interlinked (connorxreader)

2. Carlos Ortiz

The original plan was to write this first mission and the interrogation all together in one chapter, but it already feels long enough, and (even though it's kinda rough) I just wanted to get another chapter out before I can kick back and properly enjoy my thanksgiving break.

*ೃ༄࿐

Thursday, Nov 5

23:37

"Jesus, that smell!"

"Was even worse before we opened the windows."

You lift your eyes from the article in your hands, honing in on the footsteps entering the house. 3 pairs. Putting the digital booklet back down on the counter, you retreat from the kitchen, past the overbearing officials in hazmat suits, detouring around camera flashes and photobombs, and into the dilapidating living room. There, you find Detective Collins debriefing Hank on what he's missed, Connor quietly trailing behind them.

"The victim's name's Carlos Ortiz. He has a record for theft and aggravated assault."

Stepping past Collins, Hank offers you a passing glance and a brief nod of acknowledgement before tiptoeing through broken bottles and sidling up to the victim's corpse, examining it. His vibrant, tropical shirt layered with his brown coat was quite the contrast against the grey death enveloping the "home" around him (literally). He grimaces as the stench of rotten flesh intensifies tenfold, flies mercilessly buzzing around the oozing stab wounds.

He whispers a sheesh! under his breath. "State he's in... Wasn't worth calling everybody out in the middle of the night, could've waited 'til morning."

"I'd say he's been like this for some three weeks, give or take," you relay. "Victim wasn't social, hardly ever left the house, so his extended absence never raised any alarm. The suspected murder weapon is here by the couch," you point to a blood-rusted knife casted away on the floor.

"All doors were locked from the inside, and there were no signs of forced entry. Our assumption is the killer left through the back door," Collins hurriedly finishes. The stout man heaves, covering his face with his clipboard, and makes a beeline for the front door. 'I–I gotta get some fresh air."

Hank stands once again, scanning the writing above the corpse spelling 'I AM ALIVE' on the wall. From the corner of your vision, Connor turns away from your group as Collins leaves the stenched home, his eyes scrutinizing the whole of the worn room.

It unsettled you, the way his eyes traced the silhouette of every. Single. Thing. In the room in only a matter of seconds. His gaze left nothing untouched; even during your first meeting with him, the way he'd trailed your movement as you shoved your coat on, and going so far as to mimic some of your mannerisms, did not go unnoticed by you. You're not sure if that was CyberLife's way of making him more adaptable to social environments, but it only raised alarm for you regarding his... predatorial awareness. Only a few brief minutes of interaction and he'd already denoted some small quirks in your behavior. Ugh, it was so not a good feeling.

You did not like it one bit. If anything, it mildly justified for you the others' dislike for androids. Very mildly, however.

Speaking of predatorial, Connor must have sensed your intense staring for he turned his head towards you before his body followed, again, giving you that awkward, boyish smile.

"Hello, Detective. It's good to see you again."

Well, I saw you not that long ago. Regardless, you return an awkward, forced smile. "You as well, Connor. I hope the Lieutenant didn't give you too much trouble."