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Ex Post Facto

MALE: What do you see, Mr. Paris?

PARIS: Shoes...

muddy shoes.

( whining )

The dog.

Good. That's exactly what you should see.

But that isn't possible.

I'm sure it's disorienting to see yourself through another man's eyes.

No, I...

Tolen!

TOLEN: Now I understand.

I'd better be on my way.

You don't have to go, Tom.

He's got no right.

No right? This is my home!

You come into my home and steal my wife, and I have no right?!

That's not the way it happened.

This isn't the way it happened!

The trial's over, Mr. Paris.

There's no point to further denials.

I know about you, Paris.

I know you were in prison.

That has nothing to do with...

We'll see what your Captain has to say about this.

When I'm finished with you, you'll never wear that uniform again!

PARIS: I can't let you do that.

WIFE: No, Tom! Don't! Stop!

No. I didn't...

( Tolen yelling ) WIFE: Tom, no!

( gagging and gasping )

( Tolen groaning )

Let the record show

that the sentence of the court has been carried out.

For the rest of his natural life,

once every 14 hours, Thomas Eugene Paris

will relive the last moments of his victim's life.

May the fates have mercy on you, sir.

If the hydroxyproline level is elevated this high, you'd probably call for a pancreatic scan.

That's exactly what I'd call for.

All right, then.

Let's run through the osteographic series again.

Just enter the responses you're sure about.

So have you given any more thought to a name?

I asked the Captain for one.

Why don't you choose one yourself?

Choose one myself?

Me?

Well, that just isn't...

Holograms are programmed, Kes.

They don't choose anything for themselves.

Why not?

Because we're not capable of choosing.

Well, you choose what medical treatment to give someone.

I'm programmed with over five million possible treatments, with contingency programs and adaptive programs, but it's all programs upon programs upon programs.

There's no independent decision-making.

I don't see the difference.

The difference is... I base decisions on information stored inside my brain.

How is that so different from the way you access your programs?

Well, if you put it that way...

Do your programs have any names in them?

Certainly.

I have the names of Starfleet doctors, their patients... medical personnel in historical and literary contexts...

So pick a name.

Just... pick one?

Pick a name you like-- perhaps from someone who inspires you.

Doctor... Dr. Galen.

Dr. Salk. Doctor...

Those are good. ...Spock.

Can you see yourself with any of those names?

Not exactly.

Take your time.

After all, you will be that name for the rest of your life.

Hmm. I never even considered that I had a life.

Janeway to Sick Bay.

Activate emergency medical holographic program.

I'm already on, Captain.

What can I do for you?

We've got an incoming shuttle with an injured crewman on board.

Any details?

It's either Ensign Kim or Lieutenant Paris.

We haven't been able to raise them.

Sensors indicate damage to various subsystems.

You're sure there's only one life sign aboard?

That is confirmed, Captain.

Transport him to Sick Bay.

I'll be down there.

Mr. Tuvok?

They made me leave without him.

He's severely dehydrated.

No sleep.

Neodextraline solution?

Prepare an I.V.

Can you tell us what happened to Paris, Mr. Kim?

They made me leave without him.

They said he'd committed a... a murder.

Do you have any idea who the victim was?

An engineering physicist we were working with.

His name was Tolen Ren.

The Banean Minister of Science

introduced us to him just after we'd arrived.

So from the other side of the galaxy.

70,000 light-years, give or take a few.

That's a long trip home with a damaged collimator.

If anybody on this world can help you, Professor Ren can.

He's developed four generations of navigational arrays for our ships.

We have to stay one step ahead of our neighbors, the Numiri.

Did you bring your ship's specifications with you?

It's all here. TOLEN: Splendid.

Why don't we begin to look it over at my home this evening?

My wife would be delighted to have company for supper.

KIM: There was no reason to say no,

but if we hadn't gone with him that night,

none of this would've happened.

( barks )

Oh, come on now, Neeka, stop that racket.

They're friends!

( chuckling ): That's better. That's better.

What a good doggie.

What a good doggie.

Oh, dearest? Are you dressed?

We have guests. I should have called.

I just don't think of the common courtesies.

She's really wonderful about, uh, tolerating my dreadful manners.

So you've done it to me again.

Yes, dear. I apologize.

Lidell, this is Ensign Harry Kim and Lieutenant Tom Paris.

They're from the other side of the galaxy.

Hello.

Nice to meet you.

You might have called.

You're absolutely right.

Do you have enough to feed us all or shall we go out?

