Major Crimes, Cascade Police Dept.
Friday
The phone rang at the desk and Jim Ellison answered distractedly. "Ellison" he spoke into the phone.
"Capt'n?" the gravely Texas whisper asked.
"Slick? How you doing?" Ellison asked the younger man.
"I'se fine Capt'n. I'se in Seattle have ta testify in a case. Hate ta ask ya Miss Netty and Cassie are in Ohio and yer tha closest ta Seattle," Vin rattled on in a very unusual manner.
"Calm down Slick, what do you need?" Jim asked in concern. It took a lot to rattle the younger man.
"The Defense Attorney's sequestering all of us. Cain't talk ta each other. They ain't gonna let us trade 'em around like we usually do. Hell Capt'n kin ya keep 'em fer a couple a days?" Vin asked.
I've never heard Tanner panic like this. He always just got calmer when the shit hit the fan. "Sure Vin. Where are you?" Jim assured the distraught man. Getting directions Jim told Simon what was going on and left for Seattle. Blair's in court. I left him a message. I guess that covers everything.
Completely thrown for a loop Ellison stood in the hotel room doorway looking down at the two small boys staring back. Jim started to hear again as it registered that he was keeping the children until Vin was through testifying.
"We can't thank you enough for taking the boys like this" Buck Wilmington offered his hand. "This sequestering thing wasn't suppose to happen. We were going to take turns watching them like normal. Then Defense Attorney Milton pulled this sh...," Buck snapped his mouth shut as the boys looked up at him. "He fixed it so the boys can't go between us. Won't even let 'em see Vin to say bye," Buck glared at the Defense Attorney and Court Bailiff.
"Mr. Wilmington you have five minutes," Milton reminded with a smirk. His plan on unbalancing the witnesses seemed to be working well.
"Jim this is Beau and Dev. Dev's the one with the black eye," Buck introduced.
"Hi," Jim squatted down offering his hand to each boy. When did Slick have kids? Why didn't he tell me?
"Hi," Beau studied Jim, "Bucklin ya thure 'bout thith?" Beau demanded.
"Yeah your Tad called Capt'n Jim himself," Buck answered.
"Yer Tad'th Capt'n?" Beau smiled. "It'th a pleathure ta meet ya thir."
"There's a power of attorney, signed pre-admittance forms for the hospital, medical records on both boys in their bags," Buck chuckled at Jim's expression. "It's Nathan's idea he figured it would save time," Buck explained. "Vin left a letter for you explaining things. Judge Sanders looked it over first so it wouldn't mess up the case," Buck sighed. Glaring over at the court Bailiff until the man handed Jim an envelope.
"You two get hurt much?" Jim asked looking at the fading bruises.
"Bumpth and bruitheth," Beau smiled angelically.
"It's in their papers but remember no milk. Real bad allergy to peanut products," Buck growled. Gently he pulled the boys into his arms. "Gonna miss you two. Be good now we'll come getcha just as soon as we can. Love ya," Buck choked.
A furious Wilmington was shut into his room leaving the twins with the strangers. Jim was tickled when the silent twin walked over to the defense attorney with a cold glare. Must have got that from Larabee.
"Dev get away from there ya know how thit thtickth," Beau called. Jim hid his grin. That has to be Wilmington's influence. Any retort the lawyer would have made was cut off under Ellison's laser glare.
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Jim carried the boy's backpacks as they trotted alongside him. I have got to tell Simon about Milton. That move was so Tanner. Dev just slipped and that elbow just accidently landed where it would make the most impression.
Jim claimed the booster seats from the bell boy and led the twins to his truck. Dev showed Jim how to fasten the seats in place as Beau put the backpacks in the bed of the truck. Boosting the boys into the truck they climbed into their seats and pulled the lap shields into place locking them into position.
"Ready?" Jim asked the tearfilled eyes.
"Yeth thir," Beau said sadly.
"Dev?" Jim looked over.
"Dev'th ready," Beau said.
"We'll be on the road about an hour and a half," Jim said as he started the truck. "I will take care of you," Jim promised. Jim looked into the far to old sapphire blue eyes.
