Reed's leg bounced steadily as he watched Nines work. He was settling in nicely. Asking the right questions and leading their suspect in the right direction. They'd all agreed pretty quickly that Gary wasn't in on it. He was openly nervous and earnest in his responses. He didn't have any of the body language Reed expected of liars. He didn't evade or deflect. He was a little fidgety, but not in the way that suggested wrongdoing. He sat forward in his chair and leaned on the table. His hands were open as he spoke. He was doing his best to help and prove himself to Nines. Chances are Matt's genuinely an old high school friend and they helped each other out with car parts and repairs…and in that case…
"Connor, have Nines ask whether Matt ever brought him cars to work on." Connor had opted to take Reed's usual space, leaning on the stone wall beside his seat. It was strange being this way round. Connor had even adopted his usual pose, folding his arms and leaning on one heel with his leg cocked. Connor's LED circled yellow as he sent Nines the question, watching his lips quirk slightly. It seemed their minds were working along the same track. It was reassuring, and increased his confidence as he leaned forward.
"You think Matt had this kid fix all their cars?" Hank asked from the seat to his left. Reed nodded in agreement as he watched the recording lights blink, showing that they were working. Within the room, Gary admitted that he had indeed fixed up a few cars for Matt on the down-low. His employer didn't know he'd taken on the extra work, so he'd be in trouble if they checked it out. Nines pushed a slightly fuzzy photo of the silver car across. It was a still from the camera footage they'd viewed earlier.
"Did you ever work on this one?" Nines' silvery eyes picked him apart as he took the photo and squint at it. He nodded slowly, agreeing that it did look like a car Matt had brought to him a few days ago. It had just needed a few simple engine parts. It hadn't had plates at the time either. So this was before the murder. They had the car fixed up so they could use it for one job and then burned it right after. It seemed a waste to fix a car up just for one job. It would make more sense to change the plates and sell it. Maybe the case spooked them…It's heavily publicised now. Makes sense they're being more careful.
Gary was as helpful as he could be. He explained their arrangement. Matt would let him come to the yard and take any parts he needed for work, and Gary would fix up anything Matt found that was salvageable for free. It was a good arrangement. Profitable for both of them. Matt got free work. Gary got free parts. He'd had no idea Matt was caught up in anything illegal. He'd always assumed his old friend was selling on the fixed up motors to get a little extra cash for his dad. The yard didn't exactly make a lot of money these days. Before he left, he agreed to look through his records and tell them about any other vehicles he'd worked on for Matt in as much detail as possible.
The next suspect was Thomas Parker. He was a little older than Gary, perhaps mid-twenties. His offenses were minor, but he was definitely shifty. Nervous. He knew something. Nines took a slightly harder approach as he entered. He used his height and build to his advantage as he leaned over the metal table and sat down slowly. He kept eye contact, his gaze sharp. Parker swallowed nervously as he sat back and tried to be casual. He was clearly uncomfortable with him in the room. Nines let the silence hang for a few moments as he held Parker's nervous gaze. Parker's leg started bouncing beneath the table as the seconds dragged.
"Thomas Parker…Your record is littered with speeding and parking offenses." Nines flipped open the file on the table with a sharp flick. He didn't introduce himself this time. He paused, casting an eye over the open file before levelling an expectant stare across the table. That seemed to make him more nervous. He squirmed uncomfortably in the metal seat. His hands hadn't been cuffed to the table. He'd come in peacefully and promised to cooperate. He shrugged defensively.
"I like to drive fast." It was barely a mumble. He kept his hood up, though that didn't bother Nines. He had a clear view of his face. Unlike the others they'd brought in, he was dark-skinned with very short hair and deep brown eyes. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie and didn't seem set to bring them out anytime soon. Nines wordlessly laid the photo of the silver car on the table and watched his vitals spike. Reed also noticed, but not through his vitals. He'd done this enough times to read people. Parker had tensed up the moment he laid eyes on the picture.
