Frustration

Here is a scene showing an example of “frustration” without actually using that word. Set up: Mr. King, Celia Wight’s agent is interrogated by DS Alban Thain about a security film showing Celia and her kidnapper kissing. This scene is about a third of the way into the interrogation so King’s buttons have already been primed.

“I want to see your evidence. Show me the film.”

Thain did.

King watched the video and his confusion returned, creasing his forehead, but his eyes stated his conviction. “I know her, Detective Thain. I don’t think she actually kissed that man. It looks to me as if he forced her to.”

“Or perhaps it’s a set up? Maybe she knew this man before and arranged to meet him there. Do you recognize him?”

King shook his head. “How could anyone recognize him? You can’t see him. It doesn’t make any sense. We’ve known her for three years and it isn’t in her let someone this close to her. She didn’t do this willingly. It’s too unlike her.”

“How many times has Celia Wight been to the UK since you’ve known her?”

“As we stated, Detective, we’ve only known her for three years, but I know she’s come over at least three times in the last five years. Research for her books.”

“Research is perfect cover.”

Thain had pushed King too far. “Cover for what? You should be trying to find her kidnapper, that man,” King said, pointing at the monitor, “not making insinuating comments, not making out she’s a criminal.”

“I’m only doing my job—”

“What do you expect me to say? You’re accusing an innocent woman!”

“She seems to have kissed him.”

King sighed. “No, she didn’t and no, she couldn’t have known him before.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I told you, she doesn’t let people near her very easily.”

“She let that man get very close.”

“She didn’t “let” him do any such thing. You can see it for yourself if you’d look. She had no choice. She wouldn’t let a stranger get anywhere near her if she could help it. Being in that crowd must have been very difficult for her. She was only there because she wanted to buy gifts for us.”

“How can you be sure she didn’t know him? Do you know all of her acquaintances?”

Philip crumpled the empty cup in this hand. Styrofoam bits fell onto the floor as he threw it on the table. Neither man paid it any mind. “As a matter of fact we do, pretty much know everyone she knows. She’s introverted in an almost obsessive fashion. She’s much too wary of the world.”    

“You look unsure.”

Philip glared at Thain. “The way you ask your questions would make anyone unsure of their own name. And no, I’m not unsure. I would stake my life on it.”

“Is there any possibility she could have planned this disappearance?”

King threw his hands up and leaned back in the chair as if resigned to the ignominy of lesser mortals. “Bugger all. You really don’t get it, do you?”©2011

Both men are striving for the same solution, to find Celia Wight, but going at it from opposite sides. Can you feel King’s frustration with Alban Thain? Where will DS Thain go from here, and will King even finish the interview?