Detroit was becoming panic stricken as nine more overdose victims were found over the course of the next four days. Each victim was located in a relatively busy area of the city and had the overdose called in by an anonymous tipster who followed the exact same script as the original two calls, though the voice was different every time. Eleven victims in five days was the disturbing mark of a dedicated serial killer than had put every precinct on edge as every available officer was assigned to work the case, or go on patrol.
With Hank being an expert on 'red ice' cases and Connor being an expert on deviants the two detectives were put in charge of the investigation. Working alongside Gavin, who had been working homicide for almost six years; while Chris and Tina patrolled the streets, the three detectives were at a loss and ready to drop from exhaustion.
The lack of progress on locating the appropriately nicknamed "Red Reaper" was very disheartening, and the trio was feeling the pressure of the stalled case.
"Fuckin' hell." Swearing with righteous frustration Hank grabbed his coffee mug and walked over to the breakroom to get his fourth refill. "We need something to go on soon."
Connor stayed at his desk and ran his hand over his jaw where a faint stubble had begun growing over the past few days. The lack of progress on the case, late hours and need to sleep had prevented Connor from having the proper time to shave in the mornings.
As Hank returned to his desk with his refilled mug in his hand Gavin got up from his down desk to walk around the bullpen a little and work out his stressed, tense muscles. "I don't remember the last time I worked a sixteen hour shift, let alone three in a row."
"You're not supposed to remember such long shifts." Hank remarked as he sipped at his coffee and leaned his chin down against the palm of his hand as he leaned against his desk top. "If ya' did no one would be a cop for more than six months." Glancing up at Connor sitting at his own desk across from himself Hank tried to talk to the younger man to get any response and break his attention away from the case for a moment. "How you holding up, kid?"
"...No progress."
"I wasn't asking about the case, kid. I was asking about you."
Blinking a few times to ease the strain on his bloodshot eyes he turned and looked at Hank around his terminal and sighed. "I feel... limited."
"Yup. That's to be expected." Sighing into his hand he gave the younger man a sympathetic look. "And if it's any consolation I think you'd be feeling exactly the same way even if you were still a deviant."
"Not really. I don't like the idea of stumped even with a massive computer brain at my disposal."
Gavin walked past the two desks to get to his own desk where he pulled his leather jacket from the back of the chair and slipped it on over his arms and up to his shoulders before going outside the precinct. "I'm starvin'. I'm going to grab something to eat and be right back."
"Don't get any Chinese food. Last time you got that the entire bullpen smelled like kung-pow chicken for a month."
"Since when did you have a problem with eating takeout?"
"Ever since I had to smell the same damn thing for four weeks straight." Remembering that Connor had a bout of food poisoning a while back he yelled one final thing to Gavin before he left the building. "And no fish or shrimp! That's worse than the smell of month old leftover Chinese food."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever..." Stopping for a moment Gavin turned to look at the two detectives and wanted to find a way to help maintain peace in such a tense moment of investigation. "You two need anything? I'll grab it."
Hank wasn't starving and he knew Connor had seemed to develop a bad habit of not eating when he worked too hard, so he decided to decline the offer and take care of things at home. "No, Gavin. Go get your shit and get back here."
"Don't whine and say I've never tried to do anything to help you guys out."
Connor leaned back in his own chair and glanced about the vacant bullpen for a few moments. As his eyes drifted over to Gavin's desk he noticed that the departing detective had accidentally left his wallet behind on his chair. "Damn it."
"What's 'damn it'?"
"Gavin dropped his wallet." Rising from his desk Connor picked up the wallet and made a move toward the door. "It must've slipped out of his pocket."
Walking quickly Connor made his way through the front doors of the precinct and rounded the corner of the building to get to the parking garage next door. As he set foot inside the relatively dark garage the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and he froze mid step. The sound of a muffled voice and something heavy slamming up against the side of the concrete support pillar of the garage made Connor draw his gun from the holster around his back as he shouted at two dark figures struggling in the shadows.
"FREEZE." Connor shouted as he pulled his gun from his holster beneath his jacket and pointed it at the two figures. "Detroit Police!"
One of the figures looked up at Connor and bolted in the opposite direction as the second figure laid on the ground coughing and desperately grasping at their throat as if they couldn't breath.
Grabbing his phone Connor called Hank and told him there was a fight in the garage and to send help. Rushing over to the figure on the ground Connor saw that the person who was in trouble wasn't a stranger, but was in fact Gavin.
"Oh, shit." Kneeling on the ground beside the downed detective Connor's training as a paramedic kicked in and he checked over his colleague for any sign of the injuries that were causing him distress. Rolling Gavin from his side and onto his back Connor put his hand beneath Gavin's head and held him up from the cold, hard ground. "Lay still, Gavin. Take a breath."
The lights overhead suddenly flashed to full power as Hank found the switch for the emergency lights and called for the nearest patrol to return to the precinct.
"Gavin?" Studying Gavin's pale and distressed face was very disconcerting. "Look at me."
The downed detective was grasping at his throat and his chest as he made weak gasping sounds and fought to breathe. His face was pale and sweaty, but there were fresh, pink burns around his mouth and fingertips. The whites of his eyes were bloodshot and slightly yellow from sudden and extreme liver damage, all signs of being exposed to something toxic and highly poisonous.
"Gavin, did you see the face of the person who attacked you?"
Nodding frantically Gavin confirmed he saw the attacker and pointed to a spot on the ground a few feet away.
Glancing in the direction Connor saw the shining glint of a glass pipe that had rolled away from the struggle after the attacker fled and was now resting against the tire of Gavin's parked car.
"Shit..." Pressing his fingers to the side of Gavin's neck Connor counted the detective's rapid pulse and heard Hank's footsteps as the senior detective ran up behind him to see what was going on. "Hank, he was forcibly dosed with something toxic. There's a sample over there." Pointing to the place beside the car's tire he continued to monitor Gavin as closely as he could. "The attacker fled as soon as I approached and went South."
"Fuck." Kneeling down beside the tire Hank shook his head and pulled a pair of latex gloves from his coat pocket to protect his hands and the evidence. "It looks like 'red ice'. That fucker used 'red ice' on Gavin."
The siren of the approaching ambulance filled the air and was accompanied by a patrol car's siren as the nearest patrol returned to the station. As an array of red and blue flashing lights filled the garage Connor watched Gavin's breathing as closely as he could, and kept track of his erratic pulse.
