Chapter 3 #4
We come across a black robe in one of the building’s side rooms, likely ditched after they learned we were tracking them, but the rest are all empty.
We walk around the perimeter outside once before heading back to the station to report our findings.
When we enter Deputy Keenguard’s office, we find not just Officer Silentfang and the requested files, but also Khazak’s best friend and other deputy, Ragnar Rockfang, waiting for us. His shift today isn’t until way later.
“Captain.” Keenguard is the first to notice us, and all three orcs in the room stand and salute. “Were you able to find them?”
“Other than this, afraid not.” Khazak drops the robe on the desk and returns the salute, letting everyone relax. Khazak then turns to Ragnar. “What brings you in, Deputy?”
“I forgot my bag in my office yesterday, and when I came in to grab it, I found Officer Silentfang looking for records. They weren’t actually in our office, but I offered to come and help look back here.” He gestures to some files on the desk. “You won’t believe what we found.”
“What is it?” The five of us crowd around the desk.
“The original owner of that warehouse is Thrax Grimrock, father to one Thog Grimrock.” Ragnar points to words on the paper I can’t read.
“No way.” Thog Grimrock is currently sitting in a jail cell, accused of stealing a shipment of supplies meant for the city’s militia.
We arrested him three weeks ago after a foot chase through the city’s outdoor market, and he’s been awaiting his trial ever since.
Khazak and Ragnar have both tried to get more information out of him, but Thog has stubbornly stuck to his story, claiming he worked alone and destroyed everything.
“That is very...interesting.” Khazak eyes the paper suspiciously.
“Interesting? It’s more than interesting; it’s motive.
” Ragnar spread out the other files. “Twenty years ago, Thrax Grimrock ran a weapon-smithing business out of that warehouse with a contract to produce supplies for the militia—until it was discovered he was also making weapons for the Warhunter Rebellion.”
“Shit.” Khazak is actually taken aback by that info. He almost never curses.
“After that, he was arrested, tried, and put away. The factory was seized, and his family lost everything.” Ragnar’s voice gets a little quieter. “He died in prison two years ago.”
“That is unfortunate,” Khazak says somberly. “I can see how this gives us more motive for Thog’s actions, but I am not sure I see the connection to the robbery at the House of the Three.”
“What do you mean? Obviously, the person hiding in the factory was the same person who helped him steal the militia shipment,” Ragnar scoffs.
“We do not know that for certain. This evidence is purely circumstantial.” Khazak sounds much more levelheaded.
“This is too much of a coincidence, sir.” At least he remembered the “sir” that time. “I want to talk to him again. I think we can use this new information to get more out of him.”
Khazak considers this for a moment. “Alright, one more interrogation, but that will be the last. His trial is in two days.”
“Thank you, sir. I will prepare things back at the station.” With a salute, he’s gone.
“Deputy Keenguard, I want to run a full search of the warehouse as well as get interviews from all the neighboring businesses.” Khazak is back in full Captain-mode. “I want any information on anyone who may have come in or out of that building.”
“I will get officers started on that immediately, sir.” She salutes.
“Thank you.” Khazak turns to Nikka. “Officer Silentfang, though I doubt anything worthwhile will come of it, please analyze the robe our assailant was wearing.” He sighs before smiling. “And good work today.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you!” she replies with a salute and a smile. “I will have my report and notes submitted by the end of the day.” She turns to me. “It was nice to meet you, David.”
“It was nice to meet you too, Nikka.” She’s sweet. With a salute from Khazak and an awkward wave from me, we make our exit.
“What happened twenty years ago?” I ask as we make our way back to the other station. “What’s the Warhunter Rebellion?”
“A dark time for the city.” He sighs. “There was a member of the Tribal Council, Zanik Warhunter, who held some...extreme views. He felt that as a people, we had ‘gone soft,’ and advocated for a return to a more brutal time in our history. That the strong should rule over the weak. Unfortunately, he had a large number of supporters who felt the same. When the time came for his term to expire, he refused to step down and attempted to overthrow the entire Tribal Council and seize power for himself. He even managed to kill one of the other council members.”
“Shit.” A fucking coup? Those actually happen?
“It was more than just citizens. He had supporters in the government, in the militia. A small civil war broke out.” Khazak doesn’t sound happy to be reliving this.
“My father was ranger captain at the time, and my other father insisted on volunteering as well, so they left me at home to look after Ayla and Yogik while they fought. That was when they met Jarek, and also when Ruda lost his foot.” The second part of the sentence is said much sadder than the first.
“I’m sorry.” Khazak told me he’d had a hard time when he first met his stepdad Jarek, but I didn’t realize why.
“It is alright.” He gives me a half smile. “My family came out of things much stronger than many others. But still, I find myself hoping that this connection between that time and Thog is nothing more than a coincidence.”
