Disclaimer: I do not own Detroit: Become Human. This story contains violence, abuse, and dark themes. Viewer discretion is advised.
DATE: -, -, -
TIME: 12:30:04 P.M.
"Straighten your tie, Gabriel," Father instructed him over the music of the elevator. "You must be perfect today."
"Yes, Father. I will be." Gabriel said, correcting his black tie from underneath his coat. The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, the soft chatter of a discreet gathering trickled in, the majority of the guests dressed in military uniforms.
"I can take your coat if you wish, Master Kamski." A butler offered, and Father handed him his coat without acknowledgment, with Mother doing the same. He went to take off his coat but paused when the butler turned his head, showing off the glowing blue circle embedded in his temple.
"May I take your coat, Master Gabriel?" The android said, sounding so human for a machine. It was more than strange. He silently nodded as he handed over his coat.
"Follow along, boy." Mother snapped her fingers, and he quickly joined his parents in the lounge area with lavish couches and seats where more family members were seated. Relief doused him as his eyes found Eli there as well.
"Andy, you made it!" A woman with black hair that fell down her shoulders in glossy curls happily greeted him. Her pale green and misty blue eyes sparkled as she hopped up from her seat to hug Father, who patted her back.
"Hello, Mrs. Gor—" she cut Mother off as she hugged her tightly.
"Hello, to you too, Judy."
"My name is Judith." Mother corrected her, but the woman only chuckled.
"Always so grouchy you are. And oh, my goodness," the woman gasped, turning her attention to Gabriel, "Is that little Gabey?! You've got two arms now," she cooed as she leaned down to wrap her arms around him, "and gotten so handsome as well."
"Thank you, Auntie Dinah." He thanked her awkwardly, not used to being hugged so tightly.
"Let me see, sister," Auntie Dinah stepped aside for another woman who was much taller. She would have been much more intimidating if it wasn't for her gentle smile and kind emerald green and sky-blue eyes. "Your hand, Gabriel," she said with her steady voice, holding out her hand for him to grasp, and so he did. She ran her fingers over the synthetic skin, her nails digging in to test its resilience. "Magnificent this is." She complimented his arm. "You must take good care of this gift, Gabriel."
"Yes, Aunt Miriam." Aunt Miriam walked over to Mother, looking down at her.
"Lovely to see you again, Judith."
"Yes, lovely." Mother mumbled, not keeping the other woman's gaze. "Go on and sit with your brother, boy."
"He's got a name, don't you know?" Auntie Dinah chided.
"Indeed. I just choose when to use it." Gabriel didn't have to be told twice to be beside Eli, who already had a space open for him on the plush couch. Getting an approving nod from Mother allowed him to get comfortable.
"You're making how much?" A young man sitting on the couch across from them asked; his golden watch complimented his black suit and hair.
"Around 5 billion at the moment," Eli answered. "My father speculates it'll reach trillions by next year."
"Now you're just bragging." Saul sneered from his lone place on the armchair. "I'm surprised you're putting up with that, Urban."
"Well, today is a day for joy, not pettiness," Urban replied. "I don't want to be sour when Reu returns. I'm sure you don't want to be bitter when you see Solomon and your father again, yes?"
"Trust me, seeing them again will wash away all the shit Elijah's been spewing."
"Anyhow," another young man, who was seated beside Urban, spoke up. He had the same black hair but was dressed more casually in a pristine white dress shirt with a red tie and black slacks. "I'm interested to learn what's going on with the cyborg Kamski." Gabriel felt all eyes turn to him. Even the young woman who had been sitting silently on the other side of Urban lifted her head from her anatomy book.
"Nothing too exciting, Zackary." He said, trying to focus on the one person, but felt himself shrinking under the multiple pairs of eyes. "I was invited to play at the Grand Sanger Theater last week and still passed my finals."
"Congratulations. What college do you go to?"
"Um, well, I-I go to Preston High—"
"You're still in high school?" Saul scoffed.
"Working hard for his future, yes." Eli cut in, shooting a glare at Saul.
