A/N: If you didn't read the note at the end of the last chapter, I made an error with names. I was supposed to write Captain Francis Riley instead of Sergeant Darcy. If you remember the characters from the first episode. It's fixed now but I just wanted to catch everyone before I confused anyone. Ok, story time...
The boys were all vegging on the couch when Nettie walked into the room.
"You boys didn't check the mail today?"
"No." mumbled Buck.
"Why bother." agreed Vin, "It's clear he doesn't care anymore about us."
"Well should I throw this letter out with no return address?" she held up a letter in front of the boys and they all sat up.
Vin eagerly took it and tore it open. His eyes scanned over the letter but soon frowned.
"What's wrong?" Josiah asked, walking to read over his shoulder.
"I don't understand any of this."
"That's what happens when you skip your reading, Vin." Ezra shook his head.
"I can read it, Ezra, I just don't understand what any of this means."
Ezra picked the letter from Vin's hands and read over it.
"What does he mean?" asked Vin, curious.
"Well, he clearly doesn't know that we know he isn't staying on Purgatory Dr anymore. The rest of it though." Ezra let his voice travel off while he thought. "It could be a double meaning. Look," he pointed to the first part of the letter. "'Life here in Purgatory goes on.' It could mean he's living in a hellish state."
"That's weird."
"I agree, and he wrote something for you, Josiah."
Ezra handed the letter to the older boy.
Josiah looked at his portion of the letter and frowned.
"Twin towers? Why is he telling me about the twin towers?"
"Did you guys ever talk about the twin towers before?" asked Ezra, stepping closer to get a better look again.
"No, I didn't even know Chris knew about the twin towers."
"We learned about them in school. Our class had a day when we looked at the tallest buildings ever built, but why would he be telling Josiah about them? They aren't eighteen years old. Chris knows that."
"Possibly another meaning behind it." suggested Ezra, "Keep reading."
"The next part is addressed to JD." Buck frowned before reading git out loud, "Three blind mice? I never made the assumption that the woman did it. Not that I don't think women can't be strong or anything like he says, but I never said anything to him about it while referencing that."
Josiah looked over the second note addressed to him, "Adam and Eve?" he looked up at the rest.
"Why wouldn't he just continue on from the previous conversation he wrote you?" frowned Nathan.
Buck read his part of the letter next, "Now this is familiar. But I only said that because I got pelted with balls."
Ezra finished reading the letter to everyone, "He capitalized certain words, 'TROUBLE, I KNOW I AM'. He knows he's in trouble or in some form of trouble."
"He needs help!" Vin began to panic.
"Well we can't help him if we don't know where he is." sighed Nathan as he sat back down on the couch.
"Maybe he already did." Ezra said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean? All we got was this letter full of random junk that doesn't make sense." Vin said as he waved the letter.
Ezra snatched it out of hands and looked over it again.
"We have to think like Chris. No offense, but he's not very trusting and takes great care to keep his business to himself. So, we have to consider that he may not have been alone while writing this. He was probably trying to make it look like an innocent letter while he tried to give us information." Ezra paused and then pointed at Josiah, "Josiah, why would he consider to write you about twin towers? Why those specific buildings?"
"He's saying he's in New York?" answered Josiah.
"Possibly, but he could've told any of us that. What if he's making a reference to height? The height of two people."
"And the eighteen years are supposed to be their age!" smiled Vin.
"Correct, Tanner. He might be using the buildings to represent two guys that are a lot taller than Josiah and are pretty fit."
"What about the rest of the letter?"
"Well I'm not really sure but I think he's talking to Buck when he mentions the three blind mice."
"Why?" frowned Buck.
"Because of what he says that you said the woman was strong. So there must be a female amongst these boys."
"Do you think the three blind mice might mean something?"
"If Chris is talking about the blind mice. 'See how they run' and his mention that the woman did it and is strong might mean she may be in charge. That could also be enforced when he talks about Adam and Eve and the woman had a lot of influence." Josiah suggested.
"Excellent idea, Josiah." grinned Ezra. "Lastly is Buck's portion of the letter. A manipulative girl."
"She did it because she didn't, or couldn't get Chris out because it was only the two of us left."
"So she likes him?" frowned JD.
They looked at JD.
"What? I just wanted to help with the brainstorming."
"That might not be too far off, JD,"
"We still need a place to start looking. Should we try Manhattan?"