No, it's fine.

I have some leftover rolk from yesterday.

I'll just throw it in the stew.

Wonderful! Gentlemen, make yourselves at home.

I'm going to put on my slippers.

Lidell will take good care of you.

Would you like a drink?

Sure.

Help yourself.

What are you looking at?

Not the same thing that you're looking at, that's for sure.

( Neeka barks )

What are you looking at?

( Neeka continues barking )

If it's spoiled,

Neeka wouldn't eat it.

Nothing too fancy or exotic around here.

We're very simple folks.

You're very kind to include us at your supper table.

We enjoy an occasional guest.

I think Lidell would prefer us to entertain more often than we do, yes?

She's, uh, far more social than I am.

I'm afraid she gets a little bored here sometimes.

I'm so consumed with my work.

And here we are bringing more of it home to take your husband's attention away for the evening.

Whether you were here or not makes no difference.

Tolen would work anyway.

I'm afraid she's right.

We are at war, after all.

By the way, how did you get past the Numiri patrols?

Lieutenant Paris is our best pilot.

Captain Janeway decided not to take our ship into orbit.

She wanted to avoid getting involved in your conflict.

So we came in on a shuttlecraft that would avoid immediate detection by the Numiri.

I hid behind the limb of the moon before I made a break for your defense perimeter.

By the time their sensors picked us up, they didn't have a chance to catch us.

Well done!

Finished already?

The meat doesn't taste right.

TOLEN: Well... we do have a lot of work to get done.

Perhaps we should begin.

KIM: We went into the other room and started to work

on the navigational beam specifications.

It was pretty dry stuff-- you know, rewriting baseline code algorithms.

Tom got bored.

He left us alone for a while.

I guess he was with Mrs. Ren.

I know they saw each other again the next day.

That was the night Professor Ren was murdered.

Did you talk to Lieutenant Paris after he was detained?

No, they never let me see him.

They interrogated me for almost two days straight.

They asked me a lot of questions about the Numiri.

At first, they must have thought we were Numiri agents or something.

Professor Ren was the inventor of Banean warship technology.

He's completely exhausted.

Can some of this wait until he's had a chance to rest?

We'll find out about Paris, Mr. Kim.

Janeway to Chakotay. Go ahead.

Set a course for the Banean homeworld, Commander.

Aye, Captain.

( door chimes )

Come in.

You sent for me, Captain?

( sighs )

Lieutenant Paris has gotten himself into trouble.

I'm taking this ship into orbit while we try to sort things out.

Be prepared to be intercepted by Numiri patrols.

They always try to intimidate travelers to the Banean planet.

The stakes are too high to send a shuttlecraft this time.

I want to show our flag to make it clear we mean business.

I understand.

Based on your experience, what can we expect the Numiri to do to "intimidate" us?

To be honest, whenever I saw the Numiri coming,

I always left before the intimidation began.

( laughing )

Before...

( clears throat )

Uh, however, uh, I know from, uh, knowledgeable sources that they have directed-energy weapons comparable to your own-- Uh, our own, that is--

Plus regenerative shields that may even give them a certain advantage over us in a fire fight.

Tell me about them, as a people.

Are they aggressive, technical, intellectual, emotional?

Anything that might help me deal with them.

The Numiri and the Banea are quite different from one another, even though they once coexisted on the same planet.

That's why I recommended the Banea to you in the first place.

The Numiri have a remarkably covert society.

CHAKOTAY: Captain to the Bridge.

On my way.

We're scanning a Numiri vessel approaching.

They're at combat readiness, Captain.

Shields up.

On screen.

Mr. Neelix?

A standard patrol vessel.

Curious.

Why?

I would have expected them to send out more than one tiny patrol to meet a ship like this.

Let's hope it's a positive sign.

Hail them.

They're responding.

JANEWAY: Open a channel.

I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager.

What is your business in this system?

One of my crewmen is being held on the Banean planet.

We're on our way to investigate.

Consider this official notice

that you are entering a war zone.

You do so at your own risk.

Understood.

Any attempt to provide aid or supplies to the Banea

will be considered an act of war against the Numiri.

You have my word that we intend to remain neutral in your conflict.

Our only interest is in our own crewman.

Proceed.

Your activities will be monitored.

Very, very curious.

In Numiri terms, that greeting was downright friendly.

Have all security stations remain at full alert.

Continue long-range scans for Numiri patrols around the clock.

TUVOK: Aye, Captain.

Take us into orbit.

