PLEASE READ!
This is a direct continuation of Hickory - please be sure to read that story first, as Dickory will make no sense without it!
Here we are at part two! I hope you all enjoy reading!
Please review if you enjoy it, I always love to hear from you!
Thank you for reading, much love!
If you would like some atmospheric music, this is a good one for chapter one - youtube watch?v=8bVY2Q0HbOI
If you would like a music box theme - youtube watch?v=GWKbmBWEA6Y
Reed opened the next door, surprised that it had been hinged to swing inwards and to the left, away from the wall. His brow furrowed as he was met with total darkness beyond the door. He could only see a little from the dim light at the top of the stairs. There was nothing immediately in front of the door, just the dusty wooden floorboards. Are the windows boarded? Blackout curtains? he wondered as he hit the light switch. Of phcking course…There was no electricity. What did you expect? Who'd keep pumping electricity into an abandoned store? He sighed as he pulled out his sidearm and clipped the small flashlight attachment over the barrel. It didn't give him much light, but he could see enough as he stepped inside. His footsteps creaked as he edged further into the room. He gasped as he heard a metallic ping, the hair on the back of his neck prickling as the door groaned and slammed shut behind him.
Reed threw himself at the wooden surface, cursing as he found that the handle had been removed from the inside. He couldn't breathe as he turned and put his back to the wooden surface, holding his gun and scanning the darkness. There was a large table in the middle of the room with something covered on top. His hand was shaking a little with adrenaline as he closed in on it slowly. It looked more like a workbench than a table. It was heavier. Thicker. Far more solid than a regular table. Beside the large covered object was a small wooden box, intricately carved with an almost medieval designed G on top. I shouldn't touch it…I should call Nines…He'd never been that smart. Throwing caution to the wind he flipped the lid up.
It was just a music box. Reed swallowed hard as it started to play. It was a slow tune. Pretty. He didn't recognise it at first as he reached into the box. He could feel the softness of the red velvet as he plucked the crisp paper that had been neatly placed inside. He licked his lips as he lifted the note and opened it. Did you miss me, too? It was Cyberlife Sans again, same as the note left at the office. Reed felt his throat tighten and his stomach drop as he looked at the box, suddenly recognising old the nursery rhyme.
"No…no-no-no-no…" he stammered in a whisper as he swallowed and reached out. There was a white cloth draped over something behind the wooden box. It was bigger than the box, about the size of a suitcase. Sort of lumpy. That's not a phcking case…Gavin could feel his heart trying to pound its way out of his chest as he gripped the edge of the cloth and pulled with a shaking hand. He hissed as the light above turned on and flooded the room with a blinding white light. He blinked, trying to breathe through it as he took in the room. He yelled and covered his ears as what sounded like hundreds of cuckoo clocks went off at once. He felt dizzy as he stumbled back and looked around. The faded wooden boards across the windows and faded white walls were stained with blue. Jagged letters spelled out HELLO GAVIN in freshly painted smears with extra just tossed and splattered across the surface.
Gavin felt his throat constrict, bile rising in his gullet as he kept his ears covered and looked at the wooden clocks crowding the space. Every available surface besides the old boarded windows had been covered with old wooden clocks or large standing grandfather clocks. The small doors on the little clocks were opening and closing, but rather than birds darting in and out there were bits of android. Blue eyes, small components and circuitry, a dead thirium pump and other small mechanical parts. He didn't even know what most of them were. Inside the grandfather clocks the swinging pendulums had been replaced with the arms and legs of what had once been a complete android.
Gavin felt a sob stick in his throat, panicking as he failed to force himself to breathe. He looked at the table for the first time to see the clunky remains of an android torso just left wide open. Thirium was dripping down over the edge of the table to a large puddle on the floor. There was something inside the cavity. He managed to force a breath out and choke another down as he stumbled forward, knocking the music box off the table as he leaned over to look inside the gaping chasm. He could see a plastic android head, or the shell casing of a head. It stared back with gaping blue stained eye sockets. Nines-Nines-Nines-Nines-Nines!
