<Snuchuck> <Cluckachick, whrrrr....>

"Ahh, ok... Interview with Hamie Hilbran... That's James Edward Hilbran of Chris Cringle Walk, age 9 years, 3 months, commencing at twelve-thirty-four am on the twenty-second of the third, nine-oh-three SD. Present, the subject, myself, that's Shiver officer Craig Genarro, Internal Agent Steve White and Ms. Jaquline Thomas of Department... Department One-Oh-One. The subject has waived the right to contact either his parents or a lawyer, and we are proceding with the interview as per departmental conditions twenty-four through thirty-seven."

Not for the first time, I wonder exactly who Jackie is really working for, and why. She turns up in these kind of cases now and again, and seems to be very good with children and young males, mainly because she's very beautiful. A very pure beautiful, the kind that appeals to anyone, children, adults, anyone. She's also very correct and precise, but never ever mentions what Department 101 is. And her voice... Like... like each word is slowly pressed into your skull. Weird.

Anyway, like the Shiver said, I'm Steven White, Internal Affairs agent to anyone-but The Stars, and my speciality is not hunting Carriens, not grabbing Dark Night, but sitting very quiet and making notes. I'm no action man, I own no Blitzer, I get worried by small barking dogs, but boy, can I sit quiet and make notes!

Each to his own, I've always said...

"Right, Now Jamie. I'm Jackie, And We Just Want A Few Words With You. Let's Start From The Beginning, OK? You And Your Friend..."

'jak'

"You And Jack Are Friends, Right?"

'es'

"... And You Went To Play In The Big House Behind Your Block, Didn't You."

Y'see, that's the kind of thing I'm there to note down. She's making statements, not asking questions. Putting the kid into the flow of the conversation, persuading him to come out of this state of shock that he's in at the moment, just by speaking in that clear, deafening, quiet beautiful voice. We go out together sometimes, and I'm only just coming to terms with the idea that this is what she really sounds like. Jeez, that voice scares me.

'sa churh'

"A Church, Ok Jamie. Thanks. What Happened In The Church?"

'...'

"Come On Jamie, Nothing To Be Worried About, You're Not In Trouble Or Anything."

'sempty ushuly... went ver to play wiv our Captin Contrat Vibro-pistls...'

"I See. And What Happened?"

'somun els ver. talkin n'nat. an jak wen over to ask ifv we cood play ver... an vey grabd him n itim'

Something in the back of my mind is telling me how this is going to end, how it's going to turn out, and I know who is going to be given the job at the end of the interview, and what my reward is going to be. I feel sick.

"Hit Him Where?"

'ned'

"And Then What?"

'puttim onna big slaba stone an itim an itim an itim til ver wernt anifing left ovim, and ven vey sliced im up wiva brednife an... an...'

"And Ate Him?"

What the fuck did she just say?!? That's putting words into the kids mouth, the parents will kill us in court with that!!!

'es'

"Ok, That's All We Need, Interview Terminated At Twelve-Fourty-Two. Can I Have A Word With You Mr. White?"

I jot down the last expression that the kid has on his face, close my book and walk out into the corridor with Jackie. I know what's coming.

"Ok, Steve, You Know The Drill, Take The Boy Back To The Church With A Bug And A 101 Team And Get Rid Of The Cult."

I open my mouth to say something...

"I Don't Have Time For These Stupid 'Ethics' Of Your's Now, Steve. You Know My Feelings About That. Get The Kid In And Bust The Cult.
Anyway, Never Mind That, Are You Free Tonight?"

I nod. I haven't got much choice, have I? She smiles, turns, and walks off. Casually, she dumps the interview Data-slug into a bin on her way out.

I turn towards the door, and rumage around in my notes for the Ex-Directory Department 101 phone number. Again.

Department 101 report: 22587
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

Result of civilian re-orientation a failure. Initial contact by civilian conscript James Edward Hilbran a failure, resulting in a fire-fight between Deparment authorised Operatives and civilians. Civilian elimination successful.

Notes: Contact family Hilbran with standard Serial Killer story, delete records of Operatives BPNs with the Department, and authorise a step up to level 2 intimate observation on IA Agent Steve White by Agent Thomas...

Remember, No-One Is That Important.