Chapter Thirty-Three – Taken
Reed's leg bounced steadily as he watched Nines work. He was settling in nicely, asking the right questions and leading their suspect in the right direction. They'd all agreed pretty quickly that Gary wasn't in on it. He was openly nervous, and earnest in his responses. Chances are Matt's genuinely an old high school friend and they help each other out with car parts and repairs…and in that case…
"Connor, have Nines ask whether Matt ever brought him cars to work on." Reed said as he looked across at the hazel eyed android, who had opted to take the space leaning on the stone wall beside him. It was strange being this way round. That was usually Gavin's spot. Connor's LED circled yellow as he sent Nines the question, watching his brother's lip quirk slightly. It seemed their minds were working along the same track.
"You think Matt had this kid fix all their cars?" Hank asked from the seat beside him. Gavin nodded in response as he watched the recording lights flick on and off, showing that they were working. Within the room Gary admitted that he had indeed fixed up a few cars for Matt on the down-low. His employer didn't know he'd taken on the extra work, so he'd be in trouble if they checked it out. Nines pushed a slightly fuzzy photo of the silver car across. It was a still from the camera footage they'd viewed earlier.
"Did you ever work on this one?" Nines asked, blue eyes piercing as he watched the younger man take the photo and squint at it. He nodded slowly, agreeing that it did look like a car Matt had brough to him a few days ago. It had just needed a few simple engine parts. It hadn't had plates at the time either. So this was before the murder. They had the car fixed up so they could use it for one job and then burned it right after. Reed thought, though it seemed a waste to fix it up just for one job. Maybe the case spooked them…It's heavily publicised now. Makes sense they're being more careful.
Gary was as helpful as he could be. He explained their arrangement. Matt would let him come to the yard and take any parts he needed for work, and Gary would fix up anything Matt found that was salvageable for free. It was a good arrangement. Profitable for both of them. Matt got free work, Gary got free parts. He'd had no idea Matt was caught up in anything illegal. He'd always assumed his old friend was selling on the fixed up motors to get a little extra cash for his dad. He agreed to look through his records and tell them about any other vehicles he'd worked on for Matt in as much detail as possible.
The next suspect was Thomas Parker. He was a little older than Gary, perhaps mid-twenties. His offenses were minor, but he was definitely shifty. Nervous. He knew something. Nines took a slightly harder approach, using his height and build to his advantage as he leaned over the table and sat slowly. He kept eye contact, his gaze sharp. Parker swallowed nervously as he sat back. He was clearly uncomfortable with Nines in the room.
"Thomas Parker. Your record is littered with speeding and parking offenses." Nines stated as he flipped open the file on the table, not introducing himself this time. It seemed to make the human more nervous. He shifted in the metal seat uncomfortably. His hands hadn't been cuffed to the table. He'd come in peacefully and promised to cooperate. He shrugged defensively.
"I like to drive fast." He excused, still wearing his hood up, though it didn't bother Nines. Nines had a clear view of his face. Unlike the other boys he was dark skinned with very short hair and deep brown eyes. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie. Nines wordlessly laid the photo of the silver car on the table, watching the man's vitals spike. Gavin also noticed, but not through his vitals. He'd done this enough times to read people. Parker had tensed up the moment he'd laid eyes on the picture.
"I have no doubt." Nines agreed coolly, maintaining eye contact as he placed a second picture. This one was a closer shot, one that revealed the plates. He slowly placed more pictures. Matt's picture didn't get so much of a reaction, but the other young man they'd caught got a big spike. Interesting…He knows one but not the other…He also shifted when they showed a picture of Avery approaching the car. Nines remained silent as Parker eyed the photos. He waited a few beats before slamming his hand on the table. Reed couldn't help jumping in his seat, and he wasn't even in the room. Hank didn't jump, but he certainly looked impressed. All Nines did after that was stare menacingly.
"I just drive the cars!" Parker insisted defensively, shifting back in his seat as Nines tilted his head expectantly. The android barely needed to say a word. The man spilled like a waterfall. It was beautiful to watch. Reed felt a warm buzz of pride as he watched Nines listen and nod quietly. Once Parker had confessed to driving and dealing drugs for the gang Nines began asking questions. He asked about the other androids. He showed pictures of their victims, but Parker couldn't be sure. He saw a lot of androids walking around, but he thought two of them looked familiar besides Avery. He wasn't quite ready to spill about the location of their base, but he did give up Andy Colt and Gregory Reeves, the boy in the hospital, as his accomplices.
