The lack of action was both a blessing and a curse. With things so quiet, Gavin assumed the FBI were close. Too close to risk going out in public. Although he hadn't seen the Hickory Killer, he knew for a fact that Jack hadn't left the grounds. He'd barely left his side at all, which made escaping a distant dream. The domesticity of it was hard to handle. They slept together, woke up together, ate meals, read books, watched TV, and went out in the garden. Kitty was even allowed out of her room, though she shied away from Jack and often hid away upstairs. She was smart. She knew better than to make a ruckus and try to escape by herself. If anything happened, it would be on Gavin's terms.
As time wore on, Gavin couldn't help but wonder how close the FBI was to finding them. The fact they were hidden away suggested it was too dangerous to risk them being seen. The Hickory Killer also hadn't brought him any new targets to kill. Why not? Was it the house? Was it too close to civilization to risk it? There wasn't a basement, and the walls were like those of any other house, so a gunshot would draw attention. It wouldn't be the first time I had to kill without a gun, though...Perhaps it was the house itself he didn't want to ruin. Blood would leave a terrible mess on the cream carpets. This might be a temporary base, borrowed or rented, that the Hickory Killer intended to hand back in good condition.
He might also be biding his time. Looking for the perfect target to make him actually want to-Gavin shuddered at the thought. There was no way he'd ever want to kill someone. He thought about it sometimes, sure. Some people were evil beyond redemption and it was tempting, but he knew for a fact he'd feel shitty afterwards if he ever followed through. He tried not to think about those he'd killed more recently and the conflicting feelings that brought. If he thought about them, he thought about what happened afterwards. The praise and the pleasure that brought. The prickles across his skin and swirls in his stomach. If he thought about it too much, it would make him feel sick.
After a few days of nothing, he was beginning to relax a little. He felt more comfortable and at ease in the new house, which could probably be put down to the freedom that came with it. Being able to go where he liked, even outside, was a massive change. Feeling the sun warm his skin was also a rare treat. He'd gone outside every day since their arrival, though he could never stay out too long. It was freezing, even when it was sunny. Seeing Kitty was also reassuring. They never talked about leaving. It didn't feel safe with Jack so close all the time. Even if they couldn't speak freely, it was still reassuring, being able to see and touch her. If she was within arm's reach, he could keep her safe. That was the illusion, anyway.
Having let his guard down, it was a nasty shock when the Hickory Killer finally showed up again. He was sitting at the breakfast bar as if he'd always been there, masked as always. Gavin wasn't sure whose benefit it was for at this point. Was he hiding his face in case he escaped? Was there something wrong with his face? Did the thought of being seen make him nervous? Or was it a psychological move to keep him on edge? Perhaps seeing his face would make him less imposing and take away the mystique. Removing the mask would also mean he'd have to speak with his own voice. He'd done it once. The memory sent prickles across his skin. Maybe I should be grateful he's wearing that thing...
"Gavin, you look well." That was true enough. Finally getting air and being able to go outside had returned a little colour to his cheeks. It also gave him more space to exercise, so he'd regained a little muscle, too. Gavin remained frozen in the doorway where his steps had first faltered upon seeing the Hickory Killer casually sitting there. Feeling those blue eyes upon him, Gavin stammered. He was probably expecting an answer to that. "This is one of my nicer retreats. I'm glad to see you're enjoying it." Enjoying was a strong word, considering he didn't have a choice in being there. It occurred to him again that he should probably say something, lest the silence fester.
"U-uh...sure." The Hickory Killer seemed satisfied with that as he chuckled and got to his feet.
"You should get ready, Gavin. I have a gift for you." He didn't like the sound of that. Get ready suggested they were going somewhere. That never boded well for him. Nor did the suggestion of a gift. A sick feeling swelled in the pit of his stomach and an icy shiver ran through his body despite the warmth of the house. The Hickory Killer stood, and Gavin fought to remain in place as he approached. Every instinct was telling him to stumble back and get away, but he knew better than to show how scared he was. He trembled as a leather clad hand stroked his cheek, a clear sign he'd either come in from outside or was on his way out. "Don't look so nervous. This is the best one yet." I phcking doubt that...
Like it or not, he didn't have any choice but to go along with it. He remained in the doorway as the Hickory Killer left, quietly wondering why he'd entered in the first place. Was it lunchtime? Was that why he'd gone to the kitchen? Or was he planning to go outside? He certainly felt like he needed air after that. He didn't even think about grabbing a jacket as he stepped out onto the patio, feeling his chest clench with the cold straight away. His teeth chattered as he folded his arms and walked across the grass so he could stare down at the koi in the pond. It felt unfair somehow that they were so free when they had less space than he did.
