Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

Winner Chooses

"Alright, come on," Reed huffed in a resigned tone as he opened the clear cell door. VB looked uncontrollably smug as he got to his feet and stepped out into the corridor. Reed tried not to flinch as he deliberately stepped closer, looking down with a sneer as he towered over him. It was a common intimidation tactic. One he wasn't about to bow down to. It was almost annoying that towering was all he did. If he touched him, he could arrest him for assault. "You're free to go. Come with me so we can sign out your belongings and finish the paperwork." Reed stepped around him without further comment.

"Aren't you going to apologise for wrongfully detaining us?" VB asked haughtily as he followed him through to the bullpen. Reed's jaw tightened. He was a hundred percent sure that VB was involved somewhere along the line, and he hated the thought of apologising. VB knew it, too. They arrived at his desk, where Nines already had Fifty-Seven seated in his own chair, directing him on where to sign. Reed invited VB to sit and put the standard release document down for him to read.

"Sure. Sorry you got caught up in all this. I'm sure you understand our concerns, what with the body being found in your buddy's basement and you two being in the house at the time we arrived. We had to be careful, you know, considering the whole almost killing a police officer thing." He was careful not to give quite the apology VB had wanted. VB smirked as he scanned the form quickly. It was a standard release paper, making sure he had all the possessions he'd been brought in with and that he hadn't been harmed or mistreated during his stay.

"Such a heartfelt tone..." VB added dryly as Reed put down a small tray for him to look through. He hadn't been brought in with much. He had an almost empty wallet and a key. It was unusual, considering the amount of electronic locks these days, but a lot of androids lived in the older parts of town. Most payments were also wireless, but there were a few older places that still used cash, and any illegal activities still tended to use physical payments, too. Reed watched as VB took the items and signed the paper.

"I live to serve." Reed hated the smug look on VB's face as he sat back in his chair. My chair. Reed's brow furrowed as VB got comfortable, crossing his legs while waiting patiently for Fifty-Seven to finish. Reed turned to Nines almost resentfully. His partner seemed to be having a far easier time of it. As an android, Nines was likely spared the endless sass and attitude. "I'll see them out," Reed said as Fifty-Seven got to his feet. Nines looked reluctant at the suggestion, but he knew they were unlikely to try anything within the vicinity of the precinct.

"How kind of you, Sergeant," VB purred as he got to his feet. Reed rolled his eyes. He was doing it again. Towering. Reed stepped closer, deliberately brushing against him as he passed to lead the way. No way was he backing down to these fuckers. Their chests barely touched in passing, shoulders knocking slightly. VB seemed almost amused as he turned to follow with Fifty-Seven at his side.

"It's company policy. Don't get cocky," Reed griped as they stepped through the barriers. He stopped off at the main desk to give the papers to Stacey and confirm their release. With a few taps of the keyboard, they were officially free men. Part of him wished they weren't involved so that he didn't have to deal with them again. Fifty-Seven was too hard to rile, and VB was just fucking insufferable. They stepped out through the main doors and paused. Reed slipped his hands in the tight pockets of his jeans as he waited for them to head down the front steps, suddenly itching for a cigarette.

"Do take care, Sergeant Reed." Something about Fifty-Seven's polite words struck him as more of a warning than genuine concern. He frowned slightly as he looked between them. VB seemed almost predatory now that he was out. At the very least, Reed knew he wouldn't try anything right by the precinct. That didn't stop his whole body from stiffening as he stepped in closer, crowding into his personal space.