09-16-2016, 09:31 PM
Beto gave a friendly interested smile as he listened, his eyes fastened to hers. People liked being listened to. It made them feel important. It was the little things that counted. It didn't come naturally to him. The automatic everyday niceties and social lubricants that minimized friction between people was lost to him.
For him it was always calculated. Empathy as a second language. But he was adept at reading faces and body language and was quick to mirror or respond as needed.
And in this case, it was a simple smile conveying professional interest, as if he saw great potential. Of course he did, so it was not feigned. But he doubted she cared to be used as bait. She was dedicated and saw the need to 'pay it forward'.
"As I mentioned, there is a lot about this power I would like to know. I'd like to know the extent of it, what you are capable of. Are there levels? Can everyone do what Brandon did? There's also the matter of the law. If someone uses this power to kill, can it be detected? Would a forensic doctor be able to determine cause of death? Are there the equivalent of fingerprints or DNA? Can someone commit a crime from a distance?"
He paused, letting the torrent of words trickle to nothing. Spreading his hands, he broadened his smile. "You see? This will necessitate an entire new body of and police work. If you come with me to Washington, I can see that you are put up in a nice place. And you will be compensated adequately. Once my superiors realize the impact this is going to have, they will back me up."
And those who didn't? Well, there might be reasons for that. Clues he could chase down. The Atharim were out there.
He stood and picked up his briefcase and regarded her cooly but not in an unfriendly manner. "What do you say? I know your people need you. But your country needs you right now. At least for a little while."
For him it was always calculated. Empathy as a second language. But he was adept at reading faces and body language and was quick to mirror or respond as needed.
And in this case, it was a simple smile conveying professional interest, as if he saw great potential. Of course he did, so it was not feigned. But he doubted she cared to be used as bait. She was dedicated and saw the need to 'pay it forward'.
"As I mentioned, there is a lot about this power I would like to know. I'd like to know the extent of it, what you are capable of. Are there levels? Can everyone do what Brandon did? There's also the matter of the law. If someone uses this power to kill, can it be detected? Would a forensic doctor be able to determine cause of death? Are there the equivalent of fingerprints or DNA? Can someone commit a crime from a distance?"
He paused, letting the torrent of words trickle to nothing. Spreading his hands, he broadened his smile. "You see? This will necessitate an entire new body of and police work. If you come with me to Washington, I can see that you are put up in a nice place. And you will be compensated adequately. Once my superiors realize the impact this is going to have, they will back me up."
And those who didn't? Well, there might be reasons for that. Clues he could chase down. The Atharim were out there.
He stood and picked up his briefcase and regarded her cooly but not in an unfriendly manner. "What do you say? I know your people need you. But your country needs you right now. At least for a little while."