Deviants Fallen: A DBH Story

Chapter 38: Unbreathing

********CW: ATTEMPTED SUICIDE********

Connor watched on the other side of the mirrored glass as Detective Reed attempted, with little success, to interrogate Dr. Hayes. The doctor sat stoically in the hard chair, hands folded in her lap, staring at him with a calm, cold expression. Her heartrate betrayed no indication of distress. 

"Dr. Hayes," Reed said, "according to several sources, you're a known deviant sympathizer. We've tracked several deviants to the edge of your property, where we lost them. Were you aware of the deviant presence in your area?"

She remained silent. In a controlled, choreographed way, she pulled up her hand in mock boredom, inspecting her nails for a moment before returning her hand to her lap and looking at him. 

"We know you worked with the deviants during your abduction. Have you worked with them in any other capacity?"

She maintained eye contact, still saying nothing. 

"Several shipments of androids are missing from a Cyberlife warehouse. They were replaced with mannequins. You were the last person to be involved with these shipments. What did you do with the stolen androids?"

She folded her arms across her chest, leaning back into the chair, still maintaining eye contact while her lips remained still. 

A look of irritation crossed Reed's face. He leaned forward, slamming his hand down on the tabletop. "Answer the damn questions!"

Dr. Hayes didn't even flinch, and her heartrate remained even. 

"I have the right to remain silent," she said, voice cold. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Or did you forget?"

His face drew down into a sharp glare. "Where are the deviants?"

She yawned, covering her mouth delicately with one hand, appearing more bored than anything else. The picture of perfect control. "You know what else I have the right to? An attorney. Is Charlie here yet? I miss that guy."

Reed gritted his teeth, stress levels rising slightly. He turned to look at the window. "You know what? F**k this. I'm getting nowhere here." He stood abruptly, knocking the chair back and left the room. "One of you plastic pricks can take her."

He moved to the door, scanning his palm to leave.

Connor watched a small flicker of satisfaction cross Dr. Hayes' face watching him go. 

Detective Reed entered the observation room, glaring at Connor and Richard. "What do you think? Are you getting anything?"

Richard shook his head. "It's just like back at the hospital. She's in perfect control of her physiological signs and emotions. She's not afraid. In fact, she appears completely calm and at ease."

Connor observed her carefully. "No," he said. "She is afraid. That's why she's in perfect control. When she feels comfortable and safe, she shows more. When she's on guard and afraid, she hides everything."