By the Book
Michael and Trevor interrogate a FIB detainee at a safehouse under Steve Haines's orders, with the player choosing how far the torture goes.
Overview
By the Book is a dialogue-heavy FIB mission centered on coercion at a remote Blaine County safehouse. Michael De Santa and Trevor Philips interrogate a detainee known as Mr. K while Steve Haines monitors by phone. The player selects instruments and intensity during the session, affecting dialogue but not the mission outcome. The scene highlights moral friction between Michael and Trevor and shows how federal agents manipulate the crew into increasingly brutal work after Monkey Business.
Walkthrough
1. Arrive at the safehouse with Michael and Trevor. 2. Begin the interrogation when Steve Haines connects by phone. 3. Select torture methods as prompted to pressure the detainee. 4. Continue questioning until Mr. K provides the airport lead. 5. Stop before killing the detainee prior to the scripted information reveal. 6. Leave the safehouse after Haines ends the call. Tactical note: The detainee cannot be killed before giving the location. Follow Haines's prompts and wait for the scripted dialogue flag before ending the session.
Fail Conditions
The mission fails if Michael or Trevor dies outside scripted sequences or if the detainee is killed before revealing the required airport information.
Aftermath
By the Book unlocks continued Bureau Raid preparation and the airport-related federal objectives. Michael's complicity with Haines worsens the rift with Trevor, which surfaces again in Bury the Hatchet.