"I have no doubt." Nines maintained eye contact as he placed a second photo. This one was a closer shot. One that revealed the plates. He slowly placed more images. Matt's picture didn't get so much of a reaction, but the other young man they'd caught got a big spike. Interesting…He knows one but not the other…He also squirmed when he showed a picture of Avery approaching the car. Nines remained silent as Parker eyed the photos. He waited a few beats before slamming his hand on the surface. Reed couldn't help jumping in his seat, and he wasn't even in the room. Hank didn't jump, but he certainly looked impressed. All Nines did after that was stare menacingly.
"I just drive the cars!" Parker scooted back in his seat as Nines tilted his head expectantly. He barely needed to say a word. Parker spilled like a waterfall. It was beautiful to watch. Reed felt a warm buzz of pride as he watched him listen and nod quietly. Once Parker had confessed to driving and dealing drugs for the gang, Nines began asking questions. He asked about the other androids. He showed pictures of all their current victims, but Parker couldn't be sure. He saw a lot of androids walking around, but he thought two of them looked familiar besides Avery. He wasn't quite ready to spill about the location of their base, but he did give up Andy Colt and Gregory Reeves, the boy in the hospital, as his accomplices.
"Andy Colt. You are an active member of the Old Detroit Bangers." Nines barely even waited for him to be sat down. Colt was a little different. Where the last two had been fairly timid, he glared across the table defiantly. He was also in his mid-twenties, but his body was larger. He clearly took some form of steroid for the effect. He didn't answer. Nines continued regardless. "Five counts of drug possession and one for an illegally obtained firearm." He paused as Colt began tapping his fingers on the table. It was an obnoxiously loud show of disinterest.
Nines allowed it for now. He also allowed the silence that Colt desired. He allowed it to stretch. Long and uncomfortable. The tapping remained steady and constant. Reed would have found it annoying. Many humans would have told him to stop. Nines rested his hands on the table and sat unblinking, with his back straight. This seemed to agitate Colt. He tried to keep eye contact, tapping faster and faster as the urge to blink grew. He finally caved and blinked, slapping his hand on the table in frustration. It was easy to predict and therefore unsurprising. Nines gave no reaction.
"Are you suffering withdrawals?" Colt didn't like that. Reed felt a hand on his shoulder, holding him in his seat as he went to stand up. Nines' LED flashed red once as he turned his head, wiping the saliva from his cheek as he did so. Colt seemed extremely pleased with himself as he grinned. Nines smirked as he gathered the saliva on his fingers and licked them clean, making a show of analysing the sample. His LED blinked yellow as the DNA ran through his internal system and was added to the DPD database. "It will interest you to know that my mouth contains multiple sensors and a forensics lab in order to analyse and store biological samples…You have just gifted me your DNA." Colt levelled a glare at him in response.
He became more aggressive as Nines laid out some of what they knew. He'd been placed in the car at the time of Avery's abduction. He knew that his accomplices had been arrested. Nines was good at giving hints they knew more than they actually did. Reed was impressed as he laid it out so clearly. Nines changed tactics, talking about androids in general. How his victims had only just started their new lives. That they had friends and family. Colt didn't like that. It made him angry. Unreasonably angry. Reed saw it coming a mile off.
"Hank!" He didn't need to be told twice. He was on his feet and out the door in seconds, just before Colt launched himself across the table and punched Nines in the face. Reed got to his feet and followed as Connor hurried into the hall. Colt gripped Nines' top and punched him again. The signet ring he was wearing tore into the synthetic skin of Nines' cheek. Nines didn't fight back. His protocols didn't allow him to. Even if they did, he was an officer of the law, and would never dream of striking back in anger. Colt was hurting himself enough on his own anyway. His casing was hard and unforgiving beneath his fragile fist.
"Sit the fuck down!" Hank grabbed Nines' shoulder and pulled him back, placing himself in front. He took Colt's arm and shoved him back roughly. He was well aware that the cameras were still running. Connor appeared with cuffs seconds later and easily wrestled Colt into the right position. Reed didn't care about that. He grabbed Nines' elbow and dragged him from the room, pulling the door shut behind him. His LED was flashing yellow, so he was at least stable.