Gavin couldn't get the words out, slipping and toppling onto the floor as his boot found the thirium puddle. He landed heavily on his side, panicking as blue stained his clothes and skin. He tried to make a noise, but only a wheezed whimper came out. He could feel tears flooding his eyes and streaming down his cheeks as he trembled and choked. He squeezed his eyes shut. Phck-phck-phck! Breathe you phcking moron! How hard is it to just-phcking-breathe? he demanded inwardly, a sob finally breaking free of his constricted throat. He heard heavy feet pounding the steps outside and the shout of his name before the door was kicked open so hard it almost took the old frame with it.
"Gavin!" Nines cried in alarm as he ran to his fallen partner and gathered his quivering form against his chest. He'd only seen Gavin like this bad, at Cyberlife Tower after that nightmare. He re-opened his memory files and reviewed what he'd seen Elijah and Connor doing. "It's alright, Gavin…I'm here, you're safe, just follow my breathing…Breathe, Gavin…Breathe," he soothed in a low and gentle voice that rumbled in his chest. Gavin was clutching his white jacket with blue stained gloves, shaking in shock and fear as he was caressed and rocked. He was soaked with thirium. It coated the arm of his jacket, his side and his jeans. It was soaking through his clothing. It was in his hair and smeared across his cheek. Nines used his own sleeve to wipe his face a little, hushing and soothing as Gavin wheezed and choked in his arms.
"Killer-back-he's-ba-I-ca-" he choked in a panic, Nines repeating his calming instructions and stroking his slicked hair. He continued to soothe and rock Gavin in his arms as his eyes analysed the gruesome scene. All of the parts he could see seemed to have come from a single android. Two shocking blue eyes had halted outside the small clock doors to stare blankly at the room. He could see audio processors and various other chips and circuitry for motor functions and memory storage. There was a perfectly removed thirium pump, two hands, two feet, thigh sections, calf sections, forearms and upper arms. The power core had been rewired to perform as a lightbulb. He would need to analyse the parts to be sure they all came from the same model, but it certainly seemed like once complete android.
He examined the writing on the wall. Talent had gone into it. It was deliberately sharp and jagged, the way you'd expect a sick and twisted person to write, but with far more control and precision. He wanted it to look disturbing. Nines saw the music box lying in the puddle of thirium. Hickory. There was an ornate G carved into the upside down lid. It was made for Gavin. Hand carved. There was a small piece of paper on the floor just within reach. As he snagged it he read the note Gavin had found, his head tilting. An android had written this. With thirium, he realised, sliding his tongue over the blue writing and running an analysis. He held Gavin tighter as he read the results, his LED spinning red in the darkness. Aaron Hughes, WR500. Reporter, Detroit Daily. "Is-it…Nines…Is-it…It's-not…" Gavin choked against his chest. All of the parts could easily have come from a WR500. Nines analysed the thirium he was kneeling in to make sure. Aaron Hughes, WR500. Reporter, Detroit Daily.
"It's Mr Hughes…I'm sorry…" Nines murmured as he felt Gavin's chest start wracking with sobs as he burrowed himself further into Nines' chest, shaking his head in denial. "I'm sorry, Gavin…Come with me," Nines added softly as he pushed himself to his feet. He simply picked up Gavin. There was no way he'd be able to withstand his own weight at the moment. He was barely able to get breaths in and out. He was shaking like a leaf. His skin was paler than Nines had ever seen it. Ashen. The scar across his nose looked red in comparison. Gavin needed to be outside in the open air, away from the gore and carnage. Connor and Hank were just pulling up as he stepped outside.
"Shit, what the fuck happened?" Hank demanded as he hurried over. His blue eyes were frantic as he ran them over Gavin's suddenly small form. Nines waited until he'd set Gavin on the steps and eased his head down between his legs before turning his attention to Hank, who instantly sat at his side. That was good. Gavin trusted Hank when he was vulnerable. He was breathing a little easier the moment Hank's firm hand began rubbing circles on his back.