"Andy Colt. You are an active member of the Old Detroit Bangers." Nines stated as the next young man was sat down. This human was a little different. He glared at Nines defiantly from across the table. He was also in his mid-twenties, but his body was larger. He clearly took some form of steroid for the effect. He didn't answer. Nines continued. "Five counts of drug possession and one for an illegally obtained firearm." He added, pausing as the human began tapping his fingers on the table loudly.
Nines allowed it for now. He also allowed the silence the human desired. He allowed it to stretch, long and uncomfortable, but the tapping remained steady and constant. Nines rested his hands on the table and sat unblinking, with his back straight. This seemed to agitate the human. He tried to keep eye contact, tapping faster and faster as the urge to blink grew. He finally caved and blinked, slapping his hand on the table. It was easy to predict and therefore unsurprising. Nines gave no reaction.
"Are you suffering withdrawals?" Nines asked in a level tone, tilting his head curiously. The human didn't like that. Reed felt a hand on his shoulder, holding him in his seat as he went to stand up. Nines' LED flashed red once as he turned his head, wiping the saliva from his cheek as he did so. Colt seemed extremely pleased with himself as he grinned at Nines. Nines smirked as he took the saliva on his fingers and licked them clean, analysing the sample. "It will interest you to know that my mouth has multiple sensors in order to analyse biological samples…You have just gifted me your DNA." He said, watching the human level a glare at him.
Colt became more aggressive as Nines laid out some of what they knew. He'd been placed in the car at the time of Avery's abduction. He was aware his accomplices had been arrested. Nines was good at giving hints that they knew more than they actually did. Nines changed tactics, talking about androids in general, how his victims had only just started their new lives. Colt didn't like that. It made him angry. Unreasonably angry.
"Hank." Reed snapped, the old man not needing to be told twice. He was on his feet and out the door within seconds, just before Colt launched himself across the table and punched Nines in the face. Reed got to his feet and followed as Connor joined Hank. Colt gripped Nines' top and punched him again, the ring he was wearing tearing into the synthetic skin there. Nines didn't fight back, his protocols not allowing him to. The human was hurting himself enough on his own anyway. Nines' casing was hard and unforgiving beneath his fragile fist.
"Sit the fuck down!" Hank's gruff tone shouted as he grabbed Nines' shoulder and pulled the tall android behind him. He took Colt's arm and shoved him back. Connor was there with cuffs seconds later, wrestling the human into position without difficulty. Reed didn't care about that for the moment though. He grabbed Nines' elbow and pulled him from the room, tugging the door shut behind him. His LED was flashing yellow, so he was at least stable.
"Come here, let me see." Reed murmured as he dragged the android into the bathroom and stood by the row of sinks. Nines watched as he grabbed some fresh hand towel and ran it under the tap. Gavin was gentle as he cupped his partner's face, his smooth palm gliding across the soft skin. Nines couldn't help his eyes fluttering as he leaned into the comforting touch. The attention wasn't necessary. His skin was already healing over, but he didn't point it out.
"Thank you." Nines said softly as Reed slowly dabbed the blue from his cheek and tried to get a closer look at the cut. "You don't need to worry. My synthetic skin will seal the injury shortly." The android insisted, the human drawing back as he watched the skin shift and meld over the cut, instantly erasing it from existence. He cleaned the area again regardless, making sure he got rid of every trace of blue.
"…I'm proud of you…Those were your first interviews. You did good." Gavin praised with a small shrug as he continued to wipe the android's face. He moved up to where he thought the saliva had landed and scrubbed a little. Nines hummed lightly as he leaned into the touch. When he opened his eyes his LED flashed yellow as he realised how close his human was standing now. "You good?" Reed checked as he grabbed a dry towel and dried his partner's skin. He was especially gentle because he knew the towels were rough and cheap. An unnecessary gesture.
"I am fully functional." Nines replied easily.
"But how do you feel?" Reed asked softly, stepping back to toss the towels away. He knew it wasn't nice to get spat at, and being punched would have hurt a human. Although they felt pain differently he knew Nines did have a pain threshold of sorts. "Whoa!" Gavin objected as Nines stepped up to him, almost pushing him back into the sinks. He looked slightly wary as Nines leaned over him.
"Hmm…Better." Nines decided as he leaned closer, their bodies touching. Reed couldn't see Nines' face since his head was now flush against the android's shoulder, but he could feel the lazy hum of his power core. The android didn't quite wrap his arms around the human, but he did lightly rest his hands on the man's hips. He could feel his own heart pounding at the contact, quietly hoping the android hadn't noticed.
"Good…Uh-let's…Let's head back." The human stammered after a few extra moments, awkwardly patting Nines on the back. "You can take a bath when we get home…Clean everything off properly." Reed added as he led the way, knowing that if it were him he wouldn't feel clean until he'd scrubbed and soaked in a tub. He admired Nines' composure. If that scumbag had spat in Reed's face he would have been knocked down with a bruised jaw, at the very least.
