Dickory

The Clock Struck Five

"Detective Reed." The voice that greeted them two days later was unwelcome. It was unwelcome by Nines, at least. He almost glared at Colin as he led Perkins towards Reed, who was standing beside him at his desk. They were huddled close together as Reed leaned over his chair and stooped to get a better look at the grainy old footage that he'd tried to clean up. He wasn't ready to be poked and prodded by the FBI. The agents shouldn't have come. Nines watched Reed's vitals jump and his body stiffen at the greeting, though a human wouldn't notice the change outwardly. Nines mourned the loss of closeness as Reed straightened up, slightly stiff and on guard as the agents approached. Although he was doing a little better and Dr Marr was pleased with his progress, he still wasn't back on active duty just yet. He'd been buried in the archives for the past two days solid, rearranging case files and organising old evidence boxes. He was actually taking a break by looking at these cold cases.

"Agent Perkins, what brings you here?" he asked with a hint of wariness as Perkins approached, his sharp chestnut eyes giving him the once over. Since he was in charge of the case, he'd obviously heard about what happened with Aaron Hughes and looked over the scene. He didn't need to ask to know that Reed was still affected, and his presence made him anxious. The FBI could only be there for one of two reasons.

"A fifth body turned up." Perkins noted the way Reed actually seemed to relax at that, losing a little of the tension in his shoulders. He didn't really expect the Hickory Killer to strike again so soon, not when he knew he was still reeling from the last one. It made more sense that he'd wait awhile. Wait until he was just starting to get his shit together again, and then he'd-He didn't want to think about what that sicko would pull next. He'd come in hard by targeting Aaron, making his grand return and fucking him over in the process. Reed shivered as he realised that most of the people the Hickory Killer could target next were currently standing in that very room. Tina, Hank, Fowler, Connor, Nines...

"Agent Perkins was eager to see you again, Detective. How are you?" Colin asked in a worried tone that reminded him of Connor. Perkins huffed quietly, though he didn't argue the point. Perhaps it was true. He might have become slightly fond of Reed over the past few weeks. He was a sharp young man with good instincts and an eye for the finer details. Skills like that would serve him well in the FBI, and Perkins would offer him a place on his team if he thought for a second he'd ever leave the DPD. However, after more than a decade of service, it seemed the Reed had carved a place for himself at the precinct. He'd probably be promoted again soon. It was long overdue.

"I'm good, Toaster. No need to worry about me." Reed smirked a little at the way Colin's LED stuttered between yellow and blue at the new nickname he'd been gifted. He'd heard him using such terms regarding his brothers, but he hadn't expected to receive a name himself. It was touching on some level. It made him feel accepted. "So...bees?" Reed added questioningly as he folded his arms and leaned his hip on the edge of Nines' desk. He looked to Perkins since Colin seemed to have retreated into his shell of shyness again.

"Not quite...This time the victim was left at the local arboretum on a bed of pink flowers with honey painted on her lips and honeycomb dust thrown on her like glitter...It's getting colder, so there aren't many bees around at this time of year." Reed nodded thoughtfully as Connor turned in his chair to join them. As he watched, the androids' LEDs began to dance yellow as they communicated wirelessly. Reed remained contemplative as the others talked. It was different again. Vastly different. Just like the last murder...

"That's way different from the original...The Hickory Killer took his victim to a local beehive and smashed the damned thing. He must have used something to rile those bees up, because they swarmed the victim instantly. There was barely an inch of her left without a sting by the time they were finished." Reed shivered at the memory. They'd found a beekeeper's hood left on the edge of the scene. He'd clearly planned it and gotten the proper gear ready ahead of time. Forensics had turned up nothing within the hood, as expected. The Hickory Killer wouldn't have left it behind on purpose if there was a way of tracing him. He was mocking them. Mocking him. Hive been waiting for you, Detective. I watched your press release. You were quite brilliant with your honeyed words, though they carried quite the sting. We'll speak again when the clock strikes six. Tick-tock, Detective, tick-tock. Reed shivered as he remembered the note that had been left behind, the G on the envelope marking it as being specifically for him. The bees had gotten everywhere. In her mouth, down her throat, beneath her clothes. They'd left her skin red and swollen, lumpy and unnatural.