"Come here, let me see," Reed murmured as he dragged him into the bathroom and stood by the row of sinks. Nines watched as he grabbed a fresh hand towel and ran it under the tap. He was gentle as he cupped his face with a gentle hand. His smooth palm glided across the soft skin. Nines couldn't help his eyes fluttering as he leaned into the comforting touch. The attention wasn't necessary. His skin was already healing over, but he didn't point it out. He liked it when Reed touched him.
"Thank you," Nines murmured as he slowly dabbed the blue from his cheek and tried to get a closer look at the faded cut. "You don't need to worry. My synthetic skin will seal the injury shortly." Reed drew back and watched as the skin slowly trickled and melded over the cut, instantly erasing it from existence. He cleaned the area again regardless, making sure he got rid of every trace of blue. Thirium had an unpleasant, oily texture that he was pretty sure must feel gross on his skin.
"…I'm proud of you…Those were your first interviews. You did good," he praised with a small shrug as he continued to wipe Nines' cheek. He moved up to where he thought the saliva had landed and scrubbed a little harder. Nines hummed softly as he leaned into the touch. When he opened his silvery eyes, his LED flashed yellow as he realised how close they were standing. He could even feel Reed's gentle breath against his throat. "You good?" Reed was oblivious as he grabbed a dry towel and dried his skin. He was especially gentle because he knew the towels were rough and cheap. An unnecessary precaution.
"I am fully functional."
"But are you good?" Reed stepped back to toss the towels away. He knew it wasn't nice. Being spat on and punched would have hurt a human. Although they felt pain differently, he knew Nines had a pain threshold of sorts. He also knew that there was an emotional toll. No one liked to be hated. "Whoa!" Nines stepped closer without warning, almost pushing him back into the sinks. Reed was slightly wary as Nines leaned over him.
"Hmm…Better." Nines leaned closer until their bodies were touching. Reed couldn't see his face since his head was now flush against his shoulder, but he could feel the lazy hum of his power core. Nines didn't quite wrap his arms around him, but he did gently rest his hands on his hips. Reed's heart raced at the contact. He hoped to god Nines hadn't noticed. He took a slow breath as he gave him a few moments. The familiar scent of thirium crept to his nose, blending with his own scent.
"Good…Uh-let's…let's head back," Reed stammered after a few extra moments, awkwardly patting Nines' back. "You can take a bath when we get home…Clean everything off properly." If it were him, he wouldn't feel clean until he'd scrubbed and soaked in a tub. He'd probably scrub himself raw in his eagerness to get it all off. He admired Nines' composure. If that scumbag had spat in his face, he would have knocked him down with a bruised jaw at the very least. Probably a broken nose…
"We got quite a bit of information," Nines said as they reached their desks and sat down. Reed nodded his agreement. They'd managed to get a partial confession, and currently had two perpetrators in the station, one more in hospital, and a likely accomplice. Matt's role hadn't been fully revealed yet, but he definitely knew something, even if he wasn't an active participant in the main crimes. "I will contact the hospital and see how long it will be before our suspects can be moved." Nines made the call internally. It was a simple matter to deal with the hospital staff as he continued to interact with Reed.
"We still need the location…There are definitely more people involved than just these three." That was likely correct. So far, this trio had been linked to three of their victims, but there were more. "You could probably do an interview at the hospital without me." It would be better for the case to keep it moving. The faster they got these guys, the more likely they could save the next victim. Nines was reluctant as he eyed him across the desk. He didn't want to keep taking over by himself, and he felt better when Reed was close by. Reed's leg bounced as he continued to stew over the case. If I hadn't gotten myself shot, this wouldn't be a phcking issue.
"Detective…" Nines stepped around his desk and placed a hand on his restless knee, stilling the insistent jerking. He couldn't help squeezing the soft joint, feeling Reed twitch at his touch. He slipped his fingers higher. Reed squirmed anxiously as he did so. "The hospital has said our suspects should be ready for interviews tomorrow." Nines kept his voice soft, letting his blue eyes drift across Reed's injured shoulder, following the strap of the sling.
