All right let’s launch this ridiculous idea! Dragon Age as a 40’s noir murder mystery! Huzzah for NaNoWriMo! I watched the Maltese Falcon as reference for this. Chapters are quite a bit shorter than they usually are but that just means I’ll be done sooner? And if you’re a classic rock fan, you’ve already recognized the title and chapter titles. Those were what gave me the inspiration for this in the first place!
On Every Street
a Dragon Age novel
Chapter 1: My Parties
Well this is my back yard – ‘s my back gate
I hate to start my parties late
Here’s the party cart, ain’t that great?
That ain’t the best part baby, just wait
That’s a genuine weathervane, it moves with the breeze
Portable hammock honey, who needs trees
It’s casual entertaining, we aim to please
At my parties, all right, uh-huh
Check out the shingles – ‘s brand new
Excuse me while I mingle. Hi, how are you
Hey everybody, let me give you a toast
This one’s for me, the host with the most
It’s getting a trifle colder, step inside my home
That’s a brass toilet tissue holder with its own telephone
That’s a musical doorbell. It don’t ring, I ain’t kiddin’
It plays America the Beautiful and Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Boy, this punch is a trip. It’s ok in my book
Here, take a sip – maybe a little heavy on the fruit
Ah, here comes the dip. You may kiss the cook
Let me show you honey. It’s easy, look
You take a fork and spike ’em – say, did you try these?
So glad you like ’em, the secret’s in the cheese
It’s casual entertaining, we aim to please
At my parties, all right, uh-huh
Yeah, at my parties, all right, uh-huh
Now don’t talk to me about the polar bear
Don’t talk to me about the ozone layer
Ain’t much of anything these days, even the air
They’re running out of rhinos, so what do I care?
Let’s hear it for the dolphins, let’s hear it for the trees
Ain’t running out of nothing in my deep freeze
It’s casual entertaining, we aim to please
At my parties, all right, uh-huh
You do what you please
At my parties, all right, uh-huh
Elizabeth Cousland adjusted her earrings and stared at herself critically in the mirror. Pale blue eyes stared back, set off startlingly with dark smoky eyeshadow, her normally pale cheeks blushed up, her lips painted to a dramatic scarlet, and her narrow face framed by a wavy dark brown up-do that was a far cry from her normally severe style. The rest of her body was sheathed in glimmering red satin, exposing her shoulders, her nails were done, and she looked every inch a bright young socialite heading to a ball.
Her roommate, Leliana Rossignol, leaned into the bathroom that was the most feminine spot in their… affordable apartment they shared. “I think your boss just pulled up.” She herself was stunning in green velvet, white gloves up to her biceps, her fiery hair coquettishly curled up at the tips.
“He’s early,” Elizabeth said, primping her hair a little more. “You haven’t even left yet.”
Leliana gave her a bright smile. “I was just about to, that’s how I saw him. Well, bon soir, ma cherie, and have a lovely time at the party.”
“You too,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll be listening for your voice.”
Leliana smiled again and left. Elizabeth took a deep breath, exited the washroom, returned to her own room where she had laid out her fur coat on her bed, ready for her. With her heels, and her coat, and her own gloves, she was ready.
Duncan Arrynson, chief of the Denerim Grey Warden Police Force, met her at her door. “Thank you again for agreeing to this, Detective. I realize it’s an inconvenience.”
“We must all make sacrifices in the pursuit of duty,” she said, half-lightly, and let him hold the car door for her. “If only all such sacrifices were as easy and light as this one. Besides, it’s a night out. It should be interesting.”
“Indeed.” He got in to the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb, and they set off down the dimming misty streets of Denerim.
The mansion of Cailan Theirin, CEO of Theirin Inc., was immense. He was, after all, the richest man in the Ferelden, and fond of throwing his money around at a whim. But he had taste, and Elizabeth had to confess that the effect of this magnificent edifice was marvelous.
Duncan parked in front of the main steps and they disembarked, and he offered her his arm as the valet drove their car away. “I hope you’re not nervous.”
“No, don’t worry, sir. My parents may not be as rich as Mr. Theirin, but the Cousland Foundation is well known among the upper circles of Ferelden.”
“Ah, that’s right. So you may see familiar faces tonight.”
“Perhaps.” She did not mention that she hadn’t been at a Cousland party since she was eighteen and just beginning her studies at the Warden Academy, almost ten years ago.
She hadn’t quite been expecting Cailan Theirin himself to meet them at the top of the stairs, greeting all of his guests with a huge boyish smile and a hearty handshake. His beautiful wife, Anora, was a step behind him, greeting guests with an elegant smile of her own. “Ah, Duncan! You’re early! Work not so bad tonight?”
“Not so bad I can’t accept an invitation from an old friend, Cailan,” Duncan said, shaking Cailan’s hand. “Perhaps you know – Elizabeth Cousland, senior detective and a personal friend.”
