Nearly two months after Frank Horner had informed Orin Travis of Ezra Standish, Standish entered the federal building for his first day on "permanent loan" to the ATF.
The first thing he noticed when he stepped off the elevator was how empty the floor was that housed Larabee's team. Of course, this was an experiment of sorts and they were the only ATF unit currently in place. If Larabee and his men were successful, then there would be a Denver branch of the ATF. And apparently, according to rumors, someone expected success, because Ezra heard that another federal agent was already setting up shop here and seeking out agents.
Ezra went to a far corner of the floor, where Larabee's team was located. From what he knew, and he knew a lot about his new assignment, there was a good reason for this team to be located in an isolated corner. He had heard the rowdy crew the moment he stepped out of the elevator. Inwardly he cringed as he heard distorted strains of heavy metal blaring.
Choruses of "Shut that off!" were shouted over the noise.
Ezra stopped in the open doorway where Larabee's subordinates were gathered in someone's cubicle. He stood quietly and observed their dynamics.
He spotted Tanner – dressed in his usual torn jeans and buckskin jacket – next to a young man (boy?) with dark bangs that fell over his eyes. He recognized him from the personnel file he had pulled on the team. JD Dunne was the team's resident computer expert and surveillance specialist.
"Ya all are just too old to appreciate Metallica," he was saying, while Tanner smirked.
As various arguments broke out amongst them, Ezra stepped forward, clearing his throat. Everyone fell silent. He was glad his training kept him from showing his discomfort, as the silence seemed to stretch on forever.
Larabee stepped up. "Agent Standish," he broke the silence and extended his hand.
"Mr. Larabee."
Vin smiled at Ezra and nodded in greeting.
"Let me introduce the rest of the team," Chris stated. "JD Dunne is our surveillance expert and computer whiz," Chris indicated, confirmed Ezra's information.
"Of course you know Vin, our sharpshooter, next to JD."
Ezra smiled in agreement.
"On the other side of JD is Buck Wilmington, demolitions man and my second in command." Ezra managed not to comment on the fact that he had originally believed Tanner to be Larabee's second when they had been in Atlanta to recruit him.
Standish decided to finish the introductions himself, since he knew everyone's file. Larabee would either be impressed or pissed. Ezra really didn't care.
He held out his hand to Josiah Sanchez. "I presume you are Agent Sanchez, the team's profiler."
Chris chuckled, amused. "I see you did your homework."
Ezra nodded. "Force of habit in my line, you understand." Then he turned to Nathan Jackson. "Mr. Jackson, resident medic. I understand it's a must with these gentlemen to have medical care on the premises."
Jackson narrowed his eyes, unsure if the southerner was being insulting or not. "I've read your file too," he said evenly. "Impressive record. The rest . . . " he trailed off.
Standish didn't' rise to the bait. "I thought you would. Actually, I'm sure everyone has looked up my credentials."
JD dropped his eyes; the thought never crossed his mind. Something he should have considered, being a federal agent.
Ezra noted the youngest member out of the corner of his eyes. "Mr. Larabee, could you spare one of your men to show me around today."
Chris looked thoughtful. "Sure . . . "
"How about Agent Dunne?"
"No problem," Larabee hoped he was right about Standish, and that the man only wanted to help the younger man feel more comfortable about his oversight. Dunne looked slightly pleased.
It didn't take Dunne long to warm up to the role of tour guide. He seemed genuinely interested in Standish, as an agent and a person.
"So whadda you think of Denver?"
Ezra shrugged. "It certainly is picturesque. But Atlanta had more, excitement, shall we say."
JD furrowed his brows. "Well, Denver's exciting."
"I'm sure it is," Ezra smiled. "I just haven't had the chance to see much of the city."
JD nodded in understanding. He was beginning to like Ezra. The man had begun to treat him like an equal right away. "You know, after work we go over to the saloon to unwind."
"Saloon?"
JD blushed. "It's actually a bar, being there ain't any real saloon's anymore. But it's kinda decorated like one, you know?"
"I see," Standish agreed with a smile. "Maybe we can have lunch there?" He then stopped in his tracks and turned to Dunne. "What sort of fare do they serve?"
The young man was puzzled. "Food," Standish supplied.
"Ohhhh! Well hot dogs, burgers, steaks, salads. A bunch of stuff."
"Sounds all right."
Ezra and JD sat in a booth at J. Watson's Bar, or the Saloon as JD aptly described it. A young Mexican woman set their orders before them.
"Thanks, Inez. Hey, this is the new guy, Ezra Standish," Dunne introduced. "Ezra, this is Inez Recillos, the manager."
"Senor," Inez smiled extending her hand in greeting.
Ezra grasped it and raised it to his lips, kissing her hand. "Senorita. You run a wonderful establishment."
"Gracious." Inez nudged JD. "You and your amigos should learn your manners from Senor Standish." JD blushed and chuckled as Inez left them.
They discussed Denver and Atlanta for a while.
"Was it wrong that I didn't look up your record?" JD asked suddenly.
Ezra looked thoughtful. "Well, Mr. Dunne, it wasn't a mistake, per se. How long have you been in law enforcement?"
"A little over a year. Why?"
"Over the years, you will find your instincts becoming more honed. After this, ah, incident, next time you will remember to research incoming candidates more closely."
"Okay, sure. Well, how long have you been in law enforcement?"
"Nine years, but it feels like forever."
Dunne smiled thinly. "I suppose so."
Ezra cleared his throat. "Yes, well, what have the others told you about me?" Standish couldn't fathom why this youth's opinion mattered. He chalked it up to missing his morning coffee before reporting to Larabee.
JD colored slightly. "Well, Vin said he had a real good feelin' about you. He's good at peggin' people on the first outing."
"Has he considered undercover work?"
"I don't think so," he chuckled. "He doesn't like suits and ties."
"I would never notice."
"How long did it take for you to read people?"
Ezra thought back over the years. "Not long at all," he answered quietly.
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777
"So whadda ya think of Standish?" Tanner asked Dunne that night as they sat in the Saloon.
"He's a good guy," JD mumbled around a mouthful of fries.
"How would you know, kid?" Wilmington teased.
JD threw a glare across the table. " 'Cause he didn't treat me like a kid."
"So."
"So, Buck, he . . . I can't explain it."
"They said he's corrupt," Jackson stated simply.
"Do you believe it?" Josiah asked.
Nathan shrugged. "Can't say. I don't know him yet. What do you think?"
Josiah scratched his chin thoughtfully. "His personnel file describes him as an excellent agent, despite rumors and innuendo. There was no evidence found. No, what caught me was the gaps in his medical records. They're restricted. Highly unusual," he hummed.
Nathan gave him a puzzled look. "I noticed that too. Just the basic information from his time with the Atlanta PD to today."
"What's it mean?" Buck asked.
Nathan and Josiah both shrugged. "Could be because of the work he does," Nathan offered. "You'd want any info people could find on you kept to a minimum."
"That makes sense," JD agreed.
"So, JD," Chris joined in. "What was your opinion of the guy?"
"He was interested in what I was sayin' and didn't mind questions. And I know I can get kinda nosey. He didn't seem to mind. We chatted over lunch, which he paid for. Even though I told him I should pay, him bein' new and all. But he insisted. Told me to take advantage, he normally don't offer to pay for anything."
"I think he'll do fine," Vin added. "I don't think he's what they say he is."
"Well, if brother Vin likes him, I reckon I'll like him too," Josiah rumbled with a laugh.
TBC…