Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"You think this will make them cooperate?"

"Nothing will make them respect the RCM. But it will disrupt the game they prepared for us. We just stripped off one layer of whatever it is. Her decision to not corroborate their story was definitely not part of the plan."

"Got it. Let's go." [Leave.]

(Say in a hushed voice.) "Why did she tell us all of that?"

"What else could she have done? Lie? She saw there was no way to lie and get away with it."

You would have caught it.

Like hell you would have -- remember?

"I'm not sure she had to lie. I wouldn't have known."

"If not you, then me. It was a smart move from her."

"Something is off here."

"You think so?" A shadow runs across his face. "She seemed forthcoming... Unusually so. Being forthcoming about some things is a good way to obscure other things."

"The best liars are always forthcoming... Anyway, we should move. I suspect our investigation will bring us back here soon enough."

"She seems candid."

"You think so?" A shadow runs across his face. "Being candid is the best way to lie. The appearance of candour, with some facts thrown in, draws attention away from whatever one chooses to omit."

"She may be trying to control the pace of the investigation. Anyway, we should move. I suspect our inquiries will bring us back here soon enough."

(Whisper) "I know she's manipulative."

"So you said to her.... What did you mean by it?"

(Whisper.) "She has half my skillset compromised, singing her tune. My assessments of her are untrustworthy."

"She seemed forthcoming to me... Unusually so. Being forthcoming with some things is a good way to obscure other things. But I wouldn't call myself compromised..."

"Perhaps that's because you are?"

"I am not easily swayed by young women. But on the other hand... the best liars are candid. And she was candid."

The lieutenant seems oddly sure he is not compromised, not psychologically at least. Is it hubris?

"Anyway, we should move. I suspect our investigation will bring us back soon enough."

"Well. I am, anyway."

"What do you mean by that?"

(Nod.) "I would have caught it."

"I have reason to doubt my ability to see through her lies."