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— free day: murder, mystery, modern / #neveweek2025 day 7

rating: r-13 / mild content warnings: death, murder, violence / @datvcompanionweeks

disclaimer: it's very tame/light but due to the nature of the subject of the fic, reader's discretion is advised anyway! summary: in the year 20:25, rising detective neve gallus solves a cold case surrounding a famed tevinter celebrity and unintentionally uncovers a venatori scheme.

this is got really long so i'll spare you guys the author's note, but i'm happy to finally share the full piece from the wip last week since i took free day and made a prompt/au i've been wanting to write for ages!! hope you guys like it! <3 formatting will be better and more immersive when i upload this to ao3 in the future!

The Minrathous Daily Standard

Ferventis 5, 20:25, Vol. 6, No. 5

INFAMOUS LOCKHART-GALVUS MURDER CASE: SOLVED!

By Sigurd Mahariel

After 26 years of dead ends and mystery, Detective Neve Gallus solves the chilling case of the murder of the late actress and philanthropist Elizabeth Lockhart-Galvus which shook the entertainment world.

In 19:99, Elizabeth was found unresponsive in her New Minrathous home after ingesting a strong concoction of opioids and sedatives in the early hours of Wintermarch 22. Foul play was suspected. Detectives turned her house upside-down for any clues they missed and were completely stumped until her housemaid, Mrs. Hannah Barrow, came forward and admitted into serving the actress her breakfast, claiming that Caius Iulius Barbatus, a fellow actor, ordered her to serve her employer the poisoned drink at gunpoint.

Without strong proof of C. Iulius’ involvement, law enforcement quickly detained the housemaid and convicted her for murder.

24 years later, Detective Gallus stumbled upon Elizabeth’s diary, which she found hidden inside a faux book in a local charity shop by chance. The diary contains the actress’ harrowing final thoughts before her death, incriminating C. Iulius as the true suspect.

Detective Gallus submitted the appeal to reopen the Lockhart-Galvus case in spite of massive pushback. Following her breakthrough, a trial that lasted 18 months found C. Iulius guilty of murder and sentenced to life without parole.

With a bold statement, Detective Gallus says at the press conference, “How the detectives missed such a bright colored object is beyond me. Had this come to light sooner, Mrs. Barrow wouldn’t have needed to spend 24 years in prison.”

It is determined that the suspect began plotting the murder following Elizabeth’s marriage to businessman Lucius Galvus as revenge for exposing injustices he committed against young actresses that led to him losing nearly all his business deals. “The People’s Princess finally found her justice,” Serena Hawke, President of Elizabeth’s fan club, says. “It is always as she says: the truth will reveal itself in due time!”

Elizabeth is remembered by her husband and two children, and her dedicated fans around the world.

"I’m surprised they actually chose that statement to quote you, Neve." Rana Savas casually tosses the morning newspaper onto Neve's desk, an amused look creeping up her face as she studies the esteemed woman of the hour from across her. “Newspapers love to err in neutrality.”

“For better or for worse.” Neve sighs, dumping the ashes in her pipe onto an ashtray on her desk. “But we take the wins where we can get them. This case never would have gotten as far as it did if the people of Dock Town did not rally behind it as hard as they did.”

She packs some tobacco in the pipe, then takes one big breath as she uses her free hand to create a small fire and burn its contents.

“Solving the case would never bring Elizabeth back, nor would it return the years Mrs. Barrow lost while in prison, but I suppose this is the best we can aid them.”

Collapsing against the back of her chair, Neve massages her forehead. A second migraine could very well form in this moment with the endless stream of emails and phone calls she has been receiving.

Neve is no stranger to the press, the fanmail, and the hatemail. The Lockhart-Galvus case is not her first high profile investigation that turned into an open spectacle. However, given how public this case ended up being per the wishes of Elizabeth’s family and the community in Dock Town where Hannah Barrow lived, keeping up with the aftershocks feels impossible.

“And the water is wet.” Rana shakes her head. “It’s only ten in the morning, Neve, and you’re already on a third fix of your pipe. What would Rook say?”

Neve rolls her eyes, scoffing at Rana’s words.

“Rook can say what he wants. He’s just as guilty,” she grumbles. “Besides, we have more pressing matters. You should have seen what waited for us when I picked up the mail this morning.”

She flings a dozen pieces of sealed envelopes that she pulls out from under her desk and watches them land on the top and scatter across the already tight surface.

“I predicted a flood hitting us once all is said and done, and I still seemed to have overestimated the feedback. Look at our workload!” she exclaimed.

