Chapter 22
Once they had arrived at the hospital, they had taken in Connor right away much to Hank's relief.
Despite being engineered with human feelings, Hank had always felt distant from them until now. Hank hadn't wanted to lie about it, but when he couldn't feel genuine concern for his own son he had resorted to using the programming that came with his model.
Even if everything was artificial, it seemed a reasonable way to go, almost like second nature dealing out comfort based on input programs given to his model.
If Cole needed consoling, his programming told him when to talk to him, when he needed a hug or when he needed space.
Still even if Cole had wanted a replica, his memories coupled with his programming wasn't enough. He hadn't been compelled to carry on as the person Cole thought he should be.
When becoming an android, the only thing Hank had wanted to do was care for and console his son. Even with memories from his copy, it just felt natural to do this.
He got the impression that Hank was more hands-off. Whether it was something that was a Hank quality or whether it was some unspoken social boundary, he didn't know. He just knew Cole had wanted it from him.
He was programmed to love him first and foremost so why wouldn't he comply with Cole's desires?
So when it came down to it, it had been natural to simulate the best approach based on his input. He had done hundreds of reconstructions of preconceived scenarios of simulated reactions determining the best way to approach the issue.
Even though it went against his basic programming to comfort and console, his model was just advanced enough that it could simulate personalities based on little information. Call it a quirk of his model but he was programmed to deal with those specific kinds of behaviors.
Still arriving home after work and finding Connor gone, something outside his programming had entered his system.
It was something hollow, empty. Hank had felt inadequate, unneeded and betrayed. How could Connor leave so suddenly? Was it because he showered him with unbridled concern?
Maybe he had pushed his partner too far.
While driving to look for his partner, it dawned on Hank that he didn't know where his partner was at all.
He pulled to the side trying to think where he might be before he realized he really didn't know anything about Connor at all.
'I'm hopeless.'
He drove back, worry fueling his nerves.
Hank was about to fish in his pockets for his keys when he heard voices on the other end.
"What's it to you? You think you could just come into our life, into my life after my father's death and think it mends everything. It's been years, Connor. People change."
That's right, Connor had known him before they had met. Something about that seemed very displeasing.
"This isn't like you. Whatever happened to that person who always preached about how drugs are bad."
"That person grew up."
"Did he? You're still obsessing over your father even after he's dead."
Hank heard Cole scoff.
"No, I'm not. I'm doing just fine without him in my life."
"Really? You didn't think I noticed your android looks exactly like your father."
Was that concern? Why would Connor be concerned about a copy like him?
"Why shouldn't he? Besides it's clear you're attached to him just the same. You think I can't get over his death but here you are just as attached to him comparing him to someone who is dead."
Hank flinched. Was that true? Did Connor like him out of some projected attachment to Hank Anderson? Perhaps they were closer than he once thought.
"How could I be attached to an android made to replicated the behaviors and the appearances of a dead man when they're nothing alike?"
Was this what it meant when people said they felt like they were being stabbed in the heart?
"My father always did love you more."
Hank frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Connor asked.
"I'd always see you two talk after you finished with the yard work. He'd always talk about you with his co-workers."
"He treated me like crap."
If he treated him like crap, why did Cole make it sound like he liked him despite this?
"He warmed up to you pretty quickly," Cole said. "You admired him that's why you studied law and decided to become a police officer in the first place."
Hank felt his world crumble underneath him. That was the reason, Connor became a police officer? It was because of him?
"You're giving him too much credit."
"Am I? It's obvious you loved him like the father you never had."
He wasn't certain it was possible but the words drove the dagger even deeper. Was Connor treating him like this because of some misplaced daddy issues? It didn't seem like he and Carl had the best relationship, maybe that's what Connor really desired from him?
Hank couldn't handle it anymore and stepped inside ignoring everything else.
"Connor, I see you finally came back," he said. The lingering feeling of betrayal coarsed through his thirium pump.
"I came back about five minutes ago. Sorry I was late."
A lopsided smile was present on his face. It almost seemed like relief was etched on his face. This however didn't qwell the developing anger that he felt.
"I was expecting to get back earlier but I ran into complications."
Connor clutched his shoulder.
The anger quickly subsided once he had remembered the reason why he had been so concerned in the first place.
For just a moment though, he had felt an emotion that not even his program had accounted for. The thought he could feel angry at all made him uneasy.
