Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"I believe they heard something," he says, glancing back at the twins. "And given the poverty of this part of town, I don't know how they could have heard a radio."

"I don't know how they heard it, but..." He returns his gaze to you. "I know the station they imitated. So they must have heard it somehow."

"What channel was it?"

"Speedfreaks FM."

Yes, of course! Earlier, when you turned the radio on in his Kineema!

Don't.

"Speedfreaks FM! Your favourite channel!"

The lieutenant breathes steadily, each inhalation and exhalation controlled.

He was clearly uncomfortable discussing it before. He still is. You have nothing to gain from pushing his buttons.

"I can't explain how they heard it," he says, ignoring your comment. "I believe they heard something. And given the poverty of this part of town, I don't know how they could have heard a radio. However..."

"Weird as it is, this situation is not connected to the murder. This isn't our business."

"It's a mystery though. Mysteries are our business."

"Yes. Mysteries like who killed the hanged man are our business. Not this..."

"Besides. Maybe it was just a radio they overheard -- they might not be old enough to know the difference. How would they have heard the voices?"

"Maybe they're psychic recruit material for the Remote Viewers Division?"

"No. You're not going to try to recruit the twins to the Remote Viewers Division..."

"Let's at least rule out radios before continuing. Maybe the twins didn't know it was a radio they were hearing..."

"The washerwoman seems to know everything that happens here. Let's ask if she heard anything, before moving on."

"After you." The lieutenant gestures toward the old woman.

"Maybe it has something to do with the mass call-in radio game?"

"That doesn't seem likely to me."

"Even if it was a radio, where was it coming from?"

The lieutenant shrugs.

"Maybe it's related to what happened in the church -- Soona's experiment..."

The lieutenant is grimly silent.

"Entroponetic crosstalk?"

"If it was... that can't be it." The lieutenant frowns.

"I got nothing."

"Neither do I." He sighs.

(Cough under your breath.) "Seolite spy-tech."

"We're going to stay focused on the case, officer," the lieutenant says, words heavy with anger.

"Didn't Ruby have advanced radio know-how?"

"Are you just embarrassed that we may have to contact Speedfreaks FM?"

"No." His answer is immediate. "I just... don't see how this furthers our investigation into a murder. That's all."

An ocean breeze blows in strong. He raises his jacket collar against it.

"I suspect you're embarrassed to call Speedfreaks FM, Kim."

"But it is related, Kim. The wind told me so."

The lieutenant says nothing. An ocean breeze blows in strong. He raises his jacket collar against it.

"Wasn't your radio tuned into Speedfreaks FM?"

"You must be mistaken," the lieutenant says in a calm, measured tone. "Anyway."

A calculated response. To say why the hell did you snoop on my radio? would be reasonable -- but it would confirm he likes the station. Instead, he dismisses it. He must be embarrassed by his affection for Speedfreaks FM.

Say nothing.

"I can't explain how they heard it," the lieutenant continues unabated. "I believe they heard something. And given the poverty of this part of town, I don't know how they could have heard a radio. However..."

No hesitation. He knows it well. Probably has the channel saved to his radio.

"Wait a second. How do you know that station?"

He pauses. "It's... important in our line to know about all sorts of things. I know a little bit about radio culture."

The machinery of his mind is at work, sire! With swiftness the gears do turn, for to produce deceit! He seeks to hide his fondness for his favourite channel, Speedfreaks FM!

"Radio culture, huh? That makes sense."

"Mhm." The lieutenant checks his watch. "Anyway."

The lieutenant isn't usually a man who checks his watch without reason. He was trying to stay cool. Don't push now -- keep an eye out for it again later.

"Radio culture. Sure."

"Are you a fan of the station, Kim?"

"No. And my radio habits are not relevant to this serious murder investigation."

You have seen through the veil he would have drawn o're your eyes. Do with this what thou wilt!

"Speedfreaks FM, huh?"

"Yeah. Local station, known for its kinetic music and aggressive style."

"Sounds a bit rough for me. I like tenderness in my radio, I think."

"Yeah." The lieutenant checks his watch. "Anyway."

"Sounds like a station for idiots."

"Sounds like a good time!"