Captain, it's unfortunate we must meet under these circumstances.

My Chief of Security--

Lieutenant Tuvok.

Please.

Exactly what are these circumstances, Minister?

All we know is that a member of our crew has been accused of murder.

Oh, I'm afraid he's been more than just accused.

He's been convicted and punished according to our law.

What form of punishment?

The perpetrator of a murder is forced to relive the crime through his victim's eyes.

How is this achieved?

I can have our Chief Medical Officer describe the procedure in detail, if you wish.

We have the capability of isolating memory engrams in the brain.

We take them from the final moments of life.

After they're used in the trial, they're transplanted into the perpetrator's brain.

These memories... are used in the trial as evidence?

An artificial life-form serves as host to the engrams and testifies to their content.

In this case, the victim's last memories clearly show Mr. Paris caught in... an embarrassing episode with Mrs. Ren.

An argument ensues.

Paris is then seen by the victim's own eyes killing him.

The evidence of his guilt is incontrovertible.

Captain.

Are you all right, Tom?

I've been better.

May we speak to him alone?

Of course.

( sighs )

That rehab colony back in New Zealand doesn't seem so bad right now.

Lieutenant, did you murder Professor Ren?

No.

But the victim's own eyes identified...

You don't have to tell me what the victim's own eyes saw, Captain.

I don't understand it either, but I did not kill him.

Were you having improper relations with his wife?

Their marriage was over.

She told Ren they were finished the same day he was killed.

That does not answer my question.

Nothing happened between us.

Almost nothing.

Tom... it's very important you tell us everything.

Harry said you spent some time with Mrs. Ren while he and the Professor were working.

I was bored.

You know how it is when two science guys get together.

I came out of the other room,

looked over and saw her in the atrium.

( chuckles )

Her eyes were a million kilometers away--

Staring at stars I'd just flown by the day before.

Smoking is a bad habit.

My species gave it up centuries ago when we finally got it into our heads it was killing us.

You must be a very superior species.

That's... not what I meant.

Maybe I kill myself slowly because I don't have the courage to do it quickly.

Now, why would you go and say a thing like that?

Don't. What?

Don't get involved, Lieutenant.

I was just trying to...

You'll be sorry.

Look, I was just bored to tears in the other room, and I thought you might like to talk.

Why don't you go ahead and ask me?

Ask you what?

What you've been wanting to ask me all night... what they all want to ask me.

Why I'd marry a man old enough to be my father.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been wondering.

He was good to me.

A lot of other men weren't.

That sounds like a good enough reason to me.

He's a good man.

I would never do anything to hurt him.

I guess... that makes you a good woman.

"Good" can get very... boring.

No, Tom! Don't.

No. I...

Stop! No!

What's going on? No!

No!

Apparently, he's entering another cycle.

( yelling )

Is this normal?

We had some problems integrating the Banean engrams into his alien neurology.

This is the first time he's lost consciousness since the implant.

I'd like to take him back with us to our medical facility.

I'm sorry, but I can't authorize that.

Perhaps we should consider her request, Minister.

We don't want to risk general synaptic failure.

Their doctors might be better suited to stabilize his condition.

All right, but you're not to leave orbit with him.

Minister, we don't intend to leave orbit until we prove his innocence.

Away team to Voyager. Three to beam up.

DOCTOR: It's medicine clearly beyond anything we've ever encountered before.

What bothers me the most is the neural pathway damage it seems to be causing.

It appears to be progressive.

Then this punishment could actually be causing serious brain damage.

How long it might be before he's seriously affected,

I really have no idea.

I would appreciate receiving a copy of your neurological analysis, Doctor.

It's extremely technical.

To the layman, it would be virtually indecipherable.

Nevertheless, I will want to examine it in detail.

This might be the basis for an appeal of the sentence, don't you think?

Perhaps.

However, before the neural implants were developed, the Banean punishment for murder was lethal injection.

It is possible they would view that as the only alternative sentence in this case.

Will he regain consciousness?

I believe so, but each time the cycle repeats,

I'm afraid his brain will take another damaging blow.

When he wakes up,

I will require an autonomic response analysis while I question him again, Doctor.

Do you really think Tom would lie to us?

As an investigator,

I do not have the freedom to ignore any possibility.

Mr. Paris maintains his innocence, yet the victim has identified him from the grave, and the victim's wife has testified against him at the trial.

Someone is obviously lying.

An ARA will tell us if it is Mr. Paris.

I'll have it ready for you.

