Part 2: The Arrest
Holly stood in the station, making notes on the raid she'd just come from. The LEP had gotten a tip on a restaurant that was secretly smuggling illegal fish products. They'd nabbed in everyone in the joint, a good haul. Most of the customers would be fined and sent home, but the owners would be facing lengthy jail sentences.
A sprite hurried up to Holly, face a pasty green. "Captain, I think you should see something," he said, looking like he might throw up. "It's urgent."
Holly frowned and followed him to the jail cells. "What's wrong, Lieutenant?"
He stopped next to one and pointed. "In there, Captain. He demanded to see you right away."
Holly looked through the bars and almost fainted. There, standing in the middle of the cell, was Commander Root. His face was a healthy purple.
She hardly knew how to process the sight. "Commander!" she gasped, horrified. "What are you doing in there?"
"What in Frond's name do you think I'm doing?" Root roared, storming up to the bars. "The cancan? My own men arrested me in that restaurant! Me, a decorated LEP commander! And I don't even like fish!"
"Why on earth were you at a restaurant?" she cried, notes forgotten.
"I secretly work the evening shift to earn a few extra coins," he drawled sarcastically. "I was eating, Short. I had no idea the place was running an illegal operation."
"I know, sir," Holly said miserably. "The LEP only got tipped a few hours ago."
There were sounds of a scuffle at the entrance and two officers approached, dragging a criminal between them. The criminal lifted her head. It was Commander Raine Vinyaya.
Holly could only stare as the elf was thrown into Root's cell. "Commander?"
"Gods, Root, that's the last time I date you," Vinyaya growled, punching his shoulder viciously. "Why did I let you talk me into it?"
"I don't know!" Root shouted, face red as a Christmas light bulb. "Why did you?"
"Perfect," Vinyaya groaned, sliding down the wall to the floor. "This is the most humiliating night of my life."
"I know what you mean," Root said, holding his face in his hands. "I never thought I'd get locked up in my own jail cell."
"And getting caught dating you...well, I can't think of a worse punishment."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" cried Root, offended.
Holly shook her head, dazed. "Wait a minute. You two are dating?"
"No, and if you spread that around I'll have your badge," Vinyaya warned. "You and Foaly posted our names on that dating site and it matched us. We just thought we might as well try it."
"We got busted together," Root said, sinking onto the cot. "I know you like action, Vinyaya, but..."
"Yeah, the twenty armed LEP officers pointing guns at my head really turned me on," Vinyaya said. "And when they violently wrestled me to the ground I got so romantic that I was tempted to elope with you."
"Frond, I'm sorry, Commanders," Holly said, feeling like she might vomit. Root and Vinyaya dating? Was that even legal? "I guess you'll have to stay here tonight. I'll see what can be done to spring you."
"You better hurry," Vinyaya said, giving Root the evil eye. "I don't want to stay in this cell with him."
"Why not, Commander?" a cheeky eavesdropping officer chirped. "I think it's kind of romantic. For your dinner tonight, do you want candlelight and soft music?"
Holly pushed him out of the room. If he'd stayed he would have been doubly fired. "Listen, Commanders, just hang tight. We'll get you out of there."
