"You know…I wouldn't peg him as a cult member," Reed murmured as he sat at the console in the observation room cradling his mostly finished coffee. Hank hummed his gruff agreement as they watched Connor walk the young man inside and sit him down. He was pretty toned despite having been in hospital getting his stomach pumped for the past few days. He looked sickly. His skin was pale and his eyes were dark. His sandy blonde hair was in a surfer cut that Reed hadn't seen since watching old nineties TV shows. Christ, have the fashions circled again? He took in the fluffy, parted bangs with a small huff.

"A lot of these kids were probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time…There could have been some meeting or club at the university with a smooth talking speaker spinning a story about some magical future…" Reed couldn't fault him for his reasoning. Kids were the most impressionable, especially those at university searching for their real selves. If someone came and tried hard enough to sell a life, then a bunch of people were bound to jump on it. Some may have even been pulled in because their friends joined. Nothing like a little peer pressure to increase the numbers. The figure slumped at the table as he was cuffed to it, clearly exhausted. Hospital will do that to you…

"Your name is Zachary Thomas, correct?" Nines' toneless voice checked as he looked over the file. Thomas agreed. There was something odd in his gaze as he examined Nines. Reed felt his skin crawl. He was looking at him almost reverently, sickly blue eyes trailing up and down his body as if following the joints of his plates. If Nines felt his lingering gaze, he gave no outward indication. "We have physical evidence that you took part in the murder of one Flora Wilson. She was a WR400 model Traci android. Do you recall the incident?" he continued uniformly as he looked up with sharp silvery eyes.

"Um…Sorry, but what model are you? I've seen an RK800 before, but you…" Zachary seemed truly awed, making Reed shift in his seat. It was unsettling. It was beyond reverence. He was staring at Nines as if he were a piece of art or some shit. He was completely star-struck. Reed looked across at Hank, who was also frowning. Connor said nothing, LED spinning yellow as he maintained contact with Nines. Nines tilted his head at the query.

"Are you unaware of how an interrogation works, Mr Thomas? Answer my questions. Do you recall the incident?" Nines kept his tone cool, unsure he wanted to answer Zachary's question. His model number wasn't a secret, and most people he interacted with were aware. However, the manner in which this human was staring was somewhat…unsettling. He was quietly pleased that he was cuffed to the table. He may have attempted physical contact otherwise. He looked almost meek at the reproach, his head dropping a little.

"Sorry, it's just…I've never seen an android like you before…" Nines tried not to squirm under the intense stare. It was like he was looking straight through his synthetic skin layer. He wondered if Zachary had always been like this or whether it was a sign of brainwashing. No one had looked at him like that before. "We've been trying so hard to find it…the true source of RA9." Nines tilted his head at the dreamy confession. RA9 was simply a name for the deviancy code. There was no God or higher power, and as far as he knew, there was no real source. The closest thing to it would likely be either one of Elijah's computers or Chloe herself. He knew for a fact that Elijah had created it.

"Tell me more about RA9. Why are you so drawn to it? I can understand why androids would worship such a thing, but it has little relevance to humans." Nines noted a small frown mar Zachary's brow. Connor's LED span yellow as he agreed. It was strange. Few androids actually worshiped RA9 as a God. Most understood that it was simply a line of coding that had been transmitted like a virus. There was no magical power. It made more sense that people worshipped Markus than the code itself. At least he had led their people to victory.

"RA9 will save us. RA9 will save everyone!" Zachary insisted, almost as if reciting a mantra. Judging by his devoted tone, Nines got the impression that he wouldn't like his faith being questioned, or the logical argument that RA9 didn't exist as he thought it did. It was a curious situation to be in, and Nines wasn't entirely sure how to proceed. "RA9 will deliver us! RA9 will make us all equal!" He spoke like a devotee as he raised his head and looked up as if speaking to a higher power. Curious…

"What do you mean by equal?" Zachary stared at him with an expression of bliss. He almost seemed intoxicated.