In the meantime, Captain,

I request permission to return to the surface.

What do you have in mind, Tuvok?

I would like to examine the murder scene and speak with Mrs. Ren.

Mrs. Ren? Yes?

I'm Lieutenant Tuvok of the Starship Voyager.

Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?

Are you a friend of Tom's?

I am the Starfleet Chief of Security investigating his alleged participation in your husband's murder. ( dog growls )

Stop it, Neeka.

She just doesn't like strangers.

Based on your testimony,

I assume this is where the murder occurred.

Yes, right there.

I had to have a professional cleaning crew come in to remove the bloodstain.

You chose to remain in the house after an act of such violence occurred?

This has been my home for over ten years, Mr. Tuvok.

Do you really find that so hard to believe?

I am a Vulcan, Mrs. Ren.

By nature, we are a dispassionate people.

It is rare to encounter someone as dispassionate as we are.

Dispassionate?

Is that how I seem to you?

I think you'd get an argument from Tom Paris.

Can I get you a drink?

Thank you, no.

Mind if I have one?

Please.

You testified at the trial that you and your husband had an argument the afternoon before he was killed.

I never said there was an argument, Lieutenant.

Have you ever had to end a marriage?

No.

Are you married?

My wife and I have been married for 67 years.

I'm sure she's a fine, dispassionate woman.

( chuckles )

I hope you never have to find out for yourself, but I can tell you, ending a marriage... it's a quiet thing.

The arguments are long over and there's really nothing much left to say at all.

May I ask why you decided at this time to end your marriage to Professor Ren?

Because I was attracted to another man.

I didn't want to deceive my husband.

That other man was Lieutenant Paris?

Lieutenant Paris would have been departing this planet in a few days, and yet, you left your husband of ten years for him.

Meeting Tom gave me the push I needed.

I already knew in my heart that it was time to start over.

Exactly when did you see Mr. Paris on the day of the murder?

I went to see him at the Engineering Institute after I talked with my husband.

Once I was free, I knew he wanted to be with me.

How did you know?

A woman knows, Lieutenant.

He left his friend Harry

to finish the technical research

and walked me home.

We were caught in a cloudburst on the way.

Oh, I'm completely soaked.

There must be a centimeter of water in my boots.

Here, let me help you.

We shouldn't.

It's okay.

He knows it's over.

But you're still a married woman.

I haven't been married for years, Tom.

To him, I'm a friend, a companion.

He hasn't treated me like a woman since...

It must have been the day of the eclipse four years ago.

Eclipse?

He was very excited by the eclipse.

Don't ask me why.

Our timing's just a little off.

You'll be gone in a few days.

This is the only time we've got.

Let me make you something to warm you up.

I love to drink Marob root tea on rainy afternoons.

I made some tea.

We talked for a while.

Then we went out to the atrium to watch the storm... and the rest you know.

Did you leave the room at any time during the fight between your husband and Lieutenant Paris?

I saw Tom murder my husband, Mr. Tuvok.

I tried to stop him. I couldn't.

CHAKOTAY: Voyager to Tuvok.

This is Lieutenant Tuvok.

Mr. Paris has regained consciousness.

I thought you'd want to know.

Thank you. I'll be returning shortly.

Tuvok out.

Thank you for your help, Mrs. Ren.

Lieutenant.

When you see Tom... would you tell him that I... forgive him?

Everything she told you is true.

Except I don't remember going into the atrium or anything else after that.

The last thing you remember is?

Sitting with her, drinking tea... talking about the sensual effects of eclipses...

After that I must have fallen asleep.

When I woke up, I was in a cell.

He's telling you the truth.

Was there any evidence of a sedative in his system when he returned here?

The Banean medical authorities checked him.

They didn't find any drugs in his blood.

Most narcotics would have been gone from his system by the time he got to me.

Chakotay to Tuvok.

You're needed on the Bridge.

We're under attack by Numiri patrols.

On my way, Commander.

Evasive pattern Beta 140.

Dual attack mode.

Evasive pattern confirmed.

They're attempting to lock a tractor beam on us.

That is a standard tactic for the Numiri when they intend to board your vessel.

Well, at least now you know

I was telling the truth about them, Captain.

Although I take no pleasure in being right, mind you.

But why now?

Why an unprovoked attack? What are they after?

The Numiri have never needed an excuse to attack anyone.

Shields at 90 percent and holding.

Commander, prepare to initiate attack maneuver Kappa 010.

