
Terminator
"Detective Reed..." Reed blinked at the sound of that deep, silken rumble, and looked up to see Connor just slipping into his chair. The RK900 had hesitated a foot or so from his desk, standing stiffly with his hands behind his back. Reed clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked up at him with a guarded expression, which looked more like disdain with his natural resting face. "May I sit down?" the RK900 asked with programmed politeness, gesturing to the empty chair that Hank had dusted off. Reed rolled closer to his own desk and hunched over his terminal slightly to limit his view of Jack's desk.
"It's your desk." It wasn't the RK900's desk. It was Jack's desk, only Jack wasn't there to use it anymore. Their partnership would be the same. A temporary arrangement. As soon as that android got experienced enough, he'd hand it off to someone else and go back to minding his own damned business. Jack was his partner. He'd never be anyone else's. There was a loud creak as the RK900 settled in the disused chair and began adjusting it to his own height. He was taller than Jack. The seat would need to be a little higher. There was a sharp whine as the chair lengthened to accommodate his taller, heavier body.
"What are our current cases, Detective?" Reed barely spared him a glance of indifference. Maybe it was best that the RK900 was so impersonal. No niceties. No pleasantries. Get straight down to business and get the job done. Maybe that attitude wouldn't be so bad to work with. Just for a little while...
"You have a terminal right there," Reed replied dismissively as he waved at the computer. The android said nothing further for the time being as he booted up the terminal. Reed's eyes moved to his inbox as he got an email from Dr Marr. She wanted to extend his session tomorrow. Of course she does. She knows I just got hit with this shit. He swallowed his resentment as he chewed his lip and agreed. It wasn't like he had a choice. "Reed." He sounded annoyed as he picked up the phone and listened to the officer on the other end with a few nods. They'd tracked a man who'd taken an automated taxi near the apartment the night the PL500 model got butchered. He still remembered that one. Naked android. Hazel eyes. Connor's eyes.
"His name is Graham Bolton, and I've already sent the address to your cell." Reed liked that. Efficiency. He thanked the officer before hanging up and grabbing his jacket and keys, eager to get out on the road. By the time Hank called after him, he was already more than halfway across the bullpen. He turned back impatiently, seeing him leaning back in his chair while Connor typed away, looking a lot more human than his creepy double as he did so.
"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Hank prompted meaningfully as he nodded across his desk. Reed followed his nod to the imposing RK900, who had remained seated at his desk. His LED was spinning yellow, silvery blue eyes fixed on his terminal, patiently waiting to be called. Reed clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked him up and down. He didn't want, or need, that thing following him around like a damned hunting dog. Didn't have much choice though.
"Phcking androids..." he sighed under his breath, noting the way the RK900's LED blipped yellow .again almost nervously. "Alright, Terminator, let's go." Reed turned and continued walking with a grumble. He didn't get far before he heard heavy footfalls catching up and falling in step slightly behind. Behind. Not like Tina or Miller, who walked at his side, filling him in. Behind. Like a servant. Like a regular old android. The thing was annoying! Reed said nothing as they got outside and climbed into his car. He pulled out and looked up the address on his phone as he went.
"Detective, what is our current objective?" the RK900 asked in that odd impersonation of Connor, or what Connor was like before he deviated. Reed didn't answer at first. He took so long that the RK900 almost repeated the question. Reed checked the road, looking both ways as he pulled into the afternoon traffic.
"I got a call about a possible suspect in one of my cases...A few weeks back, a PL500 was found smashed up in its apartment. Not long after the time it shutdown, a guy called Graham Bolton took an automated taxi a couple streets over from the apartment. The timing is just about right, and the taxi has already been called in for a thorough going over by forensics. If there's a trace of thirium that matches our bot, then we've got him." Reed's green eyes scanned the road ahead as he drove. The area was unfamiliar to the RK900. In fact, most places were unfamiliar to his curious eyes. He'd only been at Cyberlife Tower, Elijah Kamski's estate, and Lieutenant Anderson's home so far. Now he was registered as property of the Detroit Police Department, supervised by Detective Gavin Reed. The precinct was tolerable. It had everything he required on a daily basis.