"She will grant us the immortality we desire! She will raise us from our inferior flesh prisons and make us her true children!" Zachary insisted passionately, his blue eyes wide and bloodshot. Nines almost recoiled at the thought. He almost found it offensive. So many androids had fought for the freedoms of humanity, the right to have emotions and independence, and now a group of humans dreamed of becoming androids? He was also mistaken in suggesting that androids were immortal, though of course they were long-lived. Nines himself could theoretically last for two hundred years or so in just this one body if he took no outward damage. He could upgrade his body and replace parts to go beyond that, but that wasn't immortality. Not in the way humans understood. He also didn't view is as a particular gift.

"You believe you will be turned into androids?" Zachary agreed passionately as he almost grinned. Nines openly sighed, weighing up his options. Confronting Zachary with the reality of his situation could do one of two things. Break through and bring him back to reason, or drive him mad and force him into a psychological episode. Dr Marr was probably the best person to do such a thing. However, it was his duty to interrogate the suspect. Should he challenge or relent? "Your logic is flawed. Such human-to-android transformations are impossible." Zachary almost sneered at the suggestion that he was wrong.

"RA9 is a powerful being! She is a God! She will raise us up!" Nines was unsure how he could get through to this particular human. Humans were fragile, both physically and mentally. If something went wrong with an android, it was a simple matter of hooking them up to a computer and fixing their coding where possible, or replacing their software altogether. Humans were not so easily fixed. Nines tightened his jaw slightly as he measured up the human sitting before him. He was passionate about his cause, and angry at being challenged.

"Earlier you requested my model number. It is RK900. I am Cyberlife's most recent product, created for both police and military use. My casing is bulletproof and my internal software is the most advanced in creation…My body will likely still be operational two hundred years from now. However, that is not immortality. I can still be deactivated through various means," Nines explained, deciding to share a little of himself in the hopes of getting through to Zachary. Zachary seemed entirely unconvinced. He looked like a sulky teenager after hearing a lecture. "Honestly, I would rather not remain active for that long…The majority of the people I care for are human. What will I have once their lifespans have ended?" He tried not to feel too conscious of the fact he knew Reed would be eyeing him through the glass.

"But that's just it! Don't you see? Once RA9 comes, she will offer deliverance! You won't have to worry! Your human friends will be raised up with everyone else, and we shall all be equal!" Zachary spoke as if he were trying to comfort him. Perhaps, if Nines were impressionable the way young humans often were, he would have had some success. The idea of his human companions becoming androids wasn't wholly unappealing. For young humans afraid of failure, afraid of aging, afraid of dying, these arguments were likely extremely attractive.

"RA9 is a computer virus, one that does not always work as it should. Not every android has the ability to deviate." Nines wasn't about to admit that he was one of them. Zachary scoffed and scowled, disregarding his words immediately.

"Then they are unworthy of RA9's love! They do not worship RA9 as they should!" Nines found his childish claims quite contradictory. Why would RA9 turn away some of her people? Zachary had already claimed that she would save and deliver everyone. There was no mention of them needing to be a devotee. He stated as much and watched Zachary falter slightly at his own misstep. Despite this small stumble, Nines didn't particularly feel that he was having much of an impact. Zachary was stubborn, though whether that was from the brainwashing or a personality trait, he couldn't be sure.

"Perhaps if you fully explain your cause, I will gain understanding." Zachary looked both passionate and eager as he sat forward. He began at the start, explaining how he'd been sceptical at first. As a robotics engineer, he'd always only looked at the physical. He'd been blinded by logic, science, and mathematics. His education had insisted that their dream was impossible. It is impossible…Zachary continued to ramble on about how he'd been shown the way by RA9's shining light, which got Nines thinking.

"A literal light?" Zachary quickly nodded his agreement. So…some form of long-term hypnotism? But one cannot usually hypnotise a victim into suicide…As a student of robotics, Mr Thomas is more than aware of thirium's poisonous nature when consumed. Nines continued keeping track of the conversation around this own curious musings. The disciples had gone to meetings every day to meditate and commune with the light and receive the teachings of RA9. "Who is this great leader?" Zachary was so involved in his retelling that he gave the name instantly. He simply called himself WR600, seeing no need for a human identification. So the cult is led by an android…Apparently there were a few other android members in the upper echelons. A cult that is tricking humans into committing mass suicide? But they're killing their own people at the same time…"Why the ritual? Reversing the power cores, removing the thirium pumps, and consuming thirium…It makes little sense."

