Navigating the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout 4 requires a sharp mind, especially when searching for your missing son, Shaun. The main quest titled Getting a Clue serves as a pivotal turning point in your journey as it connects you with the Commonwealth's most famous detective. Finding the right evidence during this investigation relies on your observation skills and tactical decision-making within Diamond City.
Meeting Nick Valentine at the Agency
After successfully rescuing the synth detective from his confinement in Vault 114, you must return to the heart of Diamond City to begin the real work. Head over to the Valentine Detective Agency to find Nick and his assistant, Ellie Perkins, waiting for your arrival. Sit down with the detective to discuss the details of your son's kidnapping and provide any information you have gathered so far.
During this conversation, Nick will analyze the clues and pinpoint Conrad Kellogg as the primary suspect behind the crime. He reveals that Kellogg recently lived in a townhouse situated in the abandoned West Stands district of the stadium. This deduction marks the formal beginning of your hunt and transitions the investigation directly toward Kellogg's property.
Infiltrating Conrad Kellogg's House
Investigating the suspect's residence presents an immediate puzzle because the front door remains tightly locked from the inside. Players can choose a few distinct strategic pathways to gain entrance depending on their character build and current resources. If your lockpicking skill is exceptionally high, you can attempt to crack the Master-level lock manually on the doorframe.
For those who prefer a non-destructive method, speaking with Mayor McDonough or his assistant Geneva can yield a key to the house. You can either use a difficult Charisma speech check to convince them or pay a hefty bribe of bottlecaps to secure the key. Alternatively, sneaky players can attempt to pickpocket the item directly from Geneva's desk while the guards look away.
Uncovering the Secret Laboratory
Once inside the house, the ground floor looks completely normal and devoid of any obvious kidnapping evidence at first glance. However, you need to walk behind the desk on the first floor to locate a hidden red button mounted underneath the structure. Pressing this button reveals a secret backroom containing Kellogg's personal laboratory and high-tech equipment.
Scouring this hidden sub-level allows you to collect valuable resources alongside the mandatory quest items required for progression. You must pick up the San Francisco Sunlights cigars scattered on the table to provide a clear scent trail for the next phase. Finding these distinct items automatically triggers an interaction with your canine companion, Dogmeat, who waits patiently outside.
Initiating the Next Phase of the Hunt
Show the cigar to Dogmeat right outside the residence so he can catch the distinct scent of the mercenary. Your loyal companion will immediately pick up the trail and begin tracking Kellogg across the dangerous open wilderness. This action successfully concludes the current objective and immediately initializes the subsequent main story mission, Reunions.
Completing this entire sequence also unlocks Nick Valentine as a permanent companion option for your future travels. He brings unique hacking abilities to your team, which makes exploring restricted terminal systems across the wasteland significantly easier. Taking advantage of his analytical perspective adds substantial depth to the overall post-apocalyptic narrative experience.