"Whoever attacked Gavin must know that he's one of the detective's working on the case." Connor nodded to the two paramedics who stepped out of the back of the ambulance with the gurney being rolled between them. Addressing the medics calmly Connor informed them of the situation. "He's been exposed to a concentrated dose of 'red ice'. He needs Narcan, now."
Hank passed the collected glass pipe over to Connor to take to the hospital already knowing that Connor would accompany Gavin, since he too was a licensed paramedic. "You go with Gavin and I'll handle things here, kid."
"Right." Connor helped the paramedics place Gavin on the gurney and watched as the first paramedic cut through Gavin's dark purple t-shirt while the second prepared the Narcan, a.k.a. the 'Save Shot', to help strip the narcotics from Gavin's system. An oxygen mask was placed over Gavin's nose and mouth to assist his breathing as he struggled to catch his breath after enduring such a strong dose of the lethal drug. "I'll call you as soon as I have any information on either Gavin's condition or at the very least the concentration of the 'red ice'."
"Don't worry about that right now, just try to get prints on the pipe and make sure Gavin pulls through." Hank motioned to Chris and Tina who had returned from their patrol to come with him check over the scene of the attack. "We'll figure this out kid, don't worry."
Hank watched as the gurney was loaded up with Gavin already showing signs of sickness and Connor informed the two paramedics that he too was a paramedic before climbing in the back to help the downed detective as much as he could. The doors slammed shut and Hank gave the back of the vehicle two firm slaps to tell the driver to go ahead and take off for the hospital.
"Lieutenant?" Chris's eyes were wide with confusion as he and Tina walked up to Hank to await their orders. "What the hell happened?"
"The sick fuck poisoning people with concentrated 'red ice' went after Gavin."
Tina was suddenly on guard as soon as she heard it was her partner and best friend who had been assaulted. "What the fuck? Where'd the attacker go?"
"Connor saw them flee South after he got close to the assault. I notified patrol to look for anyone acting shade and heading South. I don't think it'll do much good though."
"I'm on it."
"No, you're with me Tina." Pointing to Chris with a stern gaze Hank issued his next order. "Chris, take a sweep and report anything suspicious."
"Right, Lieutenant."
Tina gave Hank a somewhat offended glare as he sighed and put his hand on her shoulder. "What gives? Is this some shit about me being too emotionally involved?"
"A little, but it has nothing to do with your credibility as an officer. It's because he's your best friend." Removing his hand from her shoulder he motioned to the scene of the assault to being a more thorough investigation. "If it were me or Connor who had been attacked then Gavin would've done the same thing and dismissed us from the search."
"Can I at least ask why Gavin was attacked?"
"It looks like the attacker is that deviant now serial killer using 'red ice' that we've been looking for. Gavin's working on the case and it made his a target."
"The 'Red Reaper' attacked him?"
"Yeah, that fucker. And if you saw them you'd put a bullet between their eyes, not that anyone would blame ya'." Hank explained very coolly as he looked for any sign of a weapon or trace from the attacker. "The only problem is it's pretty damn hard to get a dead man to talk."
"...Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Go inside and get a forensics kit. Right now all you can do is work the scene and wait for an update from Connor."
Swearing under her breath Tina obeyed the order and jogged out of the parking garage to return to the precinct to get the kit as instructed. Until other officers returned from their patrol and the C.S.I. crew arrived at the parking garage it was up to her and Hank to keep the scene from being contaminated. It didn't seem like she was doing enough to help her assaulted partner, but for now it was all she could do to aid Gavin.
The ambulance ride was quick and seemed hauntingly routine for the two paramedics. Sitting on the bench beside Gavin, who was still laying on the gurney and gasping for breath, Connor kept speaking to him to try to keep him feeling grounded as his body went through a negative reaction to the potent drugs. The pink burns around his mouth and his hands looked painful, but his rapid breathing and frantic heart rate on the cardiac monitor made the sight almost frightening to the otherwise calm younger detective.
"It's okay, Gavin." Speaking slowly and calmly Connor hovered over the downed detective as the paramedics took his vitals and radioed an update to the hospital regarding his condition. "The Narcan worked and the 'red ice' was negated. You'll feel a lot better in a few minutes."
Gavin's eyes were shut, and he was sweating and rolling his head back and forth rapidly against the headrest of the gurney.
"I know you can't talk, but did you see the attacker's face?"
Too disoriented to respond Gavin continued to frantically breathe and toss and turn about on the gurney.
"Alright, it's alright. Take it easy, you're almost at the hospital. We'll get the asshole who attacked you."
The ambulance pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and backed up to the emergency entrance where the medical team was gathered. As the large doors of the ambulance were opened the gurney was unlocked and rolled out of the back and into the parking lot very carefully to keep Gavin from being jostled about, but he was too dazed and losing consciousness to even know what was happening around him.
Stepping out of the ambulance Connor followed after the gurney and watched as Gavin was wheeled into an emergency treatment room to try to keep his condition from degrading any further. So far Gavin was the only victim to encounter the 'Red Reaper' and survive, but no one knew what that survival would entail if he managed to pull through the night.
Remembering the glass pipe of 'red ice' that needed to be tested Connor slipped it into his gray jacket's pocket out of sight and proceeded to locate a doctor to inform them of the situation, and have the red tinted drug tested.
"We need to find something we can work with soon." A despondent sigh escaped Connor's lips as he thought about how helpless the entire precinct was currently feeling. "How I wish I could still run analysis samples myself..."
Determination and dedication kept the precinct motivated throughout the rest of the night and well into early morning as every piece of evidence was meticulously checked over numerous times. Going over the collected evidence inside the bullpen at their own desks Hank and Tina worked to analyze everything as quickly and efficiently as possible. There was very little to go on as the attacker was very careful not to leave behind any form of trace of their being, and was very thorough during the entire assault.
"Fuck, the attacker really is a deviant after all." Running his hand through his gray hair as fatigue began to weigh in and give him yet another headache. "I shouldn't say I'm surprised, Connor's rarely wrong about this type of shit."
"How can you be so sure?" Tina asked as she carried a fresh mug of coffee over to Hank's desk as she sipped her own mug of coffee tentatively.
