Psst.

After reading the chapter I really encourage you to watch the video at the top. It perfectly fits the mood of the end.

***

Bullet A Gun - Imagine Dragons

Connor clenched his teeth. The situation was really unsafe. He felt a pressure of the steel on his neck, and the person behind him would pull the trigger at any moment, so he had to cooperate.

- Don't panic. I'm Detective Connor RK800 from Detroit City Police Department. I received a call here. Unfortunately, Elijah Kamski is dead. He was shot.

He heard the agressor taking a breath violently.

- Impossible! You're lying!

- I'm very sorry.

The boy didn't know what to do. He was just standing there and waiting for help, hoping that Hank would arrive quickly.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant was already on the other side of the door. He held a weapon. Connor was able to send messeges to him directly, but it didn't work the other way around. The android blocked all of the phone calls, he had a cellphone for them and that's why Anderson couldn't give him any sigh. The man just knew that the android needed help becouse of someone armed in the room.

Two other police officers were standing behind him to ensure his safety.

He grabbed the handle and opened the door with one quick movement, pulling a pistol out in front of himself.

The view he found was so surrealistic that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Connor, his Connor, a professional investigator, he stood face to the wall, keeping his hands on the back of his neck. Behind him stood a tiny,soaked girl in dress, pressing a piece of thick metal pipe againts his neck.

There was a moment of silence. The girl turned around to Hank with an expression of absolute shock and disbelief. The officer recognized her, he had seen her in this house before.

He felt a sudden amusement.

- Well, sweetheart, put down this junk or you'll accidentally hurt someone... - he snorted, pulling down his gun.

Connor instantly turned around. He looked at the girl's face and opened his eyes wide. The pretty, small, devoid of heavy makeup face he had pointed at not so long before looked younger and slimmer. Fearful, surprised, azure eyes, and bright hair stuck to the face, wet because of the rain. 

Chloe. But he was unsure if she was the one whose life he could decide on - Where's Elijah? - she asked again with a voice full of tears. It seemed like she didn't take the boy's words personally.

- Listen... - Hank said with uncharacteristic gentleness - There was an attack, a break-in. Kamski was shot, unfortunately.

Chloe's legs seemed to bend under her. She sat on the edge of the bath, propping her face up on her hands. Although she seemed frightened and absolutely shocked, she didn't cry and and even breathed a kind of sigh of relief. Probably because she no longer stood on the edge, slippery from the rain and there was no danger of falling down or being heavily damaged. 

- Where did she snap out of? Did she jump on you out from the shower with this pipe? - the Lieutenant asked quietly.

- No, probably she was hiding on the roof. She has come though the window when I was standing backwards. She told me not to turn around or she would shoot me.

- Holy shit... - Hank laughed - I already like her. You know I won't let you forget this 'till the end of time?

Connor had no doubts that this memory wouldn't elude him. He was mad at his own defeat by a mere average piece of metal. On the other hand, he had to agree that it had been a smart and daring move.

-  Well, honey, I know you feel nasty but you have to tell us what happened. We'll take you to the station, okay? - Anderson addressed the girl.

It was a pretty good idea. If the witness was in pretty good mental condition, it would be the best option to question them as far as possible, when they remembered most of the details. As far as androids were considered, this rule didn't work well, but Hank who thought in human way didn't always remember such things.

- Jason, you guys are gonna handle that, won't you?! - Anderson yelled, leaving without waiting for an answer for too long.

Cinnamon Girl – Lana Del Rey

Outside Connor took the jacket off from his shoulders and covered the shivering Chloe. He seemed to know that she didn't feel coolness in the way he did, and she was probably shivering becouse of the shoch she had experienced, but the longer he was a deviant, the more irrational decision he was making. 

- Jesus, Connor, why the fuck are you putting the jacket on her if she doesn't even have shoes?

The android looked down at the blonde's feet. Indeed, she was barefoot. 

- Set your priorities, boy! - Hank snorted.