"Gavin!" He ignored the call, unsurprised as muffled steps approached. "What are you thinking, coming out here without a jacket? You'll catch a death!" Jack slipped the leather layer over his shoulders, smiling softly as Gavin grudgingly pulled it closer. It was a thin barrier, but it still helped a little. His question didn't need an answer. They both knew he hadn't thought. Instinct had carried him outside. The overpowering desire to get away, and the desperate need for air. It was lucky he was wearing shoes considering how quickly he'd left. Was I planning on coming out here? "Do you need anything before we leave?" He felt sick at the reminder, but knew better than to keep the Hickory Killer waiting. Phck, it'll be better to get it over with.
"I-I'm good." If Jack spotted it for the lie it was, he gave no reaction. Cool lips touched his temple in the usual comforting manner, and a hand on his hip gently steered him back towards the house. His heart thrummed like a bird as Jack gripped his upper arm and walked him into the attached garage. Smart. A closed in garage meant no one would see him being led out to the car. The windows in the back were blacked out, hiding him from prying eyes. Jack took the driver's seat and waited patiently until the Hickory Killer slipped in beside Gavin in the back. They're not bringing Kitty? He wasn't sure if that was good or bad. It was less risky, that's for sure. A well-timed scream in traffic could cause all sorts of problems.
"The terms remain unchanged, Gavin. You understand that, don't you?" Gavin swallowed, getting the message loud and clear. Kitty wasn't safe just because she'd been left behind. Whether he was planning on killing her when they got back or kept a kill switch in his pocket, her life was still in the balance. He nodded, dropping his eyes to his lap as leather clad fingers stroked through his hair. "Good boy." Anticipation and anxiety warred in his chest as Jack pulled out of the garage and left the small mansion behind. Where were they going? What would they make him do when they got there? Why did the Hickory Killer seem so pleased with himself? He seemed sure he'd enjoy it this time. Why was he so confident?
The answer became apparent once the car stopped and Jack let him out. He remained close, but didn't hold his arm as he did when walking him to the car. Either he trusted that he wouldn't run away, or he knew it was a pointless effort. It could be either, looking at their surroundings. There was nothing but rundown, rusted storage containers as far as the eye could see. It wasn't an unusual sight around the older docks. It was cheaper to leave things like this behind than to clean it up and get it recycled. There wasn't another soul for miles, which explained why no one had come to help the man currently screaming blue murder from one of the containers. Horror struck as the Hickory Killer led the way along the old dirt path towards the familiar voice.
"Help! Can anybody hear me? Get me out of here!" It sounded a little muffled, trapped within the metal walls of his current prison, but Gavin knew that voice. He thought he was going to be sick as they stopped outside a rusting blue container that had been bolted from the outside. Part of him wanted to believe it couldn't be true. How could he go missing and no one notice? He was an active detective! His partner must have reported him missing by now. Unless they got him on his day off...That was possible, maybe even likely.
"I said you'd like this one." His heart about stopped at the reminder. He really thought that? It was true he was an asshole and few people would miss him. The man had hounded him for years, accused him of just about every crime in the book and looked at him like dirt on the bottom of his shoe, but that didn't mean he wanted to kill him! "You should be grateful. I had to take the utmost care in procuring him." It was sick the way he talked about him, like an item he'd bought at the store. "You know as well as I do that his record is far from clean." Sure, he's a dirty cop looking for profit, but that doesn't mean I want to-His gut clenched as the Hickory Killer unbolted the door and threw it open.
Roger Yates looked the same as always. Overweight and barely fitting in his cheap suit, greying and balding, with steely grey eyes that offered nothing but judgement and disgust. He squinted from his place in the middle of the container, wincing against the blinding light and turning his face away with a grunt. His dry lips sneered in disgust as his eyes adjusted enough to recognise Gavin standing in the doorway. The worst part was that he seemed unsurprised to see him. It was almost like he'd expected it.
"You! I knew it! You're working together!" Struggling was useless, but it didn't stop him from squirming in the chair he'd been tied to. The legs scooted across the metal floor, almost falling with his weight as he rocked. "I told them! I told them you hadn't been kidnapped! This was your plan from the start, wasn't it? How long have you been working with him? Explains why it's taking the FBI so long to catch him!"
"N-no! You've got it wrong! That's not-" Gavin shook his head, green eyes wide in horror as Yates continued spitting venom at him. He'd changed since his teenage years. He wasn't like that anymore. Luckily, he knew Nines and the others would never believe that sort of thing. But what if they do? Doubt tugged his senses. Would they really still believe in him after they found Yates' body?
"See? Just as I said. The perfect target." Yates wasn't the perfect target! Just because he didn't like him, didn't mean he wanted to see him dead. Just because Yates was a bullying piece of shit who made people miserable and took the odd bribe, didn't mean he deserved to die. "A corrupt detective...Do you know how many deaths he's responsible for?" Deaths? He knew he was corrupt, but who'd died because of it? "He's very clever, really...By accepting bribes from all sides and feeding them information, many gangs have been able to flourish. More scuffles means more profits. What does it matter if a few youngsters die along the way? They're only gang members, after all." Heat roared in Gavin's chest. Much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that's exactly the sort of shit Yates would say.
