Conversation · Volition

She breathes a silvery sigh of relief. And weariness. The air on the roof feels humid.

"Should we head back downstairs, officer?" The lieutenant looks at you. "We may have things to discuss there."

"I had something else. Before we go. A little thing."

She nods. Silvery cigarette fumes disappear into her mouth...

"Let's go." [Leave.]

As he says so you feel the young woman looking at you... and get a feeling you can't quite put your finger on. A suspicion?

Wait a moment...

"I hope I've been... you know... helpful. All things considered."

As she says so you feel the young woman looking at you... and get a feeling you can't quite put your finger on. A suspicion?

Wait a moment...

"I'm sorry, but we're not quite done here yet." He turns to you... "We have more questions. Better to be thorough now than have to come back to this later."

"Titus asked you to spice things up -- for us?"

"Pretty much." She cradles her coffee cup in both hands.

Warming them.

She must be very cold. And exhausted of this life.

Warming up your hands relieves stress and anxiety, makes you feel and appear calmer, more comfortable. Seems she's doing that here -- consciously or not.

"How do the Hardie boys know you?"

"Like I said, we met over drinks."

"Did you party?"

"A little, yeah."

"Like you partied with the deceased?"

"No. Not as hard."

"I'm sorry to have to ask this, but have you had a physical relationship with any of the Hardie boys?"

"I have."

"Which one?"

"Which ones, sir -- I don't remember precisely. Titus, obviously. But as I said, it's been a long winter."

Could that have been part of the reason they hanged him?

"Could that be why they lynched him? Jealousy?"

"I hope not." A pause. "Actually, I know that's not the reason. I'm careful about that kind of thing. Not crossing the wires, you know. But that's probably where they got the rape idea."

"What do you mean?"

"Men like that? I don't know..." Another pause. "It's the way their imaginations work. I suspect it's what they'd like to do to me."

She changes balance from one foot to another, crossing her legs.

Don't mention it.

Don't be tactful. She doesn't care.

"Understood."

She sips her coffee. Birds circle overhead.

"Um, how should I put this..."

"Have I slept with any of them? Yes."

"But have you had sexual relations with any of the Hardie boys?"

"A little? Like you partied with the deceased?"

There must be more to it. You should return to this topic after you've talked about her relationship with the deceased, maybe?

"They're frequent guests. Downstairs." She looks at the floor. It's tarred. "They have a booth for Union members. They're probably down there now."

"And how did you meet?"

"Over drinks. It's been a long, boring winter."

"Again -- how do the Hardie boys know you?"

'Rapeable'? What an unfortunate choice of words. Does she really mean that some people are more...?

It's all very organic -- her mannerisms, her movements. If she's acting, she's quite gifted.

By they she means the Hardie boys.

Say nothing -- wait for Kim to lead.

"Are you saying that you were asked to tell us you were assaulted?"

"Not explicitly, but I understood what they meant. It wouldn't hurt to spice things up a bit -- some assault and battery, sexual assault maybe. It was clear the latter would be spicier."

'Spicier'. Of course. Rape's nothing but a plot device for these guys -- to throw around as they wish.

"What do you mean by -- 'rapeable'?"

"Apologies, that didn't come out very well. I meant someone who would go along with the lie."

"So you were asked to say you were assaulted? By the Hardie boys?"

"Hold on, what do you mean by -- 'rapeable'?"

"Apologies, that didn't come out very well. I meant someone who would go along with the lie."

"You were asked to say you were assaulted? By the Hardie boys?"

"I noticed your room is close to mine. I have a personal question."

"Ha! Yes. My pleasure." She smiles. "Where did we leave off... hell, let's just take it from the top. You start."