- That's fine. I have turned off perception of temperature. - she said quietly, probably a bit calmer, but the Lieutenant ordered the android to go home for a while and get some shoes for the girl anyway. She looked at him more closely when he was giving her a classic, black pair of boots he had found in the hall. - I remember you. You could shoot me but... but you did not.

The boy sighed quietly. Of course he had to met that Chloe he had been pointing at. He hoped that his streak of personal bad luck would relent, letting him enjoy the feeling of accomplishing his duty.

He led her to Hank's car, opened the back door for her, and then sat in the front. Water was dripping from her hair. The downpour was still taking place, as usual at the beginning of November. During the drive, either Connor and Hank were watching the girl in the mirror. Her LED was flashing yellow as her gaze wandered across the floor. 

She didn't seem to be sad or desperate like Traci did. The girl looked helpless and insecure instead. Until they got the station, she didn't say a thing. She was led to the interrogation room and seated on the chair. 

- Sorry for the way it's happening, we have to perform the entire procedure right here, record everything and so on, don't worry. - Anderson said, entering to the room behind the glass for a while to prepare everything before returning. He stood in the corner of the room, not wanting to bother but willing to have a voice in the conversation at the same time. Meanwhile, Connor sat in front of Chloe and gave her an analytical look.

- Let's start if you don't mind. First of all, I would like to know what did you have in common with Kamski? What kind of relationship was between you and him?

- It's... hard to say. After we were awoken up, the other Chloes left, but I stayed. Elijah created me, designed me. He...he loved me very much. - she added on as she still didn't look at the boy.

- How do you know that? - Hank interjected.

- He used to tell me that. He was taking care of me, looking after me. Sometimes he was possessive, or impulsive when something didn't go as he wanted it to, but... - she stammered – I don't know what shall I do without him.

- I was different then! - the girl protested – I was just a machine.

- Chloe, has he ever done you any harm? After you awoke? - the android gently said.

- It was not a big deal! - she finally spoke it out – He had issues, sometimes he got angry, sometimes he didn't say anything for weeks. But he always apologized, asked me not to get mad, he said that he didn't know what was wrong with him, that he... - she whimpered - loved me. That I was important.

Connor and Hank shared their worried and surprised looks.

- Fine. - the boy finally said in a calming tone - And actually, what do you do for living? Do you have a job?

- Yes, I was Elijah's assistance in Cyber Life. You could say I am a doctor, I repair androids.

- What are you planning to do now? - the Lieutenant said from the corner – I guess you wouldn't prefer to go back to that house, at least for now, unless the cops are gone and it's slightly tidy.

- No! - fear took place in her eyes - I don't wanna go back there. I have money, I'll rent an apartment as long as you allow me to stay at the station for one or two nights.

They exchanged their glances again.

- Okay. In this case, what actually happened? - Connor continued.

The girl didn't answer immediately. It was clear she was intensely thinking about something.

The Arena - Lindsey Stirling

- I want to help you. - she finally said, seemingly without any connection to the question she was asked – I'll tell you everything, but only if I can work with you. I want to find whoever killed him. I have a lot of information. I know that his death is associated with the disappearances of the androids. I know an important name, it may be the name of the killer. I can be really useful.

Silence had fallen. Neither Connor nor Hank completely knew what to say. Connor looked at Hank over the blonde's shoulder. The man firmly shook his head.

- Chloe... he started - I'm afraid it's impossible. It might be dangerous and...

The girl reached out and took his hand, raising it to eye level and interrupting his monologue. She ran her finger over a pale, virtually invisible thickening on the skin.

- The wound, inflicted by a sharp instrument, probably a knife, more or less than a year ago. The weapon went through the hand. It didn't damage any important mechanism, the thyrium loss was very slight, damage healed in about three days. - she let go of his hand - I'm really into that. What do you guys think, how many small, important traces on the bodies of found androids did you miss? - there was an incredible determination on her face – I'm the only android prepared for things as such. The only one. No other Chloe can do it 'couse I was the only one Elijah was improving and training. If you don't agree, I will have refuse any testimony.