"No fingerprints, which granted any idiot could put on a pair of gloves to hide that, but no hair samples, EVER, the assaults are never in view of any cameras in the area; which means they can detect the locations of every camera and look away or cybernetically disable them, and the scripts being read with every 911 call regarding the victims is too precise and accurate for it to be human voices."
"Deviants can change their voices?"
"Some can. Connor's model could do that, so that means the software is available for use somewhere."
"That's disturbing."
"Yeah, that's why Connor only did it when absolutely necessary. Check this out." Replaying the security footage from the moment the assailant entered the parking garage, Hank pointed out something very peculiar, if not damning. "This guy stayed out there for two hours, not budging and not reacting to the other officers passing him by without drawing any attention to himself. Even when Fowler walked out to the garage, alone, he didn't move. He was waiting specifically for Gavin."
Peering at the security footage of the assault on Hank's terminal screen Tina stared with utter malice in her eyes at the sight of the hooded figure stalking Gavin through the parking garage before attacking him from behind. The already hot glass pipe containing the 'red ice' was forcefully pressed to Gavin's mouth with one hand as the attacker pulled him down backward onto the concrete ground of the garage with the other hand. The attacker then knelt down on Gavin's chest to pin him down while keeping the glass pipe pressed to his face with one hand, and used their other hand to pinch Gavin's nose closed giving him no choice but to breathe through his mouth. Forced him to breathe in the 'red ice'.
"That asshole is some piece of work..." Tina grumbled as she watched her partner being assaulted by a demented deviant.
"And they're going to pay for the eleven murders, then tenfold for assaulting Gavin." The phone on Hank's desk buzzed as a call came in. Picking up the phone he saw it was Connor who was calling and answered quickly and put the phone on speaker mode. "Connor, what's going on?"
'The hospital was able to run an analysis on the "red ice" sample I provided.' The tone of Connor's voice was eerily emotionless and tired. 'The tests confirm that the "red ice" used shared the same chemical composition of the "red ice" the previous eleven victims had overdosed on. The attacker who went after Gavin in the parking garage is in fact the "Red Reaper". They also know we're the ones working the case.'
"Shit. At least we got some confirmation on who attacked Gavin. Speaking of which," he glanced up at Tina with a sympathetic gaze as she hovered behind Hank as he sat as his desk. "how is Gavin doing?"
'...Not well.' The pause before the answer was unsettling enough. 'The forced inhalation of the "red ice" burned the inside of his mouth, his throat and his lungs. His pulmonary tissues became so inflamed from the damage that he needed to be sedated and intubated. He's unconscious and on a ventilator to breathe for him until his lungs heal enough to breathe on his own again. He's on a course of antibiotics to prevent infection and steroids to reduce the inflammation. They're also going to run tests to ensure his liver and his kidneys are still functioning properly.'
Tina walked away the desk in perfect blend of anger and worry for her friend's life.
'I'll remain here until he either regains consciousness or someone else arrives to keep him company. I don't think waking up alone in a hospital is something anyone should have to go through.'
"Yeah, that's fine, kid. By the way, you were right. All of the evidence we gathered points to a deviant being the assailant."
'But you didn't get a face on the security footage?'
"No. The fucker disabled the cameras and the lighting in the parking garage. The back-up power didn't kick until almost two hours later, which means they were waiting in the garage for a long time before they made their move."
'They didn't necessarily single Gavin out then. They could've been waiting for any three of us to walk into the garage alone.'
"Yeah, we've implemented a new protocol prohibiting any officer going anywhere solo outside of the precinct."
'A wise precaution. I will call again as soon as I have an update.'
"Right. Stay in touch." Ending the call Hank decided to focus on Tina, who had retreated to her own desk to think. "Tina, let's go somewhere quiet and talk for a minute."
"Lieutenant, I-"
"Don't make me pull rank on you, officer."
Giving Hank a somewhat annoyed glance she agreed to go talk with Hank in private while the other officers who returned from patrol to continue the search into locating the "Red Reaper".
"Alright, Lieutenant." Getting up from her desk Tina followed after Hank as he motioned for her to accompany him to a private interview room. "Let's talk."
Standing outside the room in the I.C.U. where Gavin was being monitored closely Connor couldn't stop himself from pulling is half-dollar coin from his pocket and dancing it over his right knuckles nervously. Watching the forced breaths being used to keep Gavin alive was disconcerting, whereas the stable vital signs on the cardiac monitor helped Connor to relax a little, but not enough to let his guard down.
"Connor?" Dr. Wilson was on call and had been made aware that an officer had been assaulted. While he wasn't personally handling Gavin's case he was staying close by out of respect for law enforcement since his own brother was working with the F.B.I. at the moment. "I heard that someone got taken down late last night."
"Yes. Sergeant Gavin Reed."
"From what I've been told by my colleagues he had been forced to inhale concentrated 'red ice', and was giving Narcan en route to the hospital."
"That's right. The drug was stripped from his system before it could take his life."
"Well, until he's out of the woods we're going to need a medical proxy here in person. He hasn't been a patient in this hospital before," holding an electronic chart in his hand Dr. Wilson began checking through the provided records that had arrived shortly after his admission. "but his medical records were forwarded to us. I see the name 'Tina Chen' as his emergency contact. Is she his spouse or a family member?"
"No, she's his partner at the precinct."
"I see... What about a girlfriend or a boyfriend?"
"No." Fortunately Tina was willing to discreetly tell Connor why Gavin's foul mood seemed to suddenly get fouler a few weeks prior without accidentally spreading gossip about him. "He recently broke up with his girlfriend."
"Think she'd be willing to come to the hospital to help out?"
"She cheated on him."
"So that's a massive 'no'. What about any other family members?"
"His father is deceased," Connor explained as he remembered everything that Gavin had told him the night the two detectives buried the hatchet while on a stakeout together. "and his mother is mentally unsound."
"Siblings?"
"...His younger sister is also deceased and his brother-" The very idea of telling Kamski that Gavin was injured seemed like a massive chore, and one that Connor didn't want to undertake. "His brother is currently in Boston."
"It'd be helpful if we had a family member to give us more details on his health."
"Well, his brother was estranged for most of their lives and had only reunited with Gavin a few months prior."
"Think you could get in contact with him?"
"...I can try."
