Hyrule Noir II: Chapter 3

The Legend of Zelda
Hyrule Noir II
by Dennis Davies, 2012

Chapter 3

Thursday, 15:18.  My Office & Apartment, Kokiri Boulevard.

The huge Goron man eyeballed me intensely as I neared the door to my office.  He had a look of granite and was built like a boulder. Despite the cold weather outside he was wearing only jeans and a wifebeater vest top which struggled to contain his giant chest and round belly.  His arms were equally colossal and covered in tribal style tattoos.  I'd seen my fair share of big guys in my line of work, but he was easily one of the biggest.  Had to admit I was a little bit intimidated.

"You Link?  The Private Eye?"  His voice was gravel and loudly thundered through the hallway.
"That depends.  You the Tax man?"

He grunts and folds his arms.  His brow furrowed and I could tell that making wise cracks would be particularly stupid right about now.

"Yes, I'm Detective Link.  Can I help you Sir?"
"It's about time.  I've been waiting here since lunch.  I don't like to miss lunch."
"Sorry, I've been working a case.  You'd better come on in."

I unlocked the door and hung my green hat and jacket on the rack.  The Goron followed, barely fitting through the door frame as he ducked under.  His head nearly touched the ceiling in my office.  I pour myself a slug of whiskey from the decanter on my desk and sit myself down on my weathered swivel chair.
"Have a seat, Mister...?"

He pulls out the wooden chair opposite mine and carefully placed himself on the seat.  The legs creak and groan under his muscled bulk.  He scratched at his wild hair and large, greying beard before clearing his throat.

"Darunia.  Darunia Slate."
"So what can I do for you Darunia?"
"Well brother, I hope I can trust you.  I don't know who else to turn to.  My people aren't exactly listened to in this city, especially by the HCPD, and I hear through the grapevine that you're the sort of man who helps all people."
"I do my best regardless of who needs me Darunia."
"Good.  So let's cut to the chase."

He unfolds his arms and places his hands on the table.  He starts drumming his sausage fingers on the desk top.
"As I'm sure you've heard, us Goron people are not exactly welcome in Hyrule City."
"I've heard.  People don't take kindly to gang violence though."
"Understandable.  Except all those attacks you hear about on the news?  That's not us."
"To be honest, I'm inclined to agree with you.  It didn't add up from the start - you all come to Hyrule to find work and make money for your families.  Why screw it up by causing problems?"
"That's right Detective.  We're only a small community and it was my idea to bring my people here in the first place.  They voted for me to be a leader of sorts.  I came to Hyrule, spoke with the Governor Zelda and applied for work permits.  I can personally vouch for each and every Goron in that rotten ghetto they stuck us in."
"So what do you want me for?"
"I want you to find out why my people are being blamed for all the attacks and robberies and everything in between.  If you can clear our names, maybe you Hylians will accept us as a part of this city.  Did you hear about that Lonlon girl yesterday?  We would never murder somebody.  We Gorons have always prided ourselves on being a peaceful race."
"That's a big task Mr. Slate.  I'm not sure how I could get into all those police case files.  As far as they're concerned, those incidents are closed.  People think your men did it and occasionally a Goron gets arrested and sent down.  As much as I wish I could change things, I can't alter people's opinions overnight."
"I don't expect you to, brother.  But what I'm asking is that you perhaps look for evidence on cases that are still open, something that would exonerate us from these crimes.  Please Detective Link, we find it hard enough living off the sub-minimum wages we get from building your houses and mowing your lawns.  We don't need to be scapegoats on top of that.  I have the rupees.  At least consider it."
"Darunia, unfortunately I am already working a case for a close friend of mine so I can't get on it straight away.  However, I am convinced that someone is letting you guys take the fall for whatever petty crime occurs.  And if my hunch is right, then it could go deeper than you might think.  If that's the case, I can only do so much.  I'll see what I can do Mr. Slate, but I want you to know that there's a very real possibility that things might not end well."

"I respect that Detective.  Thank you for considering my case.  I only hope things do not escalate further before you're able to help.  Because if it comes down to it, we will fight to defend ourselves.  Goodbye brother."

And with that, the giant picked himself up out of the creaking chair, ducked and squeezed out of the door and went on his way.  I didn't know what to do.  There was a time when the HCPD would have worked with me and allowed me to delve into previous files.  Now that deranged, midget bastard Cole is the Commissioner, I'm not so sure.

Thursday, 16:10.  My Office & Apartment, Kokiri Boulevard.

I had barely stepped out of the shower when my 'other' radio crackled and spluttered to life.  My CB radio had been modified to pick up Police communications and it was receiving a signal right now.  I rushed over, towel still wrapped around my waist and soaking wet, to turn it up.  Bad news:

"Repeat, this is Dispatch calling any available squad cars.  Possible 187 reported at a drinking hole in Castle Town District.  Telma's Jazz Bar on 5th Street.  That's Tango, Echo, Lima, Mike, Alpha Jazz Bar on 5th Street.  Immediate emergency assistance required.  Please acknowledge, over."
"Roger, Dispatch.  Officer Groose 4776673 en route to 5th now.  ETA four minutes.  Over."

Shit.  Another murder.  Could be another Goron framing.  I had to get over there.  I hope to the Goddesses that Telma isn't the victim.  Have to get there right away.  Then, another voice over the radio:

"Dispatch, this is Police Commissioner Cole.  Inform the officers not to let anyone near the crime scene.  I will see to it personally.  ETA ten minutes.  Over and out."

I didn't have long.  I need to get there before Cole can cover it all up.  Telma's is within walking distance from here.  I can make it if I run.