Her hand gestures to the ten other stacks of manila folders and envelopes that litter the table, all still waiting to be opened. To think that this is only a small portion of their incoming mail…

From where she stands, she can see the wheels turn in Rana’s head as her eyes darted from the haphazard stack of legal envelopes that looks like it’s about to topple over to the most endearing pink envelope decorated with strawberry stickers and some kind of cartoon rabbit with hot pink ears. Then they flicker to the pile of packages in the conference table on the other side of the room. As Rana blinks once, twice, Neve clicks her tongue when the gravity of their predicament finally hits the other woman.

“...has Killian heard of our growing popularity yet?”

“You know the man when he goes on his vacations.” Neve sighs for what seems to be the millionth time that morning. “He always goes off the grid. As far as everyone in this firm is concerned, Killian Mercar is dead to the world right now.”

Neve crosses her arms.

“And they all conveniently always happen whenever a sensational case lands on our desks, it seems.”

The Mercar, Gallus, & Co. Private Investigation Firm will have to temporarily close their requests for the very first time since she and Killian founded the organization seven years ago. Whether her co-founder would be thrilled or not once he hears the news is up for debate.

And he will certainly get an earful from everyone on his return!

“Well, well, well, the star of the hour is actually here!” came a booming voice entering the room.

The two women whipped their heads to see a man waltz in with his chin held high, radiating with a brazen aura as casually planted himself on an empty seat in Neve’s office.

“Good morning, Elek.” Neve greets him with a quick wave of her hand. “You’re not supposed to show up during business hours, or have you already forgotten?”

“You wound me, detective. How could I ever forget?” Elek laughs in his seat for all but a few moments before his expression shifts into something more serious. “Alas, I didn’t come here to socialize.”

Neve and Rana briefly exchanged looks.

“Go on…” Neve prods him to continue, leaning forward on her desk with her hands clasped together. Near her, Rana straightens her back, placing her hands on her hips.

“This breakthrough is certainly putting your good name out there,” he begins, crossing his arms over his chest. “Whether you think it’s a good or a bad thing is completely up to you! However…”

Neve furrows her eyebrows at his pause. She already has a feeling of where this is going.

“In convicting Barbatus, you essentially put a target on your back.” The manner in which Elek said it with finality is more certainly concerning. “You do know who he is associated with, don’t you? A little bird told me that the Venatori didn’t take the verdict kindly.”

She would never admit it, but something in the pit of her stomach dropped. Of fucking course. Not that it would stop her, but the disappointment is all too familiar. You bring forth justice in some form, and feathers are ruffled. Most of the time, the offended parties are all bark and no bite.

The Venatori, on the other hand, are different in that they are as ruthless and influential as they have always been in history. Present legislation is all but a muzzle on a wolf strong enough to break it. Neve has dealt with a few of their members in the past, but none was quite as wealthy and influential as Caius Iulius Barbatus, A-list celebrity in the last twenty years and the son of a magister. That he cleared his name as though nothing happened in 19:95 and 19:99 so easily is testament to his status.

“I am well-aware, thank you,” she quips back at him. “He made sure I knew that.”

Barbatus’ voice still rings in her head as clear as the skies even though a week has already passed since the trial finished.

“Do not forget who I am, Neve Gallus,” Barbatus sneered, hands cuffed behind his back. If looks could kill, he absolutely would have done so the moment she took her place on the witness’s stand. “I will take everything from you as easily as I did with that traitor.”

Traitor.

That he said the word with such vitriol, it made Neve wonder what other secrets did Elizabeth keep hidden behind the glitz, glamour, and image of the ideal woman. Having hidden the acts of terror Barbatus inflicted on her with such care that neither the public nor her family knew what was happening, Neve feels as though there is more to it than petty revenge.

“Whatever your next move is, you have to be careful,” Elek says, leaning back against his chair. “They can turn a blind eye on a grunt that outlasted his usefulness, but a big financial backer is another conversation!”

“We have plenty of mundane inquiries to keep ourselves busy,” Rana adds. “That should be enough to keep them off our tails, right?”

“Yes, but only by a little,” answers Elek. He looks around the office, and walks to close the door after ensuring there is nobody else around. His voice lowers to a whisper. “The Venatori’s influence has grown significantly in the last two years. They have eyes and ears in many places.”

“But that’s always how it has been!” Neve protests.

“They have more eyes and ears now,” Elek throws back. “And with Barbatus getting thrown into jail, his father has all but disowned him for being a disgrace. That extra money he was funneling them is gone.”