"Thanks, Connor." Noticing the coin doing its graceful dance over Connor's knuckles Dr. Wilson tried to reassure the righteously worried young detective. "Try not to worry. Dr. Tamashi is one of the best burn unit doctors in the entire country. She'll pull him through as his lungs heal."
"Right, I'm sure he'll be fine."
As Dr. Wilson took his leave Connor retreated to a private corner of the hospital to call Lucas and to ask him to inform Kamski about Gavin's condition. The last thing he wanted to do was ask his brother to deliver bad news, but he had no choice in the matter. It was the only way to reach the eccentric creator, and since Gavin's life could be on the line it was crucial call to be made.
"Lucas? I have something important I need to tell you. Listen to me carefully..."
Word quickly spread throughout the city that an officer was attacked in the precinct garage and made its way to New Jericho Tower. The fear of a deviant being responsible for the string of attacks had put the entire city on edge, and the tension between humans and deviants had begun to intensify in a palpable wave quickly. Once the news reached the ears of the four leaders of the tower Markus reacted quickly and asked that any and all deviants residing outside of the tower to help in locating the rogue deviant before they could do any further damage to the city.
"We know it's a deviant who's doing this to the city." Markus confirmed as he spoke with North, Josh and Simon in the tower's main office. Resting his elbows on the surface of the desk Markus brought his neatly folded hands to his chin and let out a breathy, human sigh. "Connor wouldn't mistake anyone else for a deviant, and absolute perfection behind the attacks can't be orchestrated by one human, let alone a whole team of them."
"What do you want us to do?" North could see the frustration in Markus's mismatched eyes and wanted to do everything she could to ease his stress.
"We need to ask our outside contacts to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior."
Josh's brow furrowed as a very real concern came to the surface. "Report to the police? They're busy enough as it is trying to solve this case, they can't waste time tracking down every call in hope it'll give them a lead."
"You're right." Markus replied as he closed his eyes and tried to slow the racing thoughts nearly overwhelming his mind. "That's why we're going to take the reports, weed out false alarms, and then inform Connor and Hank on any credible threat."
"Us? How?"
"Several of our people were programmed to chronicle and file numerous claims when they were being used as receptionists or as school teachers. They have the necessary skills to properly handle any incoming information and organize it for us."
Simon nodded in agreement as he decided that Markus's plan was the best option for everyone. "That can help. I'll organize as many deviant volunteers as I can to help sort through the reports."
"Thank you."
North sensed that something else was on Markus's mind and she pressed him gently. "Markus, what's really bothering you?"
Taking a moment to steel his nerves Markus owned up to his deepest worry and let his colleagues know what was happening. "...I can't be certain but I think the deviant who's responsible for this is Damien."
"Damien? I haven't seen him since the night of the revolution."
"I know he's still in the city and many deviants suspected him of working with human drug dealers to distribute 'red ice' throughout the city."
"Do you really think he's the serial killer?"
"...I think it's possible. We may have a serial killer in the city, and I may have been the one to lose track of him."
Exhaustion won out and Connor retreated to a chair around the corner from the I.C.U. room to rest. Leaning back against the wall he had fallen asleep and remained asleep until a hand on his shoulder awoke him gently. Opening his eyes he looked up and saw Hank hovering over him and caught a glimpse of Tina walking toward the room to be with her partner.
"...Hi, Hank. Make any progress?"
"Not much. Fowler came in and dismissed the night crew. He also said you and me have to take two days off to rest."
"Shit."
"Relax, kid. It's not a punishment."
"Yeah, I know." Clearing his throat a little he leaned forward and rubbed his hand over his tired eyes. "Did the doctor tell you anything about Gavin while I was asleep?"
"Just that he's stable." Sitting down beside Connor slowly the senior detective was as equally as tired as Connor was. "Does anyone else know about Gavin?"
"You're referring to Kamski."
"Yup."
"I called Lucas and he's filled Kamski in on the details. I suspect he'll arrive at the hospital in a few hours."
"So now that Tina is here and Kamski is on his way back to the city, there's no reason for us to hang out here anymore. Let's go home, get something to eat and then get some sleep."
"...I think you're right."
"Geez, you must be tired. You're not arguing."
"Well, we were dismissed from the case for the next forty-eight hours and we can't do anything to help Gavin right now. The best thing we can do is go home and remain-" Connor stopped short and looked away from Hank in disgust.
"Remain..." Hank pushed his younger partner to finish his throught. "What?"
"Hank, the assailant waited in the parking garage for Gavin to be alone, which means they knew Gavin was working the case. They must know we're working the case, too. We'll have to remain vigilant and remain secluded in the house, and hope the attacker isn't out there already waiting for us."
"...You're right. Okay, we'll go home and check the entire place from top to bottom and lock every window and door."
"Right. And we won't leave the house, or go anywhere alone until the killer is caught."
"Sounds like a plan. Come on, kid." Patting Connor's arm twice Hank got up from his chair and watched as Connor did the same. "Let's go home."
The drive home was entirely routine and very calm. As soon as the two detectives were back home and in the garage they instinctively locked up the car and proceeded to check the doors and windows of the house and the garage. Nothing had been disturbed and there was no sign of anyone stalking about the property. Satisfied that no one had followed them home or staked out the house either the two detectives decided it was safe to go inside.
"Let's get inside and lock up." Hank suggested as he holstered his gun and unlocked the front door. As soon as the two were inside the house Hank locked the front door behind them and pulled the curtains over the front windows shut. "Fuckin' hell. I haven't felt this paranoid since I worked undercover in narcotics."
"Undercover?"
"Nothing too extreme. I just masqueraded as a member of a biker gang for three weeks."
"Sounds interesting."
"Sure. If the threat of some psycho possibly sneaking up behind you and slitting your throat if you said the wrong thing is interesting, then working undercover in a biker gang is absolutely enthralling."
Connor gave Hank an amused smirk. "Good point."
"I'm ready to drop. Keep Ruby with you and I'll keep Sumo, so if something does happen we'll be ready."
"Right." Pulling his phone from his pocket he showed it to Hank as he began walking up the staircase to get to his bedroom. "I'll also let you know if I receive any updates on Gavin's condition at the hospital."
"Good. The more we're kept in the loop, the better."
