Arlesans Fire Department, Arlesans, Orlais, 11:25am

Nymeria's phone beeped for the umpteenth time that morning:

—Cassandra P. 11:22 am

Spoke to Farris. He should be ready for you.

—Nymeria 11:22 am

You're the best! Thanks Cass! 3

It took almost no convincing on Nymeria's part to persuade Cassandra to pull some strings and get deputy commissioner Farris of the Arlesans Fire Department to meet with Iron Bull and Nymeria that morning. She was eager to get Nymeria on the right track, especially since Cassandra expressed her own suspicions in a number of the fires that were in question.

Meanwhile, Iron Bull had been texting Krem back and forth that morning, trying to convince his second-in-command to meet them.

—Iron Bull 11:26 am

What gives? I thought you were on your way

—Krem Brulee 11:25 am

Nah, i'd just get in the way

—Iron Bull 11:26 am

Are you sick today or something? Or playing hooky to go on a date?

— Krem Brulee 11:27 am

No. Trust me, I'd rather not be there after last night

—Iron Bull 11:28 am

What's that supposed to mean?

What are you talking abotu?

—Krem Brulee 11:30 am

Yesterday night

Don't pretend

—Iron Bull 11:31 am

I don't know what you're talking about

—Krem Brulee 11:32 am

You two were clearly flirting last night on the way home

Trust me

I know when im a third wheel, chief

—Iron Bull 11:32 am

She was just talking about work stuff

—Krem Brulee 11:32 am

Riiiight.

I must've imagined the whole 'i don't mind hanging out with you' thing

With the wink in her eye as she said it

Whatever

Just have fun today, chief.

Meet me and grim on the Phoenix server later tongiht

And don't screw things up

—Iron Bull 11:32 am

I don't know what youre talking about

I never screw things up

…

Did she say she liked me to you or soemthing?

Krem?

Hello?

hellooo?

—Krem Brulee 11:35 am

If you like her, then ask her out

After the case is over that is

Don't fuck it up like last time

You stupid lug

Bull rolled his eyes and shut off the screen to his phone.

Nymeria was on her phone leaning against the counter and waiting with the receptionist for Deputy Commissioner Farris to get out of his previous meeting.

Did he like her?

The answer to that was complicated.

Bull's history with significant others was purely physical and had never been anything more.

Did he feel something different with Nymeria? It was difficult to know because he didn't really know her that well. They had only just met a day or two ago.

He had, however, been in only one serious relationship before her.

I wonder how Dorian is… He wondered. Maybe I should give him a call?

No, Dorian wanted nothing to do with Bull. Not after Bull decided to break things off with him.

Dorian had wanted to move in with Bull and start a lease together. They had been together for a little over a year but for some reason the idea of moving in with Dorian caused Bull to suddenly feel trapped and unsteady. So at the end of the year mark, Bull had decided to break things off with Dorian, much to the latter's dismay. Although heartbroken, Dorian took it all pretty well. Bull walked away feeling like a jackass though, and Krem never ceased reminding him how much of an ass he had been to Dorian since then.

To Bull, it had all been purely physical. He hadn't thought of anything beyond that with Dorian. The emotional attachment he had was what caused him to suddenly second-guess himself and break things off. There was a absence of an emotional connection in their relationship that left Bull feeling trapped if he continued on with their relationship. He just couldn't live with someone he only cared for as a friend for the rest of his life, and at this point, Bull had all but given up on ever finding anyone that would make him feel carefree and unchained.

Nymeria was just another woman that he just met. It was too early to tell. Yes, they had been slightly flirty with each other last night (especially on the ride back), but that didn't really mean anything. They were, at least for now, work acquaintances. It wouldn't look good for either of them to be anything other than work associates. Especially since she was a reporter for a renowned media outlet.

"I hope this is worth it. For all you know it was just some old newspaper Florian read on his way to work." He told her as he joined her in the waiting area. She had been rereading the article found in Florian's suitcase.