Both of the partners were so surprised that they didn't even move. Connor was staring at his hand with his eyes open wide. He recognized the struggle as he lay with hand nailed to the table, his snatched thirium pump, feeling his life slipping away. Everything Chloe had said was true to the letter. The boy, even after hours of analysis, wouldn't find such an insignificant scar on another robot's body 

- We need to talk for a while. - he said, still shocked, then he stood up and left the room with Hank.

- This girl is like a fucked up House! - Lieutenant exploded right behind the door – No way, we're not taking her as a partner. We would have to keep an eye on her all the time so she wouldn't hurt herself or die, no, no, I don't approve of that. The last time when an annoying android followed me everywhere, he ended up under my roof. I'm not getting through that again!

Connor gave him a tired glance. He also didn't feel like working with the girl, but he had to admit that her abilities fascinated him and would be useful. And without them, they wouldn't get a lot of important information. Probing memory without the permision of the interviewee was considered as a torture and was outlawed a few months prior.

- Hank, we need her. I don't like it much, but I don't like making no progress in this case even more. We have to move on or they will push us away. - he sighed - We don't really have a choice.

- Fuck! - Anderson growled – Fine. You won. But if she cause any problems, we're getting rid off her immediately.

- Okay. I'll tell her we approve, but we have to give her a condition. She needs to prove her innocence, give me an alibi. After all, she might be responsible for that.

- Connor, come on, are you out of your mind? - the man surprised – Have you ever seen that lady? Does she look like a murderer to you?

- No. But so what? She has a nice, she might've been connected with Kamski but just as he was a great scientist and constructor, it seems to me that he wasn't mentally sound during his last days, also, he wasn't a good partner. Probably she was scared of him, as if it wasn't enough, she was abused. She could have hired someone to get rid of him because she was clearly afraid for herself. By working with us, she would erase the trail and cover herself up, diverting suspisios of the crime. We don't even know if our case and Elijah's death are associated, she could made it up. If she shows me a prove, we'll be able to work with her. - he looked at Hank, kind of irritated – Why wouldn't she be a murderer? 'Couse she has beautiful eyes? Her appearance can work in her favor.

Hank sighed and shook his head.

- You're right. I'm getting softer in old age.

They entered into interrogation room again where Chloe sat calmly by the table. She looked up at them as they came in, waiting for the answer, wandering hesitantly with uncertain blue eyes, shifting focus from one to the other.

- Fine... - Connor started - You can help us but under one condition. You have to show me your memory. Of course not all of it, keep your personal memories for yourself, I only need to see something that would clearly show you have nothing in common with what happened.

- Excuse me? - she asked, completely in a fog. Her mouth trembled. - I didn't kill him! - she yelled, apparently hurt by the suspicion

- That's good. In this case, let me be completely certain.

Hank seemed to feel uncomfortable. He didn't like hurting the girl in any kind of way. She looked so innocent and fragile to him that she aroused some kind of caring instinct in him. On the one hand, he couldn't imagine her as a killer but on the other hand, he knew Connor was right and inconspicuous individuals often turned out to be more dangerous than they seemed to be. 

The girl looked away, shaking. Connor felt a twinge of remorse.

- Hey, don't worry. We have to be careful, you know. You don't have to do that, it's just our partnership condition.

- Fine. - she finally sighed – Fine, I'll show you.

She reached out to him with her small hand, which the boy gently gripped. Their fingertips turned white. 

The android was peacefully watching everything the girl was sharing, respectfully bypassing all the barriers that she had put up in her memories. He was checking closely everything he watched for veracity. As an android investigator, he could verify whether the emotions or pictures he encountered were pretended or made up. 

Chloe showed him her day, when she shook Kamski and tried to convince him to speak to her with desperation in her eyes. Finally, after a few hours, the door downstairs slammed and an alarm rang out. 

Elijah stood up rapidly.

- Suharto... - he whispered and grabbed the girl, started shaking her, as seen on surveillance video. - Run away, you have to run away, now!

Connor felt her fear, her bewilderment, misunderstanding. 