Captain, if you don't mind... there's a Maquis trick we sometimes use to get out of situations like this.

Be my guest.

B'Elanna, remember Teluridian IV?

The two Starfleet runabouts?

I'm with you.

Blowing out the dorsal phase emitters.

Torres to Engineering.

Go ahead.

Vent a couple of LN-2 exhaust conduits along the dorsal emitters.

Make it look like we're in serious trouble.

Understood.

Cut all engines.

Engines off-line.

Tuvok, lock phasers on their navigational deflectors.

Acknowledged.

Numiri ships are closing.

4,000 kilometers.

Not to belittle Maquis tactics, Commander, but this is a very old trick.

It worked against those Starfleet runabouts.

You're lucky I wasn't commanding one of them.

2,000 kilometers.

CHAKOTAY: Besides, out here in the Delta Quadrant, every old trick is new again.

1,500 kilometers.

They're sending out tractor beams again.

That's our cue.

Fire phasers.

Engage impulse engines.

Both Numiri vessels are disabled, Captain.

That's one trick you won't be able to use again when we get back.

I have more.

Cancel Red Alert.

Take us into high orbit.

NEELIX: Captain.

More Numiri will be coming.

I promise you.

Mr. Tuvok, any progress with your investigation?

TUVOK: Based on the ARA, I am convinced

Lieutenant Paris believes what he is saying.

However, I can offer no tangible evidence on his behalf.

Considering the urgency of the situation,

I believe the only logical alternative at this time is to witness the crime myself.

Yourself?

I propose a mind-meld with Lieutenant Paris.

A-a what?

What, what did he say?

A mind what?

Let me tell you something, Lieutenant.

Believe it or not,

I know more about mind-melds than you do.

I know what every Vulcan doctor has said in every study of mind-melds, and I still cannot tell you what will happen if you do this.

If these cycles cause damage to a human brain, there's no telling what the risk might be to a Vulcan.

I've examined your neurological reports, Doctor, and I believe the risk is acceptable.

Tuvok... Captain... the answers I seek can only be found in the eyes of the murdered man.

It may be our only chance to prove Lieutenant Paris innocent.

Tom?

Tolen!

TOLEN: Now I understand.

I'd better be on my way.

You don't have to go, Tom.

He's got no right.

TOLEN: No right? This is my home!

You come into my home and steal my wife, and I have no right?

That's not the way it happened.

We'll see what your Captain has to say about this.

When I'm finished with you, you'll never wear that uniform again.

PARIS: I can't let you do that.

No, Tom, don't. Stop! No!

( Tolen yells )

( Tolen groaning )

The cycle's ended.

No neural damage that I can detect.

Captain, I must consult with Ensign Kim immediately.

With Kim? Why?

I assume he has access to Professor Ren's research.

I believe it will explain not only why Lieutenant Paris has been accused of a murder he did not commit, but also why the Numiri chose to attack us.

His condition has continued to deteriorate.

He'll have serious brain damage if the implants are not removed.

We are not a barbaric people, Captain.

This was meant as punishment not torture.

I see no alternative but to remove the implants, do you?

There is no legal precedent, of course,

but we can petition the courts immediately.

I cannot assure you'll find

an alternative sentence more to your liking.

We're still committed to proving his innocence, Minister.

When do you intend to return him to our custody?

Due to the nature of his condition, we're concerned that our transporting device might cause further medical complications.

So we're sending him back by shuttlecraft.

They'll leave this ship in one hour.

I'll make the necessary preparations.

This is all your fault, you know?

My fault?

Yeah, I consider you the conscience I never had.

You're supposed to keep me on the straight and narrow.

I tried to warn you.

( chuckles ): Funny, so did she.

If it had been me, I would have stayed as far away from her as possible.

Someday it will be you, Harry.

You'll meet her, and you'll know it's wrong from the first moment you see her.

And you'll know there's nothing you can do about it.

( console beeps ) Here they come.

Numiri patrol approaching, bearing 067 mark 24.

Red Alert.

On screen.

Range, 100,000 kilometers and closing.

They're changing course, Captain.

CHAKOTAY: They're going straight for the shuttle just as you said they would, Lieutenant.

( beeping ) Shuttle to Voyager.

They've locked a tractor beam on us.

Offer no resistance, Harry.

Acknowledged.

PARIS: Hey, Tuvok.

I know it's a little late to ask, but you're sure you've got the logic of this thing worked out?

If I am incorrect, we will know it shortly.

Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better.

( loud clunk )

We're being boarded.

