Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"So, the death notification..." the lieutenant says as soon as you've left the apartment.

He's avoiding your gaze. This is the time to say how sorry you are about how things went.

"I'm sorry, I know I fucked up."

"It's alright, don't worry about it." His eyes wander over the sleeping district.

"I'll call the station tomorrow and let them know the name of the deceased."

"What about Billie and her kids?"

"There's not much we can do for them anymore, I'm afraid."

They have to. It's not your place to live their lives.

"That's it?"

"That's it. We should get back to our case. There's nothing more we can do here."

"Right, lets try to get back to it then." [Leave.]

He looks at you. "And... officer -- I've seen worse. This wasn't the worst I've seen, okay? Now, let's go."

I really have, he thinks. She was strong. She made it easy for us.

You look south, over the crumbling balustrade. There -- 1.2 kilometres away -- a piece of broken stone cuts into the sky. A tomb. On it, a mural that used to say: tomorrow is just a whisper away. You cannot really see the Feld building from here, but somehow you feel like you should return to it.

"It's alright, don't worry about it." His eyes wander over the streets.

"I'll call the station when we're finished with the day and let them know the name of the deceased."

"There's nothing to discuss, let's move on." [Leave.]

"Well, I'll call the station when we're done with the day and inform them about the identity of the deceased."

"But yes, that's on me. Let's get on with the murder investigation."

"That did not go..."

"Well? No, it didn't."

"You did well," the lieutenant says as soon as you've left the apartment. The balcony feels cool and quiet, with a stunning view over the sleeping district.

"Great, the case is closed then." [Leave.]

"Sure, I'll call the station when we're done with the day. Let's go."

"I could have done more."

"You did enough." He pauses, rubbing his hands together to generate some heat.

"Can't save the whole world, you know?"

Can't bring the dead back.

Say nothing.

"Anyway, I'll call the station tomorrow and let them know the name of the deceased."

"Right, this is closed then." [Leave.]

He nods. "Let's go."

"That's it?"

"That's it. We should get back to our case now that our duty here is done."

"What about Billie and her kids?"

"They'll manage."

They have to. It's not your place to live their lives.

"Anyway, I'll call the station when we're finished with the day and let them know the name of the deceased."

(Nod.) "What now?"

"I'll call the station tomorrow and let them know the name of the deceased."

"I'll call the station when we're finished with the day and let them know the name of the deceased."