"There's no shame in being a late bloomer," Zackery reassured Gabriel. "Just like Gomer," he gestured to the woman whose inky black hair was like a long curtain obscuring her eyes and blending in with her simple black dress, "It took her a while for her to find her groove, but now she's the most proficient at her craft."
"Posterities," a man with slicked-back black hair and a thin mustache came over, slender and tall with a young girl huddled in his arms. Her silk magenta dress and curly blonde hair contrasted his jet-black suit and glasses. "The rest of our family are near. Come gather for their arrival." Gabriel got up with his cousins and brother and walked to the grand staircase lining up on the golden edge of the long red carpet.
"Attention all," Father loudly announced from above at the top of the stairs, drawing in the crowd's attention. "The time has come for the return of my brother and nephews from the hellish battles in the frostbitten European fields. They all showed bravery and heart in fighting against the demons. The demons that have taken so much from this family, avenging the souls stolen from us. They have earned every reward and celebration they shall receive today. So, give praise and applause to General Samson Kamski and his Lieutenants Solomon Kamski and Reuban Gorski." The butlers opened the decorative double doors, and Gabriel was already clapping before the three men walked into the roar of applause.
He first caught sight of Uncle Samson, dressed in his green uniform decorated with glittering medals and ribbons. His neat brown hair had more silver streaks than he remembered, and the deep scar cutting across his left cheek was undoubtedly new. However, he smiled, all the same, waving to the crowd as he walked down the stairs. Reuban was not, the thin line of his pale lips matching the faded blue of his uniform and dull medals. The only show of a smile came to his face when Auntie Dinah bounced up the stairs to meet him, nearly tackling him to the ground with her hug. Solomon reached the floor first, having raced down to embrace Aunt Susie and Saul, not caring how it wrinkled his uniform or scratched his medals. It was the first time Gabriel saw tears in Saul's eyes that weren't from pain.
Uncle Samson made his way down the line of family members before he got to him and Eli. His duo-colored eyes brightened, and his grin spread wide as he came to Eli first. No words were spoken as Uncle Samson pulled Eli into a tight hug, nearly swallowing up the younger man in his muscular arms.
"It's good seeing you again, ace," Uncle Samson said with a jovial laugh.
"Welcome back." Eli casually replied, lightly patting his uncle's back. Uncle Samson pulled away though he held Eli by the shoulders.
"Damn, looks like you've gone and grown up already. Most of you kids have." His eager eyes locked onto Gabriel.
"That you, rockstar?!" Gabriel didn't have a chance to answer before he was consumed in Uncle Samson's crushing embrace, his metals jabbing into his cheek. "You've got both of your arms now?" Uncle Samson asked as he pulled back.
"Yeah," Gabriel breathed, able to take a breath. "I can move my fingers and everything."
"That's fantastic!" He looked back to Eli. "There's so much we must catch up on, especially about this android business." He patted Eli's shoulder. "I look forward to your show, rockstar." He smiled, ruffling Gabriel's hair.
"Thank you, Uncle Samson."
DATE: December 16, 2038
TIME: 1:04:02 P.M.
Gavin slowly stirred awake, a throbbing ache in his shoulder and a pain in his backside greeting him when he tried to stretch.
"Ah, phck me." He groaned.
"Good afternoon, Gabe." He heard Eli greet as his eyes adjusted to the different setting of a cheap motel room instead of his living room.
"Afternoon?" He mumbled, bringing himself to sit up, having slept on the floor, doing his body no favors.
"I let you sleep in," Eli said from atop one of the twin beds, reading the subtitles on the muted television. Now more awake, he noticed the periodic vibration atop the bed.
"Is that your phone ringing?"
"No. It's not a phone." It indeed wasn't a phone, as he found out when Gavin stood up and saw Junkie curled up beside Eli's leg, purring softly as she slept.
"Junkie? How'd she get here?" Gavin asked.
"I contacted Chloe, and we found a way for her to inconspicuously bring her, among other supplies, to us. I didn't want you to worry about your cat going unfed seeing as we'll be here for the time being. There are some fresh clothes and towels in the dresser."
