Piece It Together - Gavin Reed

3

Yawning, she grabbed her coat and bag, slinging the bag over her shoulder. She said goodbye to some of the officers, even the androids, and left the building. She noticed that Hank's car was gone, making her heart sink. It was dark outside and Detroit was a severely crime-ridden city. Sighing, she looked around. Noticing a street phone was her first saving grace, jogging over and entering the small box. She put some money in and dialled Jamie's number. The ringing soon ceased.

"Jamie?"

"Where the fuck are you?"

"I-I'm really sorry, I can't get a ride home from Hank. Can you come to pick me up?"

"Find your own way home. I want you home by 9, I'm starving."

"Jamie, please-" The line rang out, her heart heavy. Refusing to shed tears over something so small, she placed the phone back and left the phone box, screaming when she saw Gavin waiting outside.

"Jesus, you need to stop bein' so fuckin' jumpy. Why the hell are you using a phone box?"

"I forgot my phone at home."

"Right. Do you need a ride home or somethin'? Hank fucked off to the bar."

"Uh, yeah, how did you-?"

"You still haven't got a fuckin' driver's license. It's pathetic."

"I do have a license!"

"Then where's your car?"

"I don't have one. My boyfriend uses it to get to work so I have to get a lift to work."

"Wow, the whore has a commitment. Guess I was 18 years too late."

"Gavin, I really don't need this right now so if you know someone who can get me a lift then can you please just give it to me?" He scoffed at her outburst.

"I'm taking you home, broad. Come on."

She followed him to his car, sitting in the passenger seat. The car smelt the same as the last time she sat in it, the seat adjusted differently. She worked on adjusting the seat whilst he got in, hearing him scoff again. Looking up at him, she realised what she did.

"Shit, sorry, I'll readjust it. I'm so sorry, I should've asked. Your girlfriend will be pissed..."

"Woah, slow your roll. I don't have a girlfriend. That seat is free to be adjusted. I'm just shocked you still remember how to do it. I usually have to do it for people."

"Your car is too difficult to forget. Just like you." She finished adjusting it, sitting comfortably and breathing in the scent of the air freshener. "I'm shocked that you haven't changed the car's air freshener."

"I have changed it, I just get the same one every time I do."

"That's what I meant." He began pulling out of the parking spot, "This one was always my favourite."

"Really? Well, I better change it while I still can." She playfully hit his arm with an offended look on her face, a laugh erupting from Gavin. A genuine laugh. The two drove in comfortable silence for the majority of the drive, sometimes making comments about people they drove past or places she recognised.

"You can just stop here. I'll walk the rest of the way."

"You sure? I can just drop you off outside-"

"NO!" He was a little taken back, the girl composing herself, "N-no, it's okay, There's usually nowhere to park."

"Fuckin' okay then." He unlocked the doors for her to get out, "Angry bitch."

She inhaled sharply and got out of the car, slamming the door shut and carrying her belonging with her. She watched him drive away and walked up the stairs to her house. Upon entry, she saw Jamie sitting on the couch. Hand clasped between his legs, he let his leg bounce as he removed his hands from one another and brought his lit cigarette up to his lips. Taking a hit, he leaned back and exhaled, his arms now resting on the back of the couch, his head leaning back.

"Good evening, Jamie-

"You're late." He looked over at the clock on the wall that read 9:06. "Why were you late?"

"I just had to find a way to get home since you couldn't give me a lift."

"Why didn't you call? You know I'd come to pick you up!" He stood up, cigarette in his mouth as he held her arms. Breathing through her mouth, she tried not to gag at the smell of cigarettes and alcohol on his breath.

"I-I did call-"

"You never called me, babe. You must be thinking of some other time."

"Maybe..."

"Come on, go make dinner. I'm starved."

The next morning, she woke up to an empty bed. She had fallen asleep in her clothes from the day before. Grabbing some new clothes and a towel, she entered the bathroom to take a quick shower. Drying her hair and body, she changed into her long-sleeved blouse and pants before tying her hair up and walking into the kitchen where she saw Jamie at the stove.

"Mornin', babe." Kissing her head, he led her over to the dining room where he placed a plate of eggs in front of her. "Eat up, you'll need that energy for work today!"

Her brain was hardly computing, picking up the fork and eating the food before her in a matter of minutes. "I'll drive you to work, okay?" Nodding quietly, she grabbed her bag and followed him to the car. The sudden change in attitude from Jamie felt strange to her but she ignored it.

The blonde gave her glances every once in a while, watching as the girl was doing her makeup in the mirror whilst he drove. Getting distracted, he stepped on the breaks once he noticed that he was going to crash. She yelped, her hand moving as they stopped. Looking in the mirror, she saw that the mascara she was applying was now smudged under her eye. Sighing, she put the makeup in her bag and waited until she got to the precinct.

Jamie dropped her off, giving her a quick kiss and a curfew before driving off. Walking into the building, she scanned her ID and walked through the gate, Gavin recognising her quickly.

"Woah, you look like hell. You got a hangover or somethin'?"

Nodding, she answers quietly, "My boyfriend nearly crashed so if you could refrain from your bullshit for today that... that would be nice." Hearing a scoff, Gavin made a b-line for the interrogation room. She rose an eyebrow as she put her bag down by her desk, not even noticing the android in the room until he spoke up.

"Hello." She jumped, turning to see a man. He stood tall, taller than her, and had neat brown hair that looked gelled. He had kind features and brown doe eyes. His uniform was telling, the white shirt and black pants being normal, the tie too, but the jacket was what caught her off guard. It was grey and held many blue accents such as an armband and triangle and some serial numbers. "I'm sorry if I startled you. My name is Connor, I'm the android sent by CyberLife."

"Oh, heh, I see... they, uh, they make android detectives now?" She asked, reaching into one of her drawers and taking out makeup wipes and a mirror.

"Yes. I am model RK800. I am a prototype." Nodding, she began wiping away the smudged makeup.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Connor. I'm Detective Y/n L/n. I started yesterday so I'm new to the place." He stayed quiet for a moment, his LED flicking between blue and yellow before staying on yellow.

"Are you okay, Detective? My scan tells me that your heart rate is above the average rate." Throwing the makeup wipe in the bin, she went over the missing makeup from where she wiped it off.

"I'm fine, just some reckless driving from my boyfriend."

"Do you know if he was under the influence of alcohol?" Their conversation was cut short by a yell.

"Hey, the fuck are you doin' here?" The two turned to Hank, his niece giving a smile before applying the mascara again.

"Hello, Lieutenant. I was just introducing myself."

"Yeah, well, we've got an interrogation to take care of so get a move on."

"On it." Hank turned to Y/n.

"You too, Y/n." She nodded, following after the android.