"The Hickory Killer has returned. I've already contacted forensics and Colin," Nines announced stiffly. His expression left no room for arguments, but for once Hank didn't give any. He may hate the FBI stealing cases, but he also knew what this case had done to Gavin the last time. He was in no state to be anywhere near it. The best solution was for the FBI to handle it, perhaps with Connor and Hank on a consultant basis. Connor quietly excused himself to head upstairs. Nines' LED span red as he processed what he should do. His partner was in distress. He shouldn't leave his side. At the same time his predecessor may require his assistance with analysis.
"Go on, son. I'll wait here with Gavin," Hank encouraged quietly as he noticed Nines' gaze, but Nines was still hesitant. He ran a scan of Gavin's vitals. His stress levels were high. Well into the eighties. Nines blinked as he sent an emergency message. He could only think of one other person who may be able to calm him down and make him feel secure. He didn't bother to make a voice message. He simply took a picture of Gavin and sent the address. He crouched down in front of Gavin, who flinched as his hands touched his knees.
"Gavin…I shall assist Connor. Lieutenant Anderson is going to stay with you. Is that acceptable?" Nines asked softly as he scanned with a searching gaze. Gavin looked up with vulnerable green eyes at the suggestion. Gavin did not want him to leave. He watched Gavin's eyes close as he reached up and ran his fingers through his oily locks. The motions were familiar. They calmed him a little. Nines watched as he slowly began leaning into Hank's side. Hank gradually encircled him in an awkward side hug in response to the contact. "I shall return soon," Nines assured softly before getting to his feet. Gavin gave him a slow blink of understanding, not having the energy for anything more as he continued to struggle.
"It's okay…you're okay…" Hank murmured softly, the scent of old leather and cheap cologne slowly soothing Gavin's shaken nerves. There was a time Hank would have just smelled of stale whiskey. Connor had been good to him. He'd missed this Hank. This was the Hank he'd needed back when Jack…Phck! He tried not to sob out loud as he curled further into Hank's chest. Hank held him tighter, as if he could read his thoughts. Gavin had never had a father, but he'd like to think that this is what a father's embrace felt like. Large arms holding him tight, one hand soothing his back while the other ran fingers through his sticky hair. Hank didn't even complain about the blue now staining his clothes and hands.
"Should-have…Sh-should-have called! I should-have realised he-was-missing!" Gavin stammered finally. A dull sense of dread and pity settled over Hank as he cottoned on to what Gavin was saying. It had to be someone he knew and cared about that the killer had gotten to, and there were very few people who fitted that description. Gavin was covered in thirium, so that ruled out Tina and Miller, and Chloe would likely be with her boss somewhere, so that pretty much left Aaron Hughes as the only one unaccounted for. "He-called-me…Sunday night. I tried-to c-call back, but the-call didn't-go-through…Thought-he-was busy! I-thought he'd blocked-calls or some shit! I should-have-known when I-didn't hear-from-him yesterday!" Gavin continued, tears of guilt streaming down his cheeks, one of which was smeared blue with thirium. He was a fucking mess.
"Hey-hey!" Hank gruffed as he grabbed the sides of Gavin's face and gave him a serious look. "You listen here, son. This is not your fault! You had no reason to think anything was wrong…You're right. People sometimes miss calls or turn off their phones. Sometimes they're busy and they don't call back. It doesn't make this your fault!" he insisted firmly, watching Gavin drop his green eyes shamefully. He couldn't accept that. How could he? Sure, maybe Hank was right about the situation, but the reason behind it? That was his fault. The Hickory Killer wouldn't have taken Aaron if he hadn't meant something to him. It was their casual fling that had gotten Aaron killed.
"Christ, what happened to you?" Brad's somewhat unwelcome voice asked, though it was slightly less snarky than usual. Gavin quickly swiped a now un-gloved hand over his eyes and took a shaky breath, trying not to make it too obvious. He barely even let his friends see him crying. Fuck letting random techs see it. He coughed and spluttered as Hank quietly said that a friend of his had just died. The tech was a little more subdued and apologetic as he passed by, Haley following right behind.