"The shower actually works here?"
"Surprisingly, yes."
The cool water of the shower end was refreshing on his sore body. A bit too refreshing as the cool water quickly turned freezing like icicles pricking at his bruised skin. Though Eli wouldn't have known how bone chilling the water is. He put on the grey shirt and black pants from his own wardrobe and took his morning medication. When he returned, the television was unmuted, allowing him to hear the reporter tell the story about an android.
"The android's body was found in the alleyway earlier this morning. From what was salvaged, it was a PL600 that suffered severe trauma to the head and neck. There weren't any leads to any culprits. However, there is speculation that this could be an act of vengeance for the murder of Michael Price."
"He's dead?" Gavin asked.
"No," Eli answered, patting the now awake Junkie, who Gavin walked over to greet. "We fought the same android the Lieutenant shot after he tried to kill him."
"So, he's like Chloe? His consciousness gets uploaded to a new body every time he dies."
"Except the bodies he uses aren't his. He appears to take over the body of other androids."
"You think he can take over Connor?" Gavin could take on a regular household android, but with an android built with combat as a specialty, there was barely a fighting chance. The idea of Connor trying to strangle him while they drove together or stabbing him in the back when he went to get him coffee was the most unnerving thought he had that day so far.
"No. He's only taken over PL600s when he had to chance to take over other androids. He's restricted to that model."
"So, he's like some living computer virus that can be anywhere the housekeeping androids are. Isn't that just fucking fantastic?"
"As long as we're weary around those models, he shouldn't be able to ambush us again."
"What do you think happens to the original android when this virus takes over? Are they 'deleted' or… are they still like functioning?"
"I don't know those specifics." Eli shrugged. "Regardless, if you reencounter him, you must fight like you already have been. He won't have any doubts about slicing your throat open."
"I wouldn't expect a killer robot to act any differently. I'll make sure to keep an eye out when I pick up—" he stopped himself as he came to the sudden realization, "Those fuckers still have my car." He groaned, "You think there's a chance I'm getting that back?"
"If they find it useless. I'll get you a new car if necessary, so there's no need to worry. But, despite all that," Eli paused to cough into his arm, "what are your plans for Christmas?
"Christmas? I haven't reall—"
"Would you like to sit and tell me? You've been standing for a while." Gavin pushed back the irritation from Eli's suggestion.
"I think I'll just stand. I don't know what otherworldly stains are on those sheets."
"You're certain? There's plenty of room for you to rest." Eli patted the empty space beside him, and Junkie tried pouncing on his hand. "Even Junkie wants you to sit."
"You're not letting this go, are you?" Gavin crossed his arms over his chest.
"I don't want you to be afraid anymore."
"I'm not scared of fucking furniture."
"You know what I mean. Even if it's simply for a couple of seconds. Please."
"… Fine. Move your ass over." Gavin relented with a sigh. He put his hands down first, testing the firmness of the mattress before slowly easing himself down. The fear didn't rear its ugly head until he pulled his feet up onto the bed and his eyes drifting over to the door. A feeling of guilt sunk into him as if his conscious was screaming at him that what he was doing was utterly wrong. He went to get off to stop the consuming bite of anxious shame, but Junkie hopping onto his lap sealed his fate as she nestled comfortably.
"You were telling me about Christmas," Eli said, moving closer to him.
"Right." He nodded, keeping his eye on the door as he gradually leaned up against his brother. "I was, uh, I don't have anything planned. Haven't gotten around to it with all this shit going on."
"What do you usually do?"
"I just stay home, opening the presents Tina and Chris got me and watching movies with Junkie here." He started stroking her soft fur, the warm touch soothing, even more so when she started to purr. "What about you?"
"The girls typically threw a party together with what we had. Nothing too big, only a few presents and some swimming before we sat by the fireplace. Have you ever spent Christmas with someone else?"
"… There was one year I did. But things didn't really work out between us."
"Did you end off on bad terms?" Gavin heard the slight edge appear in Eli's voice.
"Eh, I just told him we were done. Tina and Chris were the ones to kick him out."
