[5] Additional Information

Additional Information

DATE

JANUARY 29, 2039

TIME

AM 07:32:13

“The café looks great.” Came a familiar android voice.

Haley looked up after setting down an older gentleman’s coffee cup and a scone. “Connor?”

“My apologies, Miss Ryan.” Connor bowed his head forward slightly. “Lieutenant Anderson isn’t often…conscious in the morning. Detroit Police sent me instead. You said you remembered something else about the suspect?”

“Yes. Umm.” Haley glanced around the small dining area. “Give me just a moment.”

“Take your time.” Connor made his way toward the counter.

The red head collected dishes into a bin and wiped down an empty table. She gathered the trash and straightened the chairs before making her way to the back.

Haley nudged the half door that hung between the counter edge and wall with her hip, swinging it inwards. As she side stepped through the opening, she saw the android leaning on the L-shaped counter, flipping a quarter as he looked around the café.

She set the bin of dishes on the stainless steel table behind Jake in the dish room. “How’re you doing?”

“Livin’ the dream.” The young man peeked over his shoulder at her from under his hat. “What about you? You sure you shouldn’t take some time off?”

Haley smiled. “I’m fine.”

“All you do is work and sleep. Especially now without that robot.”

The red-head scowled at him. “David was not robot.”

Jake turned back to loading the dish rack. “Mmhmm.”

“And thanks, but I’d rather stay busy.” Haley washed her hands at the small sink.

Haley stepped out after drying her hands. She paused in her stride, looking at the android opposite the counter.

Connor still gazed curiously at the bustle of the café, rolling the quarter over his knuckles.

Haley stared at his fingers for a moment, flipping the quarter around effortlessly.

She cleared her throat. “Sorry for the wait.”

Connor turned to face her and smiled. “Not at all.” He pocketed the quarter.

Haley felt a jolt of surprise when her heart skipped a beat. His smile was gentle, his eyes softening when the corners of his mouth pulled up.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your work. But anything you can tell me will be helpful with our investigation.”

Haley’s eyes locked with his, which were the color of warm coffee. She blinked away the image of her father handing her the first cappuccino she ever tasted. “I’m not the first one, am I?”

Connor’s smile quickly faded. He shook his head. “There have been six other victims that we’ve found.”

Haley’s stomach turned over. She took a deep breath, breaking eye contact. “Right. The attacker.”

The android continued to study her.

“He had a scar, on the left side of his face.” Haley drew an imaginary line on her jaw. “It was kinda long, and looked kind of…jagged. He had some stubble covering it, but it was still noticeable.”

Connor nodded again, his expression turning thoughtful.

Haley began to fiddle with the corner of her apron. “Something else bothered me. Something about the way he fought…” She looked back up at Connor. “He was quick, and precise. Based on his appearance, he didn’t seem like he’d be a skilled fighter…but it was almost as if he had had some sort of training.” Haley shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s not much. I don’t even know if that’s anything…I just found it surprising the way he was able to counter David, who was an android…”

Connor squinted at her, his LED spinning around quickly. “Anything is helpful, Haley. Distinct features and behaviors like that can help us narrow our suspect search.” The android’s kind voice reassured her. “Is there anything else you can remember about him?”

Haley thought back. Everything else she could think of she had already told him. “Not right now.”

“Any other details about the incident?”

Haley shook her head.

“That’s all right. Just call us again if you think of anything.” Connor slid a holo-card across the counter. “These are the last five digits of my serial number. If you type that in after dialing the Detroit Police department, you can connect with me directly.” Connor paused. “In case Lieutenant Anderson isn’t available.”

Haley picked up the holo-card and watched it transition between two images:

          DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT

              1-313-555-0101

Then:

          CONNOR // CYBERLIFE ANDROID

              317-51

She returned her attention to Connor, who almost seemed to be lingering.

Finally, the android stood up straight. “Well, I won’t keep you. Thank you for the call.” Connor turned and began to walk away from the counter.

“Uh, wait.” Haley slid the card into her back pocket.

Connor stopped and half-turned back.

“Let me make you a little something to bring Lieutenant Anderson.”

Connor smiled and came to the counter.

Haley shifted her focus to the espresso machine. She scooped out one shot of grounds and selected her seasonal syrup for flavor: maple walnut. As she poured some milk into a small stainless steel pitcher to steam, she felt Connor watching her.

“You’re left handed.” She heard him say.

Haley paused, her heart rate picking up a few beats. She fumbled with the milk cap a bit before successfully screwing it back on.

“Only ten percent of the human population is left-handed.”

Haley stuck the steaming nozzle in the pitcher of milk and switched it on. “I suppose androids don’t have right or left dominance?”

“Correct. All androids can operate just as well with either side.”

Haley poured the milk into the paper cup with espresso and syrup, holding back the foam with a spoon.

“Is there anything Lieutenant Anderson likes?” After topping off the beverage with the milk foam, she spun to face him.

“He likes drinking. Mostly whiskey, but I’ve also seen him drinking beer.”

Haley stared at him for a second, her hand hovering by the syrup bottle. “Umm. Anything else?”

Connor’s LED spun. “He has a dog.”

Haley smiled, squinting at him a bit. She then tipped the syrup bottle upside down and swirled it around in a careful pattern. Using a stir stick, she made a few adjustments and slid the cup towards the android on the counter.

Atop the fluffiest of milk foam, was a dog face drawn with maple-walnut syrup.

“Wow.” Connor glanced from the cup to Haley.

Haley’s smile widened when he looked at her. “I thought he might like that.”

Connor’s gaze fell to the stir stick she still held in her hand. “May I see that?”

Haley hesitated, looking from the coffee and foam coated stick to the android. “Sure…”

She watched as he took the stirrer and then gave the end a gentle lick. Haley raised her eyebrows as his expression became very still.

Haley studied the android; he had very handsome facial features. His convincingly real skin had a few little freckles on his face. His hair looked soft and his brown eyes had depth, making him seem truly alive. Her eyes lingered on the blue LED on his temple, which flickered.

Next thing she knew, Connor locked eyes with her. “Approximately seventy-seven milligrams of caffeine, nine grams of sugar, and one hundred and nine calories.” He paused. “The acidity of the coffee is fairly low, so the milk counter-balances it. The sweet nuttiness has an aroma that reduces the harsh bitterness of the espresso and complements the flavor. This is a well-crafted latte.”

The android handed over the stir stick.

Haley gave him an amused half smile as she took the stick. “Thanks for the analysis. Glad it passes the test.” She reached under the counter and produced a plastic lid, which she snapped on the paper cup.

She glanced to the side at something in her peripheral vision. “Excuse me a moment.” The young woman moved around the corner of the counter to meet a middle-aged man at the register to pay.

“Thank you! I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said to the man as he walked to the front door. “Don’t work too hard.”

“Right back at you!” He called on his way out.

Connor stepped up to the register, holding the coffee cup. “How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing.”

Connor tilted his head. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Haley smiled. “It’s the least I can do.”

The android nodded. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Maybe you and the lieutenant could come again. You know, without the crime scene part.”

Half of Connor’s mouth pulled up in a smile and he gave her another slight nod before facing toward the entrance.

Haley admired the way the blue line running across the back of the android’s jacket accented his broad shoulders as he walked to the front door.