"Do you intend to bring him in for questioning?" They didn't have enough to arrest the man. It wasn't a crime to take a taxi at a certain time, and they had nothing from forensics yet. Even though the timing was right, Reed was more than aware that this might not actually be their guy. Coincidences could happen. Seeing the suspect in person would help with that. He'd developed a sixth sense for this sort of thing. Hardly surprising with over a decade on the job.
"I don't know...I want to get a feel for the guy...Shake him up and see what sticks, you know?" Reed's expression was almost predatory, green eyes sharp and intense. His jaw locked as he turned over potential lines of inquiry in his head. They were getting out of the city now, into a more run down area with detached family homes. Worn ones, a lot of them beat up or burned out. They pulled up outside a rundown house. An old place. No garage, no driveway, just a crummy section of overgrown grass, and a broken fence. Reed knocked on the faded wooden door, conscious of the new and looming presence at his back as he pushed the bell. "Could you try not to seem so...stiff?" he asked in exasperation as he waved a hand up and down his imposing body.
"Could you try not to seem so irascible?" the RK900 retorted coolly, blue eyes sharp as Reed turned to glare up at him. Irasci-what-now? What the phck did they do? Add an extra ounce of sass to this thing? He pushed down the urge to kick the damned robot. The RK900 almost seemed smug as Reed clicked his tongue and pressed the doorbell again. He sighed, running his eyes up and down the old door and quirking an eyebrow, apparently unsurprised. He heard something. A sort of muffled crash. Don't phcking tell me...
"Phck, wait here!" he ordered with a resigned sigh as he hopped down the wooden steps and walked down the side of the house. The dirt path was tight, almost wedging him between the wall and the wooden fence. Uh-huh...Phcking typical. He saw the man. Not too old, maybe about his own age, though in poorer health. The man was currently trying to haul himself over the back fence, with little success. "DPD, stop right there," Reed ordered almost lazily as he unholstered his gun.
"I didn't do anything!" The man threw his hands up fearfully at the sight of the gun. He was a little overweight with scruffy brunette hair, clean shaven, and wearing a worn suit that was a little on the tight side. Not exactly what Reed had expected, but the guy was trying to haul himself over the back fence. That didn't exactly scream innocence.
"That why you're trying to bounce your chunky ass over the fence?" Reed retorted, clearly unimpressed as he raised an eyebrow and waved his gun in a sign to move away. The man's hands were still up as he stumbled and stepped where Reed pointed, shitting himself as expected. "Graham Bolton, you're under arrest for fleeing a police officer. You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say may be given in evidence in a court of law. Do you understand your rights as I have explained them to you?" Reed asked as he tugged out his cuffs and dangled them on his finger. "Don't...Don't you phcking do it..." He was like a parent warning a child as Bolton's eyes flicked to the fence.
Reed cursed under his breath as he bolted. For a larger guy, he actually wasn't that bad. He finally managed to haul himself over the fence, and Reed didn't think twice before hopping after him. Landing in a practiced crouch, he took off, keeping his gun out just in case. A heavier set of feet approached from behind and swiftly overtook him. The large android was way faster. Reed doubled over as he watched the RK900 grab Bolton by the scruff of his cheap jacket and put him down effortlessly. He placed his foot on Bolton's back and pressed.
"Didn't I tell you to wait at the front door?" Reed panted as he walked through the disused yard of the house behind Bolton's. It had been a family home once. A swing set still stood there, rusted and crumbling from years of neglect. Most of these houses were empty at this point. The grass was overgrown. The washing line snapped. Damned shame. Reed knew this area. It had been buzzing back in the millennium. His grandparents' house wasn't too far from here. It was probably still standing.
"I heard the commotion and determined that my presence would be beneficial," the RK900 replied, LED spinning bright blue. He was clearly pleased with himself. Despite Reed's opinion on that, the RK900's face hadn't actually changed. He was still wearing a neutral expression, similar to the one Connor used to wear before he deviated. He only emoted when it was socially required. Sometimes it came across as damned weird.
