Conversation · The Gardener

"No need to worry," the lieutenant steps in, "we're not saying you did."

"Okay, well, I didn't," she leans back, shoulders relaxing.

"I didn't say you wrote it."

"Sir, it was implied in your question."

The timidness is gone for a second. Something else takes it's place. A readiness.

"It's so late and you're still here."

"I'm a night hawk, what can I say?" She flashes a smile.

She's still here, because you're still here.

"You don't have to stay up because of us."

"I like the city at night. Don't you?" She looks into the darkness and smiles again.

Odd...

There's a little meanness in that smile.

"Evrart confirmed, he sent you to spy on us."

"Is that so?" Her face remains expressionless as she shrugs. "I don't know anything about that. Must be a misunderstanding."

She's a pro. Nothing short of coming face to face with the fatman himself would make her admit it right now.

"I've investigated the body. Shouldn't be long till we get it down."

"Oh. Okay." She doesn't quite know what to say. "Thanks for keeping me in the know, sir."

"Can I borrow your gloves? I'm doing an autopsy."

"An autopsy? Wow. Sure, keep them." She hands you the rubber gloves. "I have another pair."

She must be very diligent about the glove-use, because her hands are clean and delicate.

"Tell me, what exactly have you been doing in your greenhouse -- in March?"

"Well uh..." She points to her wheelbarrow, surprised at the question. "This might be the last snow we get. At least I hope so..."

"Snow has nutrients in it -- helps everything green up in the spring. At least that's what my grandma always told me." She smiles shyly.

Yes, think about the cute grandma, not the weird snow.

Squint your eyes and look at her intently.

Stop looking at her, look around! What do you see?

The traffic jam?

That's right. And the canal, the bookstore, the harbour gates... This is a great vantage point -- for keeping an eye on you.

"Are you by any chance keeping an eye on us?"

"No, of course not! I don't understand what this is about..." She looks towards the yard and her expression clears.

"The kid did this, right? The red-haired rat? Can't say a sentence without ft or kipt... He's always giving me trouble."

"I was talking to him, yes."

"Maybe you shouldn't be. I mean... you do your job, but that kid is beyond help. And he certainly won't help you." She shakes her head.

"You've been resting here for quite a while, haven't you?" The lieutenant intervenes, looking at her intently.

"Yes. I'm tired."

"I understand -- the RCM isn't welcome here and the locals want to keep an eye on us."

There's silence. The smallest of smiles.

"That's okay, miss -- do what you have to do." The lieutenant nods at you. "I think we're done here. Let's go."

She has changed the subject and won't let you get back to this.

"That's not important right now."

"It is, because he sent you to harass me, didn't he? You shouldn't listen to him." She points to the defaced sign above her on the corner. "It was probably him, who wrote that."

"It is, because he sent you to harass me. He's playing you." She shakes her head. "He hates the police, okay? A lot of people do around here."

Noted, but I'll keep it to myself.

Glad to have been of service. Now you know -- the locals are keeping tabs on you.

The plaza?

An entrance to the yard?

All you can see is the fact that her skin is a different colour from yours. That's literally all. You're gonna have to run with that.

No, you don't. Just back up, cancel this.

Why am I thinking this, I said I'm black as fuck.

Are you entirely sure you're black as fuck? You should really check out that mirror thing. For now, go with she's black. It's important to the case.

"You're black."

"Yes, I'm black, how many times are you gonna say that?"

"That was the last time, miss." He looks at you with a stern expression. "Our questioning here is concluded. Let's go."

He didn't think you were about to bust a case.

"Ask me a normal question or leave me alone."

"What does that mean?" She doesn't flinch.

"Nothing."

"We should proceed with our business in Martinaise." The lieutenant turns to you.

"Sure thing." She narrows her eyes.

"So, what kind of music do you listen to nowadays?"