We head toward the jail cells when we arrive at the station, which is also where the interrogation room is. Ragnar is already waiting for us outside and gives me a funny look when we approach.
“You want him to sit in this time?” The question isn’t accusatory, but it still makes me bristle.
“Right. David, I suppose you should—”
“Oh, come on. Let me in this time, please?” Last time they did this, I had to sit in the breakroom and wait. “I swear I’ll just sit in the back quietly and listen.”
The two orcs share a look, and Ragnar shrugs.
“Alright.” Khazak nods his assent. “Pay attention but...make sure you remain silent. Even if he tries to provoke one of us.”
“Yes, Sir.” I nod and mime locking my lips with a key.
After sharing a look, the two rangers open the door and walk in, me right behind them.
Thog is seated with his hands cuffed, a chain attaching them to the table in front of him.
Khazak and Ragnar take seats in chairs opposite him, and as there are no other chairs to be found, I just lean against the back wall of the room silently, arms crossed.
“Brought your pet this time?” Thog sneers at me.
“Mr. Grimrock,” Khazak starts, ignoring the man’s words, “I trust your stay has been comfortable?”
Thog narrows his eyes at Khazak but doesn’t answer.
Khazak presses forward. “Another robbery has occurred, and we were hoping you would be able to answer some questions about it for us.”
“It is a little hard to rob someone from a jail cell, Captain.” Thog rolls his eyes.
“No, Thog, it’s not the robbery we have questions about,” Ragnar cuts in, voice and attitude more biting than his casual words would let on. “It’s where we found the thief hiding: your father’s old factory.”
Thog snaps to attention at Ragnar’s words, his face a mix of confusion and surprise.
“Yes, we were hoping you could explain that odd connection for us.” Khazak’s tone has remained steady since he first sat down.
“I... I do not know anything about this.” Thog sounds a little nervous when he answers, but I’m not positive it’s out of guilt.
“Please,” Ragnar sharply draws the attention back to himself. “We all know you weren’t acting alone. Was this the guy you were working with?”
Thog says nothing, but glares at Ragnar.
“Were you hiding the stolen supplies in the factory?” I’m not sure if Ragnar expects an answer. “What do you need that much brimstone for anyway?”
Again, no reaction from Thog, but Ragnar continues. “Just seems like a really interesting choice, don’t you think? Especially after everything that happened with your dad.”
I can see Thog’s already clenched fists tighten at Ragnar’s taunt, and Khazak turns his head slightly to eye his deputy carefully.
“You told us you hated the militia, but that’s not completely accurate, is it?” Ragnar’s voice starts to get heated. “Your entire family must hate them after your father’s arrest.”
Thog doesn’t move, but his face darkens, and it feels like we’re walking a tightrope here.
“Probably even more so after his death, right?” Ragnar starts getting louder. “He was only a year away from release, wasn’t he? I bet that really pissed you off.”
Thog looks like he’s currently trying to murder Ragnar with his eyes but still remains silent.
“Is that it? Revenge? Were you mad your daddy died in prison, so you decided to get back at the people who put him there?” Ragnar suddenly stands, leaning over the table. “Why did you do it, and who the hell are you working with?!”
“Deputy,” Khazak does his best to reel Ragnar in without Thog noticing he’s gone rogue.
“I told you,” Thog grits out, “I do not know anything about this robbery or your stolen brimstone.”
“I know you’re lying!” Ragnar shouts.
“That is enough, Deputy Rockfang.” Khazak stands, crowding Ragnar’s space.
With a final glare to Thog, Ragnar exits the room.
Khazak turns to Thog. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Grimrock. An officer will be in to return you to your cell. I believe your advocate will be visiting tomorrow to discuss your upcoming hearing.”
Ignoring Thog’s rolling eyes, Khazak gives me a look to follow as he turns and exits the room.
Ragnar is waiting for us right outside, and as a group, we move down the hall and away from the cells into Khazak’s office.
Khazak moves behind his desk while Ragnar drops in one of the chairs in front dramatically, and I take a seat on the couch.
“I’m sorry. I know I let myself get too heated in there.” Ragnar crosses his arms, looking at his lap.
“Yes, that could have gone better.” Khazak shakes his head. “I would have liked to keep the information about what was stolen a secret while the thief is still at large, but in the end, I do not think he actually knows anything.”
“He’s lying! He has to be.” Ragnar turns in his seat to face me. “David?”
“I dunno.” I scratch the back of my head. “He seemed genuinely surprised when you brought up his dad’s factory. I think he might be telling the truth.”
Ragnar makes a frustrated grumble. “I really thought I had something.”
“We will solve this, Deputy,” Khazak consoles his friend. “Try to cheer up. In two days, that man will no longer be sitting in one of our cells, and then you will have the entire festival this weekend to focus on other things.”
That goes for me, too. Things like eating, drinking, and whatever other surprises Sir has in store for me.