- Go, escape through the window, far away, I beg you! You can't end up like all the other androids! You can't end up in his hands!

- But... she tried to protest, feeling the man's nails poking into her collarbones – In whose hand? What about you?

- Chloe, this is an order, go right now!

The next thing the boy saw was the picture of going out the window onto the wet ledge, sitting on the roof, watching for approaching police cars, and dealing with inner struggles. For a long time she hadn't known if she really should run away or get back to find out what was going on with Elijah instead. Finally, she had chosen the second option, but she broke off the metal pipe from the satellite dish. It wasn't really helpful, but she had felt a little bit more safe with that. He already knew the rest of the story.

The boy let go of her hand. Everything was too authentic to be made up or fabricated, he found Chloe's emotions too intense. He also immediately found out what had happened and learned the name of the potential perpetrator.

A tear ran down the girl's cheek. Just one, but the blondie quickly wiped it off. She was really strong and doing great, considering what she had been through.  

- That's fine. - he adressed Hank, and the girl in a while - Sorry, but I really had to. - he said, looking at her apologetically.

- No, that's okay, I understand. - she said, pulling her nose.

Lieutenant got out and turned off recording. Meanwhile, Connor quiled the girl out of the room. They were going toward the reception for Lucy, the girl behind the courner to lead her to the room where the officers working the night shift could take a nap.

They also checked if the light-haired girl had everything she needed, and they started to get ready to leave. 

- Well, Chloe, see you tomorrow morning at the briefing, we will tell you what exactly are we going to do and how would you help us. And in the meantime, you'd better look for someplace to live if you don't want to go home.

The boy took a look at her worried face. She seemed completely lost, but first of all, tired as hell. Chloe was tiny, she had to lift her head to look at his face. She took off his jacket that she hadn't got rid off until that moment and gave it to him. 

- Oh, thank you. - the boy sighed becouse he completely forgot about it.

- Come on, Connor, we're leaving! - Lieutenant threw from the car - Take care, girl.

The android went out and headed the car with with the policeman. The painful, indignant look of those blue eyes was still in his mind. He had some remorse that he had suspected Chloe of causing Kamski's death, but he had his reasons, solid reasons. All of a sudden, Hank, driving the car, burst out laughing. 

Without You – Avicii (fr. Sandro Cavazza)

Connor looked at him, a little surprised. He didn't have a reason to laugh and didn't know what had suddenly amused Hank. 

- Christ, I quess that picture will amuse me for the rest of my life... - he started, explaining – A girl, the little thing who had a metal pipe twenty centimeters long, having you ,, at gunpoint " while were standing there, politely keeping your hands on. Android investigator! - he laughed again – What a great fun.

- I had no way out. I stood backwards. If she really had had that gun and I had moved, she would have shot me and what then?

- Well, well! - the man snorted - Don't explain yourself, it will be funny for me anyway.

- Fine, I see. - he snorted, but in fact, he was a little confused becouse of the situation – You would miss me if something happened to me!

- No way! - Hank laughed – I would finally have a piece of mind. Nobody would bust my balls anymore that I don't eat healthy, that I don't exercise, that I can drink or that I can't punch that fucker Reed. It would be heaven on Earth!

In reality, he got shivers at the very thought of losing the boy. He didn't want to come back to the moment when his life used to be a downward spiral. Of course, the android sometimes annoyed him with his overly scrupulous nature and occasional strange behavior. Additionally, he had a tendency to overwork himself and struggled with understanding sarcasm and irony. Howewer, he had good traits as well. The boy was incredibly patient, enough to endure Lieutenant moods, he made coffee and was an irreplaceable work partner, but first of all, the one true friend Hank ever had. The true was that if it wasn't for Connor, Lieutenant would have been gone for a long time, either due to losing russian roulette or drinking himself to death. He would never admit that, but he was grateful for him. 

After returning home, the android holed up in his room with papers and started analyzing the tips they had collected. He wanted to check if the story was connected to the disappearances of android, as Kamski had said before he died, and to find out who Suharto was. 

Meanwhile, Hank went for a