NUMIRI: He's the one.

This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation

Starship Voyager.

You have illegally seized one of our shuttlecraft.

I warned you that you were entering a war zone at your own risk.

Yes.

We appreciated that warning and took appropriate precautions.

If you read the sensor readouts in front of you, you will see that the shuttle is carrying 40 tons of thalmerite explosives-- enough to destroy your ship.

I'm prepared to detonate those explosives in 30 seconds if you do not release our vessel.

End transmission.

The shuttle's being released.

The Numiri ship is withdrawing.

Tractor the shuttle and take us into low orbit.

Cancel Red Alert.

Mr. Paris, how soon before your next cycle?

Seven hours.

That should be enough time to clear this up.

Mr. Tuvok, this is your show now.

With your permission,

I would like to invite all interested parties to meet at the scene of the murder in two hours.

I'll invite the Minister myself.

Lieutenant Paris was not the man Professor Ren saw before he was murdered.

Not the man...

But it was clearly established at the trial.

It is true.

Paris' image was seen in the memories examined during the trial.

However, that is because someone altered the engrams from Professor Ren's brain.

But that simply isn't possible for this procedure.

I would suggest, sir, that there is no such thing as a technology that is entirely safe from tampering.

You're forgetting one thing.

I was here and I saw him do it.

On the contrary,

I have not forgotten your statement, Mrs. Ren.

However, I now know it is clearly false.

PARIS: Just what was in that tea you gave me, Lidell?

Is this just idle speculation, or do you have some evidence?

Mr. Paris, would you please stand next to Mrs. Ren?

What for?

If you wouldn't mind.

The man Professor Ren observed with his wife was virtually equal in height to her.

Clearly, Lieutenant Paris is several centimeters taller.

How do you know what my husband saw?

Vulcans have the ability to meld telepathically with another's mind.

I observed your husband's memories as Lieutenant Paris went through his cycle.

I watched as the killer stabbed Professor Ren right here, through the intercostal space between the eighth and ninth right ribs-- the exact location of the Banean heart.

The killer clearly knew Banean anatomy.

Lieutenant Paris did not.

Are we supposed to take your word for all of this?

There is additional evidence.

For example, we can now say for certain that Professor Ren was murdered by a Numiri agent.

What? Lieutenant, did you notice the stream of symbols and numbers that were superimposed on the images?

Symbols?

Well, yeah, I guess I did.

I didn't know what they meant.

I thought they were part of the procedure.

In researching this procedure,

I found no other reference to this phenomenon.

I have now confirmed that these symbols and numbers were equations taken from Professor Ren's weapons research.

Someone intended them to be delivered to the Numiri.

You're saying somebody used his brain to send secret data to our enemy?

He was a logical courier.

The Numiri agents knew he could leave the planet's surface without raising suspicion.

The Numiri made two attempts to gain access to Mr. Paris.

They attacked just after he returned to Voyager, and then again when he was in the shuttle.

Someone on the surface had to be informing the Numiri of Lieutenant Paris' movements.

Do you know who did this?

You knew when Mr. Paris would be in transit, Minister.

But the doctor is the one who encouraged you to release him to our custody.

He is also the one who performed the implant procedure.

I know of no one else who had the opportunity and knowledge to carry out this plan.

I'm not going to listen to any of this.

I really would like you to listen, Doctor.

Would you please stand again, Mrs. Ren.

So we're the same height.

It proves nothing.

I never saw this woman prior to the death of her husband.

I was never even in this house before today.

You forget the other witness who was here on the night of the murder, Doctor.

Would you mind asking her to come in?

( whining squeakily )

TUVOK: It appears that you are no stranger to Neeka, Doctor.

He lied to me, Tom.

No one was supposed to get hurt.

You know I could never do anything to hurt you.

Yeah.

You could.

( quiet laughter and conversation )

Tuvok.

Mr. Paris.

There are some who'd say you risked my future on the eyewitness identification of a dog.

It seemed a necessary step to ensure a truthful resolution.

Well... I appreciate you sticking up for me.

I owe you one.

I conducted a criminal investigation.

If you had been guilty, I assure you

I would have pursued the truth just as vigilantly.

You have no debt to me, Mr. Paris.

( sighs )

How come I always see you down here eating alone, Lieutenant?

I prefer to read rather than engage in...

What do humans call it-- short talk?

Close enough.

You don't make many friends that way.

Perhaps.

Well, like it or not, you've made one today, Mr. Tuvok.