chapter word count: 562

noir heart: one hundred and fifteen

In many ways, I.A. questioning is just like garden variety police-on-perp questioning, except the "perp" in the former's case knows all the tricks of the trade, and thus has to be extra careful. Of course, 'careful' isn't in Jack's vocabulary per se, but he knows that if he gives Hans an opening, his adopted brother will exploit it without mercy. So, he keeps his eyes fixed on those emerald greens, their owner leaning with his arms folded against the one-way mirror - give no quarter, for ye shall receive none.

The coiled, auburn-haired snake speaks. "So, that's the version of events you're sticking with, yes?"

Jack half-smirks. "To quote an old Jedi: what I told you was true...from a certain point of view. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Empire Strikes Back."

Hans snorts. "I think you'll find it was Return of the Jedi."

Duh. Like Jack wouldn't know that, it's freaking Star Wars - so he fakes a pout. "Oh? Well, my mistake." Lacing his fingers together and revelling in the cold kiss of the table's metal on his hands as he rests them there, he says, "Well, mine is the only point of view."

Hans' tactic was often to give someone enough rope with which to hang themselves. Jack can see it a mile off - he wants him to finalise his statement so he can be buried with it. The question is - what does Hans have to bury him with? So the trick is to not take any rope, but make Hans think he is. "I have a different theory," he states.

Jack fakes polite interest - no more than, say, 'oh, can I tell you about my day?' level.

"I think you followed Arnulf up to the roof with the intent to murder him." Hans pushes himself off the mirror and slowly, menacingly circles him. Putting on childish innocence, Jack tracks him with his eyes. "I think you were so frustrated, so enraged by what the Fairy had done, and so paranoid with this ridiculous idea he was a cop, that rather than him letting go of your wrist and falling to his death, you decided that the system of due process wasn't enough. You wanted him to pay."

Hans bends down so his face is inches from Jack's, and glares fiercely. "You wanted to take revenge for what the Fairy had done to you, to all those children. You wanted to take the law into your own hands, without any proof, without any facts. You followed the man who mentored you, looked after you, guided you and encouraged you, and pushed him off the edge. I think you murdered Arnulf Southernisle."

Inside, Jack can't deny it. He chased Arnulf to the roof for answers, sure, but not to kill him. He didn't intend to let him drop - but intent can be formed in a single second. Should Hans ever learn that, then Jack's goose is cooked. He takes a breath, and frowns slightly. "That's quite a thick slice of bullshit, Hans. A little stodgy. Kinda hard to swallow - and a little bit salty, too." Leaning forward an inch, he adds, "You got any proof of that to wash it down?"

There's a glimmer in Hans' eyes that answers the question.

Crap.

congratulations to oninoko for being the lucky 1000th reviewer! They have a comically-misshapen rock as a prize. This is the last of the pre-written chapters, and OGaV is in a pretty big point, so I'm not sure when the next one will be here - but I'll write them as soon as possible! ivycastell: her body count is one. waguneru: the questions you want me to answer will be answered during the story.

special thanks to: jpbake, snowfire12345, hornedgoddess, last future of embryo, oninoko, ivycastell, deadbreath, waguneru and doomstone for the reviews!