"Hey! I do my part to clean up the streets!" The Hickory Killer laughed out loud at that. Gavin hated that it was Aaron's laugh. Aaron shouldn't sound so cold. "What? You think you can judge me, you murdering perverts? Don't think I don't know how you get off on shit like this!" Gavin balked, feeling lightheaded as memories of creeping fingers came to mind. Stroking him. Squeezing him. Bringing him to life in the worst way possible. "Fowler should have listened to me years ago! I always knew you were a no-good murderer!"
"I-I'm not! You've got it wrong, I-" He felt incredibly small as Yates cut loose on him. It was like being a kid again, scared to put one toe out of line and risk Yates coming after him. Sneaking around, wary of every friendly face on campus. Getting Jack and Tina to walk with him everywhere and check his locker to make sure nothing had been planted to get him in trouble.
"Here...Take your time. Enjoy it!" The gun felt heavy in his hand as he took it. Checking the chamber, he found it ready as always. A full magazine. The thought that he might turn on his companions was fleeting. No doubt they were ready for such a betrayal, and with Kitty's life in the balance, he couldn't risk it. Gavin felt somewhat lost as he held the gun, unable to bring himself to raise it. Could he really do it? Kill one of his own? What would happen if he refused? You know what'll happen. They'll both die! It was a good thing the Hickory Killer was enjoying this one. True to his word, he didn't push him. He also didn't help.
"Enjoy it, huh? Figures you're a sick fuck like him!" I'm not! I'm not like him! Stop saying that! Gavin wasn't sure if it made him scared or angry to hear such things. Yates had always talked shit about him and tried to get him in trouble. It shouldn't surprise him to hear shit like that coming out of his mouth, even though it hurt. "Well? What are you waiting for, you twisted piece of shit! Or don't you have the stones for it?" It wasn't a case of having the stones for it. His morals were the problem.
"There's no need to feel bad about it, Gavin...You know as well as I do that he deserves it. Think of all he's done to you over the years...He almost got your young friend in trouble, too." Was he talking about Stan? How did he know about that? Probably the same way he knows about everything else. Nothing ever escaped his notice. Gavin swallowed nervously, green eyes darting from the barrel of his gun to Yates' bound body. "It feels good, doesn't it? To finally have him where he belongs." He hated that he was right. Despite the grim situation, he was getting a bit of a kick out of seeing Yates bound and at his mercy. It was about time he was taken down a peg or two. But this isn't the way!
"Fowler and Anderson always were the soft sort. I should have put a bullet in your head back then and saved us all the trouble!" That hurt. Hadn't he proven himself over the years? He'd worked hard at the academy, and raised to the rank of sergeant. I'm his phcking superior! And it counted for nothing? What about all the cases he'd solved? The people he'd saved? The fact he'd cleaned up his act and actively advocated for equality? Yates isn't the type to care about androids though...
"See how he disrespects you, even after all this time? I bet he doesn't even see you as his superior." Probably not. The scoff confirmed it.
"The only superior thing about him is his ability to lie! All this time, I bet you've been thick as thieves! Did you plan it all together? When did it start? Four years ago, when you murdered your partner?" Gavin's hand tightened on the grip, raising it higher. He'd take a lot of shit, but that? Accusing him of that? His throat ached at the memory. Grief. Screaming until his throat was raw. The smell of dust. The tolling of the bell. Blood dripping from Jack's temples. Tears stung his eyes and his lips quivered. "Were you involved before that? Did you plan it together? Is that how you get your rocks off?" Gavin felt sick. He never thought that anyone could think such things of him.
"What will it be, Gavin? Will you give Detective Yates what he deserves, or..." He didn't need to finish that sentence. They both knew Kitty was as good as dead if he refused. Steeling himself, Gavin raised the gun, aiming right between Yates' eyes. The least he could do was make it quick. Yates seemed more nervous than before, squirming and pulling the ropes that tied him down. His eyes were like steel as he glared, gritting his teeth in a mixture of fear and anger.
"You worthless little shit! You think you'll get away with this? Those RK androids will hunt you down like the dog you are and show everyone exactly what you are! A conniving murderer! You're the same scumbag gangbanger that I arrested years ago! You'll never change! Once a murdering piece of shit, always a-" Gavin yelled, unsure whether he was forming words or just wailing to make him shut up. Tears stained his cheeks. He flinched. A gunshot cracked, filling the small container with a deafening bang that make his ears ring with a high-pitched whine. The world was still muffled as the gun fell from his limp hand. He stumbled back, unable to make out the words as a set of powerful arms caught him.