"We got quite a bit of information." Nines recalled as they reached their desks and sat down. Reed nodded his agreement. They'd managed to get a partial confession, and currently had two perpetrators in the station, one more in hospital, and a likely accomplice. Matt's role hadn't been fully revealed yet, but he definitely knew something even if he wasn't active in the main crimes. "I will contact the hospital and see how long it will be before our suspects can be moved." The android continued as he made the call internally, easily managing to deal with the hospital staff as he continued to interact with Gavin.
"We still need the location…There are definitely more involved than just these three." The human said, which was likely correct. So far this trio were linked to three of their victims, but there were more. "You could probably conduct an interview at the hospital without me." Reed added, knowing it would be better for the case to keep it moving quickly. Nines was reluctant as he eyed his partner. He didn't want to keep taking over by himself, and he felt better when Reed was close by. Reed's leg was bouncing as he continued to stew over the case. If I hadn't gotten myself shot this wouldn't be a fucking issue.
"Detective…" Nines said softly as he stepped around his desk and placed a hand on Reed's knee, stilling the insistent jerking. He couldn't help squeezing the soft joint, feeling the human twitch at his touch. He slipped his fingers higher, the human shifting uncomfortably as he did so. "The hospital has said our suspects should be ready for interviews tomorrow." Nines continued in the same soft tone, letting his blue eyes drift along Reed's injured shoulder, following the strap of his sling.
"Right…Guess we'll catch up on a bit of paperwork for the rest of today then." Reed supplied self-consciously as he turned his chair, feeling the fingers slip from his leg obediently. He glanced at the android as he returned to his seat, sighing as he felt his chest thump. Fuck, I need a break. "I'm going out front for a bit." He added as he got to his feet, not missing the way Nines' shoulders stiffened at the news. Right, last time I was out front I…
"Shall I accompany you?" Nines asked stiffly as he looked up with soft blue eyes.
"No! No, I won't be long." Reed insisted as he searched his Jacket for his cigarettes, not missing the small frown Nines gave him. He at least held back from saying anything as Reed headed for the front doors, leaving his jacket since it would be too hard to pull on with his shoulder. He sighed in relief as he lit his cigarette and took a deep breath. I need to get my shit together…Reed thought as he replayed the soft look in Nines' blue eyes, not liking the way it made his stomach twist and his crotch twitch. He repeated his usual 'He's an android!' mantra, but it was becoming less and less effective.
"Hello again Detective Reed." A bell-like voice rang, the detective's head snapping up so fast he almost cracked his neck. The ST200. It was back. Reed felt his whole body tense up, eyes darting to the main doors momentarily. The blonde android was dressed in the same colours as the other day. Blue dress, blue pumps, tan leather jacket and matching handbag. He reached for his hip before remembering he wasn't wearing his firearm, since he wasn't on active duty. Shit!
"What? Assaulting me once wasn't enough for you?" He scoffed in a tone he struggled to keep level, trying to put more bravado into it than he felt. Without his gun and being injured as he was he knew he wouldn't be a match for the android. It may have been built like a petite female, but it was still a machine. Her smile was kind as she remained at the bottom of the steps with her hands folded in front of her.
"Your samples were satisfactory, however the results have confirmed something rather unexpected. Your presence is required." She added expectantly as she swept her arm out invitingly, indicating a plain black car. It was expensive, not a limousine, but clearly in the same line. The fuck? Who could possibly have business with me? I haven't pissed off any mobs lately…have I? He wondered warily as he eyed the car in distrust. There was no way he was going to go off alone, especially without his phone or alerting someone first. "Please Detective, I'm sure you understand the need for discretion." She added meaningfully as a couple of uniformed officers headed up the steps.
"I can't just fucking leave! I'm on the clock here!" He added evasively. If he could just get through the doors he could call for Nines. Hell, he'd even take Hank and Connor at this point. He watched the blonde android reach into her handbag, lifting her hand just enough to show him the butt of a gun. Shit…There wasn't much he could do. She could shoot him, or someone else. He ran a hand through his hair, stressed. He looked around. No one had noticed. No one was paying attention to the conversation.
"We would appreciate your cooperation." She said politely, the human swearing under his breath. He looked around for anything that could help. He couldn't afford to directly bring attention to the android without risking her hurting someone. He caught sight of the cameras, watching them slowly turn back and forth. He looked at the ground in defeat. He'd have one shot at this, and it largely depended on his partner being an overprotective nanny-bot.
