Episode One: New Taste

"You tell me everything you know about this now and it's a deal."

Cole was relieved but didn't show it, hoping he would get as much info as he could while being sure the little bastard was telling the truth.

With PROWL in tow, Rodrigo heads for the interrogation room where Cole is dealing with Ulgrik. He pauses at the door, then ducks into the adjacent viewing room.

The door to the interrogation viewing area opens, and a human male enters. His slender frame is grooved with wrinkles that furrow into his dark skin, and swaths of ash grey run through the stubble on his chin. A knit wool skull cap covers his bald head, and layers of clothes with a light jacket help keep him warm in the air-conditioned office. A messenger bag hangs across his back, and he tucks a smartphone back into the pocket of his khaki slacks.

"Looking for Isabelle," says his voice, tinged with the gravel of age. "Someone said she'd be around here?"

Spying the halfling in the lab coat, his face breaks into a smile. "Oh, hey Bob. Thanks for the ginger cookies in the break room. You seen Isabelle?"

Jericho shrugs. "Not sure, just some message about field work and to join her in Interrogation. About how long ago did she leave; maybe I can catch her?"

Almost on a whim, Jericho touches a copper wire looped through his earlobe and channels a bit of arcane magic through it. I'm here in Interrogation with Bob. What did you need me for? he mentally sends through his Message spell, hoping that Isabelle is still within range.

Jericho nods. "It's all right, I'll find the room. I'll see you later. Thanks." He gives a nod and departs for another interrogation area, looking for those that might fit the description of 'scoundrel.'

"Alright, Ulgrik. Thank you. One last thing... What do you know about this Dream Lord? It tries to be mysterious but we're trying to figure it out. Why does Jakor fear it so much?"

Rodrigo subconsciously leans forward in anticipation of Ulgrik's response to Cole's question. An information about this so-called Dream Lord is vital to the investigation.

"Does the Dream Lord only torment the dreams of goblins and hobgoblins or are others haunted?"

Jericho steps into the viewing area and glances at the notes on his smartphone. Seeing that there is an active interrogation going on in the other room, he deviates to the one-way mirror and stands next to Rodrigo and PROWL.

"You're Mr. Diaz, right?" the older man says quietly, and extends a hand. "Jericho Spring. DBA and Middleware. Isabelle sent me to look for you, said there was some field work to take care of. We can chat later, though." He tips his head towards the hobgoblin in the other room.

Once attention is returned to the questioning, Jericho leans back and gives a slow nod to PROWL.

"Agent Diaz now. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Spring." Rodrigo returns the handshake absently. His eyes never leave the hobgoblin in the other room.

"Yeah, and we can stop more violence. Jakor wants to fight it so he must think there's hope in resisting. If this thing is tormenting dreams, how did he plan to fight it with real world weapons?"

While the interrogation continues, Jericho turns to the short list of notes he's been provided. He begins to check on contact information for Charles's son, Alan, as well as the restaurant Burger & Brew. Once he has the address in Van Nuys, Jericho looks for maps of electric and water utilities, and surface streets. He rounds out his research by compiling a list of schedules for all employees and deliveries.