Nines tried not to stare too much as Mrs Dawson walked through the precinct. She was still as lovely as she looked in the photo on Gavin's desk. Soft honey hair and creamy skin, though the perfection was likely down to makeup. The difference was that she wasn't smiling. Why would she? Her husband had been murdered over four years ago, and now her daughter was missing. He noticed her reddened eyes flick to his desk, possibly searching for Gavin and wondering why he hadn't greeted her. Their eyes met, and Nines dropped his gaze to the keyboard. Hank was with her, speaking in gruff tones and apologising for making her go through everything with them again. She'd already spoken to officers at another precinct, but since Hank and Connor were assisting the FBI, they wanted to conduct an interview themselves.

Nines' LED span yellow as he considered listening in. For his model, it would be easy to hack the interview room cameras without notice. Even Connor wouldn't know. It was against protocol, and he was strictly off the case. Gavin would likely disapprove, reminding him to trust their colleagues to get the job done. I have been trusting them, and they have yet to deliver...With that in mind, Nines hacked the cameras. It was unlikely she'd have any useful information pertaining to Gavin, but perhaps her experience at the movie theatre could point to some small piece of evidence.

"Sorry to drag you all the way here, Sandy. I know it's been a rough few years." Sandy nodded silently, something in the tightness of her lips suggesting she was holding back. Perhaps she was. It had been a rough few years, and no one had checked in on her. Gavin had been too ashamed as the reason for her husband's death. It was understandable he'd distanced himself, but likely difficult for Mrs Dawson to accept. As far as he could tell, Gavin had been a large presence in her life since Jack's college days. He was the godfather of her only child. She'd lost two people that day.

"I didn't see Gavin on the way in...You still haven't found him?" So, she'd heard about the disappearance. It had been on the news some months ago, but the case hadn't been updated with the media since. More interesting things had come along, though perhaps he might be mentioned again in conjunction with Kitty's disappearance. Hank waved Sandy to a seat and Connor joined him, giving her a small nod of greeting as they sat.

"Unfortunately not..." Hank looked aged and worn as he responded, his expression grim as he sat back. "We believe there's a chance that Kitty's disappearance may be connected. We're working with the FBI, gathering information while the agents are looking into other matters." That was an evasive way of saying the FBI wasn't actively involved just yet. Colin and Perkins were still away, likely finishing up whatever case they were working on out of state before coming back. Sandy nodded, clearly missing the negative undertones of that statement. Hearing the FBI were involved at all gave her hope that her daughter's disappearance was being taken seriously.

"Where should I start?" She'd tell them anything if it would bring Kitty home.

"How about Kitty's social habits? We know she was out with some school friends. Do you know if she's been in contact with anyone else online? Someone who could have lured her away that night?" It was an avenue Nines hadn't considered. Knowing she was out with a particular group, it made sense that they would stay together. However, an outsider luring her away wasn't beyond the realm of possibility. Sandy sucked in her bottom lip, but eventually shook her head.

"None that I know of...She hasn't mentioned any new friends or boyfriends. Recently, she's been obsessed with a boy in her class...He's a nice boy, but as far as I know, she hasn't worked up the courage to talk to him." Hank elicited the name anyway, mainly to cross him off the list. None of them truly thought this boy had anything to do with it. Was it possible the Hickory Killer had spoofed his number somehow to trick her into believing he'd called her? Unlikely, but possible. Nines put it at a less than five percent possibility.

"Do you believe she could have been talking to someone online? Someone she wouldn't tell you about?" It wasn't unusual for minors to keep such secrets. There was an internet crimes division dedicated to catching predators for a reason. They could be very charming and convincing, often understanding the attention these youngsters desired, especially those approaching puberty. Kitty could have been looking for a father figure, or felt she was more mature than her age and allowed herself to be trapped. Sandy winced, clearly not liking the direction this was taking. "No one's suggesting you took your eye off the ball and allowed it to happen, just if you believe it's possible with the level of freedom she has online."

