interlinked (connorxreader)

6. White Lie?

Connor's frowns, his perfect face marred by the wrinkles creased between his brows. "Detective, it is a serious accusation to claim a key witness in our investigation as unreliable. Are you certain?"

"I have no doubt, I'm certain. He lied." You insist.

Connor nods pensively, his head drooping to the scuffled white tile beneath your shoes, his eyes darting up to the room you've just left. A hum rumbles in his chest as he straightens his shoulders once again and resolves the brainstorm whirring in his head.

"Alright then. We'll have to bring this to the Lieutenant's attention and come up with a more effective way to properly interrogate the victim."

You stare at Connor in surprise, not expecting him to have believed you so quickly. Of course you knew Todd was lying, but convincing Hank was so frustratingly difficult at the start. He was doubtful of your 'gut instinct' as he put it and your 'behavioral readings' as you put it. So why the android detective before you accepts your claim without hesitation, or much thought, is unbeknownst and undecipherable to you.

While Hank would initially scoff and dismiss your "backless" deductions, Connor only looks at you with such a sincerity that stills your pulse and blurs your periphery.

"Oh. Uh– okay. Yeah, that works. Um, you can wait for him here if you prefer, I won't need much help setting up over at Ravendale."

Connor nods, and in unspoken agreement you both turn away and set off to your respective objectives.

"Oh, Detective!"

You turn back at the call of your name.

Connor retraces a step back towards you, a subtle smile easing onto his pink lips. It's the most genuine one you've seen on him yet. "I didn't get the chance to thank you last night."

You blink, your mind at a blank. "Thank me?"

"Yes, for saving me. If you hadn't gotten me out of the way I would most certainly have been destroyed." He chuckles, a sound that coaxes your head to tilt slightly to the right, intrigued that he was capable of such a function. You weren't expecting so much... life from him. "Believe it or not, I'm quite difficult to replace; a terrible inconvenience." He slightly bows his head to you, that sincerity once again entangling itself into your skin. "Thank you."

Reply, you idiot.

"Of course, it was no problem."

It was 'no problem' to throw yourself in front of a gun? Hello??

If Connor picks up on the fallacy of your reassurance, he gives you the grace to ignore it. Instead, he nods once more and turns away back to Todd's room, neatly settling himself on a seat placed across from the door.

Seeing him dutifully perform his task, you shake your head and resume your own mission, sharply scolding yourself for losing your train of thought. You yank your radio from your belt and raise it to your mouth, requesting a response from Chris.

"I'm here, what's up?" Although muffled and crackled, Chris' voice grounds you to the task at hand, and you leave your suspicions of Todd back in the hall with Connor, your vision sharper than ever again.

"Lock down the area surrounding the Ravendale district." You direct. "The deviant is armed and unpredictable, so we can assume that it's aggressive and should take necessary precaution."

Chris confirms your orders and solidifies your resolve. "I'll round up some guys and set barricades around the neighborhood. It's not leaving here without cuffs."

*ೃ༄࿐

The Ravendale District is sparse of people, atypical traffic for a Saturday afternoon, courtesy of Chris' handiwork. A few couples are walking along the streets here and there, peeking into shop windows and stopping to speak to investigating officers. Mothers hold their children a little closer while busy-body workers ignore the activity beyond their construction zones — necessary civil workers.