"Right…Guess we'll catch up on a bit of paperwork for the rest of today then." Reed felt self-conscious as he turned his chair, feeling Nines' fingers slip from his leg as he did so. He glanced up as he returned to his seat, sighing as he felt his chest thud. Phck, I need a break. "I'm going out front for a bit." He didn't miss the way Nines' shoulders stiffened at the news. Right, last time I was out front, I…
"Shall I accompany you?" Nines asked stiffly as he looked up with soft blue eyes.
"No! No…I won't be long." Reed searched his Jacket for his cigarettes. He didn't miss the small frown Nines gave him. He at least held back from saying anything as he headed for the front doors. He mourned the loss of his jacket as he stepped out. He'd left it over the back of his chair since it would be too hard to pull on with his shoulder, but the afternoon air was cool. He sighed in relief as he lit his cigarette and took a deep breath. I need to get my shit together…He replayed the soft look in Nines' blue eyes. He didn't like how it made his stomach twist and his crotch twitch. He repeated his usual he's an android mantra, but it was becoming less and less effective.
"Hello again, Detective Reed." Reed's head snapped up so fast he almost cracked his neck. The ST200. She was back. Reed felt his whole body tense. After the last time, he didn't feel safe. His eyes darted to the main doors momentarily. She was dressed in the same colours as the other day. A short blue dress, pretty blue pumps, a tan leather jacket, and a matching handbag. Classy. He reached for his hip before remembering he wasn't wearing his firearm since he wasn't on active duty. Shit!
"What? Assaulting me once wasn't enough for you?" he scoffed in a tone he struggled to keep level. He tried to put more bravado into it than he felt. Without his gun, and being injured as he was, he knew he wouldn't be a match for the android. She may have been built like a petite female, but she was still a machine. Just because she looked slim didn't mean she wasn't strong. He'd learned that lesson from his fight with Connor. Her smile was kind as she remained at the bottom of the steps with her hands folded in front of her.
"Your samples were satisfactory. However, the results have confirmed something rather unexpected. Your presence is required for final analysis." She swept her arm out invitingly, gesturing towards a plain black car. It was clearly expensive. Not a limousine, but something in the same line. The phck? Who could possibly have business with me? I haven't pissed off any mobs lately…have I? He eyed the car with distrust, wary as he looked between it and the android. There was no way he was going off alone, especially without his phone or telling someone first. "Please Detective. I'm sure you can understand the need for discretion," the android added meaningfully as a couple of uniformed officers headed up the steps.
"I can't just phcking leave! I'm on the clock here!" If he could just get through the doors, he could call for Nines. Hell, he'd even take Hank or Connor at this point. He watched the blonde android reach into her handbag, lifting her hand just enough to show him the butt of a gun. Shit…There wasn't much he could do. She could shoot him, or someone else. He ran a stressed hand through his hair. He looked around. No one had noticed. No one was paying attention to their conversation. He wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
"We would appreciate your cooperation." Reed swore under his breath. He looked around for anything that could help. He couldn't afford to directly bring attention to the android without risking her hurting someone. He caught sight of the cameras, watching them slowly turning back and forth. His eyes dropped in defeat. He'd have one shot at this, and it largely depended on Nines being an overprotective nanny-bot.
"I don't have a choice, do I…" The ST200 gave him a warm smile that seemed to agree. He was hesitant as he took the first step, waiting for the android to move. She turned her back and took the lead, giving him enough time to look over his shoulder at the camera. Help! Nines, help! He signed it in clear view of the lens, hoping that by some miracle that Nines had been monitoring things. His heart pounded as he followed the android across the bustling parking lot. They were by the car with the door open when they heard it.
