Detective Dornar and Gretchen: The Combustible Conundrum

Detective Dornar

Detective Dornar sat across the table from the slumped over woman with horns. Taking a long drag from the cigarette in its holder, pulling it to a nub before knocking the ash out in a ceramic dish. “Let’s go over this one last time.” he said, as he popped open a silver case and replaced the spent remains for a fresh cigarette.

Gretchen sighed, lifting her head to meet that Decective’s gaze. “Why can’t I just talk to Aspen or Parvil?” she asked, exasperated and taking a drink from a glass of water sitting on the table.

“Two reasons.” Dornar said, the cigarette holder between his teeth as he took off his glasses to slowly clean the lenses on his shirt. “Firstly it would be a conflict of interest, we are aware of the friendship between you and Parvil, so by extension Aspen. Should the case require their expertise they will be brought in but during this phase of the investigation its best they are not involved, and even if they could be involved they are currently indisposed.” he said, placing his glasses back on his nose and pushing them into place with his ring finger. Taking another drag before speaking again. “Secondly, objects of the magical persuasion and their tampering is my realm of expertise.” He softened his voice and leaned in slightly. “So please can we go over it one more time? I want to be sure I have everything in my notes.”

Gretchen gripped her horns for a moment before letting go and nodding. “Fine…” she said. “Ask away.”

“Your description, was quote ‘a wildly mediocre human male with light skin’ is that really all you can remember?” Dornar asked, light annoyance in his tone.

“I don’t pay that much attention to people who bring in things to be fixed. I put down the name they gave me and tag the item.” Gretchen said.

“And do you remember the name on the tag?” the detective asked.

Gretchen shook her head no, “Didn’t give me their name. It was a drop off.” she explained. “Something for someone else.” she gave a light shrug, “I get more customers than you’d think, and I worry more about the magic item they are placing in my care than I do what they look like.” she explained.

“Okay.” Dornar said, rubbing his neck. “What did they bring in?”

“It was a circlet.” Gretchen said, “It was almost a crown with the size of the band and stone but I would consider it a circlet focus.”

“Were you privy to the type of focus of the gemstone?” The Detective asked.

“The runes indicated it should have been a focus for Illusion. Not Evocation as seems to be the case.” Gretchen said, rubbing her hands together. “I…” she shut her mouth again.

Dornar looked up. “Yes. Any thoughts will be helpful.”

Gretchen fidgeted in her seat. “Whoever put them up to this…the one who brought it in…” she chewed her lip working out the thought. “I think they have to be an arch mage or have one on their side.” she said.

Dornar took a long drag and blew out the smoke, raising an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?” He prepared to write.

“Double layered runes.” she said. “I know the idea, or I suppose how they could work. I’m not nearly that skilled. I just find stuff and fix it if I can or sell it as is to someone who can. Hiding a magic item's enchantment under one that is a smokescreen is…its far more than simply complex. It’s almost a supernatural level of skill needed. I don’t know anyone who could do it. And if maybe a contact I have could do it, they wouldn’t.” Grethen took a breath from her rant.

“Why wouldn’t they?” Dornar asked.

“It’s time consuming, complicated, and there’s no real legal reason to do it.” Gretchen said, “You don’t hide a mind control spell under a spell to grow plants unless you are doing something unsavory with that mind control.” she said. “Its just not practical to waste time hiding an enchantment.”

“Noted.” Dornar said, “You said you might have contacts who know this kind of thing? What makes you think they wouldn’t do it? Do you know them that well?”

“I know them all well.” Gretchen said. “And they’d have no reason to try to kill me. Anyone with that skill would have a reputation, and scattering an innocent magic dealer over the whole city would be tarnishing.”

“So…” he started. “Do you think it could be someone you wronged?”

“Doubtful. But I can’t be sure.” Gretchen said. “I don’t make, making enemies a habit if I can help it.”

“That doesn’t mean you haven’t. Have you had any unsatisfied customers as of late? People upset with products or payment?”

“I run a business detective.” she said. “I can’t please everyone all of the time.” Gretchen said, “But I have a hard time believing someone would take the effort to create a magical explosive simply to kill me over a bit of chalk breaking because they were pressing too hard.”

“There are a lot of crazy people out there.” Dornar said. “Let’s assume it was a customer who wasn’t pleased with your business. Have you had any odd dealings lately?”

Gretchen sighed. “I sell to wizards, witches, and mages. Every transaction is weird.” she said. “But I can go through bills of sale when you finally let me out of here and tell you if I find anything.” she said.

“Fine…last question, and it might seem like an odd one.” Dornar said, taking out a drawing of a book’s cover. “Have you ever seen this book?”

Gretchen pulled the paper towards her and studied it in silence for a long while. “I have.” she said, pushing it back. “Why?”

“The book was stolen from a murder scene.” Dornar said, taking back the drawing.

“I don’t have it if that’s what you are asking.” Gretchen said.

Dornar shook his head. “We have the book.” he said, “When did you see it?” he asked, “And did you read it?”

“Some guy came in looking for a book to help him translate the pages. I glanced at the first page to see if I knew what I should look for and it was creepy, it felt wrong so I told him to get out. I didn’t have anything to help him anyway, he was mad though. I don’t know what it was about. It was written like a diary of some kind though.”

“Thank you. That’s all. We’ll be in touch.” Dornar said, allowing Gretchen to leave.

“Lanabelle please come in here.” Dornar said.

The wide eyed woman entered the room like a ghost. “You called for me?”

“We might have a break in the case.” Dornar said, “But might be complicating things more.” He took another drag and let the smoke out slowly "Nathaniel Cross.” he said, throwing the notes down on the table. “I am sick of hearing that name.