"That wouldn't make any sense for a man of Forian's stature. Why would he read a newspaper that was several months old? A businessman like Florian would've wanted to stay up-to-date on current events, not get hung up on events in the past."

"You make a valid point. Let's just make sure the Valmonts don't catch wind of our snooping."

"Of course."

"Hello there. You must be The Iron Bull."

They looked up to see the secretary motion to them to come closer to the receptionist desk.

"Yep." He shook her hand firmly.

"Please, right this way."

She guided them through a series of hallways until they ended up in a large oval office with a middle-aged elven man sitting in a black leather chair. He was signing off on some papers and looked up as they entered.

"Please take a seat." He told them as the secretary left and closed the door behind them.

"Mrs. Pentaghast told me you two might pay a visit. And don't take this the wrong way, but you're kinda hard to miss." He motioned to Iron Bull."

"Yeah, the horns usually give it away. So, what's the deal with the Arlesans Shelter Fire?" Iron Bull cut to the chase. He didn't know if it was due to what Krem had texted earlier today or if he was just in one of his 'business' modes, but he wanted to get this over with quickly.

"Oh boy. What a mess. Total pissing match. We had the Orlesian Police Department on our ass, orders from three different departments, and pressure from so many members of the Orlesian Senate it felt like the fiasco in Ostagar!"

"But there was something different about this one, wasn't there?" Nymeria had her notebook out and was jotting down notes.

"You got that right. I mean you know how it is; I hear you used to be on the field in the Free Marches."

Bull looked over at Nymeria curiously but she didn't meet his eyes and was instead focused on Officer Farris.

"Sure, there's always cases where you see the lazy officers taking shortcuts. But this... this was different. Too much stuff got overlooked. People seemed way too eager to jump to conclusions and every time I was remotely insistent, and I got turned down by ranking officers. People wanted to bury this thing... fast. "

"That's never a good sign." She replied, frowning.

"Yeah well, that's where you come in. I got a couple of leads I could never fully investigate. I started poking around, but these government type agents just gave me the creeps. "

"You got scared." Bull nodded.

"Alright, I'll admit to that." At least Farris was honest. Bull could tell that he was the honorable sort. "I was months away from retirement, I didn't want to fuck things up. But you... you two obviously have the means to get to the bottom of this."

Nymeria turned to Bull and smirked.

"Sounds like fun: Reopening a closed case, going against the superiors, snooping around, and possible trespassing. Where do we sign up?" She asked Farris.

"Good, you have a sense of humor. Hold onto that, Lavellan. First off, there's a rumor that the order to close the investigation came from higher up, maybe even outside the Orlesian Police Department. Anything like that would have passed through Captain de Montfort. Here's the case files for the fire. His computer password is on the last page there."

"You're asking us to hack into his computer?" Nymeria rose a brow.

"Yeah. If you need a lead, I'd start with that … but also try to find out what he knows. You can find him in the Information Tech Lab. He doesn't budge easily, but he has a strong inclination for - um, you know - your kind, so he might be willing to slip up."

"His kind? You mean the Qunari?" Nymeria asked, unblinking.

"Yeah. He's big into Qunari culture. Even knows a bit of Qunlat."

"Oh? Okay then, I guess I could try distracting him while you find what he has on the case." Bull suggested.

"When the order came down to close the case, the bulk of the evidence was stashed in that storage locker. Maybe you can find some interesting stuff in there, Lavellan - It's right next to the station. The code is forty-eight ninety-one. But I know an outside agency had access to that locker, so be careful."

"Thank you, commissioner." Nymeria stood up to shake his hand.

"Bah. It's, it's nothing. And oh... please don't bother coming back here with details. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to help, but the less I know about this case, the better I'll feel."

"Gotcha," Bull opened the door to exit and Nymeria followed.

"That was insightful," Bull told her as they walked out to the lobby. "Let's see what's in that locker first."

"Good idea. I'll go see about the locker, and you go visit de Montfort on the third floor labs."

"What about his computer?"

"I'll take care of that." She replied.

He rose a brow. "How?"

"I'll tell you later."

"How about you tell me now?"

"It's… complicated."