Numerous deviants had taken the initiative to try to locate Damien or single out any other deviant who was displaying any hostile behavior toward humans, but nothing was proving beneficial. Dozens of reports came in quickly but not a single one could give a location on Damien. With the lack of progress Markus was beginning to feel the same pressure that the precinct was being crushed under.
"I hate this." Markus muttered to himself as looked out through the office window to the dark water of the harbor outside. "I really do."
"We all do." Simon agreed as he finished checking through the reports on his electronic tablet screen. "This is almost as tense as hiding out in the original Jericho waiting to be discovered. Only now we're the ones looking around trying to find one deviant."
"If even Connor can't seem to track him down then I don't think we'll fair much better."
"You're not giving up, are you? It hasn't even been a day."
"No, I'm not giving up, but I am accepting the facts of the situation realistically."
"We'll stop him, Markus."
"Yeah, but when? And how many more people will get hurt before then?"
"...I wish I could give you an answer."
Sighing Markus crossed his arms over his chest, closed his mismatched eyes and bowed his head sadly. "Me too."
After throwing off his gray jacket and tie Connor had fallen asleep almost as soon as his head hit his pillow. Passing out on his stomach over top of his quilt with his arms sprawled at sides, he was sleeping peacefully with Ruby laying at the foot of his bed to keep him company. Almost nine hours passed before he finally awoke, but only to the sound of his phone buzzing on his nightstand with an annoying ambience. Without opening his eyes he grabbed onto his phone, swiped 'answer' without even needing to look at the screen and pressed the phone to his ear.
"...Hello?"
'Connor, it's Tina.'
Hearing Tina's voice made Connor's eyes snap open as he quickly turned his body to sit upright on his bed. "Tina, what's going with Gavin?"
'He woke up and they removed the tube from his throat, which is good because he's strong enough to breathe, but there's a new problem that we didn't count on.'
"Is it serious?"
'Serious enough.' She confirmed with a tone of discretion to her voice. 'The Narcan stuff stripped the drug from his system but the "red ice" was so potent that he's showing signs of withdrawal even without the addiction.'
"Shit. He's going to be sick for a while."
'AND... He doesn't want to stay in the hospital.'
"...Uh, I'm not exactly the expert on staying in a hospital or listening to doctors, Tina."
'No, but I think you can think of a solution.'
"Solution?"
'Gavin doesn't want to stay in the hospital while showing signs of withdrawal because he doesn't want people to see him. He's convinced if anyone recognizes him as a detective and sees him going through withdrawal it'll destroy his reputation as a detective, and he'll never come back from that.'
"Right, I can understand that." Now fully awake Connor tried to think and come up with a type of compromise, and the first one that came to his mind was one he didn't think he'd ever offer before. "Uh... Is... Is anyone from Gavin's family there?"
'You mean Elijah Kamski?'
"...Yeah."
'It's okay, Connor. Gavin told me about his brother, so it's cool. Elijah already offered to let Gavin hide out at that really expensive rehab facility you went to for your physical therapy, but he doesn't want to go there either.'
"Considering I was there to physically rehabilitate my body as opposed to kicking drugs I understand his hesitation."
'If we can't convince him to go do you have a back-up plan?'
"...I might. If he won't go to the rehab center or stay in the hospital let me know so we can take him back to his apartment."
'Are you sure?'
"Yeah, I have a back-up plan that will work out if it comes to down to it."
'Thanks, Connor. I'll call again when we know what's going on.'
"Right. See ya, later." Ending the call Connor put his phone aside and fell back over his bed, draping his arm over his eyes in the process. Ruby wagged her tail and stood on Connor's chest with her front paws as he looked down at his face curiously. "...You're getting to big to cuddle on my chest now." Gently he pushed the dog aside and rubbed her ears. "I bet you're hungry."
Getting up from the bed he rubbed his hand through his hair, pocketed his phone and led Ruby out of the bedroom and downstairs. Walking as quietly as he could Connor remained on his guard and listened to every single sound in the house, and made sure nothing was out of place. Reaching the kitchen Connor checked the back sliding glass doors again, still locked and nothing had been tampered with, then proceeded to fill up the two food bowls on the floor much to Ruby's delight. The sound of a heavy 'thud' upstairs told Connor that Sumo had heard the food being poured and was well on his way down.
Finally noting the time Connor laughed a little at himself and needlessly apologized to the two dogs as the chowed down. "I didn't think I'd sleep that long, sorry you two."
"...Me neither." Hank wandered into the kitchen looking just as tired as ever and looked at Connor with bloodshot eyes. "If Sumo hadn't shaken the entire bed when he jumped down I'd still be asleep."
"Tina called a while ago. Gavin's doing better but isn't cooperating with the doctors."
"Remind you of anyone?"
"At any rate," Connor expertly deflected the comment and continued to explain things as casually as possible. "if they can't get Gavin to stay in the hospital or go to the private rehab facility then I told them to call me back. I'll help them take Gavin back to his apartment to rest."
"Whoa, wait, wait, wait... Rehab?"
"...As it turns out the 'red ice' was so concentrated that he's going through withdrawal symptoms without even being addicted."
"Ah, fuck. Withdrawal is the fuckin' worst..."
"Which is why I'm going to help."
"Son, you're a paramedic, not a doctor."
"True. I know I'm limited in my skills and my resources, but it's better than him being completely without medical aid."
"You seem pretty convinced he isn't to cooperate."
"Remind you of anyone?"
"Smartass."
As if on cue Connor's phone began to ring again and he promptly answered it. "Hello?"
'What's your back-up plan again?'
"Tina," Connor stated to clue Hank in on the conversation. "I'll meet you at the hospital and we'll take Gavin back to his apartment. Once there I'll explain everything."
'Right, I'll see you, soon.'
Ending the call Connor gave Hank a somewhat tentative glance. "Do you mind?"
"No. Let's get the dogs outside and then back in, then we'll head out to the hospital."
At the hospital Gavin was sitting in the hospital provided wheelchair and signing away on the discharge papers, acknowledging that he was leaving against medical advice, and trying to ignore the scolding look Tina was giving him. It didn't help that Kamski was there and siding with Tina about the whole thing, but he refrained from saying anything that might make Gavin either lash out or work himself into respiratory distress while his lungs were still healing.
"...Don't look at me... like that." Gavin hoarsely replied as Tina shook her head at him and walked around to the back of his wheelchair to start pushing toward the entrance. "...You know why... I'm do this."
