Reed was relieved as they finally thanked Mr Thomas and left. It hadn't been as awkward as he'd first expected, and he was glad they hadn't had to deal with anyone else. On the way down, Nines needlessly confirmed that Thomas had been telling the truth on all counts. Figures that Nines was scanning him the whole time. At least they didn't need to put Thomas on their suspect list. It didn't feel like he was involved. He had no reason to be. It wasn't illegal to cheat on your wife, and she'd never found out about it. Not unless this mystery man let her know…
"We need to look into Melissa Davies again…Someone must know this guy! He has to be connected to her somehow! Another boyfriend, a work colleague, a relative…The kill was too personal for it to have been a stranger, and it happened just two days after the hotel visit? They're definitely connected!" Nines nodded his agreement as he took the driver's seat. It was good to see Reed in a hunting mood again. They'd had so many ups and downs over Christmas that he'd worried he'd burn out. All things considered, Reed was coping remarkably well. It probably helped that he could throw himself into their cases. He'd always used work as an excuse not to face his emotional issues, however he was still seeing Dr Marr regularly and Nines was unaware of any problems in that regard.
"I agree, that seems likely," Nines agreed as he drove, still waiting for a response from the hotel. He'd been placed on hold some time ago while the young woman at the desk went to find her manager and ask about the tapes. Being on hold was somewhat…annoying. — Unpleasant? Frustrating? — There was a jingle playing. The sound itself was inoffensive, however it had repeated itself exactly thirty-three times at this point and Nines couldn't turn it off. Luckily, he was able to compartmentalise. His internal audio processing unit worked separately to his external one, so he was more than capable of completing multiple tasks at once.
Typically, it was as they returned to the precinct that he was finally taken off hold. The manager was a lot more helpful than the young reception girl and informed him they did indeed still have the tapes, but only a hard copy. After two weeks, the tapes were recorded and stored for a year before being destroyed. It was something they'd always done in the event something like this happened. Nines thanked her for her foresight and arranged to go in and collect the relevant tapes. He finished the internal call as they reached their desks and Reed was already reaching down to turn on his terminal.
"Detective, the hotel has a hard copy of the footage we require. I can retrieve it if you'd like?" Nines offered as he stood smartly with his hands behind his back. Reed sighed as he twisted his chair to look at his terminal screen. I've sat down now…I've turned on my terminal…I can make a start on the report and type a clean record of my notes and theories…He knew that's what he should do, but the paperwork was his least favourite part of the job. "Would you like me to make you a coffee before I leave?" Nines tempted with the smallest of smirks, watching as Reed crumbled and nodded.
It went without saying at this point that the coffee would be decaf. The only time he drank caffeinated coffee these days was if he got it from a coffeeshop. There was only one place they'd been to with decent decaf. By the time Nines dropped off the coffee at his elbow, Reed was already lost in his own head. Nines took a few moments to admire the tightness of his jawline and the intensity of his green eyes as his fingers flew across the keys. It was completely subconscious as he reached out and picked up the coffee, barely pausing as he took a sip. It was as the liquid touched his tongue that he paused, barely for an instant. His eyes lowered momentarily to the mug as his body relaxed. Nines' coffee…
By the time he turned his head to thank him, Nines was already halfway across the bullpen. Reed looked over his shoulder, following Nines' looming figure until he'd walked smartly through the barriers and down the front steps. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair, cradling the hot mug like it was something precious. It was something precious. Nines' coffee was like the Holy fucking Grail. It was rejuvenating, life giving, even if it was decaf. He closed his eyes and took one more sip before getting back to work.
"Reed," he greeted absently as he picked up his desk phone, trapping it with his shoulder so that he could continue typing.
"Detective Reed! It's me, Edward Morgan. I'm sorry to bother you again after this morning, but I might have found something in my notes…Is there any chance you can meet me by the Eden Club? I'd come to the station, but I'm out chasing a story right now." Reed held back a sigh as he looked across at Nines' desk. He glanced at the clock. It was getting late in the afternoon, heading towards three thirty. He was pretty sure Nines would have taken the car, and it would take about an hour to walk all the way over there.