"I need honesty in all things regarding the case, Ms. Lavellan." He crossed his arms. She hated it when he called her 'Ms. Lavellan. She suspected that was why he called her that in the first place.

She groaned. "Just… it's a complicated process."

"Hacking into someone's computer is already a pretty good breach in protocol… I think I can handle whatever else you've got under your sleeve."

"Fine, fine. I'll let you know." She acquiesced. "You ever heard of the Red Jenny?" She asked, grinning.

— Jenny 12:29 pm

Got it in 3.5 seconds

—Nymeria 12:29 pm

Thanks a bunch

— Jenny 12:30 pm

Uploading now. Easiest job you ever gave me honestly

— Nymeria 12:30 pm

I thought it would be a piece of cake for you

— Jenny 12:30 pm

Not much on the computer though

Just a few boring documents

What you need this for anyway

— Iron Bull 12:31 pm

Classified Police business

— Jenny 12:31 pm

WTF

WHO THE F IS THIS

AARE YOU WORKING WITH THE FEDS

WTF NYMERIA?!

UR IN LEAGUE WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF SKYHOLD POLICE

— Nymeria 12:32 pm

CALM DOWN

Bull I told you to butt out

It's all for a case we're working on

— Jenny 12:32 pm

FINE FINE

But i'm trusting you on this one

That Florian guy's got some guy he hired for this cover up

It's so good too

I ought to charge ya double for this info

— Nymeria 12:32 pm

You got the address of the PI Florian hired?

— Jenny 12:33 pm

yep

546 Hannigan Ave

And now you owe me

Big time

"So according to the report, the call to the fire department came in that night at 9:00 pm. By the time Farris and his men rushed to the shelter, it was 9:20pm."

"Sounds about right."

"Yes, but look at these photos I got from the storage locker. See how the burn starts over here and ends there? You can see where they sprayed first to put out the flames. The length and darkness of these burn marks indicate that the entire building only took about 10 minutes to spread and incinerate the majority of the building."

"So you think he made an anonymous call to the fire department, set up his fire trick, and then took pictures right as the fire department arrived?

"Makes sense, doesn't it? It takes no more than three minutes to get to the bridge where he would've taken these photos. And look - there's blood lotus extract here. See?"

"That definitely makes what Clarisse said last night all the more obvious." Bull nodded.

"Exactly."

"Yes, I am sure. Lady Mantillon likes being cautious; do not mind her, dear." Clarisse said. "Please join us, both of you. There are important matters we want to discuss regarding Florian's will and Briala. Needless to say, I'd rather not discuss them here."

"I understand completely." Nymeria nodded. "We will see you there."

"Thank you." Celene nodded. "Oh, and Gaspard - please make sure we cut back on the Blood Lotuses this time. And have the gardener take care of those rashvines outside on the east wall. I'm going home for the evening. Good night, my dears."

Gaspard turned to her, face slightly sweating, and nodded.

"They way he reacted makes more sense now!" Nymeria explained. "Clarisse knows that Gaspard set up these flames. She knows how he did it!"

"Rashvine and Blood Lotus extract makes what is known as Antivan fire." Iron Bull nodded to himself. "He probably set up his trick and then waited for the fire to start."

"I wonder what that circle on the table is…" He pointed in the photograph.

"Hm?"

Sure enough, on the charred area of the shelter's kitchen counter was a crisp, clean circle on a charred marble surface. Nymeria hadn't seen any additional items in the storage locker that could've indicated that a pice of evidence was taken from the scene of the crime.

"This is baffling." She said as they walked through the parking lot. "You think the PI knows something about it?"

"Yep, and I'm willing to bet on it." Bull pulled out his keys.

"So nothing from du Montfort, huh?" She asked him as they got in Bull's police car. "All I found in the case files from the locker was a few photographs and a detailed report on the incident. Nothing else. "

"No, du Montfort was pretty chatty though. He likes hunting and wants me to go with him. I told him I was busy. I don't really care for mingling with bureaucrats."