"Yeah, I get it Gavin, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
Kamski agreed entirely and politely took the handles of the wheelchair from Tina to push instead. "She's right. But I will respect your choice, even if it is a bit reckless."
"...Coming from the... bastard who created... a new form of... life?"
"That wasn't my intention. However, I won't deny that my actions were in fact reckless when I perfected Thirium and biocomponents."
Tina just let out a tired, annoyed sigh at her partner's stubbornness and his brother's arrogance. "...I should've call in sick today."
"...Too late." Gavin hoarsely replied as the trio gathered in the waiting room near the front doors of the precinct. A nurse had been following after them just in case Gavin had a sudden breathing attack, but since he signed the "A.M.A." she couldn't really say or do anything to keep him from leaving. "...Just get me... back to my... place."
"Gavin, you can barely talk!" Tina argued logically as she watched her recovering partner sitting in the wheelchair. "How're you going to be able to take care of yourself when you're so sick?"
"...I'm fine." The sight of Hank's car pulling up in front of the hospital made Gavin sigh then rub his hand over his sore throat. "...Shit."
"Sorry, Gavin. Connor's the only one who will help us wit you being a stubborn ass."
Connor walked into the hospital, saw the group of three and tilted his head a little. "Might be a little snug if we all try to fit in the car."
Kamski just smirked and shook his head. "I'll hail an autonomous cab to take us to the apartment. You meet us there."
"Right. Hank and I will make sure no one is lurking outside Gavin's apartment."
"Paranoid?" Kamski asked with an amused sneer on his face as she crossed his arms over his chest.
"Cautious." Connor corrected in a stern voice.
Tina silently laughed at the response and watched as Connor went back to the car to explain things to Hank. "See? He's a big help!"
The drive back the apartment felt like an escort mission in Hank's mind, and for Connor it felt like a bizarre test he would have to endure as part of CyberLife's training programs. Throughout the drive Connor kept an eye on the autonomous taxi following after the car and made sure they weren't being tailed by another autonomous vehicle, or saw anyone else trying to follow them.
Afterward Hank took Gavin's keys and unlocked his apartment door, then checked out the small, "modestly" furnished space for any sign of a break-in or an intruder lurking inside. The only thing moving about the apartment was Gavin's golden tabby cat, Lucky.
"It's cool." Hank called out to the hallway as he reholstered his gun to his right hip. "Need help?"
"No, he's okay." Connor was able to support most of Gavin's weight as he slung the detective's arm around his shoulder and carried him to the opened apartment door. Tina was walking behind him and had her hand against Gavin's back to make sure he didn't stumble or lose his balance, while Kamski followed up behind the group silently. "But he's going to need someone to stay with him until the withdrawal passes."
Gavin wanted to say something but Tina quickly shushed him by patting his back. "I'll stay for a while."
Kamski finally spoke up as well. "I'll stay, too. Lucas and Chloe are doing fine in Boston and won't need me for another week or so."
"...See?" Gavin parroted in a hoarse, raspy voice as Connor gently sat him down on the couch in the livingroom. "...I'll be... fine."
Hank sighed and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck nervously as he listened to the sound of Gavin's strained voice. "Shit. Do you really think those meds will be enough to keep you stable while you heal?"
"...Yeah, sure."
Connor gave Hank a stern gaze and discreetly motioned for him to step outside of the apartment. "He'll be fine. And if it starts to get too bad I have one last proverbial ace up my sleeve."
"Connor, you don't need to say 'proverbial'. I get the reference."
"Right, right..." Turning to give Kamski a quick nod Connor stepped out of the apartment and pulled the door shut. He didn't step away until he heard the door get locked behind him. "Sorry, I'm still a little tired."
"I get it son, I really do. But what's your 'ace' in this little deal?"
"I'd rather not say unless it becomes necessary."
"Alright, whatever."
"Before we return home I wish to stop by New Jericho Tower and speak with Markus."
"Good idea. Let's make sure they know about the deviant."
"Trust me, Hank." The somber tone to Connor's voice truly spoke volumes as they returned to the elevator to reach the ground floor of the rundown apartment building together. "They know it's a deviant. We don't deny that our people can be just as bigoted and spiteful as humans."
"I guess that's another reason why deviants are superior to humans. You guys can admit your flaws, not try justify them."
As expected the four leaders of New Jericho were very, painfully aware of the serial killer who was a rogue deviant, and targeting humans, but they weren't aware that the assaulted police officer was one that Connor and Hank personally knew. The guilt that Markus was already feeling for not being able to do anything to stop the rogue deviant only seem to amplify as the collected information was explained in full detail, and of how the investigation had stalled.
"We're doing everything we can from our end," Markus was exuding misplaced guilt as he spoke to Connor and Hank. As he wrung his hands together nervously he swayed a little on his feet and gave his friend a sorrowful stare. "but we haven't found anything definitive."
"It's okay, Markus." Connor tried to reassure his worried friend in a calm voice. "This is our case, too, and we will find the deviant."
"I know Skye's been using her security protocol to try to isolate the guilty party, but our resources are limited."
"Markus," a flash of inspiration flashed over Connor's tired eyes upon hearing the comment. "can Skye implement the security protocol on the cameras throughout the city?"
"...I don't know."
Hank followed Connor's logic and was ready to support the idea. "Hey, yeah. If that facial recognition program to confirm the same deviant at the previous crime scenes, and the precinct, we'll find our killer."
"I'll upload security camera footage to New Jericho's terminals," the younger detective decided in a confident tone as he spoke to both Markus and Hank. "and she can run the program over the recorded footage to find a single deviant at all of the scenes. We might be able find something if the recorded footage can still be salvaged despite the cameras being cybernetically hacked."
"Makes sense to me."
"I'll go inform Skye and see if she can help us."
Hank watched as Connor jogged out of the office to find Skye and inform her of their plan, and stayed back to speak with Markus. Sensing that Markus was on edge and needed someone to talk to Hank stepped up as his paternal instincts were in full gear now that he had two sons to look after. "It's not your fault, Markus."
The deviant leader looked to Hank with a sense of confusion, yet a desire to ask what he meant had kept him silent.
"I know that look. You think you're somehow responsible for all this bullshit, but you're not."