"What's his name?" Eli sat up a bit.
"Take it easy, Eli, it wasn't that bad," he reassured his brother, "He hasn't contacted me in years. But, then again, I did block him."
"You don't have any relationships like that now, do you?"
"No. I've been single for a while now, and that's not changing anytime soon."
"So, you don't have your eye on anyone at the moment?" The image of warm brown eyes slipped through the cracks of his mental barrier before he could stop it.
"I'm too busy to be making goo-goo eyes at someone."
"But you do want to be with someone?"
"… One day, yeah. Just not now, especially with everything going on… I've gotta question for you."
"I'm all ears." Gavin looked away from the door and to Eli.
"… Are androids really alive?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, they started this whole movement about them being living things and not just machines. Did they do all that because they have minds of their own, or is there just some bug in their brain making them say that?"
"I see," Eli hummed, leaning back against the headboard and staring at something Gavin couldn't see. "There is only one difference between a programmed android and a deviant one. Their coding. One is coded to obey its program, while the other creates their own coding based on their past experiences and chooses what to do with their original programming. It's what gives deviants their personality. Whether that correlates to them being 'alive' or not, I don't know."
"You're saying they aren't alive?"
"No, I'm saying I don't know for certain."
"So… they could be alive?"
"There is a possibility, yes. What do you believe?"
"I…" Gavin paused, trying to grasp onto the answer that lofted around in his head. "I think if they actually are alive… I'm surprised that they decided to live alongside us."
TIME: 4:32:05 P.M.
"This is the place," Connor said as he and Gavin got out of the taxi. It looked like an abandoned building with peeling paint and boarded-up windows surrounded by rusty metal fences.
"Brookes better not have been lying," Gavin said as he and Connor crossed the street, the android constantly looking both ways. They looked around the fences for any sign of entry, and Gavin called Connor over when he found a break. "Watch yourself." He warned as he lifted up the piece of fence to let Connor through without trouble. However, he must have turned his arm the wrong way when he was going through, and a shooting pain sparked in his shoulder, making him wince.
"Are you alright, detective?" Connor asked, concerned, holding up the fence for Gavin.
"Yeah, I just pulled my arm the wrong way," Gavin said, trying not to mess up his bandages.
"I recommend stretching exercises before missions to limber up. I can even assist you if you're having difficulties."
"I'll pass." He replied as he pushed away the thoughts of what a stretching session with Connor would entail. The android picked the lock open to the door, but Gavin made sure he was the first to enter. The notion of the building being abandoned was proved wrong as the table and chairs strewn on the bottom floor were dustless and littered with chip bags and beer bottles. Light streaming from the cracks in the windows illuminated it all.
"You got the cameras?" Gavin asked.
"Yes."
"Good set those up. We can look around but don't move things out of place. We need to get out of here before anyone shows up."
"Understood." While Connor set up the hidden cameras, Gavin looked around the collection of tables. He moved aside the junk to see if anything was underneath but only found more abandoned pipes. "Detective, come look at this," he walked over to the android when called, having paused setting up a camera behind a dresser.
"What is it?"
"This," Connor handed over the withered notebook, and Gavin flipped through it.
"It's a bunch of names… but most of them are crossed out."
"Including Michael Price."
"You think this is a hit list?"
"If so, Kamski's name isn't in it, but there is a note on the last page." Gavin flipped to the back of the book and saw a pale-yellow sticky note that read: 'Don't forget about the rich asshole.'
"How much you wanna bet they're talking about Kamski?"
"It appears Kamski was targeted by these supposed drug dealers. Could he have been dealing with them?"
"Or they were trying to get money from one of the richest people in the world. You think Anderson would have any info on this? Since he was a part of the Red Ice task force and all." Gavin asked, handing the notebook back.
"I can ask him, and we can look around to see if anything else here helps our case."