"We need to find this guy Florian hired to cover up all the evidence against Gaspard. Red Jenny said it was on Hannigan Ave, right?"

"Yeah," As Bull pulled out of the parking lot he shot her a look. "You want to tell me how you know a member of one of the most notorious hacker gangs?"

"Chill out, dude." Nymeria snorted. "She's a friend. And she wouldn't do anything dangerous to us."

"The Red Jenny was responsible for hacking into the Denerim Blackpowder Facilities last year. For all you know, they're in league with Fen'Harel!"

"Listen, I know what I'm getting into. Trust me. I know this girl and I know a good deal about the Red Jenny organization too. They're just a few hackers who want to dish out a little justice of their own to snotty bureaucrats that prey on the weak and impoverished. They're kids, Bull. They are only threatening to those higher up on the food chain who deserve it."

"Is that your stance on them? You're an advocate? Do you even know who you're contacting? Who is this Red Jenny you're talking to anyway?"

"If I told you, are you going to break down her door and arrest her?" She shot back angrily.

Bull sighed. "Listen, I'm not arguing about this; I'm not trying to be your enemy. In fact, I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I used to be a member of the Ben-Hassarath."

"Wait - you were in the Qunari Secret Service?"

"Yep. Served ten years in Seheron."

"So then, why are you telling me this?" She didn't want to seem rude, but it was completely surprising as to why he just came out and willingly admitted to being a part of a huge spy network for the Qunari.

"I'm no longer a member." He told her, as if anticipating her thoughts.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Well, I met a merchant in Seheron who poisoned half my crew, and a few of the local children. I got mad and went after him and his men. The merchant was part of a large crew of Tal-Vashoth troops. I raided their encampment, avenged my friends and men, and was reassigned. Now I guess I'm Tal-Vashoth myself."

"How did you end up becoming the Deputy Chief of Police in Skyhold?"

"I was put in charge of the men under the previous Deputy Chief; I think he name was Fisher. Ah, it doesn't matter; he couldn't make it and got the boot soon afterwards. I took over and when Renner got himself in a coma I took over. The boys tried to get me promoted but I could care less. Besides, I don't think Skyhold would want a Qunari to be their Chief of Police. Being Deputy Chief is fine enough for me. The elves may be a discriminated race in this city, but the Qunari are completely foreign to the people here. You ought to know from hanging out with me the past few days; I get looks wherever I go. Anyway, I'm still in charge until they find a replacement for Renner."

"Huh," Nymeria smiled. "It's just a strange thing to know about you because you're so lax and carefree. Aren't those violations to the Qun?"

"It is," Bull grunted. "But I've been away for so long I don't really care anymore. I still believe in the Qun though."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Ties to the Qun are kind of hard to let go." He told her. "Anyway, all I'm trying to say is to be careful what information you give out to the Red Jenny."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." She rolled her eyes, irritated at the fact that he was determined to act like her guardian and make her feel like an irresponsible child. Nymeria turned back to her book to go over notes.

"What about you?" He asked, trying to start a conversation he had been waiting to have since yesterday.

"What about me?" She asked, brow raised.

Bull figured since he had just opened up to her that she would, in turn, feel a bit obligated to do the same. He wanted to know her a bit better, to crack open her secrets. He had to admit that his curiosity often got the better of him.

"Nothing. Just wondering why you're so keen on not being a Keeper like Deshanna." He casually replied.

"Oh right, I forgot you stalked me online." She glared at him, unimpressed. He couldn't tell if she was joking or not; he hoped the latter.

"I'm just wondering how much I have to research online before you start talking." He told her. "I will find out all of this one way or another."

She sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll talk. You've worn me down."

"The four words every man wants to hear." He grinned and she shot him a half-dismissive and half-mischievous look.

"I grew up with my clan, but when I turned fourteen I told Deshanna that I intended to complete a more formal education in Haven. I was a defense attorney, like I said before."

"I thought Firsts were supposed to remain close to learn from their Keepers. Your Keeper let you go?"

"You know a lot about the Dalish. I'm surprised."

"Krem likes to talk about it a lot, as you know."

