Esprit de Corps · Voice lines

The one you seem so set on driving away, the lieutenant, is a natural place to start.

The lieutenant is not in his room. He's found a little 24-hour cafe southeast of the roundabout. He's taking a break and reading the newspaper, after his usual fashion.

He does not expect you to remain. And why should he?

You are part of a large family. You are never alone...

But where is your half-brother, the lieutenant? He should be here...

First he removes the games and puzzles page and sets that aside for later. He never does the crossword during work hours.

First he removes the games and puzzles page and sets that aside for later. He'll do the crossword before bed.

Nervous for who, though, you cannot say.

When he's finished with the front page, he scans the local box scores. The Stormers lost again, 17-32. He shakes his head and checks his watch. It's time to get back to it...

What he means is, he can't believe you're about to renounce your half-brothers and sisters.

He is nervous for your sake, of course, but also his own.

He reads everything on the front page according to the size of the headline. Today, though, he only skims -- none of it seems very interesting.

The lieutenant is genuinely concerned. This is not a situation he ever thought he'd find himself in.

Perhaps someday the lieutenant will tell you about some of the decisions that won't leave him alone, but it won't be this day.

Then he turns to you. He gives you a half smile along with an almost imperceptible nod of encouragement.

Beneath that surface query, a touch of self-doubt. The lieutenant isn't sure he can solve the murder without you.

He's spoken his peace, he thinks. It's up to you now.

Looking at him now, with both hands on his headphones, you see very briefly what the lieutenant must have been like when he first joined the RCM...