Conversation · Titus Hardie

"That close, huh? How fortunate. I'll take a thorough look at those prints myself before I believe that, cop."

He thinks for a moment, then nods and says : "Good news is -- I'm still listening."

"Recent." (Nod.) "But they didn't fit with any of yours on the scene -- Ruby included."

"Goes against your little theory, doesn't it?" He rubs his chin. "Then again I've known few people in my life who own more than one pair of boots -- and occasionally do change them..."

He thinks for a moment, then nods and says : "Good news is -- I'm still listening."

"Recent." (Nod.)

"What else could you make out -- how recent? What size?"

"There were prints there -- with horizontal lines."

"Horizontal? I see they taught you well in your RCM school. My old man -- a hunter and a half blind one at that -- could've said that. Horizontal lines..."

He thinks for a moment, then nods: "Good news is -- I'm still listening."

He knows they had to be recent for those lines to still read. This wasn't a failure.

"Guess what. Remember that key I found here?" (Point at the window.)

"I don't like guessing, cop. No one does."

"It opens the steel door in the kitchen. The one that leads upstairs, to the roof. This key..." he looks at the hawthorn bush outside the window, "was right here -- with you -- all the time."

"You didn't find it, but Ruby did. That's how she got up there."

"Quit jumping to conclusions. Theo," he turns to the old man, "you took that key. Did it look like it was recently put there?"

"The ribbon was old. Faded. It'd been there for twenty years at least."

"She could have made a copy."

"And then put it back? Why?" He points at the key. "It's damn interesting you found it there -- but it doesn't fit with Ruby. And you know it."

It doesn't fit well, but it fits. And he knows it.

Also, it has to be said -- this man would make a good RCM sergeant. Or maybe even lieutenant. Just don't let him anywhere near women.

"Yeah, maybe I was jumping to conclusions."

"Not maybe. You were." He points at the lieutenant. "Both of you. I've done it myself, gone and piled every thread I find onto one theory. Doesn't work like that."

Still. The key here is a strange coincidence -- and he knows it.

"Not maybe. You were." He points to himself. "I've done it myself -- gone and piled every thread I find onto one theory. Doesn't work like that."

"She could've just put it back there once she was done."

"Why?" He shakes his head. "This doesn't make sense. It's damn interesting, but it doesn't fit well and you know it."

"It opens the kitchen door that leads to the roof. You didn't find it, but Ruby did. That's how she got up there."

"Alright, she took a fucking leak, okay? For one moment. Maybe went out too. She has a complex operation to run from her lorry." He points to the intersection. "She's a busy girl -- always has been."

This complex operation is probably something illegal.

"Just 'cause she was gone for five minutes doesn't mean she magically got to the roof and shot the merc." He taps on his temple. "I've been through this -- it's not plausible."

Could this complex operation be the one Joyce asked you to look into? Probably, though they'll never open up about it. You'll have to keep investigating!

Of course! Ruby is the lady driver in this great big Jam Mystery! Probably. You'll have to keep investigating -- they'll never open up about it.

You know this already. It all fits together: Ruby, the missing Hardie, was present at the hanging and running the drug trade.

"You know that's not the case."

"She didn't go to the toilet?"

"She didn't go to the bar -- for a drink?"

"Because she was here all night. With us."

"He's cobbling together shit so he can put her away. It's Cop 101."

"She was here all night?" The lieutenant ignores the tattooed man. "11:30 to 12:15 -- she was here during all that time?"

I fear we just can't piece this puzzle together. At this point, the only sensible thing to do is get someone else to put the pieces together.

(Whisper) "Kim, you've had long enough to come up with a theory. What'cha got?"

"I think it's best we just dive in," he whispers back, before turning to Titus and asking: "What makes you so sure Ruby didn't kill him?"

No, I want to do this all by myself!

Suit yourself! But remember, you're the one putting yourself through this hassle.

Got it. Now get me moving again, please.

Let's move.

Sure thing. But before anything else -- can I venture to Theory Town?

It's very unlikely to help, but sure. We can go to Theory Town.

It's that simple.

The lieutenant looks around the room, evidently enjoying the moment's respite. But before long, he puts his hand on your shoulder. "Unless we have more business, we should..." He looks to the door.

Say... Hard to remember with your brain in overload, but have you smoked lately? A cigarette may help you.

YES! Huff and puff and blow this case wide open!

... No one?

Really?

Absolutely nothing?

Just me, huh? Wow. Well... Good luck!

You could crack that Klaasje's defences. Maybe she'll tell you something helpful?

Wow, you've been very thorough. There's nothing else to add -- just crack that Klaasje's defences. Maybe she'll tell you something helpful?

There's a spooky building West of this. Take a flashlight with you, search the basement. There are secrets -- magisterial, ancient secrets that may assist you.