[3] Crime Scene

Crime Scene

DATE

JANUARY 27, 2039

TIME

PM 02:47:23

Haley sat in a café chair near the fire, holding a full cup of coffee with both hands. She stared at the creamy liquid, dazed. She paid little attention to the investigators walking by her, taking photos, and discussing information.

The front door chimed as two sets of footsteps crossed the threshold.

“Holy shit.” A deep, gruff male voice said.

A soft display of ripples danced on the surface of her coffee as an officer walked by toward the entrance.

“Good afternoon, Lieutenant Anderson.” Officer Miller said. He had been the first to arrive after the incident.

“Yeah, doesn’t look so good, does it?” The lieutenant responded.

“Could be worse, sir. This one is still alive at least.” Officer Miller said.

“And we’re sure it’s the same guy?”

“Well, she’s a young, fair-skinned woman with auburn hair…”

“Hmm.” Anderson gruffed.

Haley tuned in to listen more attentively, though she kept her head down. She was part of a series of attacks? She felt their eyes on her and she tightened her grip on the coffee mug.

“She’s still in shock. Hasn’t been able to say much.” Officer Miller said. “Unfortunately, the dishwasher said he was on break when the whole thing happened.”

The red head heard feet shuffling.

“Umm, lieutenant…?” Came a different officer’s voice.

“Ugh. Christ.” Lieutenant Anderson again. “He’s analyzing the blue blood. He says it’s faster for him to do it on site. Just pay him no mind.”

“By the way, I heard you personally asked Captain Fowler to keep Connor on the Detroit Police Force.” Officer Miller walked with the lieutenant around the café. “Didn’t’ see that comin’.”

“CyberLife would’ve destroyed him if they got him back.” Lieutenant Anderson let out a heavy breath. “Nothing’s set in stone yet. But I do owe Jeffery for at least delaying things. Hopefully we can get it sorted out.”

“Hey Connor,” The lieutenant spoke up. “You able to do that memory access thing on this android?”

Haley’s nerves prickled at the mention of David.

“I would need to reactivate it,” Came a new, smooth voice. “Unfortunately, it’s far too damaged to do that.”

“Shit.” Anderson breathed.

“However, I analyzed its damaged biocomponents and conducted a scan on the café. I should be able to reconstruct the incident, but it’s vague.”

Haley began to nervously run her thumb over the handle of the coffee mug. The image of the attacker came into her head. The blue blood on the knife he pulled out of David. And the disturbing way he looked at her.

The sound of chair legs sliding on the wood floor snapped her out of the vision. Someone sat across from her.

She looked up a bit, seeing a gray jacket accented with a blue cuff around the right arm and a blue triangle on the front of one shoulder. She read “RK800” above a series of small numbers on the opposite shoulder of the jacket.

Connor took a moment to scan the young woman.

            ANALYZING…

            RYAN, Haley // Height: 5’3” - Weight: 112.4 pounds

Occupation: Coffee barista and store owner

            Born: November 18, 2011

The android watched her eyes as they studied the front of his jacket. She appeared unstable and nervous.

“Hello, Miss Ryan. My name is Connor.” He kept his voice soft and cautious.

The young woman tilted up her chin, her gaze hesitating on his temple where his LED was. Then she met his eyes with hers. Her expression appeared dejected and lost.

The android’s eyes were drawn to the deactivated android on the floor, surrounded by a puddle of thirium. “That android…you were close weren’t you?”

Connor saw the girl follow his gaze to the android. Her eyes glassed over and he heard her swallow. She looked back down at the coffee she held in her hands, closing her eyes.

Connor studied her face. “What was his name?”

“David.” She whispered. Tears collected on her long, dark lashes. “My father left him with me after he passed.” Her hands shook.

Connor gently placed one hand on the back of hers. He then eased the coffee mug out of her hands and set it on the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and folded his hands in front of him. “I just want to understand what happened.”

The girl looked up at him, a single tear running down her cheek.

“We want to catch the criminal so that he can’t hurt you again. You can help us.”

Haley took a deep breath before she began to recount the events of the afternoon.

Connor listened patiently, never interrupting.

When she finished, tears streamed down her face. She wiped her face with her sleeve. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Are you alright?”

The girl nodded.

After lingering a moment longer, he stood up. “Thank you, Miss Ryan.” He shifted his shoulders, straightening his jacket, and then tightened his tie.

Connor walked over to the front of the shop where Hank stood with Officer Miller. “I found out what happened, lieutenant.”

“Let’s hear it.”