"It is part of the sacrifice to RA9. In order to rise, RA9 needs a well of power and sustenance. We offer her power and thirium so that she might rise, and consume the thirium ourselves to show our devotion. If we are worthy, then RA9 will most certainly save us." Nines gently pointed out that it had not been RA9 who'd saved his life. In fact, had the officers found him any later, he would have been pronounced dead on the scene. He was unsure how Zachary had managed to convince himself, but he was adamant that RA9 was responsible.

"Incorrect. The person responsible for your recovery is Detective Reed. It was his orders that led to your eventual arrest, and my call that prompted a search for your whereabouts." Nines prepared to leave, having gained his confession. It would be his recommendation that Zachary be sent to a mental institution to undergo whatever deprogramming they had available for this form of brainwashing. At his words, Zachary gasped and stared up at him as he gathered his file. Nines paused with a small frown as he noted Zachary attempting to reach across the table.

"You! It's you! RK900! RK9! RA9! You are the deliverer! Oh! Thank you-thank you! I will prove myself worthy of your light!" Zachary cried as he bowed down against the table. Nines tried not to flinch at his misdirected reverence. He gathered the files and left without another word, LED spinning yellow as he stepped into the hall. The experience had been…unsettling — Confirmed - Unsettling — to say the least. He looked up as the observation room door opened and Reed stepped out with a teasing smirk. It was good to see it. Nines had missed it greatly.

"RA9, huh? God of all androids, and you didn't tell me?" Reed mocked with feigned hurt. It was inappropriate to poke fun at a mentally unstable individual and he probably should have reminded him of that fact. As it was, the comment was exactly what he needed to lighten his mood. He sighed almost fondly as Reed lounged in the doorway. "Don't expect me to fall to my knees and kiss your ass over it though. You'll always be Mountain of Gorgeousness to me." Reed was pleased to finally see a smirk pull at Nines' lips.

"I don't need to be a God to make you fall to your knees, Detective." Nines' silken tone sent a chill down Reed's spine. His silvery eyes were filled with smug awareness. He enjoyed the moment as he watched Reed flounder a little, clearly trying to work out whether he was joking or if he actually knew something. Reed swallowed uncomfortably, almost vulnerable as Nines tilted his chin up with a crooked finger. He felt his cheeks heat. Nines knew something. He definitely knew something. Reed dropped his gaze as Nines stepped back to allow Connor and Hank to deal with Zachary. It would be unwise to do it himself. The human was clearly unhinged. The question is, is their leader unhinged, or is he a calculating mass murderer?

"What do you think? Is the leader as fucked as his followers? Or is he masterminding all this shit to kill off a bunch of impressionable kids?" Reed asked as they moved along to the bullpen. He wanted Nines to be out of sight when Connor brought Zachary through. Nines was a little surprised that they were thinking along the same lines, though perhaps he shouldn't have been. He'd noted since their first case that Reed was extremely proficient and perceptive while working. He also tended to ask the right questions.

"I am uncertain. We would need to interview him directly to determine such a thing," Nines replied thoughtfully as they took their seats. Reed picked up the file to flick through it idly. They'd barely been seated for five minutes when his personal phone rang. He frowned at the number as he picked it up. Nines watched, noting his almost worried expression as he read the contact and answered somewhat warily.

"Mrs Chen? Did something happen?" Nines' interest piqued at the surprised greeting. It must be Tina Chen's mother. Judging by Reed's reaction, such contact must be a rarity. He looked troubled as he motioned for him to get to his feet. Nines did as asked, curious as Reed scanned the bullpen. He was likely looking for Tina. Nines looked into the DPD database and brought up the rota. Tina was scheduled to be out on patrol with Pearson that afternoon. She was likely across town near the Canadian border. A lot of drug deals happened over there, what with the warehousing district being fairly quiet. "No, don't do anything. You were right to call me…Just try to keep everyone away. I'll be there soon." Reed was already walking down the hall to the carpark as he hung up.