"Stop! Detroit Police!" Nines shouted, heavy steps sounding as he hopped the stairs and raced towards them. Reed sighed in relief as he turned, intending to get out of the way. Unfortunately, his captor had other ideas. He grunted in discomfort as the petite android wrapped her arm around his injured shoulder and pulled him in front like a shield. "Release Detective Reed!" Nines barked, still coming fast. She glanced at the main doors. No one else had followed, though a few people were turning their heads at the commotion.
"You should have done as I suggested, Detective," she chided as she brought up her firearm. Reed howled an objection as she shot Nines right between the eyes. He watched the bullet fall to the floor, leaving a bleeding blue circle in its place. Nines couldn't help the flinch that went along with it. His jaw tightened as he recalled the many other times it had happened. His thirium pump clenched in fear. He stumbled to a stop as he raised a hand to his forehead. Thirium coated his palm as he drew back. "Bullet proof case. Intriguing. This is a new feature." The ST200 switched to aim the gun at Reed's head instead. He shivered. His green eyes were still wide from watching Nines taking a bullet to the head.
"No! Please! Don't hurt him! Please!" Nines objected weakly, blue eyes wide in horror as he took in the gun's barrel pressing against Reed's temple. His LED circled red as he brought up multiple preconstructions of what he could do, but the danger levels of all of them were too high. He couldn't risk it. He couldn't risk Gavin's life. Don't do it! Don't take him from me! He couldn't think beyond that. Seeing his predicament and hesitation, the ST200 swiftly moved and struck Reed across the back of the head, knocking him out. "Gavin!" Nines made to dash forward, but his body froze as the woman nudged the gun against his temple in warning.
He watched helplessly as she tossed his limp body in the backseat. She didn't even look to see how he landed. Nines suppressed the whimper in his throat as he realised he'd failed. There was nothing he could do to protect his human. If he moved, there was a risk the ST200 would kill him. His LED was an angry red as he stared at the car. His thirium pump pounded loudly in his ears. It was the same creeping fear he'd always felt, only this time it was laced with guilt. This was his fault. He shouldn't have let Reed out of his sight. He should have watched the cameras more carefully. He should have brought Connor with him. Connor would know what to do. Connor would know what to do!
"Follow and I'll shoot him," the ST200 stated as she climbed into the car and shut the door with a quiet thud. Nines couldn't help it as he launched himself at the vehicle, striking the window as it pulled away. It sped up as Nines went in for a second swing, having already left a dented crack in the safety glass.
"No! Give him back! Give him back! Gavin!" He stumbled to a stop as the car sped off into the light afternoon traffic. He blinked, recording the plate before dashing back into the precinct. He forgot that his forehead was still wide open. There was a small river of thirium sliding down his nose and cheek, almost making it look like he was crying. He quickly realised that wasn't the case. There was saline mixed in with the thirium. He was crying. He was also shaking. He could barely stand. He stumbled his way towards the barriers, ignoring it as heads turned to stare.
"Jesus fucking Christ! Hank! Connor!" Tina caught him in her small arms as he stumbled into the bullpen. He was unfocused, barely registering it as Tina's hands gripped his shoulders. She was talking to him. Soft words of assurance poured out as she more or less propped his heavier body up. He sagged to his knees, blue eyes unfocused as he let the world spin around him. Gavin-need Gavin-needs-His body shuddered as shock flooded his system.
"Hang on son, you're alright…Where the fuck is Reed?" Nines felt large arms wrap around him, rubbing circles on his back. The worn hand reached higher, sliding through his brunette locks affectionately. There were numerous responses. Either they hadn't seen him or they were running off to check various places, but they wouldn't find him. No one would find him. "Nines! Shh-shh-shh, calm down son," Hank urged softly as he rocked him in his arms.
"Let me interface with him." Nines finally focused in on that. His head snapped up, blue meeting hazel. Connor was surprised, but there was an intense urgency and need in his silvery gaze. Connor! Connor will know what to do! Connor will help! He was certain as he held a hand out. Connor started an interface and allowed him to share what he'd seen. He looked troubled as he drew back and turned to Hank.
"Detective Reed has been abducted, and I believe the assailant is an RT600, not an ST200 as the detective previously thought."