Chapter Thirty-One – Desk Duty
Reed sank into his desk chair with a groan. His shoulder still ached like hell, but damned if he was going to sit at home and leave his case dangling. He'd already wasted enough time sitting in hospital. They'd kept him in for one more day after he'd woken up. The bullet had been successfully removed while he was still unconscious, so it was really just replenishing lost fluids and having him rest. Apparently he'd been suffering fatigue and slight malnutrition before the injury. Unfortunately he'd had no privacy while being told this information and Nines had been on his case ever since.
"Do you need anything? Water? Juice?" The android asked as he pulled off his white jacket, which he'd cleaned the night before. He'd also cleaned up Reed's leather jacket. How he'd managed to get the blood out he had no idea. He was lucky the bullet hadn't punched a hole in the leather. Reed slipped his own jacket off his bound shoulder before trying to shrug his arm out of the sleeve. Nines was there in seconds, gently tugging it down like a doting parent.
"Nines, I'm not a fucking invalid! Just…get me a coffee?" Reed sighed as the android took his jacket and neatly slipped it over the back of his chair. He watched Nines' LED flashing yellow as he stepped in front and gave Reed a firm stare. Reed sighed and leaned back in his chair, already feeling pretty low from the medication and constant ache.
"In order to aid in your recovery, and improve your health, it's my belief that we should limit your caffeine intake. The amount of coffee you consume on a daily basis is…quite alarming." Nines objected, watching Gavin scowl up at him with barely suppressed rage. The human wasn't usually this temperamental. He didn't exactly understand pain or fatigue, but from what he'd researched Reed's reaction was expected in his currently stressed state. The fact that he was low on caffeine was also a strong factor.
"Nines…First thing in the morning? Probably not the best time to limit my caffeine intake. Please?" He added with veiled impatience, looking up with big green eyes. Nines felt his thirium pump stutter. Gavin had never looked at him like that, but it was an expression he recognised from Connor. It was what Gavin had called his 'puppy eyed' look. The RK900 shouldn't be swayed by such things. However I did suggest limiting his intake, not denying it completely.
"You may have one coffee now, but no more until lunch time." The android compromised, which Reed saw as fair. He nodded his agreement before using his good arm to reach down and turn on his terminal. Nines headed off to the breakroom, leaving Reed an open target to Hank and his smug expression as he leaned back and folded his arms. Connor continued typing away, but he was aware of his partner's amusement.
"Never thought I'd see the day…Gavin Reed taking orders from an android." Hank teased, though there was no real bite in his tone. Reed felt his cheeks heat a little. Hank was right. It hadn't even occurred to him to tell Nines to fuck off and mind his own business. He could have. Nines was his android after all. He could order the machine to make him ten coffees and drink them all as payback while making him watch. A few months ago he would have. But Nines is just looking out for me. He's worried about me…Shit like that matters.
"Says the drunk who hasn't touched a drop in half a year." Reed shot back, watching Hank huff in defeat as Connor sat a little straighter with pride. The RK800 was clearly pleased that he was the reason for Hank's improved health. "And don't think I haven't noticed the exercise regime old man, you've been shedding the pounds." He added in a complimentary tone, watching Connor turn his head to regard his partner. He couldn't tell, but he assumed Connor's expression would be one of warmth and pride. Hank seemed a little embarrassed by all of the attention, shifting in his seat awkwardly.
"Damn Reed, you been checking me out?" He teased as he leaned a little further over his own terminal.
"You wish old man!" Reed scoffed, quickly looking away so that he didn't have to think about that question too much. Checking out was a little too strong a word for it, but sure he'd taken notice. Hank had been pretty hot in his earlier days, and seeing the teddy bear fat slowly turning back into muscle was just something that Reed's eyes noticed. Judging by Hank's silence he assumed the older man had decided to drop the subject. Thank fuck!
"Your coffee." Nines' voice almost purred in his ear, a gentle hand resting cool and firm on the back of his neck. Reed gasped in surprise, a small shiver running down his spine. There was a ceramic tap on his desk where his partner put down his steaming mug, body bending around Reed's shoulder to do so. He was wearing a dark brown turtleneck today, which almost looked black depending on the light, much like his hair. Reed turned his head to find Nines' blue eyes already watching him, the realisation sending a jolt through his chest.
"Thanks…" Reed replied in a quiet voice, the dull ache in his shoulder reminding him that time was a thing, and he'd been staring at Nines for quite long enough. He turned his head and sat forward, the hand slipping away from his neck as Nines shifted to his own desk. "Has anything been figured out yet?" Gavin asked, knowing that Hank and Connor had at the very least arrested the two young men, though they were still at the hospital.
"The condition of the two assailants is still too severe to allow questioning, however Mr Jones has been most helpful in identifying other possible suspects…Thomas Parker, Andy Colt and Gary Palmer. They are friends of Matthew Jones, and regularly visit the yard for parts. Mr Jones didn't see the harm in it since they were his son's friends, and he believed they were just fixing up old vehicles to sell…After checking into Mr Jones himself it is my belief that he had no knowledge of his son's activities." Nines stated, though when he'd done all this research Reed had no idea. The android hadn't left his side for the past two or three days. He'd remained sitting at Reed's bedside, and then he'd taken Reed home in a taxi and endlessly fussed over him. He'd cleaned the house, made food, insisted on helping Reed change, cleaned and bandaged his injuries. He'd been like a personal nurse. And he was running all this shit in the background too?
"Did Connor tell you all this?" Reed asked, watching as Nines nodded his agreement.