"I don't...I don't think so...I probably don't check up on her as often as I should. I like to give her that trust and freedom. She's very open about her life. We both are." That made sense, considering their traumatic past. It was perhaps commendable that Sandy gave her daughter such freedom and trust. Making online activity feel constricted may encourage secretive behaviour. "I know she has online friends. She even went to visit one of them last year, after multiple video calls between us and her parents." That was promising. The fact Kitty knew her mother would allow her to explore such friendships made it more likely she would tell her about any new friends.

"Alright, so setting aside the likelihood of her being lured away, can you think of anything else? Have you noticed anyone new hanging around the area? A new car on your street? A new neighbour walking by? Someone who keeps turning up at the same places you do?" Sandy, understandably, seemed unsettled by the question. She squirmed in her seat, blue eyes darting around as if searching. She shook her head, sighing softly as she leaned her elbows on the table.

"I really can't think of any..." Just because she didn't notice, didn't mean it hadn't happened.

"Do you have a ring camera, or other such device that monitors your property and the surrounding area?" Connor raised a good point. Such footage could give them the answers they sought. She did have security cameras. Jack had installed them, worried about any criminals looking for payback and tracking him down. He was cautious like that. Upon request, Sandy agreed that Connor was welcome to visit the property to get the footage. Anything to get her daughter back.

"Tell me about the night Kitty disappeared." Sandy squirmed again. Going over it was painful.

"She asked me earlier that day if she could go out with her friends. I agreed that she could, so she got the bus to the Plaza." Nines tilted his head curiously. Kitty had disappeared from a late screening. Had she been out all day then?

"Do you know that for a fact?" Sandy nodded.

"There's a stop just down the street. She always gets the bus to go to the Plaza from there." So, she was going by knowledge of her habits rather than actually seeing her get on the bus. They could likely confirm with her friends later that she'd arrived by bus. They knew she'd met her friends anyway, so that part wasn't important. Hank nodded for her to continue. "I heard from her a few times. She's good like that. When she met her friends, she sent me a selfie of them all together." Sandy smiled tearfully as she pulled out her phone and scrolled to the right picture. Connor's eyes softened at the sight. All five girls were bundled up in warm jackets, making peace signs and leaning in for the camera with wide grins. "I wasn't worried once I knew they were together. They went to the mall and bought some new clothes, and they got burgers and crepes." Kitty had sent running commentary with pictures throughout the day. She'd clearly had a lot of fun with her friends.

"She looks great," Hank gruffed with a fond smile. He hadn't seen her since she was seven or eight. She'd grown and blossomed since then, just hitting the edge of puberty. Her hair was a little darker than he remembered, which happened sometimes as kids grew. Sandy seemed fit to burst into tears as she thanked him and looked down at the phone. "You said they caught the late show at the movies. How did that come about?" Since they were there in the afternoon, they could have gone to an earlier one.

"They wanted to stay out...I got a message from her when they were in a steak house near the mall asking if she could. They're good girls, and they planned on staying inside the Plaza while they waited, so I didn't see the harm. Since the movie would finish so late, I said they could stay out so long as I picked them up afterwards." Hank nodded along. That made sense. The buses would have stopped by then, and even if they hadn't, you got all sorts riding at night. "She sent me a picture of her ticket and popcorn just before they went in." Her lips trembled as she spoke of it. It had been a good day. A wonderful day. It was so close to the end. So close to the time she would have picked her up and taken her home. "I was already driving to the Plaza ready to pick them up when Abbie called to tell me Kitty had gone missing. I was so close that I told them to wait for me so I could tell the staff." Tears slipped out as she spoke. Perhaps if she'd told Abbie to alert the staff sooner. Perhaps if she'd turned up earlier.

"This wasn't your fault." Sandy nodded at Hank's kind words.

"They didn't find anything. We all looked from top to bottom. My baby was gone!" Connor's LED span yellow as he pulled a packet of tissues from his inside pocket and held it out. Sandy took it with thanks, shoulders shuddering as she sobbed and pulled it open. "Please find her!" The look on her face was heart wrenching. Hank's lips thinned as he reached across the table and patted her arm. He wouldn't say it. He never offered false reassurance.