"What part of stay here did you not understand?"
Connor glared at him.
"You're not my father," Connor cut in. "Despite my physical appearance, I am a grown man. I am capable of making my own decisions with or without your input."
'Could have fooled me.'
A part of him shouldn't have been relieved by those words but it had all the same.
Still by the end of it Hank wondered if Connor didn't want a father figure, what did he want?
Once he was certain Connor was in good hands, he had gone back home early the next morning to prepare for work.
What kind of man was Hank Anderson that Connor had decided to follow in his footsteps?
Hank was still stewing through these thoughts even as he had headed back to work the next day.
When he had returned from the academy, Jeffery had greeted him before allowing him to return to his old position.
Despite being old friends, they hadn't talked much.
It was considerably odd to hear nothing about his history nor of his past accomplishments. Before the circumstances of his death, there wasn't much information about him or his previous work.
Some time during work, Chris dropped by his office to deliver a case file.
"A Mr Todd Williams dropped by to file a report for kidnapping."
"Thanks Chris."
Hank glanced through the file. Two suspects were on file.
"Where'd you get the photographs?"
"Isn't it obvious, a human can't get this accurate. The guy's an android. It was just a matter of downloading the information from his data banks."
"I see."
"Also got a copy of his testimony on file."
Hank saw it beneath the photographs.
"Thanks a bunch, Chris."
"Anyway I heard you have some free time after work. Want to drop by Jimmy's with me?"
"Sure."
"I'll drop by after you're finished. Look forward to seeing you there."
As he was working on the case he caught sight of a man at the desk across from Connor's own. He was a large man with short grey hair and a light beard and moustache wearing a sade coat.
Hank scanned his face.
Ben Collins.
An old friend of Hank's if he remembered right.
That afternoon he saw him head out in the direction of the main hall.
With his target in sight, Hank got up and followed him walking through the hall.
It was as he passed by the supply closet that Hank thought he heard someone sobbing.
He stopped, watching as Ben turned to the recreational room before turning his attention to the supply closet.
Cautiously Hank opened the door only to find Tina sitting in a fetal position rocking back in forth with tears in her eyes.
"Officer Chen, what are you doing in here?"
"I'm sorry. I guess I should leave now, huh?" she said. Her voice stammered as she tried to retain composure in her voice.
It was obvious however that the thought of leaving the closet was something she didn't want to do.
Hank scanned her.
Her stress levels were at 85 percent.
"What's the matter?" Hank asked.
"Just some love troubles. I was such an idiot."
"Tina, you're not an idiot."
"How do you know? You only just met me yesterday."
"What I know about you isn't disappointing. You're well liked by everyone that you receive gifts for your birthday. Chris was ecstatic to introduce you to me," Hank said.
"Not by everyone."
"What?"
"I'm not liked by everyone. I thought he loved me but all he talks about is his brother."
"Who?"
"Detective Reed. We broke up yesterday. He said I could never be the woman he desired and a woman like me couldn't possibly understand his plight."
"That jerk," Hank hissed. "Tell you what I can beat him up for you if you like."
"Won't you get in trouble?"
"Well sh-t, that ruins that plan."
Tina smiled.
"That's alright. It's the thought that counts isn't it? Anyways thank you."
"But I didn't do anything."
"You listened. That's more than enough."
With a sigh, Hank headed to the recreational room.
"Look if he gives you anymore trouble, you can come talk to me alright?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
As he stepped in the recreational room, he spotted Ben by the counter pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"Hey."
"Hey, fancy seeing you here."
"It's been a while hasn't it?" Hank said. "We were friends, weren't we?"
"You could say that."
"You know me, you know my history. I'm a lieutenant, best officer in the field. I was in charge of the Red Ice investigations wasn't I?"
"Yes."
"What a joke. Why did I even become a lieutenant if there is nothing to show for it? No records to even show it happened."
Ben shrugged.
"You've always had a strong sense of justice and a strong work ethic. You were such an inspiration to other aspiring officers that they looked up to you for support and advice. Even then you've always got along with your co-workers. Is there any doubt as to why you became a lieutenant?"
It seemed so natural to help Tina in her predicament Hank wondered if that was him or a part of his programming.
"I guess not. Still it's strange, I was looking into the case that I was working on before the accident and nothing came up."
"Maybe you should talk with the Captain."
"Yeah, I guess," he said, his mind drifting back to Connor.
