Clearing Out the Ashes
By Brate
ATF Universe
"What do you mean 'They're in jail'?"
Chris Larabee turned to his oldest friend and grinned. "I mean... those two idiots are sitting in jail."
"But why?" JD asked, just as confused as his partner.
The man in black quickly explained about the morning's car chase and modular home being burned down.
Josiah chuckled. "Are you trying to teach our wayward brothers a lesson?"
Chris nodded. "Nothing else seems to sink in."
"So how'd they take it?" Buck was finally getting into the moment.
"As well as you can imagine."
Each man took a moment to picture the scene in his mind's eye; it brought a smirk to everyone's face.
Nathan shook his head to clear it. "So, when are you bailing them out?"
"I'm not."
"Chris!" JD was aghast.
"Oh, they aren't really under arrest. They just think they are."
"What are you talking about, Pard?"
"The PD was tired of cleaning up after them, and just as anxious for those two to curtail their hijinks. They processed them and locked 'em up. Vin and Ez will be released later tonight."
"But if they were fingerprinted..." Nathan mused.
"It might not be wise to have Ez's prints on file with the PD," warned Buck. "A little too easy to access."
"Don't worry," Chris told his men as he brought out some papers from his jacket pocket. "I have all their paperwork right here... it's all good."
JD laughed. "Wait until they find out."
"I'm not afraid. By tonight, those two'll be so worked up and worried, that all they'll be thinking about is how to stay outta trouble."
It took about five seconds until the other men started screaming with laughter at the thought of the original "trouble twins" behaving themselves. Larabee just watched them with a scowl on his face.
~***~***~***~***~
Ezra Standish was sitting on a bunk, still rubbing his hands, trying to get the ink off his fingertips.
Vin Tanner lay on the opposite bunk with his fingers laced behind his head, staring at his partner. "It ain't comin' off, Ez. Why doncha jest relax?"
"Because, while you are certainly used to such treatment, I, however, am not." Ezra gave up his futile attempt to clean his hands and started pacing around the cell. "I hope Mr. Larabee is attempting to affect our emancipation. I do not relish losing my current position on our team."
"We ain't gonna get fired."
"And how do you know this, Mr. Tanner? Or should I refer to you as the Amazing Kreskin?"
"Ol' 'Evil-Eye' Larabee is just tryin' to shake us up a mite."
That stopped the undercover agent in his tracks. "What are you talking about?"
"We ain't under arrest."
"I beg to differ." Standish threw up his hands, motioning at the jail cell surrounding them.
"It's a goof. Chris was pissed and he wanted ta get back at us."
Ezra still looked confused.
"I spied that asshole takin' our prints an' such from the cop who tagged us." Vin snorted. "Our boss needs some lessons in bein' sneaky."
"Are you saying I've been tricked?"
"Yep."
"You know what this means, don't you?"
"Yep."
"That we will have to plan our reprisal."
"Yep."