Neve quickly stands from her seat and Rana nearly loses her balance at the revelation. Elek scratches the back of his head sheepishly.

“He’s doing what?!” Neve and Rana cry, jaws dropping by the second.

“Well, yes, but you didn’t hear that from me!”

The room got so silent, only the whirring noise of the ceiling fan can be heard reverberating. In the stillness of the private detective’s office, an errant envelope gets blown by the wind, flies away from its pile, and lands on an empty space on the floor between the women and Elek. Rana is the first to move, kneeling down to pick up the piece of pink paper and give it a quick shake.

“This one says it’s from a ‘Lira Lavellan,’” she declares. “Does the name ring a bell to either of you?”

“The pop star? IN-KISS Lira Lavellan?” Elek asks incredulously, “Why would she send you mail?”

“A pop star, huh? Beats me.” Neve walks to Rana, who is opening up the peculiar envelope. “What does it say?”

To whom it may concern: I’m probably not someone you’d expect mail from, but during one of my New Minrathous concerts last week (Molioris 26) I witnessed one of my stylists being harassed by a group of people in black suits and robes. It was super weird because nobody else is supposed to be allowed in the back where me and the girls are, but they were also dressed really professionally so that made it even weirder that they’re coming for a staff member! Anyway, she was really shaken when I came to intervene and the leader of the group looked so irritated when I got there. I think I heard the word “Venatori” in there or something. And they said something about a perfect place for a coup or whatever, which is why I’m bringing this to your attention (I hope the pink envelope and the stickers made this letter stand out to make it look like an adoring fanmail!). I’d rather talk about it in more detail in person so if you need more info, I’m happy to meet you now that I’m on vacation. Looking forward to hearing back from you! ☆ Lira Lavellan P.S. Please take this seriously because it didn’t sound good to me! Also, I am a big fan!!! ☆☆

“Seems very chipper for a supposed report about maybe an obsessive fanclub at best but–Neve?” Rana finishes reading the letter and does a double take at the paleness of Neve’s face.

“Did you say ‘Venatori?’ And what about a coup?” Neve asks urgently, as though she has just snapped out of her reverie. Elek, who has been listening to Rana with amusement, suddenly frowns deeply as though he made some connections in his head.

“That is news, and I don’t like it,” he says, standing up and quickly makes his way to the door. “Please keep me informed about that. I’m going back to the Threads to do some digging.”

“Of course,” Neve nods and sends him on his way, making sure to lock the door behind him. Turning back to Rana, she drags her to the back storage room of the office.

“You can’t be thinking about taking that letter seriously, are you?” Rana hisses, rubbing her arm which Neve gripped tightly.

“Unfortunately, I am.” Neve takes the letter from Rana’s hands and gives it a scan, eyes going over every word intently. “Venatori and coup don’t exactly sound good together.”

“We don’t even know if it’s the real Lavellan who wrote this or if there’s any credibility to it!”

“No, but given our recent discovery about Barbatus, I fear we may have found something… insignificant but big.”

“Do you even hear yourself?!”

Part of Neve agrees with Rana. There is absolutely no evidence to back this claim up besides hearsay. For all she knows, it’s merely someone looking to waste her time. On the other hand, if there is a small chance that there is some truth to this tip, then…

“Wait, what are you doing?” Rana questions Neve as she watches her take her phone out of the pocket of her slacks.

“Making an appointment,” Neve answers, her fingers making quick little taps on her device before putting it away. “I believe the connections we made with Inquisition Entertainment finally have its use. Lace will know what to do next once she gets in touch.”

“Are you actually going to follow this through?”

Neve stops in her tracks. She gives Rana a mirthful smile slowly making its way over her lips.

“Tell me, Rana, have you ever known me to throw away potential false leads?”

“You’ve done it before!”

“I have yes, but something in my gut tells me otherwise.” A pause. “Elek left without saying so much. I think he may know something more than what he lets on.”

And as shady as the Threads are, they are their best hope in catching intel in places she has no network with in the underground where her presence would cause more trouble than it’s worth.

“Well, you’re not wrong, but I still think we might just be chasing a dud.” Rana shrugs, but Neve gives her a reassuring look.

“I’ll cover our bases. The worst that can happen is we have a very confused singer being asked to meet her at her workplace while she’s on vacation.”

“Oh, whatever! Lunch is on you if I’m right.”

Neve grins.

“Deal.”

#dragon age #neve gallus

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