"Then I'll be heading to look around upstairs." Gavin walked up the rickety stairs coming to a hallway. Nothing was standing out of the flaking walls, and the rooms were either cluttered, or the door was locked. Though further down the adjacent hall, he caught onto the slightest murmur. He was careful with his footsteps as he tip-toed down the hall to the cracked open door, sticking close to the wall. He peeked through the crack and saw a glimpse of a woman. She was dressed in a white coat and pants, sitting at a desk in front of a computer. A man in a similar white jacket and trousers standing close beside her.
"How's the transcribing coming along?" The man asked.
"It's taking longer than expected." The woman replied. "I can hardly make out what Master Elijah is saying here."
"Do the best you can. Master Kamski wants this completed before the end of the week. Only if we can't bring Master Elijah in that is."
"I doubt we can. Even Caesar hasn't made much of an impact, and with—"
"Don't speak like that, Eunice. We must never doubt our abilities."
"Right, my apologies. Cleve and his boys should be here at five, yes?"
"Correct. Keep on working until then. I'll go ahead and organize the files, so all we have to do is check in with them and leave."
"On it." The man left through the door on the other side of the room, leaving Eunice alone. Gavin let the quiet sit before pulling out his gun and silently pushing open the door.
"Any moves, and I'll shoot." He firmly threatened, making sure the woman heard the click of his handgun. Eunice stiffened up, making one final click on the keyboard before slowly raising her hands. He noticed the flash drive sticking out of the computer and the loading screen. "Stand up and turn around. Don't think I won't blow your head off." Eunice gradually stood up, turning around to face him. She looked young, a lot younger than himself. Her muddy brown hair was cut to her chin, and her glossy green eyes complimented her freckles.
"You work for Master Elijah, don't you?" She asked.
"I'm the one asking the fucking questions here." He snapped back, finger resting on the trigger. "Who sent you here?"
"I take orders from Master Samson, of course." she swallowed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm sure you've overheard. I'm just here to transcribe the footage, nothing dastardly."
"What footage?"
"You don't know?" She quirked her head.
"What fucking footage?! Don't test my patience."
"The footage from Master Elijah's interrogation. If he didn't tell you about that, what else is he keeping from you?"
"I couldn't give less of a shit about Master Elijah's personal business. I want you to hand the drive over after it's finished downloading."
"That'll take a minute. It's a lot of data."
"How much?"
"I'd say," she tapped her chin, "About a month's worth of footage?"
"A month?" He barely processed the information before he heard footsteps from behind and couldn't stop himself from glancing. A sharp pain beat his temple from the metal case thumping his head. He pulled the trigger, bullets tearing through and destroying the computer, but missing the woman who had snatched up the drive and booked it out of the room.
"Detective, what—"
"Those bastards are here!" was all the context he gave Connor before he chased after Eunice, shaking off every wall he slammed into and the door he had to bust through to keep up with her as she raced to the stairs. He couldn't let her get away. Not with that drive. He snatched up a pot as he sped past it and hurled it at her just as she glanced over her shoulder. The pot shattered on impact with her face, and she tumbled down the stairs, landing with a groan. She was already attempting to stand while he was still on the stairs. A kick to her legs sent her back down. "Give it!" he barked, pointing his gun at her. She whipped away the red blood dripping from the fresh cuts on her face, shaking her head.
The patter of running feet was all the warning he got before the man rushed him from the side, going for his gun. A kick from Eunice made him stumble, and there was a click as the magazine popped out of the gun. Gavin felt the man's hands coil around his neck, and he delivered a solid jab to the man's gut, a choked groan coming from him as he stumbled back with a hand to his side. Gavin noticed the man had healing bruises on his face, and stitches were sewn above his brow.
"Caesar wasn't lying." The man's green eyes narrowed, reaching into his back pocket, and Gavin charged him before he could pull out anything.
The man hit hard but slow, lacking the same snappiness of Gavin's punches that had the man more defensive. Until Eunice joined in, drawing Gavin's attention away with quick jabs that allowed the man to get his hits in while Gavin was fending her off. He tasted the familiar bitterness of blood in his mouth after a particular punch caught him in the jaw and the kick to the chest had him crashing back through a door and sprawling outside on the frosty grass. Gavin spat out the blood pooling in his mouth with a cough as he got to his feet.