"I remained wirelessly connected to Connor so as not to miss any details about the case. I was able to draw my own conclusions from viewing proceedings and liaising with Connor." He replied as he brought up the profiles of their three suspects. It was odd, thinking that Nines had been so actively involved while also giving Gavin his full attention at home. He had so much processing power it was almost unsettling. It shouldn't surprise me. I've experienced Connor holding two conversations at once. "There is little information available on Gary Palmer beyond his school record. He went to the same school as Matthew Jones, and has no record beyond that. Thomas Parker has been apprehended numerous times for traffic offenses including speeding and illegal parking. Andy Colt has been arrested for possession of drugs, and an illegally obtained firearm in the past. He has suspected links with the Old Detroit Bangers, one of the smaller gangs based on the west side of the city." Nines continued as he brought up the three pictures and records he had available. Gavin nodded as he reviewed the data.
"We should bring them in for questioning…Think you can handle it?" Reed asked as he sat back in his chair, knowing there was no way he was going to be able to take an active role in the interrogation. He was on light duties until his shoulder healed, and showing weakness to a suspect was less than wise. Nines nodded his agreement. He hadn't actually run an interrogation yet, but he was programmed with the ability.
"Hank and I will assist." Connor spoke up from his desk, Reed nodding his agreement. They always needed two teams during an interrogation. One set for the actual interrogation and one set to act as witnesses and control the electronics. "Would you like us to pick up your suspects?" The hazel eyed android continued as he rose to his feet expectantly. Well, there's no way I can do it. Reed sighed inwardly, his brow pinching in frustration.
"Thanks, and take this fucker with you…I'm sick of looking at him." He added in a gruff but teasing tone as he kicked Nines' foot beneath the desk. Nines gave him an almost wounded look at his request. He hadn't left Reed's side since the injury first occurred. What if the Detective needed assistance? What if someone tried to hurt him? How could Nines protect him if he wasn't there? "Go on, you need a break too." The human insisted as he nodded towards Hank and Connor.
"But Detective." Nines objected.
"Get the fuck out of here, I'll write up some reports while you're gone." Reed cut in as he shuffled through a stack of papers. He held up the chosen file before flicking it open and bringing up the report template he had saved. Nines still hesitated. They wouldn't be gone too long, and Reed did say he was going to remain at his desk. He shifted his blue eyes to Connor, who motioned for him to follow as he tugged on his grey blazer. "Don't make me order you Toaster." Gavin warned as he started typing, listening as Nines got to his feet.
"I'll return shorty then Detective." Nines said almost sulkily, watching Reed nod his agreement. Reed couldn't help his sigh of relief as he heard the trio retreat. He wasn't sick of Nines, not at all, but the android had been hovering constantly. Reed paused as he noticed the red light on his webcam turn on, huffing lightly as he flicked the lens. Seriously? You haven't even left yet! He chided at the camera with his hands, not expecting a response as he continued to work. He tried not to think too much about the warm fuzz in his chest, forcing down a smile as he typed.
After a while he forgot about the camera, focusing on the file in front of him as he put it into report form. It was one of their simpler cases, so that kept him busy for about thirty minutes. He attached it to an email and sent it to Nines, who had taken over checking his work from Connor. I should probably get my incident report over and done with…He thought as he opened a new file. He'd had a hospital visit, and he'd discharged his firearm, so he had to write up what had happened. It was simple enough. Hank had already taken his statement at the hospital, and he remembered most of what he'd said anyway.
He typed it up, trying to recall every detail of the incident. Unfortunately he hadn't had much awareness after the bullet pierced his shoulder. He remembered the blur of movement and the sickening crunch in his ear, the flop of a body on the dirt a few feet away. He'd also heard multiple shots fired, huddling down while gripping his shoulder, the static growl of Nines as he'd charged the second man. He remembered the fear and creeping cold as Nines had settled before him, snarling like a wild animal, crouched protectively. His blue eyes had been blank, like a stranger, no consciousness behind them, but somehow he'd still known that Reed was important. Reed was his human, and no one was going to get within more than a foot of him. He just about remembered when Hank and Connor had arrived, but it was mostly a blur before he'd passed out.
"How are you holding up Reed?" Fowler asked as he approached Reed's desk. The younger man looked up questioningly. "You've received two serious injuries over just a few days…It must be a lot to take in." He added in a gently prying tone, watching his subordinate shrug evasively. He wasn't about to go and say he had trauma or anything like that. Number one, he definitely didn't. Shit happens sometimes. Number two, if he even hinted at something like that he'd be out of the station and into therapy within seconds. Oh, fuck no…
"I'm fine Sir, really." Reed insisted, knowing from the way Fowler raised one eyebrow that he didn't believe him for a second. "Was I scared when I got blinded? Absolutely, that shit was terrifying, but it cleared up in a day. Did I expect to get shot on my first day back? No, but I'm a detective. We both know this shit happens sometimes." He continued, leaving his mostly finished report for now to give the captain his full attention. The older man rested his hands on his hips, much as he had all those years ago when Reed had first been brought into the station. It was the day Fowler had called him out on his bullshit, making it clear he'd never be cut out for the gang life. He'd told him there was too much good in him for that, and he'd be better off joining the other side.
"I don't believe you're having a mental break Gavin, but I do think it would be a good idea for you to speak to someone in your down time." The older man suggested, in a tone that clearly told him that the suggestion was an order in disguise. Reed sighed and sank back in his chair, levelling a glare at the older man. "Just go along and see Dr Sanders. She's expecting you." Fowler prompted, watching Gavin's brows shoot up. He felt blindsided. It wasn't like he could do anything on their case until Nines got back, but he hadn't expected to be cornered like this.
"Yes Sir." Reed sighed in defeat as he saved his document. If I find out you had something to do with this I'll turn you into scrap. He added at the camera, levelling his best 'mad but not really' scowl at the camera. He generally managed to avoid psych evaluations. Either they were too busy and he managed to put it off until it was forgotten or he managed to make the paperwork disappear.