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Getting a Clue: Setting The Stage
Fallout 4

Getting a Clue: Setting The Stage

Complete Getting a Clue in fallout 4. Get Kellogg's House Key via speech check, lockpicking, or hacking. Rewards include Caps, Faded Trenchcoat, and Worn Fedora.

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Complete Getting a Clue in fallout 4. Get Kellogg's House Key via speech check, lockpicking, or hacking. Rewards include Caps, Faded Trenchcoat, and Worn Fedora.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Head back to Diamond City and go to Nick Valentine's office.
  2. 2
    Speak with Ellie, then ask for your payment to receive the agreed-upon Caps plus a bonus: a Faded Trenchcoat and a Worn Fedora.
  3. 3
    Sit at Nick's desk and tell him your story. When prompted, describe your attacker to identify Kellogg as a potential lead.
  4. 4
    Nick reveals Kellogg has a house in Diamond City. Leave the office with Nick.
  5. 5
    On the way, Nick will mention Kellogg's modus operandi. Follow him to Kellogg's house, which is locked with a [Master] lock.
  6. 6
    Nick suggests getting a key from the Mayor's Office. Take the lift to the Mayor's Office.
  7. 7
    You can optionally speak with Piper, who is hassling the secretary, and pass a speech check for XP.
  8. 8
    Talk to Geneva and ask about locked houses. She will state Kellogg's house has been seized.
  9. 9
    You can obtain the key by:
    • Passing a hard speech check.
  10. 10
    Passing a moderate speech check using the "my baby’s been stolen!" dialogue.
  11. 11
    Bribing Geneva for 250 Caps.
  12. 12
    Alternatively, if diplomacy fails, you can steal the key:
    • Wait until night and sneak past the security guard.
  13. 13
    Steal the key from the secretary's desk (a [Novice] lock).
  14. 14
    Alternatively, sneak into the Mayor's computer room, hack the [Novice] terminal, and access his emails and notes. This will also unlock the safe to the left.
  15. 15
    You can also pick the safe yourself if you can bypass the [Advanced] lock. A second copy of "Kellogg’s House Key" is inside the safe.
  16. 16
    Once you have the key, return to Nick and open Kellogg's house.
  17. 17
    Loot the house. Find and press the button underneath the desk to open a hidden room.
  18. 18
    Loot the hidden room, noting the cigar "San Francisco Sunlight" on the table.
  19. 19
    Speak with Nick. Suggest that Dogmeat might help. Nick agrees and asks if you want his help. You can choose to tell him to "Come with me" to recruit him as a companion.
  20. 20
    Leave the house and give Dogmeat the scent. This completes the quest and starts the next main story quest, "Reunions".

The Disappearing Act Quest:

After completing "Getting a Clue", return to the Valentine Detective Agency. Search a desk in the corner for the "Earl Sterling Case File" to start this quest.

  1. Your first objective is to find a key to Earl Sterling’s House. The door is a [Novice] lock and can be picked.
  2. Alternatively, visit the Dugout Inn to speak with Vadim Bobrov, who reported Earl's disappearance. If you don't pick the lock, talking to Vadim will grant you "Earl Sterling’s House Key".
  3. Speak with Vadim's brother Yefim and Scarlett. Both have moderate speech checks and mention Earl wanted a new face at the Mega Surgery Center.
  4. Head to Earl's House. Loot the Duffle Bag upstairs.
  5. On the lower floor by the couch, find a folder which is a clue to what happened to Earl.
Tips
  • Consider saving before attempting speech checks or lockpicking/hacking.
  • Equip Charisma gear before attempting speech checks.
  • Bringing Dogmeat along as a companion can help raise his disposition and potentially unlock his companion quest, "Long Time Coming".
  • 100 - 250 Caps (depending on negotiations and bribes)
  • Faded Trenchcoat
  • Worn Fedora

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