Tick Tock Part Four - The Mouse Fell Down

One Step Behind

Upon arrival, Nines reflected that Fighting Island was indeed a beautiful place. It was no surprise that the BASF had declared it off limits to all but its caretaker. Unlike mainland Detroit, the plant life was flourishing. Though the weather was grim, he also noted various birds and insects no longer seen in the city. This was a haven of nature. His LED span yellow as he scanned the area, looking for signs of human activity. He'd docked his boat in a small nook, away from the wooden pier that he assumed led to the research base. This left him in the throes of nature, forcing him to climb and fight his way through the underbrush to reach a clearly trodden path.

He was cautious as he stepped onto it, scanning for cameras and activity. Curiously enough, there was none. Perhaps that was to be expected. The Hickory Killer, or Dr Berkshall as he had chosen to be called, had never expected anyone to find him. How could they when he'd covered his tracks so thoroughly? If not for that chance sighting by an unseen android, Nines would never have found the small boat. The BASF would also have something to say if he went around putting up cameras in the reserve. They were supposed to be preserving nature, not choking it with technology. The lack of cameras was good for Nines as he worked his way through the trees and shrubs to finally come upon the base itself.

It wasn't anything special, just a two-storey building, a little bigger and wider than the average house. The roof was sloped, making rainwater gush into thick gutters that led into reservoirs where it could be saved and heated for baths and cycled through the heating system. Long windows lined both floors, but the glass was dark. Mirrored, like those of Elijah's mansion. Security cameras circled the building, filming the path to the door and the rear entrance. That was the only precaution Nines could see. Scanning the building, he was troubled to find no activity. Perhaps Dr Berkshall and his android were elsewhere. He could only assume Gavin would be kept somewhere more secure than the upper floors. It wouldn't do for guests to hear his cries for help.

Knowing the coast was clear, Nines waited for the front camera to turn and hurried to the door. Hacking the lock was a simple matter for his advanced systems, and within moments, he was standing in the welcome hall. It was roomy, with shiny linoleum flooring and various pictures of the reserve hung on the walls. This was likely a foyer, a reception for visiting classes and researchers. Drawing his sidearm, Nines cleared the building room by room. If not for all the connections they'd made, he might think he'd made a mistake with how normal it all seemed. The lower floor was set up as a sort of visitor's centre. There were terminals offering various information about the animals and plants on the island, papers that young children could stamp at various stations, and even a small lecture hall with an electronic screen.

The upper floor was also unassuming. The rooms along the right were classrooms and small offices with more advanced terminals. This was likely where Dr Berkshall and any visiting students conducted research. There was a science lab containing various microscopes and stored plants. Chemicals and petri dishes, test tubes and pipettes, and many other items that could be used for experiments. There were also display cases full of preserved insects and dried plants; hundreds of varieties. Years of work that had likely been started long before Dr Berkshall arrived.

Further along the hall, on the left, were the personal living spaces. Two communal bathrooms, and four guest rooms with a kitchen and living area attached. At the far end was an office that belonged to Dr Berkshall and a private apartment that had clearly been his personal living space. Nines took great interest in these. The office was empty. Hooks remained on the walls where items had been removed, the desk had been cleared with the chair tucked beneath, and multiple bookcases remained stocked with books. Interesting...He'd taken the pictures, but not the books.

The living area was also surprising. Furniture remained inside, ready for someone else to move in. There was even food in the fridge, though nothing that had been opened. Everything was clean and tidy. Stepping into the bedroom, the wardrobes and drawers were empty. Nothing remained that had belonged to Dr Berkshall. Is that by coincidence or by design? It was entirely possible that this was a secondary living space, somewhere he only stayed when researchers were visiting. It certainly wasn't where he'd kept Gavin and gone about his less savoury activities.