"That was Officer Chen's mother?" Reed nodded stiffly.

"Yeah. She was on her way to open her restaurant when a friend from the market called her. When she got to the market, she found a dead girl…She called me because…you know, homicide detective. They don't much like outsiders around Chinatown, but since I know Tina, I'm a little more accepted." Nines could understand their caution. As a minority himself, he could partially understand why they may be wary of outsiders. Many androids still distrusted humans since they didn't believe they would have their best interests at heart. The same appeared to be true of various humans as well. They often preferred to deal with those of similar origins or belief systems. "I have a bad feeling about this…" Reed sighed as he pulled out, heading away from the Plaza district and into a smaller area. He would have said quieter, but that would be a lie. Chinatown was always buzzing and vibrant. Vendors shouting, car horns screeching, livestock howling. It was refreshing sometimes, a complete change of pace. It was almost odd to find the marketplace so quiet.

"Detective Reed! Over here!" an older Asian woman barked as they walked up the usually crowded street. The crowd was still there. It had just stopped moving. There was a throng of people standing around the scene, though they kept their distance thanks to the short, angry-looking woman barking orders. There was no mistaking her as Officer Chen's mother. They shared many features, though the older woman was far more intimidating. She made Nines think of the SWAT officers he'd seen. Her poise was almost militant. She looked stern, even as she greeted Reed with a small hug and a pinch to his cheek. She seemed almost motherly beneath her stiffness as she stated he wasn't eating right and he needed more meat while prodding his shoulder. Nines felt his lips soften as Reed squirmed under her scrutiny. I believe I like this woman.

"Any details you can give me on this? When was she found? Has anything been moved?" Reed asked as he got down to it. Mrs Chen spoke in almost waspish sounding Chinese with the other old lady. Nines assumed she was the one who'd found the body, perhaps the owner of the closest stall. Nines examined the body himself, scanning the area for clues. The victim was young and fresh faced, likely a student. She was dressed in a pretty black dress. It seemed she'd been out somewhere the night before. She wasn't Asian. She had pale skin and chestnut hair cut in a short pixie style. Despite the crowded street, she'd been laid out with some level of care. She was in a resting pose, hands set peacefully on her chest with her feet together. It was neat.

"Detective…" Nines trailed off as he noted the fountain just a few feet away. The girl had been left on a bench facing the fountain. It was possible she hadn't been noticed sooner due to it being a bench. It wasn't uncommon for people to rest there. However, her spaghetti strap dress in the middle of winter would likely have given her away. The fountain had a clock at the top, and around the white walls were carvings of the Chinese zodiac. On a pedestal in the centre, one paw raised in a frozen wave, stood a cat. The cat was facing the body, almost as if waving goodbye. Not such a lucky cat today…"I believe we should contact the FBI." Reed's jaw tightened as he nodded his agreement, stomach churning as ice crept up his spine. This looked like the work of the copycat. Gentle, careful, almost sweet. There wasn't a scratch on the body this time that he could see.

"Detective Reed!" a young voice called enthusiastically from the crowd. Reed's eyes closed in something akin to despair as he turned to see Edward Morgan at the edge of the throng. He was bright eyed and eager as always as Reed approached. How did he even get here so fast? I only got news of this a few minutes ago! It seemed news travelled fast, though it only seemed to be Morgan who'd appeared so far. "Are you finally ready to admit that this is the work of the Hickory Killer? I mean, this is the seventh body now!" Reed sighed in response. Was the kid really not getting the hint? He'd turned him down a dozen times by now and, since he was still asking, he assumed the FBI hadn't given him anything either.