"I don't have a choice, do I." Reed observed as he looked up to see the ST200 give him a warm smile. He was hesitant as he took the first step, waiting for the feminine android to move. She obediently turned her back and took the lead, giving Gavin enough time to look over his shoulder at the camera. Help! Nines, help! He signed, hoping that by some miracle his partner had been keeping an eye on things. His heart pounded as he followed the blonde across the bustling parking lot. They were by the car with the door open when they heard it.
"Stop! Detroit Police!" Nines' voice shouted, heavy steps sounding as the android hopped the stairs and raced towards them. Reed sighed in relief as he turned, intending to get out of the way. Unfortunately his captor had other ideas. He grunted in pain as the petite android wrapped her arm around his injured shoulder and pulled him in front of her body like a shield. "Release Detective Reed!" Nines barked, still coming fast. She looked at the main doors. No one else had followed, though a few people were turning their heads at the commotion.
"You should have done as suggested Detective." The blonde chided lightly as she brought up her firearm. Reed cried out an objection as she shot Nines right between the eyes. He watched the bullet fall to the floor, leaving a bleeding blue circle in its place. Nines couldn't help the flinch that went along with it, his jaw tightening as he recalled the numerous other occasions it had happened. He stumbled to a stop as he raised a hand to his forehead, thirium coating his palm as he drew back. "A Bullet proof case. Intriguing. This is a new feature." The ST200 processed, shifting to aim the gun at Gavin's head instead. Gavin shivered, his green eyes still wide from watching Nines take a bullet to the head.
"No! Please! Don't hurt him! Please!" Nines objected weakly, his blue eyes wide in horror as he stared at the barrel of the gun pressing to Reed's temple. His LED circled red as he brought up multiple preconstructions of what he could do, but the risk of all of them was too high. He couldn't risk it. He couldn't risk Gavin's life. Don't do it, don't take him from me! He couldn't think straight beyond that. Seeing his predicament and hesitation the ST200 swiftly moved and struck Gavin across the face, knocking him out. "Gavin!" Nines cried as he made to dash forward, his body freezing as the woman nudged the gun against his human's temple once more.
He watched helplessly as the blonde tossed Reed's body into the expensive leather interior, not even looking to see how he landed. Nines suppressed the whimper in his throat as he realised he'd failed. There was nothing he could do to protect his human. If he moved there was a risk the ST200 would kill his partner. His LED was an angry red as he stared at the car, his thirium pump pounding loudly. It was the same creeping fear he'd always felt, only this time it was laced with guilt. This was his fault. He shouldn't have led Reed out of his sight. He should have watched the cameras more closely. He should have brought Connor with him. Connor would know what to do. Connor would know what to do!
"Follow and I'll shoot him." The blonde woman stated as she climbed into the car and shut the door with a quiet thud. Nines couldn't help it as he launched himself at the vehicle, striking the window as it pulled away.
"No! Give him back! Give him back! Gavin!" The android cried in distress, stumbling to a stop as the car sped off into the light afternoon traffic. Nines blinked, recording the plate before dashing back into the precinct, forgetting that his forehead was still open. There was a small river of thirium sliding down his nose and cheek, almost making it look like he was crying. He swiftly realised that wasn't the case. There was saline mixed with the thirium. He was crying. He was also shaking.
"Jesus fucking Christ! Hank! Connor!" Tina yelled, catching him in her small arms as Nines stumbled into the bullpen. The android was unfocused, barely registering it as Tina's hands gripped his shoulders. She was talking to him, soft words of assurance as she more or less propped his heavier form up. He sagged to his knees, blue eyes unfocused as he let the world spin around him. Gavin…need Gavin…needs…His body was shaking again as shock flooded his system.
"Hang on Son, you're alright…Where the fuck is Reed?" Hank's voice demanded gruffly. Nines felt large arms wrap around him, rubbing circles on his back. The worn hand reached higher, sliding through his brunette locks affectionately. There were numerous responses. Either they hadn't seen him or they were running off to check various places. But they wouldn't find him. No one would find him. "Nines! Shh-shh-shh, calm down Son." The old man urged softly as he rocked Nines in his arms.
"Let me interface with him." Connor's voice said gently, Nines finally focusing in on that. His head snapped up, blue meeting hazel. Connor was surprised, but there was an intense urgency and need in his brother's gaze. Connor! Connor will know what to do! Connor will help! He thought with certainty as he held a hand out for his brother to take. Connor opened a link and allowed Nines to share what he'd seen. He looked troubled as he drew back and turned to Hank.
"Detective Reed has been abducted, and I have reason to believe the assailant is an RT600, not an ST200 as the detective previously thought." Connor stated as he got to his feet, the older man remaining with Nines as his partner hurried off deeper into the station.