Conversation · Titus Hardie

"There's something you're not telling me."

"And fuck you too, copper -- picking on Angus like this. We're done with this schoolyard shit. And just so you know, he doesn't have trouble breathing."

His 'all muscle' comment wasn't sarcastic. He's genuinely trying to look out for Angus.

This one is a stone wall. You won't get more out of them about the night of the murder -- not yet.

"Fuck off, copper." He just shakes his head.

"Right, I have other questions about the lynching."

"Like what, copper?"

"Where did this overpowering happen?"

"Weren't you fucking listening. The fucker came to our bar!" He looks around. "It happened right here."

This one has a distinct style. He puts so much whiny emotion into everything he says it's hard to see if he's lying. But he could be.

Titus lets the others clear out the details -- so he doesn't get his hands muddy with explaining too much.

"Right fucking here." He looks around. "The fucker pranced in here like he owns the place -- got what was coming to him."

That definitely caught him off guard. In comes No. 2 to take care of it.

"Right. Maybe another question then?"

"Maybe wrap it up instead?" She doesn't even look at you.

"The autopsy showed there were no ligature marks. His hands were not tied. Can you explain that?"

The lieutenant goes in for the leg sweep -- Titus does not see it coming.

The autopsy did not reveal anything too conflicting this far. You just have to wing it.

"We need more. Did you muffle him? We haven't heard any reports of screams."

"Titus, you don't have to clarify anything."

"We overpowered him, dragged his unconscious body to the tree, put a noose around his neck and hanged him 'til he was dead and steady."

"Then we left him for seagulls, maggots," the small man points at you, "and you fucks."

"Can you give us a few more details? Did you muffle him? We haven't heard any reports of screams."

"Be more specific. How did you subdue him?"

This is where an autopsy would come in handy -- you have to work with what you know.

"You murdered him just like that -- no remorse?"

"How many people have you sent to the chaise? Ever felt remorse for them?"

Chaise électrique is the method of capital punishment in Revachol under the Coalition. During the Suzerain's reign it used to be the firing squad.

"Or sent them to Reunion to rot -- for twenty years, for life?!" He says it as if it were worse than dying.

"Honestly, I drink so much I can't really remember anyone I've sent behind bars."

"Doesn't remember them!" the rat-faced man shouts. "He just forgets! Are you hearing this, Titus?"

"Ain't no use keeping a stiff catalogue in your head, that's for sure." He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"What I do is different. I enforce the law. You just kill people like it's nothing."

"But you see, a law, lawman," he says, squeezing his beer can, "is something people agree upon. And here in Martinaise we agreed that this man had to die."

This isn't something he came up with on the spot. It's his standard reasoning -- a product of many years of being Titus Hardie.

And Reunion, what's that?

The River Esperance Correctional Facility -- a military prison run by the Coalition, dubbed Reunion by the inmates. The origin of the name is unknown.

"Look, I'm just doing my job, that's all."

"Oh, so you're just a simple, well-meaning man, huh?" He spits on the ground before him. "Ever been in solitary? Prison is torture, that's what it is."

He's clearly been in solitary confinement -- and at a young age, nonetheless.

"So is hanging a man slowly, without breaking his neck," the lieutenant replies dryly.

He nods to his friend. "The fucker got what was coming to him. Our conscience is clean."

"Yes, but these were all bad people -- criminals, the scum of the earth."

Titus grins. "Rest assured, lawman, none worse than our guy. He got what was coming to him."

"When did this hanging incident occur?"

"You don't have to answer any of his questions," the fixer turns to remind Titus.

"I know, Lizzy, relax." He takes a sip. "We killed him last Sunday night. Seemed like a good way to end the week."

"How long had you known the victim?"

"Known him?! We don't associate with scum like that, asshole!"

"Yeah, who do you think we are?"

"Quiet!" Titus gives Glen a stern look. "He came around 'bout three weeks ago, when that Pines cow first sailed into town. Happy?"

"By the 'Pines cow' you mean Joyce Messier, the representative for Wild Pines?" The lieutenant pretends to check his notes. "The same company you're striking against?"

"No," he stresses, "I mean the Pines cow. The stupid-ass cow they sent in to fuck us over. But you know what..." He rubs his chin, pretending to mull it over.

This is where he tries to sow discord between you two -- because he knows the company is responsible for bringing the mercenaries into town.

"Why don't you ask her about the Pretty Boy? I'm sure she has interesting things to say -- when you ask her hard enough."

"That's enough insinuation for today, Titus." She turns to you. "Officer, your interview is drawing to an end. Don't waste your last questions."

"By the 'Pines cow' you mean Joyce, the negotiator for Wild Pines?"

"By the 'Pines cow', you mean the representative for Wild Pines?" The lieutenant checks his notes. "The shipping company you're striking against?"

"'Pines cow', who's that?"

"The stupid-ass cow Wild Pines sent to fuck us over. But you know what..." He rubs his chin.