I looked elsewhere for this but didn't see it. If its there- my bad! First, any theories on why Locke took his shoes off? Second, any theories on why he ratted Kate out as a fugitive so she would be tied up as opposed to him. All I can think of on that one is that he beleives/knows that she can do just what she did- get out of the cuffs- and that he wouldn't have been able to do that.

I think Locke knew that since Kate was a fugitive she would definately be able to work her way out of being tied up and she is good at escaping.

1. I think he took his shoes off just so he could sneak around the area without being heard.

2. I think you are correct. He figured that Kate could get herself untied and take care of herself in that situation better than he could. In addition, as nosy as Locke is, he probably wanted the opportunity to question Desmond as much as possible.

1. Yes, I think it is definitly for stealth purposes. When Locke first got down into the hatch you could here his shoes sqeek as there got wet in the puddle.

2. I think besides knowing Kate could escape, as he gave her a knife. He probably wanted to be the one that was talking to Desmond.

I also think that Locke might have been trying to protect Kate. At that point he did not know what Desmond was going to do with them. He gave Kate a way to escape and go get help. He knew he could pacify Desmond, but might not have been as sure about her.