“Ah, Miss Cousland, younger daughter of the Couslands? We’ve never met, but I’m delighted to make your acquaintance now.” He kissed her hand gallantly. “I’ve always wondered, why would a lady of your standing become a police officer?”
“Detective,” she corrected him. “I’ve always had a bit of an independent streak, Mr. Theirin. And I wish to do this as my part in Ferelden society.”
“Please, call me Cailan. Everyone else does! Well, I know who to call on if ever I need something solved, eh, Duncan?”
“Thank you, sir,” she said, charmed by his exuberant and slightly naive cheer.
“Go on in, go on in, there’s drinks and nibbles and live music. My wife and I will be around shortly if you need anything or want to chat; enjoy the party!”
“You too,” Duncan said, and with a bow to Mrs. Theirin they went inside.
There were dozens of people inside, and most of the important ones she knew by sight, even if they didn’t know her. Loghain Mac Tyr, Cailan’s father-in-law and the COO of Theirin Inc., Eamon and Isolde Guerrin, Cailan’s uncle and aunt and founders of Guerrin Inc., even Irving Bloom of Kinloch Corp. and Endrin Aeducan of Aeducan Industries. She wondered if she would see her parents, or at least her brother there, since it seemed everyone else who was anyone else was present. Light chatter filled the air, but she could still hear the jazz band playing softly behind them, Leliana’s voice crooning in Dalish along with them.
“Why are we here, sir?” she murmured to Duncan. “I had thought this was a high-society gathering of Mr. Theirin’s friends and you needed a date. This seems… There’s tension in the air.”
“This is a gathering of Cailan’s closest friends… and acquaintances… and their friends and acquaintances,” Duncan said. “Or so I would have reassured you, but you are correct. Perhaps it’s the presence of Miss Valmont and her Orlesian entourage.”
Elizabeth let her eyes drift around the vast hall until they settled on a young woman with platinum blonde hair and a regal bearing, draped in blue silk embroidered in a complex pattern. “The others do seem to be giving her a lot of respectful space.”
“However, that’s not for us to worry about. Champagne?” He took two glasses from the tray of a circulating waiter and offered her one.
“Thank you, sir.”
He saw someone else he knew. “Ah, Rendon Howe. It’s a fine crowd this evening, isn’t it?”
“It surely is,” Rendon Howe said, turning to Duncan with a half-lidded smile. “Although I have to wonder what young Cailan was thinking, inviting the Orlesians. Surely he knows his father-in-law hates them.”
“Perhaps he is hoping an evening of polite levity will do away such thoughts,” Duncan said mildly. “How is your older son? I heard he is studying at the Warden Academy.”
“He’s taken to it with great enthusiasm. I had wished he would follow more closely in my footsteps, but Thomas has taken up that burden. Perhaps when Nathaniel graduates, he will be among your officers?”
“I’d be happy to have him,” Duncan said with a slight bow. “Is that Irving? I wonder what he’s been up to?” He turned to Elizabeth. “Feel free to mingle, Detective. Unless you’d rather come listen to old men ramble about the past.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I’d like to go listen to Leliana for a while. I’ll be back shortly.”
She wandered slowly through the crowd in the direction of the pleasant music, looking about her. So many wealthy names and famous faces here; 70% of the nation’s wealth represented in this single room. And most of the ruling council, as well – the two overlapped quite a bit.
There was a reason she’d moved out of her parents’ home, determined to stand on her own two feet, rather than lie around as a pretty heiress waiting to get married. She could have. But that would not have served anyone except herself, and she knew what the world was like outside of these ivory halls, what life was like for the poor and homeless and helpless in society – the very antithesis of these elegant, bejeweled oligarchs that surrounded her now, so smug behind their politely smiling masks. The former were the people she wanted to help, to defend. The latter she would do her duty for, but no more.
She made her way close to Leliana’s stage and found herself next to a young woman about her own age, with jet black hair and disconcerting yellow eyes staring from the depths of vivid purple eyeshadow, wearing a maroon gown that was somewhat old-fashioned but still definitely striking. The woman was eyeing her critically. “And you are?”
“Elizabeth Cousland,” Elizabeth said, offering her hand to shake with a smile. “And you?”
“Morrigan Black. Aren’t you that female detective?”
“I am indeed. Isn’t your mother the president of the Korcari Company?”
“Yes.” Miss Black turned slightly away with a disdainful sniff. “I hope that’s not evidence of your detecting abilities.”
Elizabeth chuckled, determined not to let her get under her skin. “I’m not exactly on duty right now.” Besides, the tabloids kept an eye on Morrigan Black. She knew who she was.
“No? Then your presence here with Chief Arrynson is…”
“As a colleague,” Elizabeth assured her, hoping to lay any scandalous thoughts to rest before they began. “But I am not here to detect anything.”
“He is fortunate to have at least one female officer on his roster, then,” Miss Black retorted. “Still, if you are any good, it’s a waste to have you here looking decorative. Ask him for a raise.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Thank you, but I don’t mind. It’s something different than the routine. And of course,” she raised her glass, “there is excellent wine and entertainment.”