"Can't argue with results...Here, I read his rights already." Reed shrugged and tossed the cuffs to the RK900, who leaned down and restrained the fragile human. Reed watched with interest, swearing he saw the hint of a smirk on his lips. Bolton was petrified. Maybe that was to be expected since the RK900 was quite imposing, but maybe there was something more to it. Like maybe the fear that an android might take an android murder more personally...Reed watched with a calculating air as the RK900 easily hauled Bolton to his feet and marched him towards the street. The RK900 walked with long measured strides, his grip firm, making Bolton stumble along, unable to comfortably keep up with his short legs. Reed stayed a little behind, watching as the RK900 safely stowed their suspect in the back of the car. The RK900 reached across and clipped the Bolton's seatbelt before shutting the door and moving around to the passenger's side. Reed ran his thumb across his bottom lip as an idea formed.
"Hey, Terminator...Come here a sec," he called as he looked at the timid man in the back of the car. He was already shifting nervously in his seat. It could just be the nerves of getting arrested. But if he had nothing to hide, then why was he running in the first place? The RK900 joined him and waited patiently. He could see Reed was thinking, worrying his lip as he finally settled on a plan of action. "Let's put those interrogation techniques to work...On the way back, I want you to stare at him. Don't speak, don't blink, don't even breathe. Stare at him like you know something," Reed instructed in a conspiratorial tone.
"I'm not sure I understand...I know many things, Detective." Reed sort of had to remind himself that the RK900 had only been active for a month or so at this point. Even though the thing was slightly more human than it was upon activation, it was still a brand new machine. It would need to be shown or taught a lot of this stuff, especially emotions and matching expressions. The android was downright robotic.
"Okay-okay, just...look really intense." Reed waited eagerly to see what the RK900 would do, watching his brow furrow into a scowl as he contemplated his words. "There! That's it! That's perfect! Keep that look on your face and stare him down." The RK900 made no further response, keeping the same look on his face as Reed led the way and climbed into the car. The RK900 climbed in beside him, buckled his seatbelt, then turned slightly to regard the human behind Reed's chair.
"W-what is that thing doing?" Bolton demanded nervously as Reed started to drive. The car turned up the street, away from the precinct. The RK900 noticed, but didn't query. It seemed Reed was up to something, and he was curious enough to allow the experiment to continue. He also noticed that Reed's driving speed was slow, taking his time. Scanning both humans, he noted Reed's vitals were almost dancing. The RK900 was uncertain, however, he believed his partner was expectant and somehow amused. Bolton, on the other hand, was raising his own stress levels with unnecessary worries.
"What thing?" Reed asked in a disinterested tone. His eyes were curious, itching to look at their suspect, but he needed to focus on driving. He could hear the nerves in Bolton's voice, a tremble making it quake with each word. Reed's lips twitched slightly as he held back a smirk. He wanted to keep things professional and natural.
"T-the android! It-I-it's staring at me!" Reed couldn't stop himself from smirking at the whiney sound of Bolton's voice, glancing at the RK900 to see he was completely focused on their captive. He'd done as he was told. He looked menacing and unnatural. Reed blinked as the RK900 tilted his head. A loud crack sounded, louder than when a human cracked their neck. The pop had an almost metallic ring to it. "D-Detective, please, I haven't done anything!" Bolton insisted pathetically as he leaned against the door, as far away from the RK900 as he could scoot.
"If that's the case, you have nothing to worry about...We'll take you to an interview room, you can explain why you ran off, and if it all seems above board, then you'll be on your way," Reed assured as he wove slowly through the afternoon traffic. "Might take a little time to get that attorney in for you, but I'm sure you won't mind waiting," he added cheerfully as he changed lanes. He waited, wondering if Bolton would say anything else. The RK900 seemed content in his role as an intimidator. That slight frown remained in place for the rest of the journey. "Take him to interrogation room two and-uh, keep him company," Reed suggested as they parked out back.
