From Your Wires to Your Core

Taken

Reed's leg bounced steadily as he watched Nines work. He was settling in nicely. Asking the right questions and leading their suspect in the right direction. They'd all agreed pretty quickly that Gary wasn't in on it. He was openly nervous and earnest in his responses. He didn't have any of the body language Reed expected of liars. He didn't evade or deflect. He was a little fidgety, but not in the way that suggested wrongdoing. He sat forward in his chair and leaned on the table. His hands were open as he spoke. He was doing his best to help and prove himself to Nines. Chances are Matt's genuinely an old high school friend and they helped each other out with car parts and repairs...and in that case...

"Connor, have Nines ask whether Matt ever brought him cars to work on." Connor had opted to take Reed's usual space, leaning on the stone wall beside his seat. It was strange being this way round. Connor had even adopted his usual pose, folding his arms and leaning on one heel with his leg cocked. Connor's LED circled yellow as he sent Nines the question, watching his lips quirk slightly. It seemed their minds were working along the same track. It was reassuring, and increased his confidence as he leaned forward.

"You think Matt had this kid fix all their cars?" Hank asked from the seat to his left. Reed nodded in agreement as he watched the recording lights blink, showing that they were working. Within the room, Gary admitted that he had indeed fixed up a few cars for Matt on the down-low. His employer didn't know he'd taken on the extra work, so he'd be in trouble if they checked it out. Nines pushed a slightly fuzzy photo of the silver car across. It was a still from the camera footage they'd viewed earlier.

"Did you ever work on this one?" Nines' silvery eyes picked him apart as he took the photo and squint at it. He nodded slowly, agreeing that it did look like a car Matt had brought to him a few days ago. It had just needed a few simple engine parts. It hadn't had plates at the time either. So this was before the murder. They had the car fixed up so they could use it for one job and then burned it right after. It seemed a waste to fix a car up just for one job. It would make more sense to change the plates and sell it. Maybe the case spooked them...It's heavily publicised now. Makes sense they're being more careful.

Gary was as helpful as he could be. He explained their arrangement. Matt would let him come to the yard and take any parts he needed for work, and Gary would fix up anything Matt found that was salvageable for free. It was a good arrangement. Profitable for both of them. Matt got free work. Gary got free parts. He'd had no idea Matt was caught up in anything illegal. He'd always assumed his old friend was selling on the fixed up motors to get a little extra cash for his dad. The yard didn't exactly make a lot of money these days. Before he left, he agreed to look through his records and tell them about any other vehicles he'd worked on for Matt in as much detail as possible.

The next suspect was Thomas Parker. He was a little older than Gary, perhaps mid-twenties. His offenses were minor, but he was definitely shifty. Nervous. He knew something. Nines took a slightly harder approach as he entered. He used his height and build to his advantage as he leaned over the metal table and sat down slowly. He kept eye contact, his gaze sharp. Parker swallowed nervously as he sat back and tried to be casual. He was clearly uncomfortable with him in the room. Nines let the silence hang for a few moments as he held Parker's nervous gaze. Parker's leg started bouncing beneath the table as the seconds dragged.

"Thomas Parker...Your record is littered with speeding and parking offenses." Nines flipped open the file on the table with a sharp flick. He didn't introduce himself this time. He paused, casting an eye over the open file before levelling an expectant stare across the table. That seemed to make him more nervous. He squirmed uncomfortably in the metal seat. His hands hadn't been cuffed to the table. He'd come in peacefully and promised to cooperate. He shrugged defensively.