So he found out about the kind of man Hank Anderson was, so what.
It didn't tell him why Connor followed in his footsteps.
After work, Chris dropped by Hank's desk.
"I'm clocking in for the night and heading for Jimmy's. Are you about to clock out?"
"Yeah, just gotta shut off the computer," Hank supplied.
After he had finished with that, Hank followed Chris outside.
"Do you know the way to Jimmy's?"
"I think I'll manage," Hank replied.
"Alright."
With that Chris headed in his car with Hank heading into his own and the two drove to Jimmy's parking outside.
Hank saw the establishment they had arrived at was a bar with a neon sign that read Jimmy's Bar.
He had to give the owner props despite the lack of a creative name for their business, the sign did stand out.
Hank headed inside the establishment. A man stood behind a long bar counter. He was a brown-skinned man with long black dread locks.
Sitting on one of the bar stools was Wilson. Chris had quickly joined him.
Hank finally decided to take the seat beside Chris.
"Hey Jimmy, bring us the thirium special," Chris said.
"Thirium special?" Hank asked.
"Yeah, Jimmy serves the best drinks for androids in the city," he said.
"You are androids?"
"I'm surprised you didn't know being an android yourself."
"How did you know about that?"
"Everyone knows about the accident, Hank. The dead don't come back to life."
Jimmy handed them their drinks.
"So what's the deal with Tina today anyway?" Chris asked Wilson.
"Don't know she's been surprisingly quiet."
"I seen her earlier with watery eyes. I bet you it was from Gavin."
"Nothing much we could do about it," Wilson said. "Believe me if I could I would punch his lights out for just being an pain in the a-s. Besides it seemed like she was feeling a bit better when I seen her after lunch."
Chris chuckled.
"You're telling me. Ben saw her leaving the supply closet on the way back."
Something seemed to dawn on Wilson.
"Oh I thought it was odd."
"What was odd?"
"Hank, you talked with Tina when she was in the supply closet right? I saw you when I was heading for the detention center," Wilson said.
Hank sighed.
"Yeah I did."
"Thank you, you don't know how much that means to me. It's nice to know she has someone to support her when I'm not around. Contrary to what she might imply, Tina is not as strong as she always seems to be. She's usually the type to keep her problems to herself though so noone usually knows much about her private life."
"How long has she worked for the DPD?"
"For a while, she's being promoted to Detective in a couple of days. I think she'd appreciate you being there being her friend and all."
"I wouldn't go that far."
"She trusted you enough to tell you what she was feeling."
"I could have been anyone."
Wilson sighed.
After they had drinks, Wilson spoke to him.
"Chris and I are having our wives over for dinner. If you want why don't you come join us."
"I'll have to call Cole."
"That's fine."
After he had called Cole, Hank had joined them. Wilson leading the way to his house.
Hank parked his car outside and joined them as Wilson knocked on the door.
"Liz, we're back."
"I'm coming, dear."
The door opened revealing a brown skinned woman with brown hair in a short pixie cut. She wore a yellow evening dress and a matching set of diamond earrings.
The woman greeted Wilson with a smile kissing him on the lips.
"I just got finished with Connie."
Wilson, Hank and Chris followed her inside. Hank sat on the couch next to Connie.
"You must be Hank. Chris told me all about you. I see the years have treated you well."
Hank felt the heat rise to his cheeks.
"Aw, you don't need to look so embarrassed. It's a compliment."
"So what do you do for a living?" Hank asked trying to divert the topic from him.
"Me? I'm a teacher. Chris didn't tell you anything about our son did he?"
She glared at Chris.
Chris shrugged.
"What? It didn't come up."
"You were just telling me he plays baseball right?" Liz asked.
"Yeah, he's pitcher for his team."
"We have a daughter ourselves. I've been trying to get her into ballet but she's been into break dancing alot lately," Wilson said.
"What's her name?" Hank asked.
"Patricia but we just call her Patty," Liz said. "So Hank, do you have any kids?"
"Yeah, but my son's grown up at this point."
"Almost wish they were young so you could raise them all over again."
Sometimes he wished that, maybe then Cole might grow to like him for the kind of person he is and not the kind of person he was.
"Yeah."
They talked until late in the evening before Hank had to go.
"It was nice meeting you. You should come again sometime," Liz said.
"I'll keep that in mind."
With that Hank headed out, driving back home.