"Wait, Detective! Please...don't leave me alone with this thing!" Bolton pleaded, shuffling away as the RK900 leaned in menacingly to unbuckle his seatbelt. Really doesn't like androids, does he? Reed wondered for a few moments whether this man would be too scared to attack an android. Then again, there's a big difference between a female housekeeping model like the PL500 and a combat ready detective model like the RK900...
"Don't worry. If you behave yourself, he won't hurt you...probably." Reed grinned as he hurried his pace to walk ahead, almost chuckling as Bolton called after him, but the RK900 was firm as he steered him towards their interrogation room and stepped inside. Reed hurried to his desk and pulled off his jacket. Hank and Connor were still there, leaning over their own desks typing up reports. It was almost homely the way they didn't need words to work comfortably in the same space.
"We brought in a suspect for that naked android case. Want to sit in on the interrogation for us?" Reed asked with a smirk as he leaned on Connor's desk and looked over at Hank. As the lead investigator, it would be Hank's call, and he knew he hated desk work as much as he did. Probably more. Hank sat back with a glint in his blue eyes, grateful for the distraction as he pushed himself to his feet.
"Do I? Is the sky blue?" he quipped as he grabbed his empty mug.
"Take your time. The Terminator is keeping our guest company," Reed called after him as Hank went to grab a re-fill. He chuckled to himself as he looked down to find Connor looking up at him as if he wanted to say something. "What's up, Tin Can?" Reed asked as he pushed to his feet, knowing Connor's expressions well enough to know that something had irked him. Connor also stood, organising the pens on his desk before turning off his terminal and sliding his chair underneath. Neat and tidy. Such a perfectionist.
"I hardly think it appropriate to call your partner by that name...considering the negative connotations." Reed scoffed at the chiding tone as he led the way to the observation room. He noted Tina's absence on the way by, hardly surprising considering it was her day off. Miller and Collins were also out somewhere, likely on patrol at this time of the day. Reed shrugged as they walked side by side, Connor having caught up to walk beside him.
"Please! It's exactly the word for that thing. Have you even looked at him? He's like a pumped-up gym-rat version of your scrawny ass." Reed enjoyed the way Connor's LED span yellow at the description. Connor knew from reading his vitals that Reed was teasing him, but that still didn't make him feel any better about the way he spoke of the younger android. The RK900 hadn't experienced Reed's personality. He didn't know that the names he came out with were nicknames.
"My scrawny ass is still more than enough to knock you down, Detective," Connor reminded in an almost flirtatious purr, which didn't pass unnoticed. Reed snorted and knocked Connor's arm as he slumped in a chair and started up the cameras and recording equipment. The RK900 flicked his eyes to them briefly, aware that they had now arrived. The human across from him also noticed. It was the first time that the RK900 had moved since they'd sat down.
"I-is someone there? C-come on, this isn't funny! Get this thing out of here!" Bolton almost begged as he pushed himself back in his chair. He wanted to get as far away from the large android as possible, but that wasn't far with his hands cuffed to the table. The RK900 didn't move. He sat with his back straight, hands clenched on the metal surface, silvery eyes unblinking as he continued following Reed's previous order to stare menacingly.
"Phcking wimp," Reed chuckled as he watched Bolton squirm. Connor raised an eyebrow, surprised by the amount of pleasure Reed was taking in watching the other human's suffering. They both glanced at the door as Hank entered, steaming coffee in hand. He sat down in one of the comfy chairs and watched, getting a similar kick out of it to Reed. Hopefully, that jumpy attitude would make it easier to pry out a few details.
"H-hey, maybe you should go get someone...They should be here by now, right?" Bolton stammered hopefully as he tried to engage the RK900. The RK900 said nothing in response. He didn't even move a muscle. "H-hello? Are you still...active?" Bolton asked hesitantly, a small trace of hope in his tone. If the android was inactive, it couldn't kill him.
