chapter word count: 649

noir heart: one hundred and sixteen

This is the part of the interrogation Jack isn't looking forward to. Hans' methods so far have been adversarial, conflictual. Trying to antagonise and aggravate him into a confession, or into letting something slip that would give him something to get his teeth into.

So he switches to the carrot. The olive branch of peace, the eyes of empathy and understanding. Appealing to Jack's heart, and the brotherly history they once shared. His voice becomes soft, so he can peel at the layer of ice surrounding Jack's heart and mind. He's being the bad cop and the good cop.

"I can see the effect what you've seen has had on you," he says, resting his chin on his thumb while a loose fist curls around his mouth.

"We talking about the serial killers again?" Jack scoffs and rolls his eyes. He gives him unimpressed. "Change the record."

"Not just them."

Hans rises from the chair, circles the table and leans against it just to Jack's right. "Not just them. What about the things you were called in for as a beat cop? The family annihilator, or the mother who had a psychotic break, and drowned her three children because she thought they were the devil's spawn? For someone with such a desire to protect children… I can see how it has chipped away at you."

Jack sighs and looks away. He's not wrong.

Hans smiles. "They say the truth sets you free, Jack. Let it set you free. I think the truth is that the Fairy case was your final straw. All those children disappearing, and you were no closer to saving them than when you started. I think, in a moment of madness, you saw clues that weren't there which led you to an innocent man. Is that right?"

Jack stays as quiet as the grave.

"Extreme emotional disturbance, I believe it's called. One moment where it was all too much for you, so you snapped. It wasn't your fault, you weren't in your right mind. I know that." Hans' voice remains as soft as possible. Inviting. Making him appear as an ally. "I think you saw Detective Southernisle as the Fairy, so you chased him to the roof and pushed him off. I think your moment of insanity was derived from the overwhelming need to protect children."

Jack's brows knit together, and the saliva that filled his mouth thanks to his mind being so focused on the past he forgot how to swallow, is forced down his throat in one long, obvious motion. Could Hans be right? Did he actually murder an innocent man? The thoughts circle his mind, voices whispering over and over again, trying to talk over each other. Avenger or murderer? Justice or manslaughter? His lower lip finds its way between his teeth, and his breaths come slow and easy. What if he had made a terrible mistake?

He stares with unfocused eyes at the table. Guilt creeps into his heart like an unwanted trickle of water. Did he truly go insane? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of anything. Was he really in an interview room?

"Tell me the truth, and I'll personally see to it the D.A. is lenient. It's our fault, you see. You were under such pressure, and we kept piling on the cases. We pushed you into your psychotic break. We are to blame. Just tell me how it went down, and together we will make it right."

Jack opens his mouth and sucks in a breath. Hans' body stiffens, and he leans closer.

"You don't have to be alone anymore, Jack."

There it is, that word. Alone.

Because that's what you are, aren't you?

Alone.

The door bursts open with enough force to slam against the wall.

hastily-thrown-together update, sorry if it's not up to scratch. just trying to battle a bad bout of self-doubt. Oh hey, alliteration and rhymes!

special thanks to: oninoko, strike faster than starlight, doomstone, chiqanti ceres, heartonfire, hornedgoddess, deadbreath, waguneru and isawaliciaarrow for the reviews!