Tick Tock Part Two - Dickory

Blindsided

Reed was relieved as they finally thanked Mr Thomas and left. It hadn't been as awkward as he'd first expected, and he was glad they hadn't had to deal with anyone else. On the way down, Nines needlessly confirmed that Thomas had been telling the truth on all counts. Figures that Nines was scanning him the whole time. At least they didn't need to put Thomas on their suspect list. It didn't feel like he was involved. He had no reason to be. It wasn't illegal to cheat on your wife, and she'd never found out about it. Not unless this mystery man let her know...

"We need to look into Melissa Davies again...Someone must know this guy! He has to be connected to her somehow! Another boyfriend, a work colleague, a relative...The kill was too personal for it to have been a stranger, and it happened just two days after the hotel visit? They're definitely connected!" Nines nodded his agreement as he took the driver's seat. It was good to see Reed in a hunting mood again. They'd had so many ups and downs over Christmas that he'd worried he'd burn out. All things considered, Reed was coping remarkably well. It probably helped that he could throw himself into their cases. He'd always used work as an excuse not to face his emotional issues, however he was still seeing Dr Marr regularly and Nines was unaware of any problems in that regard.

"I agree, that seems likely," Nines agreed as he drove, still waiting for a response from the hotel. He'd been placed on hold some time ago while the young woman at the desk went to find her manager and ask about the tapes. Being on hold was somewhat...annoying. — Unpleasant? Frustrating? — There was a jingle playing. The sound itself was inoffensive, however it had repeated itself exactly thirty-three times at this point and Nines couldn't turn it off. Luckily, he was able to compartmentalise. His internal audio processing unit worked separately to his external one, so he was more than capable of completing multiple tasks at once.

Typically, it was as they returned to the precinct that he was finally taken off hold. The manager was a lot more helpful than the young reception girl and informed him they did indeed still have the tapes, but only a hard copy. After two weeks, the tapes were recorded and stored for a year before being destroyed. It was something they'd always done in the event something like this happened. Nines thanked her for her foresight and arranged to go in and collect the relevant tapes. He finished the internal call as they reached their desks and Reed was already reaching down to turn on his terminal.

"Detective, the hotel has a hard copy of the footage we require. I can retrieve it if you'd like?" Nines offered as he stood smartly with his hands behind his back. Reed sighed as he twisted his chair to look at his terminal screen. I've sat down now...I've turned on my terminal...I can make a start on the report and type a clean record of my notes and theories...He knew that's what he should do, but the paperwork was his least favourite part of the job. "Would you like me to make you a coffee before I leave?" Nines tempted with the smallest of smirks, watching as Reed crumbled and nodded.

It went without saying at this point that the coffee would be decaf. The only time he drank caffeinated coffee these days was if he got it from a coffeeshop. There was only one place they'd been to with decent decaf. By the time Nines dropped off the coffee at his elbow, Reed was already lost in his own head. Nines took a few moments to admire the tightness of his jawline and the intensity of his green eyes as his fingers flew across the keys. It was completely subconscious as he reached out and picked up the coffee, barely pausing as he took a sip. It was as the liquid touched his tongue that he paused, barely for an instant. His eyes lowered momentarily to the mug as his body relaxed. Nines' coffee...

By the time he turned his head to thank him, Nines was already halfway across the bullpen. Reed looked over his shoulder, following Nines' looming figure until he'd walked smartly through the barriers and down the front steps. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair, cradling the hot mug like it was something precious. It was something precious. Nines' coffee was like the Holy fucking Grail. It was rejuvenating, life giving, even if it was decaf. He closed his eyes and took one more sip before getting back to work.