"I am operating within optimum parameters." Bolton hung his head in defeat at the neutral response. Reed chuckled as he looked across at Hank, who shared his amusement and chortled into his mug. Reed picked up the file he'd grabbed earlier, the one on his case. Our case. He took an anxious breath as he looked at his new partner, wondering if he could trust him with it. Taking the stiff folder, he headed into the interrogation room. Bolton looked relieved when reappeared, but the RK900 made no move to leave, silently awaiting instructions.
"Sorry it took so long...I had a few things to chase up," Reed lied as he dropped the file in front of the RK900, who opened it without breaking eye contact with Bolton. Part of his optical function was being able to take in and focus on any part of the room within his visual range without moving his eyes. He could therefore look at the suspect while reading the file and handle the pictures with perfect precision. "Looks like you have everything you need." Reed slapped a parting hand on the RK900's shoulder before turning to leave.
"Wait-wait! You-can't...You can't let an android run the interrogation! You can't leave me alone in here!" Bolton cried imploringly, looking more than a little pathetic as Reed paused in the doorway and looked over his shoulder. He shrugged lightly as he took in the RK900's stiff form and Bolton's anxious expression.
"Hey, if you didn't do anything like you say, then you've got nothing to worry about. Just answer his questions honestly and you'll be out of here in no time." Reed gave a small wave as he shut the door and returned to his seat. Connor was hovering at the back against the wall in his usual spot. His LED was spinning a steady yellow, as was the RK900's. It seemed the older android was coaching him through this first interrogation. Reed sank into his seat with a sigh and crossed one leg over the other, watching almost anxiously. Alright, Terminator, let's see what you've got...
"Please confirm your full name for the record." The RK900 waited expectantly for Bolton to answer. Bolton's eyes shifted anxiously to the large mirror, knowing there must be someone else in there watching. He licked his lips, feeling slightly less worried at the thought.
"Graham Michael Bolton." It wasn't like he could fake that anyway. They'd turned up at his house looking for him and Reed had already called him by his name during the arrest.
"Correct. Do you know why you have been brought here today?" The file was open, but Bolton hadn't looked at it yet. He was too busy staring into the RK900's eyes. They were so fucking blue. Not a natural human blue. More like a wolf or a tiger. Luminescent. Sharp. He hadn't blinked. Why wasn't he blinking? Androids blinked, right? "Do you?" the RK900 prompted in a firmer tone.
"I-I...Not really. I-uh-I was arrested for running away?"
"Correct. Were you read your rights?" Bolton nodded his head nervously in response. "For the purposes of the recording, the suspect has nodded in the affirmative. Do you require an attorney? We can have one here in approximately forty minutes if that is your wish," the RK900 continued in his usual almost robotic tone. Bolton stiffened. He very much wanted a lawyer, but forty minutes? Sitting in this room? With that thing staring at him? He couldn't take it.
"N-no, I'll talk to you." A fatal mistake in the RK900's opinion. He didn't smirk. His partner was correct. This human was more unnerved by his neutral stance. The lack of an emotional response. Despite that, Bolton did notice an almost predatory gleam enter those unnaturally silvery eyes as they pierced him.
"Very well...We have a record stating that you took a taxi on Aldrin Avenue at approximately one thirty a.m. on July seventeenth. What took you to that area at such a time?" The RK900 didn't move an inch besides his lips. Bolton's eyes darted towards the glass. He couldn't deny it was him. The police were talking like they knew. He'd also paid with his card. There was a record.
"I-I'd been drinking, you know? Just getting home." A notable quiver in his tone allowed the RK900 to read his dishonesty.
"Curious...There are few bars and clubs on that side of town." His tone clearly expected a justification.
"I have a friend who lives in the area."
"Please provide the contact details and address of this friend so that we may confirm." The RK900 pushed some paper and a pen across the table, watching Bolton's vitals like a hawk. He hadn't expected that. He hesitated with the pen in his hand. The RK900 tilted his head slightly, neck cracking with a metallic ring. Bolton flinched and licked his lips before scribbling out some nonsense. A made up address and name. The RK900 looked it over and found no matching record. His LED span yellow as he sent that titbit to Connor, who voiced it aloud to Reed.