"I promise we'll do all we can." Connor had learned well, promising only what he knew they could deliver. Questions about the movie theatre itself would be saved for those working there. Sandy's part was done. Connor offered to see her to the bathrooms so she could clean up and compose herself while Hank tucked in their chairs and returned to his desk. He looked grim as he sat, staring blankly at his terminal. Dealing with kids sucked. It was harder when you knew them. He didn't want to let Sandy down. Not after Jack. Maybe if he'd been on his game back then he could have stopped it before it got this far. He could have been running that case. Should have been running that case. Instead, Gavin had been saddled with it and they'd ended up here.

A few minutes later, Connor returned with Sandy in tow. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were flushed, but the tears had stopped and been washed off. He was soft as always as he led her to his desk, speaking in hushed tones about how she could contact him, day or night. Sandy thanked him sweetly, waiting patiently as he arrived at his desk and found a small card to give her. They all had them. Business cards with their emails and phone numbers. Sandy accepted the card and looked down at the DPD logo with Connor's name.

"If you remember anything, please call." The next thing to sort out was getting the footage from her home cameras. They weren't wirelessly accessible, so Connor agreed he would drive her home and get the footage himself. It was as she was waiting for Connor to get ready that she got her first proper look at Nines. His LED span yellow as he noticed the shocked look on her face. It made sense. He was almost identical to Connor, only meaner looking. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is my brother, Nines. Gavin's partner." Nines' head snapped up at that.

"You're almost identical..."

"I am the upgraded model." The words slipped out automatically. He felt uncertain as she laughed.

"Definitely brothers." Something sad filled her eyes as she took in the setup of his desk. "This used to be my husband's desk..." She sniffled as she stroked the edge, smiling as she took in the cheerful cactus. It had flowered. Yellow petals. Petals Gavin never got the chance to see. Moving around, she looked at Gavin's desk, brow furrowing as she caught sight of the picture tucked away in the corner of his desk. "He kept this?" She picked up the large picture, touching the surface of the glass as she recalled a moment lost in time.

"He did." She smiled sadly as she set the photo down again.

"I thought he forgot us when he didn't call." Somehow, knowing he'd chosen not to call made it worse.

"I cannot speak for him, but I know Sergeant Reed suffered an extreme sense of guilt from the incident. I believe he was...ashamed." Swallowing hard, Sandy nodded. From her vitals, Nines guessed she understood the circumstances of her husband's death. She didn't seem surprised. That she hadn't reached out to Gavin either suggested his hesitancy may have been warranted. Nines could only hope that this time the blame went where it truly belonged. "Since the Hickory Killer's return, Sergeant Reed has put his all into assisting the FBI in their endeavour to track him down." She was pleased to hear it.

"I'm sorry. This must be difficult for you, too...I know how close partners can be." Perhaps she knew something of Gavin's feelings back then. Nines nodded stiffly. She was correct. Gavin's disappearance was extremely difficult. "I hope he comes back soon."

"Thank you. I hope he brings your daughter with him." Sandy gave him a tearful smile of thanks before Connor gently ushered her away. Nines watched her go with an odd sensation swelling in his chest. Perhaps it was empathy for the loss they shared. Of everyone he'd met, Mrs Dawson might understand him the most, having lost her husband to the same killer. It was unlikely, but perhaps she could be a potential ally in his search. Connecting to the network, he downloaded her contact details on the off chance that he may need them one day.

Things didn't look promising so far. Sandy had given them no new information besides Kitty's schedule prior to the movie. Her friends had given no significant details during their initial interviews either. The movie theatre staff also had nothing significant to offer, and their grainy camera footage had been unhelpful. The feed only covered the foyer and emergency exits, and the cameras for one of those had been inactive. That was likely by design. The Hickory Killer was good with cameras.

Making Kitty's disappearance public had also brought few definitive leads. Only a few customers from the movie theatre had come forward to say they had seen her, and they didn't recall seeing anyone with her besides her friends. They also had to be wary of false information from those members of the public eager to be involved in a high-profile case. A false lead could throw them off for days. With any luck, the FBI would have more resources to aid in the search.