"Alright…My partner's out of the office with the car at the moment. Will you be there long?" Reed asked as he started saving his work and organising his notes to carry on easily later. There was a pause as Morgan let out an almost pained hum. Sounds like a no…
"I can hold on for maybe half an hour, but I'm pretty sure my target is going to move soon." Morgan spoke quietly, as if he were sharing a secret. What the hell has this kid gotten himself into this time? Following people around the Eden Club in the middle of the afternoon? He'd better not get himself killed! Reed almost groaned internally, instinctively checking his service weapon. If Morgan was tailing someone in secret, then it probably wasn't good. Nothing about the Eden Club was good, but especially not in the afternoon.
"Alright, just sit tight. I'll take an auto-cab," Reed decided as he hung up and grabbed his hoodie. He used his cell to ping a cab, not even stopping to message Nines as he went. What did Morgan find that was so important he couldn't wait until after he'd finished tailing his latest story? The cab pulled up, and he climbed in with a sigh, still stewing over Morgan and his last message. Damned kids! Damned reporters! Why do they have to go sniffing around where they don't belong? I swear, if Edward gets himself killed by a gang, I'm going to-
Reed huffed as the auto-cab finally pulled up at the Eden Club. It would have been faster if he'd driven himself, knowing all the backstreets and being able to choose his own speed. This is why I hate these phcking things…He took a nervous breath as he stepped out, using his phone to ping the payment. He didn't even notice the taxi pulling away, though it was the only moving vehicle on that quiet street. The Eden Club was in a fairly quiet part of town, full of clubs and bars that were closed until later or didn't get many customers during the day.
The Eden Club looked the same as ever. It still had the cheesy neon lighting in the shape of a sexy female android with pink writing lit up to display the name beneath. The wide doorway was lit with spotlights that wouldn't really make a difference until later that night, and the glass tubes lining the entrance still held undeviated androids captive. He knew the club had changed a little on the inside. He'd been there on cases since the revolution. There was a mixture now. Deviant androids, undeviated androids, and even human workers. The tubes inside had been removed to make way for tables, a stage, a bar and a dancefloor. It was more like a nightclub now than a simple brothel.
Outside the club, the streets were pretty empty. The amount of trash suggested the sweepers hadn't been through in a while. They ran pretty regularly, every other day maybe. He looked up at the sky, noting it was clouding over a bit. He shrugged his shoulders, mourning the loss of his warm jacket again as the hoodie clung to his shoulders. Now where the phck is he? Reed searched the empty streets with wary eyes. Morgan had said he was near the club chasing a story. That meant he had to be hiding out somewhere. He pulled out his phone to send a message. Where are you? He took his time, slowly ambling towards the left side of the club where there was a long alleyway.
It was just wide enough for the garbage trucks to pull in, and the huge industrial bins were the only thing down there. A few extra bags of leaking trash had been tossed on top. All of them were full to the brim. Bin day must be coming. Reed hovered near the mouth of the alley, waiting for a response. The back was cut off by a thick mesh fence that could be opened for deliveries. Beyond that was a small side road that ran alongside the main one out front. Reed looked down as his phone buzzed. I'm coming. Wait for me in the alley next to the club.
Reed was cautious as he did as asked, but from where he stood, he was pretty sure the alley was empty. He rested a hand on his sidearm just in case, green eyes flicking back and forth as he tried to seem casual. To anyone watching, he'd look like he was ambling, but he was alert and focused as he scanned the area. There didn't seem to be anyone there, not even a homeless drunk. He couldn't blame them for that though. This was the Eden Club. The walls were probably crusted with semen, thirium, and fuck knows what else. He could actually see thirium dripping from one of the tall dumpsters.
