Chapter 4

After returning to his cell Tony sat gingerly on his bunk before coming to the realization that his butt was okay. That impromptu spanking of last night didn't do him any lasting discomfort and he wasn't going to mention it to his boss at all for fear that it might put ideas in his head.

With Tony safely out of the public's view Sheriff Black and two of his deputies visited the Benton household only to learn that early that morning in a fit of grief over what he had done Petty Officer Russell Benton took his own life. The family was still in shock and was planning his funeral when the sheriff arrived.

"Are you going to release Agent DiNozzo?" asked Shirley Woods, one of his female officers.

"Nope, I'm going to keep him in that cell until his boss arrives to take him off our hands," replied the Sheriff.

"Are you going to tell him about Russell?" she asked.

"Yep, and then stand back and watch the fireworks," replied the Sheriff as they resumed their trip back to the Sheriff's office.

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Tony was lying on his bunk waiting for some news…either about the Petty Officer or that Gibbs had arrived to release him. The Sheriff had informed him earlier of their intentions to apprehend Benton. His plea to be released to accompany them had been denied.

"Agent DiNozzo," greeted Black.

"Did you get him?" asked Tony as he strained to see if the Petty Officer was coming to be locked up.

"No…but he took care of that himself," replied the Sheriff giving Tony a knowing look.

"He's dead?"

"Yep…took his own life…left a note admitting to everything…so your case is closed."

Tony walked over to the bars and said, "Then release me!"

"I can't do that, son," replied the Sheriff as he waited for the tantrum to begin.

"WHY IN THE HELL NOT!" exploded Tony. "The case is closed you said so yourself…there is no reason to still hold me."

"Other than you disobeyed my orders not to rile my citizens with your questions," replied the Sheriff quietly.

Tony began to cuss as loudly as he could with the reply not realizing that the Sheriff and his staff wasn't his only audience. Gibbs and Ducky had just arrived and after hearing the commotion in the back; Gibbs had barged past the Officer on duty and were now witnessing the whole exchange.

"Now you just stop that commotion right now Agent DiNozzo, that is unless you want a return trip to that woodshed we visited last night…but this time I assure you it won't be just a few love taps it will be a full strapping," threatened the Sheriff.

Gibbs was shocked to see that the threat hit home when DiNozzo shut his mouth and scooted back on his bunk to say,"No…I'll behave."

Gibbs returned to the front room to await the Sheriff's arrival showing his badge for the first time to the Officer who had followed behind him.

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When Sheriff Black returned he was greeted by Officer Williams who informed him of Gibbs arrival and who he was.

"Agent Gibbs, I'm Sheriff Silas Black and we have your agent…please tell me you are here to take him off our hands," he said as an introduction.

"I can understand why…I hope you didn't mind but I heard the commotion upon entering and recognizing my agent's voice barged on in….I'm very interested in your threat of taking him to a woodshed and amazed that the verbal threat worked."

"Oh, but it wasn't just a threat Agent Gibbs…I took him last night after a day of trouble all caused by your agent to a Homestead we use during tourist season. This homestead is a complete replica of one that was used in the 1800's. What is so great about it is that it has a woodshed in the back; Agent Gibbs do you know the importance a woodshed had in the olden days?"

"Oh, yeah…my father made use of one when I was a boy…I know the significance quite well," Gibbs replied with a grimace.

"Well your boy didn't so I introduced him to its tradition with three well place licks with a razor strop left there. It was amazing how well behaved he became afterwards…the fact that he is misbehaving now must mean that the sting has disappeared…I guess he needs another dose…but that isn't up to me now…he's your problem now," replied the Sheriff as he motioned to Officer Williams.

"Get the paperwork done on our Agent DiNozzo so he can be released and then bring both him and the work to my office. I have some things to tell his boss about the way his agent was acting that got him arrested in the first place," Sheriff Black said easily.

"Agent Gibbs would you and your friend like a cup of coffee while we wait?" offered Black amiably.

"Oh I am dying for one, "admitted Gibbs, "and the name is Jethro. This is Dr. Donald Mallard also from NCIS," he added as he introduced Ducky.

"But my friends call me Ducky…and I regretfully must say no to the coffee…but could I trouble you for a cup of tea?"

"That should be no trouble…Shirley," called the Sheriff, "could we have two cups of coffee and one cup of tea while we wait for the paperwork to be completed."

"Sure thing, Sheriff," replied the Officer as she hurried to get their refreshments.