Orin Travis stepped out of his office with a briefcase in hand, and smiled tightly at his receptionist. "I'm off to the trenches, Alice."
Alice knew the judge had been tense during the time Chris Larabee had been forming the new ATF unit. And the last piece Larabee needed was an undercover agent.
"Say hi to Buck for me," she smiled.
Travis sighed, shaking his head as his receptionist laughed and left the offices.
He was passing a file on one Ezra Standish to Chris, and he'd be lying if he didn't admit to having some reservations. Standish was unorthodox, at best. But he trusted Horner, and besides he promised.
Travis stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the floor that housed the new ATF team.
He stepped off the elevator and was assaulted by Jimmy Buffet being played at a ridiculously high volume.
"Dammit Buck!" Nathan Jackson shouted. "Turn it down!" The black man, who was normally calm, was rapidly loosing patience.
"What?" Buck Wilmington shouted, smiling. "Can't hear ya!" The mustached agent was enjoying himself. In his days as an officer on the Denver PD, he wouldn't have been part of such a relaxed atmosphere.
Josiah Sanchez was stuffing cotton into his ears, JD Dunne was focused on his computer screen, ignoring everything around him, and Vin Tanner was sleeping at his desk, oblivious.
Chris stormed out of his office. The blond agent's green eyes were flashing. "Gawd dammit Buck! Turn that shit off!"
Buck hit the power button on his portable CD player. "Happy everyone?" his voice dripped sarcasm.
"Yes," Travis answered.
Everyone's eyes snapped over to the former federal judge who was now their director.
"I have that file I wanted to show you," he informed Chris.
Chris nodded. "Let's go into my office."
Chris ushered the judge into his office, shutting the door behind them. He seated himself behind his desk and Travis lowered himself into the chair across from him.
Travis opened the briefcase he carried and passed Chris the file on Standish. "I took the liberty of doing a background check, but feel free to conduct one of your own."
Chris began to skim over the file. "Not much on our boy beyond his personnel file."
"Not really, but I questioned his superiors and some of his fellow officers from his days in the Atlanta PD. He's generally not well liked and stand-offish, but the officers he served with on Vice Squad say he's a good officer."
"It's rumored he's corrupt," Larabee stated simply.
"The man who gave me his file believes in him, and I believe in my friend."
Chris was looking over the file. "Frank Horner? You trust his judgment then?"
Travis sighed. "Yes. Despite what I may think looking at Standish's record, I'm willing to place my faith in Frank's judgment. His loyalty doesn't come easy."
"I'll take a few days to review his record, then I'll decide," Chris said thoughtfully.
Travis nodded and left Larabee's office.
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"Okay, Cowboy," Vin began. "What makes ya think we need this guy?" He leaned back in his chair and watched Chris from across the conference table.
"We need an undercover."
"He's a wild card."
"That describes everyone in this room, Buck. But we're the best in our fields. And so is Standish. I only want the best."
"And his record doesn't worry you?" Nathan quizzed.
Chris sighed and ran a hand over his eyes. "I'm not gonna lie to you, I am a little wary of his reliability, but nothing's been proven. I willing to take Horner's word for it if the Judge does."
Nathan heaved a deep sigh. "You're the boss."
TBC…