"Tea, please." Dean requested with a cool politeness, pushing his empty espresso cups towards the waiter without glancing his way, eyes locked on Emily in an inquisitive and mannerly way.<br/><br/>Watching Emily's caution with interest, Dean made a mental note and improved his smile to one of confidence and reassurance, "I implore you not to worry, Ms Allen." he insisted, sipping what was left of his regular coffee, and glancing around the room himself, for certainty's sake. "You would be surprised by the quantity of conversations that go unheard in public places."<br/><br/>The waiter returned with pleasing haste, given that the café was not all that busy, and placed the small teapot in front of Dean. Courteously, he poured her a cup and pressed it towards her. Again, he leant back in his chair and scoped the room. Not one person nearby looked at all interested in the pair of them. Further than that, not one person looked like they were interested in anything besides their food or their company; grateful, Dean realised he and Emily for invisible to the rest of the café, for now.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">"Do I strike you as the kind of person who would harm another human being?"</span>Was that uncertainty Dean tasted in her tone? In experience, people who felt under scrutiny, insecure or perhaps even<span style="font-style: italic">guilt</span>were the ones who were most likely to dig for other people's opinions. To Dean, it seemed she was wanting his opinion, as confirmation to her doubts. But why did she doubt whether or not she seemed like a violent person? Was she really so afraid of being framed? Or, was she really a violent person? It didn't matter, for now. Honestly, she didn't seem like the kind of person who would ever want to hurt someone. But he did not think she was incapable of violence. He doubted anyone was, if the circumstances were right.<br/><br/>Shaking his head reassuringly, Dean sat forwards again and looked her dead in the eyes. "Not in the slightest, Ms Allen." he responded firmly, though added, "<span style="font-style: italic">Certainly</span>not out of malice, that's my interpretation of you, thusfar."<br/><br/>Dean paused for a moment, allowing his words of confidence to settle in, before turning his notebook around and pushing it across the table towards her. "I'd like you to write down everything you know about this case, clearly and as organised as you can. I'll review it, so we're both on the same page, and we'll work out the best route to follow together, all right?" he suggested.