Aldrich is an innkeeper in Godshand and one of the selected judges for the Hand Debate, alongside Sara and Mira. His death begins the investigation recorded in CSI Godshand.
The inn and his debts
His inn stands beside the brewery. Business has declined, although he hired staff for the Debate season and continued purchasing supplies after apparently closing. He gambles with Tibin Quickstep and Jessa, repeatedly loses, and owes money to Heron. The session notes describe purchases used to launder money.
Evidence found after his death
- Tibin finds his body in the inn’s bedroom.
- A note asks him to meet someone at the riverbank at dusk; his boots show no sign of having been there.
- Fine green powder is found on his lips, with an apothecary smell nearby and small boot prints in the room.
- A box of herbs has been delivered from Greenleaf supplies.
- His desk contains a notebook with information about the Debate’s secretly selected judging panel.
The investigation
The inquiry follows his debts, the transport arrangement with Tibin, and purchases of (K)Night’s Mercy. He was also seen arguing about a recipe with a woman in earthy clothes. Marla Greenleaf later attacks the investigators when confronted and is taken into custody. These events are evidence in the case; the notes do not record a final verdict identifying Aldrich’s killer.