"Well, begrudgingly yes, Deshanna let me go to Haven to study." She looked out the window, her hand under her chin. "But I wasn't always a member of the Lavellan Clan. "

"Huh. So they lacked a suitable apprentice to become First and you were transferred to them?"

"It was a number of reasons." Her fingers played with the tiny pen in her hands. "My old clan - we were attacked during the beginning of the Elven Rights Movement."

"I see."

"My clan was scattered after an uprising: The humans came to our suburbs with their picket signs and started shouting obscenities at us. They were throwing rotten fruit and vegetables at us, telling us to go back to the Dales, telling us that we were better off there and that we were impeding on their territory and taking their jobs... it was horrible, but we endured worse. I thought nothing of it at first; these riots happened all the time."

She swallowed before continuing: "Then the fires started and we were locked in our own homes. We were being burned alive. I… I've never been so scared in my life."

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Nym."

"That wasn't even the worst of it. Women were beaten with glass bottles and bats, some were raped and murdered. Many of us died."

"And that's the why you have that scar."

"Yep."

"So you were a part of the Wycome City fire six years ago."

"Yeah." She looked at him, as if gauging him for some sort of reaction. "But you already knew all that, didn't you? Krem told me you thought I was a part of the fire last night."

"I had a feeling." He told her. "But I wasn't going to ask you about it unless you wanted to talk about it."

"Then why did you press me to talk today?"

"I just wanted to know you better; I only wanted to know why you hate being a First when it seems like you enjoy taking charge so much. It's just a bit confusing, you know?"

"Well, I wasn't supposed to be the First. It was pushed onto me."

"Oh?"

"During the fire, I managed to break out through the basement," She said. "But I was only one of the nine who survived in my neighborhood. Can you believe it? Of the hundreds of us, only nine survived. When I came crawling out of my home, coughing and barely breathing, I felt someone dragging me away from the burning flames. I was so scared."

"But they saved you."

"Saved? That's debatable." She said bitterly. "I was taken to another house, half-conscious, by people I didn't recognize, and all I overheard were discussions of how much money I was worth."

"You were kidnapped?" He rose a brow, as if skeptical. She didn't blame him.

"In a matter of speaking. But right as they were about to pull all my clothes off, Deshanna saved me." She told him. "I was one of the three people from my neighborhood to make it out of there alive. Deshanna took me to her home and nursed me back to health. And ever since then, I've been a part of their clan, training to become her successor."

"But you don't actually want to be a Keeper." He reminded.

"Well, it's hard to go against someone who saved your life." She shifted uncomfortably. "I owe her my life, and so much more. It doesn't seem right to go against her when all she's ever done is look out for me."

"But if you're unhappy, why do it?" He asked.

"Because I'm the only one who can." She replied. "I'm the only one eligible to be a First for our Clan. It's for my people. I have little choice in the matter, Bull."

"I think that's debatable."

"That's because you're not a part of it; you don't understand."

"No, I guess I don't." He sighed.

He pulled his car into a quiet corner of the street.

The neighborhood they were in was one of the poorer, run-down areas of Skyhold. The streets were covered in trash and the buildings were old and cheap. There was a few homeless citizens on the streets and many scattered off when they saw Bull's car pull up.

"Maybe not the safest place in the city." He muttered as he took a look around. "Want to stay in the car?"

"No way, I'm going in there with you." She told him, opening the door. "I'm not scared. I can take care of myself. I'll meet you at the door while you find a place to park."

He was going to argue but decided against it and watched her make her way across the street.

She seemed pretty confident, but that wouldn't matter against a thug out in the streets with a knife.

He'd have to be on the lookout and find a parking spot, fast.

Slums, Downtown Skyhold City, 2:01pm

The air was cool in the dark alleyways of Skyhold. Nymeria was glad she had brought along a jacket.

What was the address again? She looked through the texts on her phone to find her conversation with Sera.

"Well, lookie here…. You must be a Dalish." A hooded, grimy man crept up behind Nymeria and his hand landed on her shoulder, caressing it gently.

