Interrogation #2

A few days ago, Rei and Rome determined that Rome's Evolution into a true telepath was complete. Well, as complete as they could make it given their set of conditions. The time had come to take Rome into the world and test out her new powers on an unsuspecting subject. And who would that subject be? Why, Paul Chung, of course. Rome, Rei and Bonnie could tell he was hiding something. This would be their best chance to find out what the secret was:

     The Vuduri calendar did not acknowledge such things as weekends. For the most part, they defined their lives in terms of their jobs and there was no reason to take a day off. However, the Essessoni had no such restrictions. Since the Vuduri week was normally ten days long, the Essessoni had arbitrarily picked Iodemi, Nifemi and Tazemi, the last three days of the Vuduri week as their weekend. They used those days to rest, relax and recreate.
     Today was Iodemi so when Rei, Rome and Bonnie went searching, their best guess to find Paul Chung was going to be at his home. MINIMCOM flew them directly there, landing right in the middle of the large cul-de-sac. Thoughtfully, he turned on his stealth shield so as to not frighten the other residents. The starship instantiated a livetar who accompanied the three humans down the cargo ramp and up the walkway to Paul Chung’s house.
     Rei lifted the knocker and rapped three times. This time, it was Paul Chung himself who answered the door.
     “You three again?” he said. “What is it this time? I already told you I didn’t know anything.”
     “May we come in?” Rome asked.
     “Why?” Paul asked, placing his hand across the doorway rather aggressively.
     Rome pointed inside. “While you say that you do not know where Troutman or Steele are located now,” she said, “it is possible that you might have some information that we could use. Information you may not even be aware of.”
     “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can help you,” Chung said, not budging.
     MINIMCOM strode forward, gently pushing Rome aside. He leaned his head down until it was inches away from Paul’s face. “May we come in, sir?” the livetar asked in a loud voice. Somehow it didn’t really sound like a question.
     Chung looked up at the two-meter tall living shell, dressed all in black. There was nothing but darkness behind MINIMCOM’s eye slits and that somehow made him appear even more menacing. Paul decided discretion was the better part of valor. “What the hell,” he said, “come on in.”
     He stepped aside and the party of four entered. Chung led them to the dining room and waited patiently while the humans took a seat. Paul himself sat down at the head of the table with Rome to his left. Once he was settled, MINIMCOM came over to stand by his right side and remained standing. Rome leaned forward and put her hand on his shoulder then spoke in a low voice.      “Troutman,” she said.

MINIMCOM as "muscle" - I love it. Rome's hand is placed upon Chung's shoulder. She has said the name of one of the would-be assassins. It is time for Chung's mind to betray him or at least reveal whatever information he was hiding.