[For Druitt, Archie] Jan. 14: Every finger in the room is pointing at me

[girlsolo]

As soon as Kate ditches Auggie, she stops by the clothes box to swap out shorts for something with more coverage. She gets lucky or maybe the box knows she'll set fire to it or who the fuck knows but it coughs up a pair of cargos.

She thinks about stopping by the Psych Office to ask Will where he thinks Druitt would be right now, first day on the island as an island and all that profiler hoodoo Will's so good at. But it's a waste of time. She's the one who's been tracking him. So she's the one who knows his movements best. Chances are, he'll do like most of the new people. Come here to the Compound, get food, get oriented. If not, she'll get Declan and start a search.

It's amazing how fast she can find someone she's been avoiding since he got to the island when she puts her mind to it. It's not ten minutes before she finds him in the hall by the men's bathroom. Gaze narrowed and eyes flat mean, Kate stalks up to him. "We need to talk." The now is very much implied. So's the, and that's not a request.

Comments

[iliketodruitt]

John almost batted the man's hand away when he intruded on his personal space, grabbing something from his pocket. That was not the way to endear yourself to the police though, so John kept the action in check.

"It is. It is also an earring. I imagine it must have fallen out when she slipped."

[usethecompany]

"You imagine," Kennedy replied dryly. "It fell out and fell into your pocket, without your notice, I presume?"

[iliketodruitt]

"I couldn't imagine how it go there," John said with a shrug. Had he actually been guilty, he would have worried, but since he was innocent there would be no real evidence against him.

"These are not even the clothes that I had before last night, my wardrobe changed with the island."

[usethecompany]

However much Kennedy might have liked to build a case against the man, a timely sighting, a handkerchief and an earring of unknown origin still made a shaky foundation. Especially not when weighed against the more likely facts of the situation.

Archie released a soft sigh as he turned to Kate.

"This woman has not been missing that long. The much more likely answer is that she has become lost in the change of environment, or perhaps is simply wandering and has not thought to check in. How far have you searched, as of now?" If at all, he wondered idly.

[girlsolo]

Stifling an annoyed sigh, Kate shoves her hands back in her pockets. She knew Archie would never back her. She's not even sure why she bothered. It just. She tries now. She tries to play by their rules and be straight and good. It bugs her more than she's ever going to admit that he doesn't believe her.

But she just shrugs. "Not far. The Compound and what's close by. I was looking for him and then we agreed to come here."

[usethecompany]

"I believe a thorough search would be the wisest course of action at this stage," Kennedy said carefully. Though he could not read any sort of indicative emotion on her face, Archie rather thought that Kate would not be pleased with his response, but it was the more logical choice.

"I can have the IPD officers help, so you can cover more ground more quickly and hopefully discover the fate of your friend faster."

[girlsolo]

Kate glances along her shoulder at Druitt and then back at Archie. If nothing else, people searching means people keeping an eye on Druitt. She hopes that Archie not wanting to back her doesn't mean he's going to take stupid risks where Druitt's concerned. It also means Kate can keep an eye on Druitt without worrying no one's looking for Joan.

She nods. "That's good. Thanks. I'll let Auggie know." Another careful look Druitt's way and then back at Archie. Telling him how to do his job isn't going to earn any points. But she does have a legitimate concern. She bites her lip and then jerks her chin toward Druitt, deciding. "If you're letting him go, can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

[usethecompany]

Kennedy considered Druitt, any misgiving in his expression in direct relation to the fact that he could not keep the man within his sight for the course of this investigation. He placed the handkerchief and earring on his desk, out of the other man's reach, and nodded.

"Mr. Druitt, you are free to go," he said. "However if we require your assistance again or should more evidence arise, I trust we can rely on your cooperation."