Damages were still common at the club, and somehow it was still cheaper to toss out the old androids and buy new ones. It was fucking sad. Jericho would probably throw a fit if they saw this shit. Won't be happening much longer. Not with all the new legislation about manufacturing new models…Reed caught sight of a few androids that had just been tossed out. He paused as he looked down at them. He wasn't so good on the models, but there was a pretty redhead that looked like North wearing nothing but the standard bikini of the Eden Club. Her skull had been cracked open, blue still trickling out slowly. There was a dark-skinned male model with a missing arm and leg, probably salvaged for parts. The last one struck Reed the most. It was a WR500. Aaron's model. He felt his throat tighten as he looked down into those dull blue eyes. Even though he knew it wasn't Aaron, it was still a nasty reminder.
He crouched slowly, watching the ebony locks flicker in the breeze. There was thirium dripping from the android's nose. His arms and one of his legs had been removed. His chest panel was open, the insides dark and dead. His thirium pump and core had been removed, likely for reuse with other models inside the club. His expression was blank. Had he deviated in his final moments? Had he been afraid of death, as Aaron had been? Had he called for help and no one came? Reed bit his lip subconsciously as he reached out and closed the vacant eyes. Maybe I should message Simon…have someone come down here and salvage what they can…
Blinding pain flashed through his skull as he opened a new message to type. He fell sideways, dropping his phone before he'd typed more than a single letter. It didn't take a genius to figure out he'd been hit. He felt dazed as he somehow managed to roll onto his back, raising a weak hand to rest against his throbbing head. He groaned in objection as a heavy weight rested over his hips. His eyes snapped open as something sharp plunged into his neck. His vision was a little fuzzy from both the impact and the ache throbbing through his skull. His chest tightened as something hard was pressed across his throat. The young man leaned forward to press down.
"E-Edward?" Green eyes asked why as he struggled to take in a breath. It didn't make sense. He was friends with the last victim. He'd helped them with his recent article. Morgan wasn't trying to kill him with the pressure on his neck. He was just limiting the amount of air he could take in, keeping him docile until the drug could take hold. He was dressed differently. Rather than his usual smart suit, he was wearing a black top and trousers, likely to disguise any blood that got on him…The phck?
"Sorry, Detective…I really wasn't planning on doing this, but I need to keep your android busy for a while…" he murmured as Reed's body gradually began to relax. On the inside, Reed was panicking. He could feel the strength leaving his muscles. Only vague sounds escaped his lips as his vocal chords relaxed. What the phck did he give me? He didn't even know what drug could do this. His mind was racing a mile a minute, but he couldn't fucking move! "Don't panic, Detective. The drug alone won't kill you." That didn't help. He was breathing too fast as his eyes darted around the alley helplessly.
Morgan stopped pressing his throat. He knew he couldn't move. He tossed aside the plastic arm he'd used as a weapon. Figures he'd used an android limb to knock him down. It was hard as fuck. Morgan mumbled another apology before pressing a hand over his mouth and nose. Reed panicked, tears squeezing from the corners of his eyes as he tried to breathe. Nines! Phck, Nines! I don't want to die like this! What-the-phck? He couldn't breathe. It hurt. His chest burned. His eyes ached as they snapped wide, imploring Morgan to stop. He looked almost apologetic as his swimming vision began to tunnel. Nines…
He was too far gone to keep his eyes open. His vision was going black as he passed out from the air loss. He thought he heard something. A yelp and a scuffle of some sort. The weight left his chest. He could breathe again. His head span as he choked down air. Had Nines made it? No one knows I'm here. A good Samaritan? Some random passers-by? He was just too fucked. He couldn't move. He couldn't open his eyes. He could barely form a single thought besides his partner's name.
"You can relax, Gavin…We're going to take a little drive." It was distorted, but it was a voice he knew. He let out the smallest of sounds, barely a wheeze, as he tried to focus on the sound. Suddenly, he was met with the memories of gentle blue eyes, soft touches, and relentless teasing. It was distorted somewhat, but in the back of his mind, he was sure. That's…that's Aaron's voice…