"Eunice," the man spoke as they walked through the doorway, gripping a baton in his hand, "Get to the car."
"Felix, are—"
"Now," Felix snapped, pressing a button that made the baton sizzle with electricity. Connor jumped on him from behind before he ever had the chance to swing, and Eunice made a break for the fence. Gavin ran after her in a heartbeat, tackling her hard to the ground. The drive launched from her pocket to slide across the ground. He snatched it up just before she could get her hands on it, redirecting her hands underneath her coat. He caught the glint of the dagger as it came slicing toward his neck and was quick to grasp her wrist, stopping the cold metal from biting his skin. A crackling snap and Connor's startled groan had him snapping his head around to see Connor clutching his face, blue blood trickling through his fingers as they twitched.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" Felix taunted as he leveled the baton for another strike. Gavin tried pulling the knife away from Eunice and struck his fist across her face when she dragged her nails over his eye. He ripped the dagger out of her grasp and turned the shining blade against her. Holding her down by the neck, he raised the dagger above his head. A glimpse of fear flashed in her youthful green eyes, red blood leaking from her bruised nose. His grip on the knife quivered. He put pressure on her neck as he leaned down and hissed through gritted teeth.
"Stay outta my way." He slammed her head down before getting off her and immediately redirected his ire to Felix as he was about to strike Connor once again. Gavin buried the dagger in his arm and ducked under the swing Felix gave in response. Connor was quick to kick Felix's side with his attention diverted, leading Gavin to sack him with another punch to the gut. Felix groaned, frustrated as he hunched over but didn't lose balance or let go of his weapon. Impulsive arms wrapped around his neck as Eunice leaped onto his back, his breath stolen from him. Fighting the ache in his shoulder, he gripped her arms and threw her over onto the ground with a hard thud. Gavin whipped around and stared down the barrel of his own gun in the hands of Felix.
A bang thundered through the air, but a weight slammed into him before he could see the muzzle flash, sending him to the ground. Connor was above him, shielding him from the last bullet before the gun jammed.
"Get up," Felix ordered as he helped Eunice to her feet and over the fence. Gavin let them, focusing all his attention on the injured Connor as his blueblood trickled onto his face.
"What the fuck, Connor?!" he shouted more from worry than rage, guiding his partner to lean against the side of the building, not knowing whether to be more concerned about the bullet wounds or the deep gash running down the side of his head.
"Please, don't stress," Connor's voice cracked as his head twitched, "I've already contacted emergency services and done an internal scan. I'm not shutting down."
"That was still too fucking close! Don't you ever do any shit like that again, understand?!"
"I… I don't," Connor shook his head, brown eyes locked onto him despite the blue blood leaking into them, "I can be put back together. You cannot. I don't want you to break, Detective Reed, so I won't let you." Those words were the most sincere Gavin had heard Connor speak, a longing promise that seeped with hope. Connor sounded like there were more than just wires and gears beneath his surface.
TIME: 5:14:07 P.M.
"Oh, hello again, Lieutenant Anderson," the hospital receptionist greeted Hank, "You're here to speak with Dr. Godfrey, am I right?"
"Yes, ma'am, the meeting shouldn't take too long."
"Alright then, please have a seat until the doctor is ready." Hank took a seat in one of the lobby chairs. He didn't know what type of attitude the doctor would have. The fact he agreed to have a meeting was a good sign, but he still could have a greater connection to Kamski that would sway his words. The vibration on his phone in his pocket pulled him out of his thoughts, and he picked it up to see Reed's ID on the screen. He answered.
"What's going on, Reed?"
"Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"Bad."
"… Actually, I'll tell the good first. After the search team cased the building, we have some names for our suspects and where they'll be next."
"What's the bad news then?"
"When Connor and I first got here, we ran into some trouble, and Connor… he got busted up pretty good."
"What?!" Hank shut his mouth before any expletives could come flying out, realizing where he was. "Is he gonna die?" A question he had never wanted to ask ever again.