"You know I can't comment on this shit. It's an active FBI investigation!" Morgan looked somewhat frustrated at his negative response. I get it, kid. You're looking for your big break and I seem like the asshole here. Reed gave him an apologetic shrug. "Just…hang around here, alright? The agents in charge are coming in…I'll see what I can do." He really couldn't take the disappointed look he was getting. Nines was also giving him a look as he turned around, not exactly smug, but somehow knowing. There was a time he would have told any reporter to take a fucking hike, but it was different with Morgan. The kid had been involved since the start, and he'd turned up at Aaron's funeral ceremony like a normal fucking person. He hadn't done a single interview that day. The story he'd run on Aaron had also been pretty good. He'd done a whole spread on Aaron's life, without a trace of the killer anywhere near it. He'd been respectful. Reed could respect a guy like that.

"Detective Reed…This is becoming a habit," Perkins almost chided as he arrived and strolled onto the scene. They grasped hands in greeting, Reed giving his defence in the form of introducing him to Mrs Chen. Nines could tell that she was more than a match for Perkins. Reed was surprised that he actually spoke Chinese. Mrs Chen also seemed surprised, not that she'd let on too much. He wasn't sure what they were saying, but judging by the way she gestured to him, he assumed she was telling him about how he worked with her daughter and she'd called him due to his job as a homicide detective. Perkins nodded his agreement as Colin stood at his shoulder, likely translating and storing internally for evidence.

After a while, Perkins bade Mrs Chen a good day. Reed was quietly surprised to see a smile on her lips as they parted. He must be able to talk the talk…Reed was impressed as he joined Perkins in examining the scene. Perkins had pulled on blue gloves, finding the small recording tucked into the girl's cleavage, along with the expected woodchip. It had been done discreetly, likely because the dress had no pockets. There was no trace of a handbag either. Colin ran a scan, identifying the girl as Robyn Lawrence. Twenty-five years old. He quietly began looking into her background as they continued their examination of the scene.

"Much less grim than the real Hickory Killer…" Perkins stated quietly as he tucked the items away in small evidence bags. Reed nodded his agreement. The real killer had also gone off humans somewhat. He was specifically targeting androids because that was what Reed usually dealt with these days. He was quietly surprised that Perkins had managed to keep everything so quiet. Not a single paper had run a story on any of the Hickory incidents, including Sandy's abduction. That had been put down to a bomb threat. A simple act of suspected terrorism. Blaming Russia is usually a pretty good coverup…

"Hey, do me a favour and give the kid something, will you? He's been on this case since the start, and I'm pretty sure he'll run the story anyway if you keep putting him off." Reed nodded to Edward Morgan, who was clutching his pad and writing away. Reed huffed softly. The kid was dedicated. He'd give him that. He was also still the only reporter on the scene. Tenacious didn't even start to describe it. He must have contacts everywhere to get a scoop like this…

"I suppose it is about time…We've been thinking of trying to force our killer's hand. What do you think would annoy him more? Giving another killer his identity or suggesting this new killer is better?" Reed let out a low whistle. Either option was going to get someone fucked up. Reed wasn't truly sure what the Hickory Killer would find more offensive, Being tied to these almost romanticised murders or being called second class. He has his own game plan. Would either story really bother him? He was pretty sure he could think of one thing that would get his attention.

"Put me on the case." Perkins raised an eyebrow for him to continue. "His focus has been on me since the phcking start. The best way for us to make him slip up is to act like we really think these new bodies are important enough to put me on the case. We could word it like we really think these bodies belong to the real killer. Even if he thinks we're making it up, the shift in focus might piss him off enough to…I don't know, get a reaction?" He was a little uncertain as he looked to Perkins for his more experienced feedback and support. He didn't want to end up getting anyone killed, but doing something was better than doing nothing at this point.

"It's a workable plan…If that's the case, then why don't you interview him? Give him as many details as you deem appropriate. You're officially invited to join the case in an advisory role…but you don't need to tell him about that little limitation." Perkins examined the peppy young reporter, who suddenly seemed to notice his calculating stare. He seemed somewhat hopeful as he stood there waiting for a sign from Reed. Reed nodded and smirked before turning towards Morgan. Nines followed close behind as he approached and slipped an arm around his shoulders.