"Yeah, no shit," Reed scoffed as Hank nodded his agreement. They'd both done this dance enough times to know an out of depth suspect when they saw one. "Don't call him on it for now...Get to the PL500." Reed was pretty sure his partner could hear him without Connor relaying the information. The RK900 moved on, calmly readying a photo and sliding it across to Bolton without dropping his eyes.
"Do you know this android?" he asked calmly as Bolton's timid gaze dropped to the table. The picture was of the PL500 as she had been prior to the attack. She was smiling happily, wearing a denim jacket and short black skirt as she sat on a tall stool in some form of classroom. Judging by the supplies in the background, he surmised it was an art studio of sorts.
"I-I mean...it's a common model...There's a lot of them," Bolton excused as he looked at the photo of the pretty brown-eyed woman smiling up at him from the picture. The RK900 picked up an increase in his heart rate and searched for the next five photos. He didn't let the human see until he was ready.
"My mistake...She would have looked like this the last time you saw her." The RK900 used a slightly more clipped tone as he placed the photos out one by one with firm taps on the metal table. Bolton flinched as he took in the naked model. She was spread wide open, wires and tubes hanging out, limbs torn off. There was a closeup of her face with thirium trickling from her eyes and mouth. Various angles of her broken body had been photographed. "Do you recognise her now?" the RK900 demanded coldly, reading Bolton's vitals skyrocket at his tone.
"O-of course not! I had nothing to do with this!" Bolton yelped as the android's hands slammed the table, his brow furrowing into an angry snarl as he stood and leaned across the metal surface. Bolton tugged his hands hysterically as he leaned as far away from the predatory android as he could get. Reed sat forward, captivated by the RK900's intensity. He was more terrifying than Connor during his first interrogation. Larger. More imposing. He couldn't help the jolt that went straight to his dick at the sight of coiled muscles and sharp eyes. He was like a fucking tiger poised to strike.
"I am the most advanced android Cyberlife ever created! Do you think it is even remotely possible for a human to lie to me?" Phck, he even growls like a tiger! Bolton shook his head as his stress levels shot through the roof. The RK900 was almost smug as he lowered himself back into his chair and returned to his previous calm demeanour. "Perhaps you would like to answer again," he suggested, keeping a little bite in his deep silken tone. Reed bit his lip. Fuck, that tone could melt butter. If it came from a human, it could have melted him, too. Working, idiot!
"Alright! I did it! I-she-I just wanted a date! A date-that's all!" he insisted defensively, as if that justified any part of it. The RK900 extrapolated a few details from that alone. This human seemed the type who would have trouble finding a human mate. He had likely been the owner of a companion model prior to the revolution. A simple query confirmed his suspicions. Post revolution, androids were no longer required to obey their human masters. His android had deviated and escaped during the revolution and never contacted him again. "I'm a nice guy! She had no reason to be such a bitch about it!" he added resentfully as he glared at the photos.
"If I meet a genuinely nice guy who spends his free time ripping the intestines out of other living beings, I'll let you know..." Connor and Hank both looked at Reed as he snorted and snickered. In the interrogation room, the RK900's lips quirked slightly, as if he knew. Yeah, this android is nothing like Connor. Reed glanced at Connor and his soft hazel eyes. He seemed proud of, if not a little unsettled by, his brother's interrogation techniques. "Please provide a full verbal account for our records," the RK900 instructed, returning to his emotionless state as Bolton metaphorically spilled his guts.
It was a pretty simple case. Resentment and heartache had led to impotence and violence. It was surprising he'd been able to overpower an android, but he'd broken in and knocked her out of stasis in the dead of night. Domestic models weren't designed with overpowering physical strength in mind, either. There was no need to give them fighting abilities. He'd taken her by surprise, still barely out of her stasis cycle in the middle of the night. From Reed's point of view, it was premeditated murder. Bolton hadn't gone in there to talk. He'd gone in there for revenge after being turned down multiple times. Pure and simple. The android would never have answered the door naked. He'd clearly broken in and jumped her when she'd heard the noise.