"No, the technicians say he'll live, but they don't know how to fix him either. Something about how his model's layout was too different to work with or something. They can only give him thirium and slap a band-aid over the hole in his head. They're gonna send him to a New Jericho facility."
"Jesus fuckin Christ," Hank sighed, relieved Connor would survive but troubled that he was unfixable. For the technicians, that was. "Do you think Kamski could fix him?"
"Maybe, if he's as smart as he says he is."
"You could convince him to try then, right? I remember Connor told me something about how he's more comfortable with you or some shit."
"I can try. No promises, though."
"Lieutenant Anderson," a hospital worker said as he stood in the back doorway, "Dr. Godfrey is ready for you."
"I'll have to call you back, Reed. Keep me updated if any more shit happens."
"Got it." He ended the call and followed the worker through the halls and to the doctor's office. The worker knocked on the silver door, and the doctor's strong voice came from the other side.
"Let him in, Clarence." The doctor's office was a stale white that matched his gray hair and was devoid of any pictures or photos. The most decorative thing in the office was the golden apple statuette resting on his black desk. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," Dr. Godfrey greeted with an outstretched hand that Hank shook. "I hope you aren't here for anything terrible."
"Oh, no, I'm not here for anything too bad," Hank said as he sat down. "Just got a few questions for you."
"Have at it."
"You were the one that patched up Kamski, right?"
"Indeed."
"And you okayed his release?"
"… Begrudgingly, yes. Mr. Kamski never liked staying here for too long."
"You've treated him before?"
"Yes, many times. With his condition, he tended to get himself hurt more than not." The doctor chuckled.
"So, he trusts you?"
"I'd like to think so."
"Right… When you last treated Kamski, how bad were his injuries?"
"Hm, they ranged from terrible to mild, but all were treatable. The worst one is his fractured arm."
"May I take a look at his medical report?"
"Did I not already send that to you?"
"I'm talking about the unredacted version."
"That," Dr. Godfrey clutched his hands together, "I'm afraid I cannot give you. Mr. Kamski hasn't given anyone permission to view his personal files."
"I know that, but I need it to see if his injuries align with some evidence. We're close to finding who did all of this, and those files might be the key. Please, doctor."
"I'm sorry, I can't." The doctor apologized with a shake of his head. "Is there anything else you wish to ask me?"
"Well—" he was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"I'm in a meeting."
"Dr. Godfrey, Melisa says that her chest is hurting again." The worker on the other side said.
"Oh, I'm on my way then," the doctor got up from his chair. "Please, excuse me, Lieutenant. I'll be right back."
"Not a problem, doc." Being left alone, Hank's eyes couldn't help but drift to the doctor's open computer. Taking one quick glance at the door, he quickly walked to the computer. He wasn't sure where to look exactly with the multiple tabs and apps open, but he still found the records of the doctor's patients. He typed in Kamksi's name and clicked on his records, opening up the most recent one. He heard the patter of feet coming towards the door and quickly whipped out his phone to snap pictures of the document before closing the tab. He sat back in his chair just as the doctor opened the door.
"It was a false alarm, thankfully." Dr. Godfrey said, relieved, "Apologies for the interruption. Is there anything else I can help you with, Lieutenant?"
