Conversation · Kim Kitsuragi

"Finally. I thought I have to come looking for you. What took you so long?"

"Just men being men, Kim. You wouldn't understand." (Look solemnly to the horizon.)

"René!" he says, snapping his fingers.

As if a revelation just hit him.

You're not going to like it.

"You think he's our killer after all?"

"No, I don't. But you are reminding me of him more and more. It's not a compliment, I don't like it."

"Alright, let's go. It's getting cold."

"What about René?"

"You are really starting to remind me of him. It's not a compliment. I don't like it."

Just ignore him.

"Right..." He nods. "Did he teach you to turn back time?"

The sarcasm is so finely tuned it actually comes off like worry.

"No, he didn't even want to share his novel techniques..."

"That's probably best for everyone." A smirk flashes over his face as he turns to move. "My condolences of course, but solving this case will make you feel better. I promise."

"What happens in Measurehead's mother's office stays in Measurehead's mother's office."

"That's probably best for everyone." He nods. "Let's go then."

I don't need a word-for-word retelling, but we're partners -- say something. An adjective will do.

"No, but he did seem to believe it's possible."

"Based on other things he believes I wouldn't put much weight on it." He turns to move. "Now let's get back to work."

"No, he thought it's a bad idea and that I should stop obsessing about it."

"Huh..." The lieutenant thoughtfully rubs his chin as he turns to move. "So there is something we agree on after all. Didn't see it coming. But let's move, I'm getting cold."

"Time flies when you're in a good company -- how long was I in there?"

"Couple of months, a year maybe?" he replies, glancing at his wrist-watch. "What happened in there?"

His serious, business-like tone doesn't waiver for a second.

"It was unbelievably manly."

"Right..." He nods, covering his mouth with the back of the hand. "Did he teach you a way to turn back time?"

Trying to hide a smile.

Was it a mistake leaving him alone with that guy?

"No, he thought it's a bad idea and that I should stop obsessing about it."

"Huh..." The lieutenant thoughtfully rubs his chin as he turns to move "So there is something we agree on after all. Didn't see that coming. But let's move, I don't like being up here."

"No, he didn't even want to share his novel techniques with me..."

"That's probably best for everyone." A smirk flashes over his face as his turns to move. "My condolences of course, but solving this case will make you feel better. about it. I promise."

"No, but he did seem to believe it is possible."

"Based on other things he believes I wouldn't put much weight on it." He turns to move. "Let's get back to work."

"Not exactly, but I'm going to start building up strategic semen reserves."

"But... why?" He looks completely perplexed for a moment, but quickly gathers himself. "Actually, do me a favour and please don't tell me. Let's just quickly go and that'll be it."

"No, but I learned that no matter how though you are, someone's always tougher."

"Him?" The lieutenant's eyes meet yours. He's listening.

"His father. I think he had it rough."

"Rough like Cuno?"

"Not that rough."

"Everyone had it rough around here. It's a rough time in a rough place. I'm not trying to belittle him, but find me Revacholian who didn't have it rough. They don't exist."

Except perhaps people in Ozonne.

"Let's go now," says the lieutenant and turns to move. "It's getting cold and it's too late to put him in a foster home."

"No. Different, but still rough."

"Yes," the lieutenant agrees, "I got that vibe from him too. Explains a lot." His eyes turn to the gate, then back to you.

Just nod.

The lieutenant doesn't break eye contact. He slowly nods too, then pats you on the arm...

(Nod.) "I knocked him out, but his father could probably kill me."

"But he's not going to, because this is not a school yard and we are not children." He looks up at the sky...

"We became one."

"Wasn't that back when you became his 'race pupil'?"

"I don't think I should talk to him any more."

"I completely agree. Your current state seems to make you very vulnerable to suggestions. And he's got a lot of them." He smiles.

I hope he means it and at least some kind of an early defence system in his psyche is working.

"That was about race. This is about sex. I admire him."

"Oh, of course. Now it makes sense." He nods, looking down at the lorries.

That makes absolutely no sense, but I really don't want to get into it with you.

"Let's get back to work, detective. I don't like being up here."