"I am." She replied coolly, respectfully pulling his hand off her and tucking her phone in her back pocket.

"I'm Denam. I've got to say: you're much prettier than some of the others. You tattoo isn't as loud as the others, if ya know what I mean."

"Right…" She eyed his cautiously.

"And you're a fine young thing, arent ya? Never seen one as pretty as you. Listen, so how about you and I hop in my car and we take a little ride back to my place, sweetling?"

"No, thanks." She replied, keeping her cool. This guy gave her the creeps. She started walking the opposite direction but he pulled her back.

"Wait, where are you going, baby?"

"No offense, but I don't think that's any of your business." Her fists were at the ready. "Please let go."

"Come on, babe. I thought we could have a good time. I can make you laugh, here watch -"

"Please just leave me alone. I won't ask again."

"Oh, you're a feisty little thing aren't ya?"

"Hey, is there a problem here?"

Bull stepped up behind her, his face frowning and his bulky demeanor suddenly looming over them both. "Is this guy bothering you?" He asked Nymeria.

"I can handle it." She replied, shrugging Denam off her arm.

"What are you, her bodyguard? I mean, she's are perfectly consenting adult, isn't she? She can decide on her own!" Denam exclaimed, snarling with his yellowed teeth.

"Alright. Come on, buddy. It's time to go." Bull started escorting Denam off the premises.

"Whatever, you hulking behemoth. I work for the Fereldan Marines! I served 5 years in Rivain!"

"Come on. Take a walk." Bull motioned for him to leave again.

When he came back, Nymeria was at the entrance to a grimy garage, waiting for the Private Investigator to come down. She had rung the bell several times already.

"I could've handled it." She told him.

"I know." He told her. "But I wanted to be the knight in shining armor for you."

"Why are you trying so hard to impress me suddenly?"

He laughed. "Well, you are the pretty lady I'm interested in."

"Oh?" She rose a brow, batting her eyelashes. "You're interested in me?"

"Is that not obvious?"

"It is now that you've said it." She told him, smiling.

"All joking aside, we should be careful; this private investigator could be anyone. Let me go in front of you."

"Oh? You were joking about being interested in me?" She feigned disappointment and he couldn't help but smirk slightly.

"Anyway, he's probably not that reputable if he lives in a dump like this." She looked at their surroundings in disdain. "What's his name anyway?"

"Blackwall, I think." He replied, pressing the buzzer again.

"Who is this?" There was the voice of a older man over the speaker.

"This is Chief of Skyhold Police Iron Bull." Bull replied. "I have some questions for you. Please open up."

"What is this regarding?"

"Florian Valmont." Nymeria replied. "He was murdered two days ago. I'm sure you're heard. Please open up so we can ask some questions."

There was a pause. "Fine. I'll be right down."

"This place is frightening. Better wash up after this before going to the Valmont dinner, huh?"

"Good idea." Nymeria nodded. "Hm. I wonder if we could bring a plus one to their dinner? I think the email stated we could, right?" She asked aloud, thinking maybe Varric would like a front row seat to ask the Valmonts questions or Merrill might be able to negotiate a trade for her museum from the Valmonts.

"I don't think so. I believe it's just you and me attending. Why? You have someone in mind? A special someone you'd like to bring?"

"Maybe." She winked.

"I was unaware you had a special someone."

"What if I did? Would you be disappointed?"

"Of course," He didn't hesitate to be direct. It was almost like playing a game of chicken to see who would make the first move. They were pushing both trying to 'one up' the other, though whether this was to gauge interest or for the sake of a challenge was up for debate.

"So do you have a significant other?"

She sighed irritably. "Dear Maker, Bull! If you have to pry, yes. I had a significant other."

"Oh, you're not with them anymore?"

"No, he's... We're not together anymore."

There was more to that story, but Bull wasn't going to pry it out of her. He had done enough of that today.

The door to the garage opened and they were greeted by a older man with a dark beard and rough, long hair.

And he had a pistol in his hand.

"Name's Blackwall, private investigator. What do you want from me?"