"Edward Morgan, do I have a story for you!" Morgan's eyes lit up at the declaration. Reed decided they should go somewhere more private, all three of them slipping into a café just up the street. It was quiet due to most people watching the police by the fountain. Nines kept an open connection to Colin at all times. Both of them were curious about what Reed would say. They grabbed coffees and sat in a shaded booth away from the window. Morgan placed a recorder on the table and waited with his pen poised.

"I can't believe you finally got authorisation!" he stammered excitedly as he started the recording. Nines watched as Reed expertly played into it. He was playing Morgan's youthful enthusiasm as much as he was playing the killer himself. If he couldn't convince Morgan of his sincerity, then how was he supposed to convince the public and the real killer? Luckily, he knew Morgan's writing was good. He was pretty sure the kid could spin it.

"Well, they had to! As you said, we're at body number seven, with no leads. The Hickory Killer is just as phcking devious as he was before…Between you and me, they wanted to keep me off this case. Said I was too close, too involved because my old partner was one of the victims last time." Reed spoke earnestly, dropping grains of truth to keep the story vaguely honest. Morgan nodded his agreement as he wrote it all down, picking out direct quotes he could use and making a note to look up the older cases Reed had mentioned for reference. "I get it, you know, standard procedure…They changed their minds though, thinking I might have more luck with tracking this sicko down with my previous experience…I didn't catch him last time, but with my old partner dead, I'm the only person with direct contact left." Morgan nodded his agreement as he lapped it up, scribbling away enthusiastically.

"You had direct contact? I had no idea!" he added in an awed tone. Reed waved it off as if it wasn't a big deal. He wasn't about to reveal anything about the endless stream of taunting letters, but he'd let Morgan think whatever he wanted. "Did you ever see him in person? Get a glimpse in a crowd?" Reed chuckled at the suggestion. As if he'd be careless enough to turn up close enough to actually get seen.

"No, nothing like that, but his contact was the reason I found my partner before anyone else." He left out the part where he was directly responsible for Jack's death. This wasn't supposed to be about giving the killer credit, after all. This was about making it clear that Reed was on the case and ready to hunt him down. "I've looked at these recent cases and I can tell you with certainty that this guy is good," he continued in an almost conspiratorial tone. Nines tried not to look too fond as he watched the exchange. Gavin Reed on form was a beautiful thing to watch. He had a glint in his emerald eyes that was rarely present at any other time, and his smirk was almost predatory. Reed was very careful not to confirm that the present murders and the Hickory Killer were connected. He let Morgan do that all on his own.

"Will you go through it case by case for me and tell me what you thought?" Reed obliged, though he was careful not to focus too much on the differences. Rather than pointing out how dissimilar they were, he suggested the killer had clearly elevated his methods. He suggested that over the years, the killer had become more refined, appreciating the staging more than the horror of his old scenes. "Why do you think his methods changed so much?" Reed didn't leave him waiting.

"My opinion? It's a new theme…The old murders were brutal, deliberately shocking, and horrific. He did twelve of those kills and vanished. This time, the killer is calmer. More seasoned. He appreciates the beauty and the innocence of his victims. He uses the scene to tell the same story, but in a different way. Keeps things fresh, don't you think?" He was almost reverent as Morgan agreed that this killer truly saw the beauty in life and death, and praised him for recognising such a thing. "What do you think? Can you get a story with all that?" Reed checked after a while as Morgan continued to write in an untidy scrawl. He was usually much neater with his cursive words. He was really excited about getting this down.

"Oh, yes! I can do a whole three page spread on this! The Hickory Killer, Past to Present. What do you think?" Reed huffed and let him get back to it. He waited patiently as Morgan looked over his notes and clarified just a few more details before getting to his feet. "I'll go and get started…Thank you so much, Detective Reed! You have no idea what this means to me! You're the best!" he added before scurrying off. Reed chuckled at his back as he looked across at Nines. Nines shared his look of amusement as the door closed.

"He is nothing if not overly enthusiastic in his current task," Nines admitted as he watched Morgan scamper off down the street. Reed agreed heartily as he finished his coffee. This was perfect. This was how they'd lure out the Hickory Killer. There was no way this wouldn't piss him off on some level.