Predecessor (Connor x Reader)

13 - On The Run

"You're saying the android attacked you for no reason? No warning? Do you have any idea why she might have done that?" you continue.

"No damn clue," Todd spits out. "One minute it was serving dinner, next it's pickin' up a lamp and cracking me over the head with it."

"Did she seem upset? Angry?" You press further, though you already have a good idea of where this is going.

"I don't know! It's just a machine. Must've malfunctioned. But now it's gone, and my daughter's with it. And I've got this wound on my forehead."

The frustration in his voice is evident, but there's something hollow in it, like he's only focused on the inconvenience of his injury and not the potential trauma his daughter's going through. The pieces don't fit, and the anger bubbling up in your chest is hard to ignore.

Connor shifts his stance slightly, eyes scanning Todd with subtle focus. "I understand your frustration," he says, voice smooth. "But you're telling me the deviant just snapped? Picked up a lamp and hit you for no reason?" He lets the question hang for a moment, offering a brief, almost imperceptible glance at you.

"I don't know what you're trying to say, but the damn thing attacked me. What more do you need to hear?"

Connor takes a moment, considering. "Just trying to make sense of the situation," he says, his voice mild, almost apologetic. "Deviants don't typically act out of nowhere. There's usually a cause. But I'm sure you're right," he adds, glancing at you briefly. "Maybe it's as simple as a malfunction."

"Right," you agree, sensing Connor's subtle challenge. "Could be."

Todd glares at you, then shifts his gaze to Connor, almost defensively. "So, what? A machine is here to judge me too now? Got your shiny badge, just like a human. But we both know you aren't one. I don't know why they don't just shut you all down."

"Alright, I think we've heard enough," Hank says, cutting the conversation short. "We'll process your statement. If we need anything else, we'll reach out."

You stand, signalling to Sophia at the door. "Can you send Mr. Williams on his way?"

"Sure," she replies, moving towards the door and gesturing him to follow.

Todd looks at you, then back at Hank. "That's it? No other questions?"

Hank doesn't even look up as he shrugs. "Nope. We're done here."

Todd grumbles under his breath as he gets up, muttering about the incompetence of the whole process as he's escorted out.

"Well..." You huff, running a hand through your hair. "That felt like a whole load of bullshit, right?"

"Sketchy guy for sure," Hank grumbles. "But there's a wound on his head. Something must've happened, whether it aligns with his story or not."

"Androids always seem to deviate when they're in traumatic situations." You say. "There's no way she just attacked him out of the blue, he must have provoked her. I'm sure she did attack, but I'd bet it was in self-defense. I mean just look at his history."

"Yeah, he's left a hell of a trail," Hank adds, scratching his chin.

"It's true that his story doesn't quite add up," Connor finally chimes in. "It's like he's rehearsed it. But everyone reacts differently to stress. I suppose it's worth looking into."

"His body language was defensive, too," you continue, your mind still processing every detail. "He kept his distance and angled his body away from us."

Connor raises his eyebrows, his gaze thoughtful. "He didn't seem physically intimidating, though. But I get the sense you're looking beyond just the facts."