Chapter 4-Boys in Black
It had been the rudimentary back-up plan of poker. Something about poker brought out people's more animalistic tendencies. As was his perrogitive, Patrick had infiltrated the group as a casual player of poker and Teresa was the pleasant 'eye candy', though no one knew she was packing heat.
LaRoche played poker even worse than Patrick did, but incidentally the plans that Otis had set out had been recorded through a bug that Patrick had inconspicously planted on the collar of Otis' suit.
'When I get out of prison, Ben, you are a dead man.', he fumed.
'Add to many offenses possible homicide to that rap sheet and you're going to the greybar motel for a good LONG time.', one of the officers said, taking away the cuffed, and irate Otis to the squad car for further questioning.
'I owe you, Patrick. When Kimball heard my story, he cautioned me you might be in no mood to help, but you're full of surprises.', Ben said, relieved.
'I wasn't so sure I wanted to assist you either but the true maniac was Otis. At least he won't be bothering you for a long, long time.', Patrick said. Ben unexpectedly hugged Patrick thanking him. It seemed that LaRoche had undergone a transformation in the last years he had underwent his tribulations. He seemed more straightforward and less cowardly. He wasn't certain what had occurred in Ben's life, but he had a feeling that perhaps Ben had sought psychiatric help for the demons that had plagued him his entire life. He may not have been entirely cured of them all but at least he wasn't so corrupt as he had been in the past. It was like a breath of fresh air to Patrick.
'You probably shouldn't go bowling with old friends so often, Ben. That's where you get yourself in trouble. Try making new friends. You'll find the people that are with you here at the FBI in California will more than treat you right. They'll be your own band of brothers. Trust me, I've come to know that in the past few years.', Patrick said.
'How's Teresa. Oh, how's the little baby ?', Ben questioned, curiously.
'You mean our 7 year old girl, Ben ! She's fantastic. Growing like a weed every single day. She's like her mom, just loves nature, climbing trees, hiking trails and going on adventures.', Patrick answered, a bit of pride in his voice.
'You do make a superb father, Patrick. Yet, I knew you always would. You and Teresa are made for each other. She's lucky to have you.', LaRoche complimented. It was enough to make Patrick want to blush being given a comment by his former enemy. With that, he shook his new friend's hand, set off for a flight back to Texas and returned home with Teresa, hand in hand, side by side.