okay, after people voted to run after the kid I feel I had to come in here and take part.
the thief was useless. And we lost our chance with the sailor. we will lose our chance at the hospital if we don't go after it. It's time-sensitive, the Blushing Mermaid isn't going anywhere.

Also, 2 facts that people ignored
1. guy was impaled with an anchor. that's a weird weapon, sounds personal. Consider why you would do that, and who could do something like that. (pro tip: not a lanky thief)
2. As we were reminded of with the thief, the elf wasn't robbed, this wasn't done for money, this was to send a message or as an act of revenge.

we've had 2 hints to go to the Blushing Mermaid, so it's obviously the next step in the story. But we can potentially get more from the hospital.