Predecessor (Connor x Reader)

23 - Signal Interference

He snorts. "Yeah, right."

Your heart starts to race.

You exhale slowly, shoulders dropping a fraction. No point pretending.

"Okay, look, it was just one time, a few days ago."

What else can you say?

"I didn't think it'd still be in my system. I never smoke usually."

He narrows his eyes slightly. Not angry—just calculating. "Just once?"

You nod. "Rough week."

A pause

Then, "Look. I don't really give a shit."

Your brows lift before you can stop them.

He goes on. "You're a damn good detective. Best work I've seen in a long time. And it's pretty clear you're not a heavy user, or I'd have seen it in your performance months ago."

You stay quiet, tension slowly uncoiling from your spine.

He gestures vaguely to the tablet. "But the higher-ups? They like clean lines and zero exceptions. So I'm telling you this once, off the record: don't let it happen again. Not for me. For you."

You nod, the relief passing through you quick and clean like a shot of air. "Understood. It won't."

Fowler leans back, rubbing his temples with a sigh. "Good. Now get out of my office before I have to pretend to be mad again."

You crack the faintest smile. "Yes, sir."

You slip out, pulling the door quietly shut behind you. You roll your shoulders once and walk over to your desk, like nothing just happened.

Connor's back at his station, reviewing footage like nothing in the world exists outside the screen.

You nod to him as you pass, then slide into your chair before angrily pulling out your phone, opening Cherry's contact.

You shoot her a text:

-Are you fucking serious???

The typing bubbles pop up immediately.

- u might have to give me a bit of context here

- The drug test was positive for marijuana!You said you were clean!!!

- oh fuuuck seriously?? 😦 i swore i was in the clear... it was like five days ago!! maybe four??ugh this is what i get for trusting that sketchy chart online 😭

- There's no way you thought it wouldn't show up? You're not stupid

- no seriously i thought i timed it right 😬😬😬 my bad... you're not gonna lose your job or anything right???

- No thankfully not

- okay good... if u did i'd literally kms omggg... but also!! you should be thankful i did it at all?? where else were you gonna get it??

- I know... I do appreciate it. Whatever... it worked out in the end. Just didn't love having to talk to my boss about it!

- yeah lol whoopsies 😻😻😻

You sigh, shut off your phone, and place it face down on the desk. Your hand drags across your face, slow and tired.

You turn on your monitor and it hums to life with a soft glow.

Open file. Skim data. Go through the motions.

But your mind won't follow.

It's still circling thirium trails, unregistered androids, and Fowler's voice echoing behind your eyes.