Crime, Friendship and Other Things

Chapter Six: That's an Order

6th of November 2038; 10:20:25

As usual, Ben had got to the scene before us. Hank had instantly made a beeline for the young man who I'd guessed had called in his suspicions, and I offered him the tablet before he could get too far away. It still surprises me that someone had managed to persuade him to ditch the pen and paper, but in this weather I could understand his preference.

Rather than heading over, I decide to look around. It's a pretty normal looking street, shops lining the road, an abandoned house cordoned off on one corner, and a shabby looking motel. The light drizzle only makes the place look that little bit more derelict. As a place to run, it's easy. But places like this aren't used to too much foot traffic. Anything out of the ordinary is noted almost instantly.

Down the way there's a little shop. I glance briefly over my shoulder. Hank is still speaking to the witness, and Connor waits by the car, attention on the diner opposite him but I doubt he's really seeing it. I shrug before hurrying towards the shop.

The doors slide open and the cashier looks up at me. There's something like suspicion behind her eyes, but I shoot her a small smile.

'Good morning,' I say, glancing quickly at the television screen running the news above her. So far, there's nothing about the rogue android. I suppose that's something. 'Were you working here last night?'

'No,' comes the somewhat waspish reply.

'Do you know who was?' I shift my jacket, flashing my badge.

A little of the tension seems to slip away from her shoulders and she leans further forwards on the counter. 'Nathan,' she offers. 'Clocked off about three this morning. Has something happened?'

'I was just wondering if he saw anything weird last night.'

She shrugs, leaning back as if disappointed that I haven't offered her any sort of information that might be interesting. 'He only mentioned some lady and kid coming in. Looking for handouts or some crap... I mean -'

I wave away the changing choice of words that I can feel building. 'D'you think he could get us a description?'

Interest sparks behind her eyes but I dismiss it as I pull out one of my cards. 'Can you pass this onto Nathan, please?'

The cashier nods, gently sliding the card towards herself. 'I'll let him know.'

'Thank you. Have a good day,' I say, shooting her another small smile before turning to leave. That's when I spot the camera. It's hidden away at the back of the shop, in a corner. 'Do they work?'

'Of course,' says the cashier. 'No end of people trying to hold up convenience stores. Gotta keep staff safe.'

'Do you think we could get the footage from last night as well?'

She shrugs and yet there's that spark of interest again in her eyes. 'I'll see what we can do.' There's a nonchalance behind her voice that causes a small smirk to pull at my lips.

I nod my thanks before heading back out into the rain. The others are still where I left them, and I head quickly towards Hank and Ben, smiling at Connor as I pass him. I have no idea what's going on in that head of his, but I don't want to disrupt anything that he might be working on.

'We've got officers sweeping the neighbourhood, in case anybody saw anything,' Ben says once the guy has been dismissed.

'OK. Well, let us know if they turn anything up,' Hank notes.

'We're getting CCTV from the convenience place down the road,' I say, earning Hank's attention. 'And hopefully a description from the guy who worked there last night.'