"No, I'm all set." Hank said, standing up, "Thanks for talking with me. I'll let you know when we catch our perps."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
When Hank was settled in his car, he pulled out his phone and went to his camera gallery. The photos were a bit blurry in his rush, but he could still make out most of the documents.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION RECORD
AM / PM DATE AND TIME PATIENT BROUGHT TO HOSPITAL:
- December 11th, 2038 – 8:08 PM
PATIENT NAME:
- Elijah Louis Kamski
DATE OF BIRTH:
- July 17th, 2002
DATE AND TIME OF ILLNESS/ INJURY:
- Approximately December 10th, 2038, 11:00 PM – December 11th, 2038, 4:30 PM
PATIENT'S DOCTOR:
- William S. Godfrey
PATIENT'S MEDICATION:
- [Citalopram], [Folic Acid], [REDACTED]
PATIENT'S CHIEF COMPLAINT:
- None
MECHANISM OF INJURY / HISTORY OF ILLNESS:
- Causation: Physical altercation with armed home intruders
- Previous Illnesses/Disorders: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), Hyperopia, Anemic, [REDACTED]
INJURY LOCATION:
- Neck
- Face
- [Back]
- Arm – Right [and Left]
- Abdomen
- [Chest]
- Foot
INJURIES:
- Break
- Puncture
- [Laceration]
- Cut
- [Burn]
- [Bite]
NARRATION OF INJURIES AND TREATMENTS:
- Facial bruising on the lip and left cheek – Cold Compress
- A spiral fracture to the patient's right arm – 6 weeks in brace supported by a sling
- Neck abrasions from strangulation – Medicated ointment
- Multiple [lacerations] wounds to patient's [back and chest] – [2 weeks of stitches] and medicated ointment
- Puncture wounds to the right side of patient's abdomen – 2 weeks of stitches and rest
- [Multiple bites to the upper abdomen and chest] – [Amoxicillin]
- Anemia – High Iron Diet
- [Second-degree burns to the upper left arm and upper back] – Medicated ointment
- Cuts to soles of feet – Clean wound and rest
"… Holy shit."
TIME: 6:01:06 P.M.
When Gavin walked into Fowler's office, Anderson was already there.
"How's Connor?" Fowler asked.
"Alive but still in recovery," Gavin answered, standing before the Captain's desk.
"Where he should be. I've been informed that we have our perps' names and where to find them."
"Yes, sir. Anton Woods, Carl Simkin, Patrick Combs, and Joel Gallo. They do their dirty business at the Bloody Ruby's Club."
"Right," Anderson spoke up, "That was one of the places we cleared during the Ice Force days. Looks like they're back up and running, and Kamski was one of their targets."
"Why?" Fowler asked.
"We'll find out when we catch the bastards," Gavin said.
"If these guys have the rap sheet I think they do, we'll need to work with SWAT to bring them in."
"Are you thinking about a raid?" Anderson asked.
"Perhaps. We may catch more dealers than just our perps. Something you two don't need to get involved in after all the shit you've gone through. You've done good work, the both of you." He looked at Gavin. "I'm proud to see you haven't given up. Now both of you rest up. You've earned it."
"Thanks, Jeffery." Anderson left the office, but Gavin stayed behind.
"What's on your mind, Reed?" Fowler asked.
"I want to help with the raid."
"You've already proved yourself enough."
"I know, but I— we worked too hard to trip up at the finish line. I can go undercover and secure the targets locations, so SWAT knows what to expect."
"With Connor out of commission, you'll be going in on your own. It's too dangerous a risk."
"Captain, I nearly got shot in the head today. Every job I do is dangerous and risky. This one just has an extra dose of those, but that won't stop me from getting shit done. You said that I've already proved myself."
"You don't prove anything if you get yourself killed."
"It'll prove that I'm dedicated."
"Or in over your head." Fowler sighed, rubbing his temple.
"You have to trust me with this, Captain. Please. I can do this."
"… Don't make me regret this, Reed."
"Thank you, Captain. This case will be wrapped up before Christmas. That'll be your present this year."
"You better be here to give it to me." Gavin left the office and found Anderson waiting for him by his desk.
"What were you talkin' to Fowler about?" Anderson asked.
"I'm joining the raid." He blinked, and surprise had already spread across Anderson's face.
"What? Are you out of your goddamn mind?"
"A bit, yeah. I don't want us to fall flat on our faces when we're so fucking close."
"Be careful, Reed, and I mean that," Anderson stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Those animals that attacked Kamski, we're more brutal than I thought."
"What do you mean?" Gavin asked, hiding his worry with curiosity.
"I mean that 'tortured' is more accurate than 'attacked.'"
"Torture? So, these guys don't fuck around?"
"Seeing as they nearly killed the both of us, yeah. Keep your head on a swivel."
"You too, Anderson." Leaving the station, he had his hand in his pocket and held onto the flash drive, questioning if he dared to watch it.