“True enough,” Miss Black said, her expression lightening. “Of course, if it were me, I’d ask him for hazard pay anyway.”
“Hazard pay?”
“Against the hazard that I become bored and start setting the curtains on fire. You smile, but I would, if given the opportunity. Look at all these dull boring people, crowded in here with no purpose. It’s enough to drive one mad.”
“You don’t seem to be setting curtains on fire yet,” Elizabeth said, wondering if she felt the same as her on the topic of rich people.
Miss Black sighed. “I’m representing my mother, so I must be on good behavior tonight. But I hate crowds.”
“I do too,” Elizabeth said candidly. “But this place is so large, I am not so uncomfortable.”
“Good for you,” Miss Black said. “But no place is large enough with Celene Valmont in it, I’m thinking.”
“Really?” Elizabeth asked, her curiosity perking. Duncan might have said it was not their business, but she hated to let a mystery go uninvestigated.
Morrigan smirked and lowered her voice. “Rumour has it that Cailan is to sign a merger with Valmont Industries soon, and of course Loghain and Rendon are furious.”
“Neither of them are friendly with Orlesians, it’s well known,” Elizabeth said. Was that why Cailan had asked Leliana to sing? She was a Fereldan citizen, but she had been raised in Orlais and still spoke and sang with an accent.
“True. Loghain is especially displeased, since Celene is younger than Anora – and more beautiful.”
“I see your meaning,” Elizabeth said. “Though I think it is subjective… yet I know it has more bearing than I’d wish.”
“There, you’re not so dull,” Morrigan said to her. “In any case, despite it only being a rumour, she’s certainly here tonight to lend credence to it. I wonder if someone will make a scene. I hope so.”
Cailan Theirin himself was approaching them. “Morrigan, Elizabeth, how are you doing? Can I get you anything?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
“I’m finding proceedings excessively dull,” Miss Black said. “Couldn’t you have found a livelier singer?”
“You don’t like Leliana Rossignol?” Cailan asked blankly. “But she’s the best in Denerim right now.”
“And she’s my roommate,” Elizabeth put in.
Miss Black smirked. “I do apologize. Still, Detective Cousland is the most interesting person I’ve found to talk to all evening, Cailan. Invite her more often, without her fusty chief of police.”
“Duncan is a most respectable-” Cailan began, laughing.
Miss Black cut him off with a wave of her hand. “He’s a calm, reliable, dependable chief of police… and a fright to look at and listen to. He’s most excellent at what he does, only he also kills all joy while he’s at it.”
“I think you overexaggerate, madam,” Cailan protested cheerfully. “He’s cautious, yes, but he’s also very brave, and he has wonderful stories of his adventures with the Wardens! I’m proud to call him my friend.”
Elizabeth smiled widely at him. “As am I. And my partner on the force as well.”
Miss Black rolled her eyes.
“But I shall certainly invite Miss- I mean, Detective Cousland in future,” Cailan assured her. “If that’s acceptable to you as well, of course.”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth said. “You have a beautiful home, and I wouldn’t mind meeting Miss Black in future.” Not to mention Cailan and Anora themselves; they seemed so friendly.
“Then it’s settled. We’re having a garden party next Thursday at three, will you be busy?”
“If I don’t have a case, I would be delighted.”
“I’ll invite your brother, too, of course. I invited him tonight, but it turns out he’s away in Lothering or some ungodly place like that, so he couldn’t be here.”
“Fergus is always running about,” Elizabeth said. “My parents hoped Oriana and Oren would steady him down, but no, he always has to check on the business affairs in person. But I hope he comes. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, actually.”
“Then it’s a date! Ah, Anora’s calling me. Yes, dearest! I must go. Enjoy the rest of your evening!”
She entered Drakon Police HQ the next morning and was greeted by a bright, eager face just showing the slightest scruff on his chin. “Well, well, how was your fancy do with Cailan?”
“Interesting, awkward, and with plenty of excellent alcohol to help both adjectives,” she answered. “How was your night with the dog?”
“Relaxing,” Alistair Theirin said, stretching. “Although I can’t help the feeling that he understands more of the show I’m watching than I do. The way he perks up at plot points – it’s uncanny.”
“He’s a smart dog, all right,” Elizabeth said, smiling at her partner. Alistair Theirin was Cailan Theirin’s half-brother, and not a detective, but a rank-and-file police officer assigned to Elizabeth. Though she was technically his boss, they were more equals than not. “Any messages?”
“Hey, I only just got in myself.”
But the instant she stepped into her office, her phone began to ring. She crossed to it without even removing her heavy wool overcoat and answered it. “Detective Cousland.”
It wasn’t Dispatch like she had expected, but Duncan himself; his voice was a little unsteady. “Detective, you’re wanted down at the Theirin mansion. Cailan… Cailan was found dead this morning. Suspected murder.”