Hardware

Now, despite it all Dante wouldn't say that Officer Ramon was a dick.

Which is strange.

He knows.

But it's true. And he doesn't say this to sound mature or even responsible. He says it because the term just didn't seem to suit his fellow colleague at all.

Unwrapping a sucker from its packaging, the twenty-four-year-old guessed that if he could pick a term: massive cunt of epic proportions was probably more or less the best route to go.

Tapping his finger absently on the surface of his desk. The lollipop in his mouth turned sour upon contact. As his eyes adverted to the said cunt who was currently standing only a few feet away.

All brawn and full bite. The literal personification of manliness as he liked to sometimes call it was talking to Officer Killing. And for a second Dante feels a rant coming on about how stupid his face looked today. But he quickly becomes sidetracked as his focus zoned in on his fated string.

Watching as it waved around Ramon's head like a bloody halo before flying out of the window. And as a result, as if it never left. Dantes attention zones back onto Mr. DickMcgee.

Who currently thought that whatever Officer Killings said, was so funny that he had deemed it his responsibility to fill the building with his annoying cackle. Before patting the shorter mans shoulder and making his way towards Dante's desk.

Greeting the computer analyst with a sudden harsh jab on the back that has Dante hoping he wasn't leaking spinal fluid before talking."Donald, I need you to check this out for me."

Shoving a cheap camera into his face. Ramon looked as if he just won the lottery before speaking again.

"I found it on that crime scene near that Murphy murder. So just do your nerd thing and then wipe it out."

Fumbling with the device. Dante let out a squeak of surprise. Lollipop almost falling from his mouth as he settled the camera against his lap.

"Y-Yes sir"

Seeming proud with the transaction, Ramon barely gave Dante another glance before walking away.

Scowling, Dante shifted in his seat. He really hated Ramon.

The fucker should show him some more respect. Superior or not, without him they probably wouldn't have had solved half the cases they got this year. But he was so cocky that he probably would die before admitting it.

Shifting his eye, he wondered what he would give to drop the arsehole a peg or two down. Have him on his knees red-faced and begging for it as he ran his thumb across his mouth.

...

A kidney probably.

...

Shifting the lollipop to the other side of his mouth. Dante took a look at the exterior of the camera. It was a flagship camera, definitely. Canon to be specific.

It also surprisingly carried barely any scratches for a camera that was found at a crime scene. If Dante was to guess the camera was fairly new.

*

His suspicion rises.

*

And Dante is about to call out to Ramon because something obviously wasn't right. He doesn't believe that this camera is what they think it is.

But then Dante stops himself. Because what is he doing? This is Ramon we're talking about. He probably wouldn't even take him seriously. Matter of fact he should just let the twat get screwed over when he takes it to the chief.

So against better judgment, Dante flicked the camera on. The main screen flashing the logo of the company before settling on the home screen.

Looking through the settings and such everything looked normal.

Until he clicked on the play button.

Violently tossing the camera to the ground. Dante jerked away from the thing as if it was very embodiment of leprosy. A scream racking up his throat in the process.

Seconds past, and Dantes breath is regulated enough that he doesn't stop himself from trying to pick up the now cracked camera screen. But a bigger hand gets to it first, holding it tightly with a vice grip.

"Fucking shit."

Swiping his thumb across the screen, Dante watched as Roman looked at the camera screen with unfiltered interest. An animalistic grin plastered over his face as he ogled at the naked women who were sucking and grinding on each other for the camera.

"I gotta keep a copy of this, good porn is so hard to find these days."

Pushing a mumbling Dante away from the computer screen. Roman grabbed for the USB cord. Sticking his tongue out of the corner of mouth as he went to connecting the two-way wire to the output of the computer.

And just before he connects the other end with the camera.

Dante does the most dangerous thing he could think of.

In a blur of tan skin and dirty nails, Dante snatches the cord from out of Ramon's palms.

His own hands beginning to shake violently as he wondered what the bloody hell he was doing. Gripping the chord to his chest, he wondered if this was the day that he was indeed going to die before speaking.

"I-I can't let you do that Officer Ramon. It's a-against the rules. You'll be spoiling e-evidence"

A moment passes. And the glare that Ramon lays upon him could probably land him in the tenth level of hell as he walks slowly towards him. Foot steps matching the countdown to his demise.

Before he leans down, bringing their faces close enough that Dante could smell the tuna salad he had for lunch on his breath.

"Are you getting in the way of my need, Dante?"

Breathing heavily, Ramon turned his head slightly so that his lips were near his ear as his voice dropped down to a whisper.

"Because if so, I might just have to remind you on what I hold over your head, murderer."

Everything freezes as Dante felt his brain blank out.

No

He can't use that against him. He didn't have a choice. He told him to take the shot.

But you're the one pulled the trigger.

Your the one with the ashes still in your refrigerator.

Tightening his fist. His heart began to race as the most obvious suggestion came into his brain. He didn't have a choice.

He had to do this.

Releasing the USB cord from his chest. Dante dropped the cord into Ramon's open hand.

"Good boy."

Letting out a low huff. Dante watched as Ramon pulled away from his space. Satisfying smirk spread across his features as he connected the USB cord to the computer again.

Before dark look, turning his head and staring at Dante as he connected it to the camera.

Copying and pasting the contents to his email. As Dante watched before getting out of his seat and walking away.

He really hated Ramon.

-------

Two Blocks Away

Giving the lollipop in her mouth a harsh suck. Kenya felt the group stare at her with anticipation as she gazed at her computer.

"We're in."