“Thank you, detective. And, indeed you are.” KID took the glass and sipped it. The burn on his tongue and warmth down his throat was alien, but enjoyable. He sat down on the bed, crossing a leg over the other.
“Mmm. It is a wonderful night, is it not? I have to ask, though, why you didn’t just slap me or attempt to arrest me on the spot instead of following. I am the thief you chased for so long, who’s eluded your grasp and made you look like a fool. At the very least, I apologize for that. I don’t intend to harm your or other detectives’ reputations, but I would rather not see a jail cell.
“But I will admit that I am confused.” KID smirked. Even though he was using a poker face, this really did baffle him and he wanted to know.
“No apologies necessary… at least on my behalf."
Hakuba watched KID from the table, mind straying at the thought of him, on the bed, what they could do. He drank the scotch quickly, finishing the shot in one pull so that he could pour another. He would definitely need it tonight.
"Every ‘failure’ is an invaluable opportunity to learn. Each time represented the chance to test my theories, to look for reactions, details, weaknesses… It’s… rather scientific, really, I’m not certain why my colleagues are so concerned about their short-comings. It’s not as if this were a homicide case… it’s relatively low-risk to study you, in the end.”
He drank again. The familiarity of the drink soothed him, more for the ritual of doing it than the alcohol – though that also played a factor. What he’d said was true, but only one part of what KID wanted to know. How long could he avoid it?