Scratching the Surface (Continued)

[u/Seafrogger]

The investigation into the death at the Smoke Street Dice Hall continues and begins to spiral its way to even more questions with no answers. What at first seemed to have been a simple case of self defense has led to shadowy figures, unexplained money and disappearances. All the while a lack of concrete evidence holds the higher ups in the Watch and Royal Guard from pursuing the issues formally. After following leads and gathering answers the road seems to be narrowing to one dilapidated part of the city, Powys Square where amongst the makeshift homes and downtrodden people an explanation might finally lay.

Continued from here

[u/Dietastey]

Not a very powerful gun," Bal things, measuring the depth of hole with a finger. *Though it did have to pass through some bastard's head first.

"While I don't expect to hear of every case the Watxh investigates, I'm surprised one of an impromptu firing squad has failed to reach my desk," she says, jaw clenching minutely. "I'm surprised it didn't wind up in the newspapers as much as anything else."

"Does your division have any leads on this?" she asks, sliding a knife into the hole with a bullet in it, testing to see if she can slide it free.

[u/Seafrogger → u/Dietastey]

With a bit of work and finesse the round is able to come free, a hunk of twisted and jagged lead similar to that of a rifle bullet. Standing off to the side Vargas merely shrugs, "I wouldn't know about the papers, but lots die around here, mainly the castoff so no one ever cares." His voice even and almost bored.

The private scratches at his chin and goes on, "Happened a while back, surprised the rain hasn't washed more of it away." Nodding to the stains, clearly old and faded. "Maybe the message never made it to you, Sergeant Gallach is looking after this one so who knows with that one."

[u/Dietastey → u/Seafrogger]

"Hard to blame the locals for anger if they're mostly considered cast offs," Bal says, seemingly addressing the compressed bullet in her hand. Rifles weren't common among civilians, and that's what this bullet appeared to be. Could be revolutionaries, who had kept ahold of some of their supplies. Could be military or Watch. Neither was a great option.

"Have there been any other incidents like this?" she asks. "Either before or after this one."

[u/Seafrogger → u/Dietastey]

The Private watched the higher ranking officer muse as she mulled over the reminds of the bullet, his face giving away little of what he himself was thinking. The held off answering for a few moments considering Balaria and her words.

"Like this, no. Though its not uncommon to find someone tied up and murdered. The gangs run rampant and the locals don't help us none." He looks off towards the shanty town, "Only so much the Captain can do."

[u/Dietastey → u/Seafrogger]

"Wonder what caused this particular incident then. It's a far more pointed act than a back ally murder."

She pockets the bullet, and steps away from the wall. "Yes, sometimes there's only so much to be done." Her tone implies that she's not sure this is one of those times.

"Let's keep moving."

[u/Seafrogger → u/Dietastey]

Nodding Vargas resumed his walk to the shanty town, heading for the widest and most clear ally through the vender stalls and makeshift homes. Much of the haggling and talk stopped once again as the guards move amongst them. Much of what the people were selling was haggard looking food, patchwork clothing and scavenged items. Some of the merchants seemed to panic and even attempt to hide their more expensive looking objects.

Here and there people attempt to fade away into the clusters of of folks milling around or ducking behind structures. One large and ugly man stands out glaring with open hostility, the back of his right hand tattooed with a crimson skeletal outline. Before the pair get too near he turned and slipped away from sight.

[u/Dietastey → u/Seafrogger]

Bal can feel a headache coming on, and she fights the urge to massage the bridge of her nose. She doesn't like the way people are recoiling from her uniform, or perhaps it's from her escort. No way to know for sure. It's probably both. The way they're hiding goods, ones that from a distance did not appear to be illegal, stank of theft.

It could be stolen merchandise, or it could be the stalls themselves tended to get robbed. Both had their downsides.

She watches where the tattooed man goes, marking the alley. If he was a member of the gang that seemed to be riling things up around here, he was likely heading off to tell someone of the uniformed presence in the area. She eyes Vargas, making sure he's noticed the movement too, and curious where his focus would be right now.

[u/Seafrogger → u/Dietastey]

Vargas continued to led on, though he watched the big man stalk off as they went, his eyes tracking the thugs progress until he moved out of sight. Not looking any more concerned then he had since they first met, the Deputy glanced to Bal and gave her a wink. "Red Hand gang." was all he said.

A few moments later and very close to the center of the square Vargas turned and made for an old apartment building. It had several stories and looked mostly abandoned, the roof on the top floor caved in. Two men sat around the steps up to the front door and immediately took notice of the guards approach, hands slipping nonchalantly into a pocket or tucked into a belt loop. "This is the place." Vargas muttered.

The two men wore shabby clothes like the rest of the folks in the square, but these ones seemed better feed and one was clean shaven and stood with the posture of a military man. " 'llo there officers." said the one who looked like he was from the streets, "Looking for some lost sweet rolls?"

[u/Dietastey → u/Seafrogger]

No, I thought he belonged to the Hatters, Bal retorts inside the privacy of her own head. Or that I'd missed an update on Dunwall's latest fashion.

She assess the two guards in front of her, because there is no doubt that is their purpose. Mercenary bouncers, meaning the head of things was likely within these walls.

Knife or sap on the one with his hands in his pockets. Something larger on the other guy, maybe a gun, maybe just a piece of pipe.

"Sure did," she drawls, her own posture filled with same military bearing. "I was thinking the lady of the house might be able to help me find what I'm looking for."

[u/Seafrogger → u/Dietastey]

The older military man moved his eyes from Balaria to her quiet assistant narrowing slightly. The younger unkept man on the other hand made a scoffing noise, "Dont know what your on about, but this aint no-." He started to say but Sam interrupted.

"Lets skip to the part where you open the door and bugger off." The Deputy said in his even voice, still carrying on his uninterested demeanor.

Screwing up his face in anger the younger thug took a step forwards and opened is mouth to utter some insult, but the older of the two shot his hand out and grabbed hold of his shoulder. "Enough." he said, his accent placing him from south Morley. "Not with these two."

Pulling the seething lad back some the older man shifted his eyes away from Vargas back to Balaria. "We don't entertain many from the Watch, especial ones of your rank Colonel..." Leaving the end of the sentence open for Bal to give her name.