steps up.
"I'm Lee Stills. These are my partners, John Walters and Lawrence Smith. He nods toward his the two other men in the room.
"We've worked here at the Locked Box for many years, and have never had to deal with much of anything, let alone a situation of this magnitude. Normally, we run assorted errands for the Walders, and make sure no one gets too aggressive when they're doing their business here."
Durnim pretends to look around the ruins of the shopfloor but intently listens to the guards conversation. They know something they shouldn't. What is it?
Something tells me there's something up with these guys. Lets start simple.
"Why weren't you on duty last night?"
Denessrael listens intently to both the questions and the answers. She looks straight at the guards' faces while they are being interrogated.