"Kay," Beau looked away. Dev's eyes held Jim's for a long moment then he finally nodded.
Beau chattered fairly continuously as they rolled along. Do kid's this small ususaly have this kind of a vocabulary? It's almost like Blair is here. Jim exchanged a smile with the silent Dev for a moment.
"I need to stop for gas," Jim said "Are you two hungry?" The boys nodded. Jim pulled into the Wonder Burger next to the gas station. Jim was examining the menu at the counter trying to decide what the boys could eat.
"Capt'n Jim," Beau pulled on Ellison's jacket gently. "Dev thayth that they uthe peanut oil," Beau explained.
Taking a quick sniff Jim nodded down at his small charges. "Your right lets go," Jim waved towards the door.
"Well where do you want to eat?" Jim asked.
"We ain't picky. We eat motht anythin,'" Beau grinned. "Capt'n Jim kin we have thomethin' that'th loaded wit' cholethtrol and fat. Ya know thomethin' that ain't nutrionaly balanced er healthy? Unca Nate ain't here," Beau said as the two mischievous youngster waited on the big detective.
"Blair doesn't have to know," Jim said out loud as he started for the steak house.
The consirprators slid into a booth. Soon a plate with a breaded deep fried onion sat on the table, followed by steaks. They all agreed that if you use enough dressing and butter, then corn on the cob and salad weren't healthy either. Jim was amazed to watch the tiny boys clean their plates. They definitely have Vin's appetite.
"Are you two full now?" Jim asked. The curly heads nodded. Greasy hands and faces were presented.
"Betht wathh up," Beau suggested.
"Yeah, we better wash the evidence off," Jim grinned leading the boys to the bathroom.
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"Capt'n Jim?" Beau asked after leaving the restaurant.
"Yeah," Jim mumbled.
"Which bathroom doeth he uthe?" Beau pointed at a cross dresser. Jim swallowed hard trapped by the doubly curious gazes.
"I'm not sure," Jim mumbled. Beau shrugged and called over
"Hey, kin I athk ya thomethin?" Beau addressed the transvestite.
"Sure sweetheart," the crossdresser walked over and smiled down at the beautiful child.
"Boyth uthe the bathroom wit' the pants person and girlth uthe tha one wit' tha thkirt right?" Beau asked.
"Yes," the transvestite was amused at the clearly embarrassed man who just screamed cop and the beautiful boys with him.
"Tho which one doeth you uthe?" Beau asked in a curious tone.
"Well when I'm dressed as a lady I use the skirt one and when I dress like a man I use the pants one," the cross dresser explained.
"Rekin that maketh thince. Thank ya Capt'n Jim didn't know neither," Beau explained. Jim choked softly and smiled sheepishly at the laughing 'lady'.
"I'm pleased to meet you all, I'm Billie," Billie shook hands with all three and went into the restaurant.
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Ellison quickly loaded the boys into truck and got back on the road. The cell phone rang and the boys listened as Jim talked to Blair.
"Be there in about 20 minutes...Sure I'll pick up some groceries...Blair that little favor Vin needed, well it's a little involved...No, no nothing serious just...I'll explain when I get there...Sure Chief." Jim hung up and looked over. "Any ideas?" he asked the bright eyed boys.
"Vin needed a loan and weth the marker?" Beau suggested.
"I really need to talk to your Uncles about your education," Jim growled. How many kids know about loan sharks and markers? "I'll just let Blair see you two he's a sucker for kids" Jim decided.
While shopping for the groceries Jim was amazed at the number of women who stopped to talk to him. Dev and Beau looked adorable as they stayed close to their 'dad' as the ladies admired the family group. Jim stayed quiet after checking out and loading the groceries into the truck bed. He had a thoughtful look on his face.
"Unca Buck likes ta borra us ta go shoppin'," Beau remarked.
"I can see why," Jim smiled wryly.
"Dev your not scared of me are you?" Jim stopped and looked over. Kid hasn't made a sound all this time. Beau was so talkative I never noticed. Dev shook his head.