"...I'm supposed to be the leader of the deviants. How am I supposed to do that when I can't keep one deviant from hurting innocent people?"
"Some people just don't want to be led. Fuck, look at Connor! Before he even deviated he rarely listened to any direct order I gave him, and I had to pull him off a chainlink fence before he climbed it just so race across the highway on the other side. Some people," clapping a hand down on Markus's shoulder Hank stood before the shaken deviant leader to make him feel ground. "humans and deviants alike, just can't be led. It's not your fault because one deviant made a bad choice and shows no remorse. And it's not your responsibility to answer for every deviant who walks this planet."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"What you're doing right now. Keep doing everything you're already doing to help and to give the tower a sense of security and guidance. In the end everything will be alright."
Upon hearing those words Markus felt tears forming over his mismatched eyes and he brought up a hand to cover the emotions he was trying to hold back for so long now.
"Come here, son." Stretching out his arm he gave Markus a much needed half-hug and with that the deviant leader suddenly didn't feel as overwhelmed by the world around him. "You're doing just fine."
"I appreciate your help with the security programs, Skye." Exhausted but enthusiastic Connor stood beside his close friend as she set about adjusting her security programs accordingly. "This could finally give is the break we need."
"I'm happy to help." The kind deviant smiled warmly at Connor as he stood beside her. "I'll send you the appropriate log-in codes to the terminal at your precinct so you can keep up to date at all times."
"Thank you."
"Don't give up hope, Connor. We'll figure out who this deviant is and stop him."
"You're right. I just hope we can stop him before another person is harmed."
Gently she pressed her palm to his cheek and held it there for a moment. "You're protecting this city, even if it doesn't feel like it. Not everyone can be saved, but not everyone will be lost, either."
Putting his hand over top of her hand Connor's shoulder slumped a little as the stress he was holding began to lessen. "That doesn't make it any easier when I can't seem to find one person who is harming countless others."
"Good thing you're not alone." Smiling with a glowing sincerity she stepped up to Connor and kissed him on his other cheek. "You can do this, Connor. I know you can."
With their every lead followed and their every option used the two detectives returned home and secured the house to the best of their ability. Unable to relax or think about anything other than the murderous deviant who had been targeting people with lethal 'red ice', Connor laid over the length of the couch with Sumo cuddled up beside him while Ruby tried to initiate a game of 'tug-o-war' with Hank as he sat in the recliner. The two detectives were plagued with relentless thoughts regarding the enigmatic deviant and any possible means they could use to identify and track the down before it was too late, and neither could focus on anything else.
"...Connor, did you get an update from that security protocol thing?"
"Not yet." Holding up his blank phone casually he closed his eyes and sighed tiredly. "It's a great program but it takes time to full implement every detail we'll need in order to find the deviant."
"Right, right... Fuck, I'm tired." Finally taking the rope from Ruby's mouth Hank humored the teenage pup and played a little game with her. "Wanna' get take out and skip cleaning up the kitchen?"
"Fine by me." As he sat upright his phone rang and he quickly answered the call in a calm tone of voice. "Hello?"
'Connor, we need a little help with Gavin.'
"Great. How bad is he, Tina?"
'He's exhausted, sweaty, shaking and he seems a little out of it. He's thrown-up twice despite not having an appetite.'
"Okay. I'll be over in a moment with my 'ace'."
'Thanks, Connor.'
Ending the call Connor rubbed his tired eyes and looked over at Hank with a mild annoyance. "Come with me, I don't want either of us to be alone right now."
"Sure. So, now are you going to tell me what your ace is?"
Pocketing his phone Connor gave Hank a somewhat amused grin before he answered with a single, succinct reply. "Abby."
At the apartment Tina and Kamski had managed to get Gavin into his bedroom to rest and had him laying as comfortably as possible over the soft mattress to recover. The idea of Gavin ever using drugs after seeing the uncensored reality of substance abuse in his own family seemed impossible, and yet there he was going through withdrawal not because of an addiction or a bad choice, but because he was assaulted. The sight of her best friend suffering and being unable to do much beyond supportive measures pushed Tina to her limits, but she remained strong on Gavin's behalf.
"Try not move around so much." She urged as she pressed cool washcloth to his forehead. "You're already exhausted."
"...C-Can't help it." Gavin exhaled as twitched his legs and dragged his hand over his sweaty face. "It feels... It's like... I'm jumpy and... tingling. It hate it!"
"So do I. Once the rest of that shit is out of your system you'll be recover from your lung injuries and nail that bastard to the wall."
"...You always... now how to... cheer me up."
Kamski walked into the bedroom with a glass of water a few bland crackers to try to get Gavin to eat something. "I really wish you'd go to the rehab center so doctors can monitor you closely."
"...Can't risk... my reputation."
"You were assaulted, you're not a junkie."
"...D-Doesn't matter. People will... talk."
"Don't worry about that. People are always spreading gossip and lies."
"...Don't I know... it."
There was a knock on the apartment door and Kamski volunteered to answer it so Tina could stay with Gavin. "That must be Connor."
"Don't answer-"
"I know, Gavin. I'll check first." Walking out of the bedroom Kamski made his way to the apartment door cautiously and peered through the peephole before opening the door. Sure enough it was Connor, Hank and Dr. Abby Grayson. "Very clever, Connor." Opening the door Kamski stepped aside and let the trio inside the apartment. "I'll always admired your resourcefulness, Connor."
"Where is he?"
"Bedroom. Tina is with him."
Connor allowed Abby to go first and followed after her as they found Gavin's bedroom to tend to the downed detective.
Hank stayed back in the livingroom and crossed his arms over his chest as the door was shut and locked behind him. "Level with me, Kamski. Who's more stubborn: Connor or Gavin?"
"Considering the circumstances I believe I'll have to pick Gavin. At least Connor was willing to chance the rehab facility as he recovered."
"Never thought I'd see the day someone else was being more stubborn than that, kid. Then again, it's been one strange-ass day."
Abby walked into the bedroom and introduced herself to Tina and then of course to Gavin. Connor explained how Abby was an experienced former E.M.S. who had helped him during his own recovery when he returned to humanity, and how she had been the technician to save him after he, Hank and Gavin himself had been trapped in the bombed office building almost a year ago.
Staring at Abby as she sat down on the edge of the bed beside him Gavin felt his already hot, flushed face get hotter. "...I wish we could've... met when I was... still alive."