"Wait! Haley!" Gavin called, trying to push out a voice that was stronger than he felt. "You might not want to…I-It's pretty phcking bad," he stammered through a fresh wave of nausea. Haley's LED flashed yellow at the warning. It was unheard of for Detective Reed to be like this on scene. She tightened her lips and nodded her thanks and understanding before following Brad upstairs with her kit clutched tightly in her hands. Gavin watched her go and hung his head again, his stomach turning as he thought back to the scene. The thirium. The limbs. Aaron's plastic head in his open chest cavity. He gagged. Hank's hand was there immediately, rubbing circles on his back. He'd never been sick at an android crime scene. Fucked if he was starting now. Man the phck up, Reed!
"Gavin!" a bell-like voice called sweetly. Gavin's head jerked up in surprise as Chloe walked towards them like an angel. She was wearing all white today, her face filled with warmth and gentle sympathy as she hurried towards them with light clicks of her heels. "Nines sent for me…You look terrible!" she added worriedly as she crouched down in front of him, ignoring the snot, tears and thirium as she leaned forward and enclosed him in her arms. She smelled like a sweet floral perfume. Gavin latched onto her and trembled again. Her white dress was ruined.
"Lieutenant Anderson, it's good to see you again," Elijah greeted quietly as he stepped up to the scene. Hank looked at him like he'd grown a second head. He sort of understood that Chloe had met Gavin over at Cyberlife Tower and they'd hit it off, but he didn't know how the fuck Elijah Kamski came into all this. "Ah, he didn't inform you…I'm Gavin's half-brother. We found out a short time ago…" Elijah explained softly as he approached and hesitated behind Chloe. He knew she was likely better at this sort of thing, but he desperately wanted to be there for his brother. He just didn't know how.
"No fucking kidding…" Hank replied in a quietly amazed voice. Now that he actually saw the two together he could kind of see it.
"Does he need to stay here, or…" Elijah trailed off as he motioned towards the luxurious sports car that was parked at the curb. Hank looked at Gavin sympathetically. He didn't seem to be in the middle of a panic attack anymore, just coming down from one. That likely meant he didn't need to go to the hospital. He was still in a state though. He was quietly trembling and sobbing into Chloe's smaller shoulder as she held him. There was procedure to follow, but at the same time…
"We'll need a statement as soon as he's feeling up to it," Hank replied, Elijah nodding his agreement.
"N-Nines-I-want-Nines!" Gavin managed to choke out desperately, unwilling to even think about leaving without him. Chloe hushed and murmured that of course they weren't going anywhere without Nines. Hank felt a little warmth at that. After the way they'd met he'd worried about Nines and Gavin working together. It was nice to see his fears had been unfounded. They'd gotten far closer than he'd expected, and they were so attuned to each other. Nines appeared a few seconds later, almost as if he'd heard Gavin's desperate cry.
"Nines, take the rest of the day off…Make sure he's okay and take his statement later if he's up to it," Hank instructed softly, knowing his orders would override anything Gavin had instructed previously. Nines nodded and voiced his simple agreement before joining Chloe. He was gentle as he helped Gavin to his feet, catching his weight as he stumbled. Still too shaky to walk. Nines picked him up like a princess and carried him to Elijah's car, climbing into the backseat with him in his lap. Hank watched the car drive off as he heard Connor approaching from behind. "Well?" he asked expectantly as he turned to his partner.
"It was definitely Aaron Hughes…Only him. His parts have been removed and disassembled, but…" Connor trailed off sadly. Hank looked at him sympathetically as he nodded his understanding. Connor had a really vulnerable quality to his movements and expressions. They hadn't exactly been friends, but no one deserved to end up like that. His LED was spinning between red and yellow before Hank stepped up and embraced him. "Thank you, Hank," Connor murmured into his larger shoulder.
