(bumping Toser. But also if either of the other 2 were not off doing something completely different during Toser's watch, I would say you are nearby enough to be aware of Mirt returning)

[[How about this, Wagner returns, expecting to relieve Toser and sees Mirt’s return. If Toser’s player gets here, they make an excuse why Toser got distracted and we both talk to Mirt, if not, I do it.]]

(Fine by me)

Wagner is returning to Mirt’s to relieve Toser and is concerned when he doesn’t see the gnome waiting. When he sees the merchant arriving, he speeds up his approach, misty stepping the last couple of feet. “Mirt!” exclaims Wagner, “ I was hoping to talk to you, but maybe someplace more private?”

"Hello Wagner, come on inside, we can talk in my study" And he leads you into his lavish study

“Mirt, the bards are in trouble, a gnome with Zhent ties was apparently headed to our inn, and was fireballed to death by persons unknown also killing his Zhent pursuers and some bystanders. Some sort of clock work man may have been involved, and the fireball was probably the product of a magic item use, not a spell. 
Can you find out if the Harpers can shed any light on this?”

"And here I was hoping for some good news. It sounds like we can reach a mutual agreement. We will look into a clockwork man. It is specific enough for us to work with, and we have a location for a probably sighting to start with at your Tavern. And in return, you can help out an old lady who reached out to us. Uza Solizeph is an old woman who sells books out of a narrow three-story building on Sorn Street in the Trades Ward. She claims to have trapped a monster in her shop and fears for the welfare of her books and her cat. The City Watch isn’t likely to lend a hand, given Uza’s propensity for tall tales, but the Harpers owe her a favor. You’ll find her sobbing at Felzoun’s Folly, a tavern on the corner of Sorn Street and Salabar Street. We will send you a paper bird once we have found any information."

Wagner says goodbye to Mirt, and hurries back to the Manor. He intends to collect whomever he can and get to Uza’s shop as soon as possible. “He describes the possibilities of what we might find there in ridiculous terms. “adventure! Monsters! Kitties!”

"It does seem like an... unusual ask," sighed Sterling as Wagner explained. "Still, I suppose it's a minor favor to ask for the information we need. So.... off to Uza's bookshop, then?"

Oriace fills in Sterling and Wagner about the meeting with the Zhentarim and that they agreed to forward five questions for the dead gnome and one pursuer to a cleric who can speak with the dead. He comments the questions Mana and he came up with and asks them for their comments and informs them that they will need to pen down the final questions before the evening. After that Oriace is happy to join the adventure to the book shop. 

“Oooh, we can help a cat in trouble? Let’s do it!” Mana chirps excitedly.

Mana strokes Yersinia’s nose and laments, “This is a job you’ll probably want to stay out of, little one. You can stay here and keep Lif company until we return.”

Before leaving, he will make one last stop at his foot locker to see if there is any items he wants to swap out in his inventory.

Toser did not return to the Manor with those who went to the Harpers. Lif has not seen him while you were out.

Wagner is clueless as to what to ask the dead.

Sterling took in Oriace's report, deciding to trust the questions to him and Mana. He then looked around, and went discretely to ask Lif if he'd seen Toser. When the spirit responded in the negative, the bard rubbed his chin, then went back to the others. "Oriace, Mana, I don't suppose you two have seen Toser? He went with us to talk to Mirt, and we'd agreed on meeting back here afterwards, but... Lif hasn't seen him."

“I have not seen him since he left with you all…” Mana quizzically replies.

Without waiting for further conversation, Mana bolts upstairs to see if Toser’s Tavern Chest is still in place and locked. He will return downstairs and relay his findings.

It's still there currently 

Oriace quietly takes a seat at the bar and neatly transcribes the questions he and Mana discussed onto a fresh sheet of parchment. Once satisfied, he leaves the page beneath a small stone on the bar and opens the nearby window. Turning to the empty air, he speaks softly, “Lif, if anyone comes through that window tonight looking for this list, please be so kind as to give it to them.”

As the group brings up Toser’s absence again, Oriace frowns faintly. “He may be pursuing something personal—he’s not exactly the sort to give us every detail of his plans. Still, Sterling, Wagner—did he say anything to either of you before splitting off?” He turns to Mana next. “And nothing near his chest, no message or note?”  (effectively questions to the DM)

After a pause, he gives a little nod. “Well, we’ll keep our eyes open. In the meantime, let’s not leave this woman and her cat to fend for themselves. The sooner we deal with it, the sooner we might hear back from our… correspondents.”

“Nothing. I was returning to relieve him on Mirtwatch when I noticed he was not there.”

Sterling nodded to Oriace. While Toser's disappearance was a concern, he wasn't a weakling, and for now, they had to address what they could. With that, he followed the others towards the bookstore.

Mana gathers his things and bids adieu to Yersinia. He offers to lead the group via the quickest path to Felzoun’s Folly.

 He recalls this intersection of Sorn and Salazar, north of River Road. He remembers being unceremoniously escorted away while panhandling outside of this very tavern some months ago. He can’t recall the narrow 3 story bookstore, however. Hopefully Uza, the bookseller, will be easy to find and provide further directions.

Mana is glad the others follow. It is easier to hide the concern on his face for the disappearance of Toser.