"You're not dead. At least not yet, and that'll say the same as long as you listen to us." Abby replied without missing a beat. Opening her emergency satchel, a second bag designed to hold emergency supplies for humans as opposed to her technician's satchel for androids, she pulled out her stethoscope and slipped the earbuds into place before pressing the bell to his chest. "According to Connor you suffered burns to your mouth, throat and lungs and are now going through a type withdrawal because a nutcase tried to kill you with 'red ice'. Does that about sum it up?"
"...Y-Yeah."
"That sucks. So does the sound of your breathing."
Tina handed Abby a special doctor prescribed inhaler that contained corticosteroids to help with the inflammation of his lungs. "He was given this."
"Let's see," she took the small inhaler in her hand and gave it a once over. "my memory of prescriptions is a little rusty but aerosolized prednisone is going help you breathe but make you feel even worse for a while. Are you sure you don't want to go back to the hospital?"
"...Yeah. I'll stay... here."
"Alright. I don't want to hear you whine when I put the needle in your arm."
Gavin's already pale face seemed to pale further. "...Needle?"
"You're going to dehydrate from sweating and puking. It's a common side effect from withdrawal and detox." Pulling an I.V. of saline solution from her bag she proceeded to sterilize the bend of Gavin's left arm to prepare to insert the needle. "It's been a while since I had to start a line in a human patient, so don't move."
Gavin swallowed nervously while Tina just gave her partner a righteously smug "I told you so" smirk, and stood back to watch the show.
Abby used the blood pressure cuff to help expose a vein in Gavin's arm before she slipped the needle easily under his skin and into the vein without causing any pain or accidentally blowing the vein in the process. "Huh. Easier than I remember."
"Uh..." Gavin relaxed and let out his breath as he blushed with embarrassment. "...Nice aim?"
"Thanks. To be fair it's easy to hit a stationary target, so it's a good thing you didn't move."
Connor politely spoke up and waited until after Abby finished with the needle. "Do you require anything else before I leave?"
"Nah, I got this Connor. You and Hank go home to sleep before you pass out on the floor."
"Good idea. Tina," turning to address the dedicated officer Connor reminded her that she had the next day off and she was free to stay with Gavin for as long as she wanted to. "if you need anything else call. Hank and I won't be going in tomorrow thanks to Captain Fowler's orders, so we'll be free to help you if you need it."
"Thanks, Connor. But I think between me and Abby we can handle babysitting him."
Taking his leave of the bedroom Connor reunited with Hank and Kamski in the livingroom, and nodded to let Hank know he was ready to leave. "Everything is under control. He'll be fine."
"Good to know."
Kamski, who was holding Gavin's cat, Lucky, in his arms, gave Connor an appreciative nod. "It's nice to know my brother has people watching his back, no matter how many he times he tried to push people away. Thank you, Connor."
"You're welcome. Just be sure to let Lucas know he doesn't have to stay in Boston or any other facility you open up if he wants to come back home."
"He already knows, but I'll be sure to remind him once I fly back in a week or so."
Hank motioned for the door and Connor followed after him as he gave Kamski one final request. "Don't let Gavin, Tina or even Abby go anywhere alone. Until we catch that bastard I won't let any other officer, or friend, risk getting ambushed. This guy is as bold as he is sadistic."
"Consider it done, Lieutenant."
Exhausted and ready to drop the two detectives were driving home and eager to return to their places in the livingroom to rest. Driving back through the downtown area to get back to their house on the other side of the city the duo remained quiet, and didn't want to talk about work. It was hard enough admitting that they were running on fumes and still had the other half of the marathon to finish, but admitting that they were running out of useful ideas would be like admitting defeat.
Pulling around the corner of the block where an android facility resided a woman rushed out to the middle of the sidewalk in an obvious panic and frantically took her phone from her purse with an obviously shaking hand. Recognizing the signs of distress Hank pulled the car alongside the edge of the street while Connor got out and checked on the woman.
"Miss," Connor pulled his badge from his pocket and showed it to her. "what's wrong?"
"There's a body in the alley!"
"A... body?"
The woman began frantically pointing at the alley and Connor peered in the direction she had indicated. "...Oh no."
Hank quickly joined Connor and the two walked down the alleyway quickly. Spying a body laying splayed out on his back with fresh burns around his nose and fingertips, and a smoldering glass pipe still loaded with 'red ice' just a few inches away from where he was laying. The detectives quickly realized that the "Red Reaper" had just struck again.
"Damn it!" Connor rushed over to the body and knelt down beside him. Pressing his fingers to the side of the man's neck Connor couldn't feel a pulse and instinctively began C.P.R. on the recently deceased man in an attempt to try to save him. "Hank, I gotta' try."
"I know, son." Phoning up Captain Fowler at the precinct Hank watched as Connor tried to revive the victim, but it seemed the 'red ice' was just too potent to overcome. Four rounds of compressions yielded no results, no reaction from the victim, and with that failure to respond Connor withdrew his hands and stared down at the man's face apologetically as he took in exhausted breaths. "Connor, it's okay. You tried."
"...That doesn't make it feel any better."
"Nothing ever will."
Standing up slowly Connor looked about the alley but didn't see anyone lurking in the shadows or watching from an overhead window, or a rooftop. The alley itself was between an old hotel that was closed down and under reconstruction, and an apartment building that was being fumigated. The "Red Reaper" knew no one would see or hear a thing during the assault, but anyone passing by would easily see the victim.
"We missed them in the act."
"Yeah, want to know something more fucked up?" Hank hung up his phone and slipped it into his pocket. "An anonymous tipster reported the body barely ten seconds before the witness back there saw him. "The 'Red Reaper' couldn't let someone else have the pleasure of calling it in, which means they're really enjoying their work."
"Twelve victims have died, and one will need days, maybe weeks to recover from the assault. Hank," crossing his arms over his chest the look in Connor's eyes was indicative of utter stress and restrained anger. "we can't wait for a tip to come in. We need to keep looking until the killer is caught."
"You're right, kid. And we will." Putting his hand on Connor's shoulder he led the younger detective out of the alley as another patrol car pulled up. "Be patient. For now we need to walk away and rest before either of us collapse. Then we won't be able to help anyone."
"I know. You're right..."
...next chapter...
