Dickory

Disconnected

What? What do you mean Nines is gone? Connor demanded worriedly as he looked around the bullpen searchingly. His LED span yellow at the news. Nines was nowhere in sight, but he'd heard from him just that morning. He'd said he was worried about Reed and that he was going to check on him. He'd received a message a little later to say that Reed was alright, but they were taking the day off. That had been a few hours ago, before the start of Connor's shift. Since then, Connor knew Nines had been in the office. He'd noted the new items scattered across his desk, and they were covered in Reed's fingerprints. So where are they now? Connor tried to dial Nines' internal line, his thirium pump clenching as the call failed to connect. That's impossible! Something must have happened. I have to look for him; I have to-Connor's thoughts cut off abruptly as he saw his twin enter through the main doors. Hold on, Colin's here. I'll call you back as soon as I know anything.

Alright, just let us know. We haven't been able to get through to Gavin either and Elijah's terribly worried, Chloe replied anxiously. Connor voiced his assurance before disconnecting. He was impressed that Chloe had managed to remain so calm. He'd only just found out, and he could barely keep the anxiousness from his face. His brow furrowed as he watched Colin's head drop as if trying to avoid notice. It was fairly standard behaviour for him, but he seemed to be doing it more so than usual. Connor remained by his desk, assuming Colin was coming to see him.

"Connor, I require your assistance." Colin's hazel eyes shifted almost meaningfully towards the interrogation rooms. Connor nodded his agreement and led the way. He was about to launch into a stream of worried questions and anxious thoughts when Colin held up a hand for silence. Connor watched curiously as Colin pulled a small black box from his inside pocket and set it on the metal table before pressing the small button on top. Connor winced and grabbed his head as static and a high whistle momentarily filled his audio component. "We can speak now," Colin declared as he stepped back from the device.

"What is that?" Connor asked with a wince, still reeling from the unpleasant sensation of being cut off from the Cloud and police database. He was isolated, only able to connect to Colin because they were inside the same room. He couldn't dial out. He couldn't communicate with Hank or anyone else outside the room. It was a somewhat helpless feeling. Is this how humans feel on a daily basis? How do they cope? He felt somewhat trapped and alone within his own head.

"It's a jamming device. The information I wish to share is sensitive, and not to be shared with anyone else. Agent Perkins is currently holding a similar meeting with Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Fowler. I volunteered to speak with you," Colin replied, which made sense. They were brothers, however new the connection they'd made. Connor felt touched and somewhat comforted by Colin's sensitivity. The news was somewhat worrying. There were few things that would require such secrecy.

"Does this have anything to do with Nines' disappearance?" It seemed too coincidental that their younger brother had disappeared just a short time before Colin had arrived to set up a secret meeting. He was therefore unsurprised as Colin nodded, and more than a little relieved. If Colin knew about it, then it was likely that Nines was safe at least. Colin invited him to sit, taking the suspect's chair for himself. It seemed to be a regular show of courtesy to allow the precinct detectives to take their usual seats.

"Earlier today, Detective Reed and Nines received a call and discovered an android body in a disused yard across from the detective's home. There was evidence left behind in the form of a note that linked the murder to the Hickory Killer. For his own safety and to progress the investigation, it has been decided that Detective Reed and Nines will go into protective custody at an unknown location. The Safehouse is only known to a few individuals within the FBI, and its location is locked in a protected section of my own memory core." Connor nodded his understanding with an almost chill feeling running down his neck. Of course, they couldn't allow Reed to stay where he was now that the killer had made a direct move towards him. It had always been a possibility that the killer knew where he lived, but having it confirmed in such a chilling manner must have been unpleasant, to say the least. It also went without saying that Nines would follow wherever Reed went. He felt too protective of his partner to allow anyone else to watch over him.