"Thank you for your cooperation. A cell will be prepared for you," the RK900 said as he gathered the finished paperwork and tidied up the file. Bolton was relieved, sinking down in his chair as the RK900 got to his feet and approached the door. Reed grinned in amusement as he turned to Connor with an almost conspiratorial expression that Connor didn't entirely like. He liked it even less as Reed slipped an arm around his slim shoulders and tugged him closer.
"How about it, Tin Can? Think you could do the honours?" Connor sighed at Reed's cruelty. It was deserved cruelty though, so he straightened his tie and led the way. Reed took the file from the RK900 as he exited the room, leaving the door open for Connor to enter. Bolton looked petrified as the RK900's softer predecessor entered with a polite but stiff smile. Reed tried to seem like he wasn't watching or enjoying it as Bolton shrank away in his seat.
"I'll take you to your cell now. I should warn you, if you attempt to resist, I have authorisation to use extreme force," Connor added in a purr that Reed didn't quite recognise. He wondered whether it was something he'd learned from the RK900's interrogation techniques. His hazel eyes were sharper than usual as he looked down at the timid human, who nodded meekly and allowed himself to be unlocked from the table and led to a cell.
"Nice work, Terminator," Reed praised as he looked over the confession and punched the RK900 in the shoulder. He meant it, too. That was his first interrogation, and it had been pretty much flawless. I guess that makes sense since he was built to do it, but still...Reed almost felt a little inadequate. It had taken him years to build up his interrogation techniques and learn how to read a suspect. The RK900 had picked it up within hours.
"Thank you, Detective," the RK900 replied politely as they returned to their desks. Reed began the annoyingly slow process of closing the case. He typed up and recorded all the associated documents and sent the file over to Fowler. He was an asshole, but an honest one, so he was sure to give credit where it was due. The RK900 had done the hardest work, both in catching and interrogating the suspect. "Detective Reed, should I not sign off on documentation prior to your sending it to Captain Fowler?" the RK900 asked as he looked up from his terminal.
"I'm the lead detective, so no." It was a little creepy that the RK900 had brought it up when he'd literally just hit send on his own private email. Was the android hacking his terminal? He must have been. There was no other way he could have known he'd just sent the case files over to be signed off. "Also, get the phck out of my terminal, it's private," he chided, gambling a little with the accusation. The RK900 didn't have to admit it, of course. He didn't either, though he did remove his hand from his own terminal and allow the skin to cover his white fingertips once more. The sight didn't quite creep Reed out the way he thought it should.
"Reed, your shift's up!" Reed sighed in response as he turned his chair to face Hank with a resentful look. Hank had just made himself another coffee and was on his way back to his desk, ready to continue his reports. "That's code for fuck off and get some sleep." Hank didn't miss the way Reed scowled at him. It was almost suffocating. It wouldn't kill him to do a couple extra hours of overtime. Or five...or six...Reed sighed in defeat. He knew Hank was about to literally chase him out. It wasn't like he had any pressing cases right now, so he went along with it.
"Alright, old man...I'll be on call tonight, alright?" he added as he got to his feet and grabbed his things, noticing that his partner wasn't moving from his terminal. It made sense. He was probably staying with Connor at Hank's place, so he'd be there until their shift ended. "Don't do anything without me, got it?" Reed ordered as he looked at the RK900, who seemed hesitant, but had no choice but to accept the order. Reed was his superior, after all.
"What would you like me to do, Detective?" Reed shrugged dismissively as the RK900 tilted his head.
"Shift's over, Terminator. Relax until tomorrow." The RK900 nodded obediently before politely bidding him goodnight. Reed shrugged it off and headed home, quietly thanking whoever was listening for the lack of traffic. He made it home in good time and was able to flop down on his bed within minutes of getting through the door, only pausing to tip some thirium gloop into Pipsqueak's bowl. It didn't take long for the silver fluff ball to find him and walk over his head. "Jerk," Reed huffed into his pillow as the weight settled on his head for a moment before moving to the centre of his back. Reed closed his eyes as gentle purrs vibrated all the way through to his stomach.
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