Ezra looked at the letter again. "I don't think he was using the twin towers other than for height and numbers." He looked further down, "Buck, did you guys play lots of sports in gym where this same scene took place?"
"I guess. I'm always an easier target than Chris. He doesn't like the game though. He's good but he doesn't like it because girls can get hurt."
"Dodgeball." Ezra repeated the word out loud.
"Dodge City!" Vin blurted out loud.
"Why do you think that?"
"Dodgeball, Dodge City. Chris isn't going to be thinking of something over the top to make a coded message. Plus he wants us to be able to get it. They're pretty close and it's a big city. You said Chris would go to big cities and hide in the bad parts of them. Maybe he got into some trouble with people that he can't get out of."
"It's an excellent idea."
"So are we going to go and get him?" Vin was already up, ready to leave.
"Calm down, Tanner. We can't go anywhere any time soon."
"Why?"
"Because if you or Buck miss anymore days then you'll both be held back another year. Christmas break starts next week."
"You want to wait a week!"
"I said it starts, but we can go when the weekend comes in three days. And in that time we can get things that we'll need for our trip."
"Ok."
The phone began to ring and Josiah picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hi I'm looking for a Mrs Wells."
Josiah handed the phone to Nettie and the boys all listened to her side of the conversation.
"Hello, this is Wells. Yes I do. Of course I can. Is there a problem? Ok, bye."
As soon as she put the phone down, JD started asking questions.
"Who was that?"
"A police officer in Dodge City. He was asking for me to relay a message to Mr Travis, saying Chris was asking it as a favor."
"Chris!" said all the boys at once.
"That man knows Chris?" asked Nathan for clarification.
"I guess this confirms your idea, Vin." smiled Ezra.
"Can we go Nettie?" asked Vin with begging eyes.
"I'm sorry, but you can't. If you want to go anywhere you'll have to finish school and then you'll need to ask Mr Travis to take you."
"But that can be forever. Besides it's almost Christmas. Travis probably doesn't want to be bothered with us right now." Buck complained.
Nettie picked up the phone again to dial Mr Travis.
"Yes hello Mr Travis, I'm calling because I received a call from an officer who could use some assistance in informing the higher authorities over in Dodge City. He thinks you might have some connections that you could call. It's a favor for Chris. Yes that's him. The boys want to go there and look for them but I told them they had to ask you, and I know you're spending Christmas with your family. Really? Are you sure?"
Buck and Vin waited under Nettie to be handed the phone. Buck got it first.
"Hi, Mr Travis. Do you think you could take us to Dodge City?"
"It's pretty late in the year, son. Can't your searching hold off to next year?"
"No! If we don't hurry then Chris could be gone or worse. He sent us a letter telling us that he's in trouble."
"Chris is in trouble?" Nettie asked worriedly.
"Please Travis." Vin begged into the speaker of the phone.
Buck heard a sigh, "I guess we could do a short trip to Dodge City."
Buck cheered, telling everyone else that they could too.
Soon the house became a place of chaos as everyone packed the things they needed.
"I'm so excited." JD grinned as he stuffed his backpack full of clothes.
"I'm surprised that he's ok with us going." Buck remarked.
"Probably because he knows if he doesn't say yes then we'll just go on our own and he wants to know that we're safe." Vin said as he passed their room with his things.
Inez stopped at Ezra's room. The boy was slowly folding his shirts and pants while everyone was balling theirs up.
She knocked on the door frame to get his attention.
"Not much need to knock, the door was already open thanks to Tanner running out of here and not shutting it."
"Ezra, I just wanted to apologize for what I did Halloween. You were right which is probably why I reacted the way I did. How all of us did. The truth hurt."
"It has a way of doing that doesn't it." he mumbled as he placed his clothes in his bag.
"I think you should take lead on this one."
Ezra finally looked up at her in confusion and she continued.
"You were the one who found out where he was in Purgatory and were able to interpret his letter. I think Chris did it with the intention of you knowing what he was trying to say."
"Bucklin and Tanner are his friends. Either of them should lead." Ezra said dryly.
"But you're his partner in crime." Inez smiled.
Ezra laughed.
"You know how he thinks. From one bad boy to the other."
"I resent that. I was arrested for taking back my property from this greedy boy name, Royal. Took my coat just so I could travel the Panama Canal on the boat."
"Ok then, fine. From one great mind to the next."
Ezra shook his head and gave a half smile, "I don't know how the others will take to me in charge."
"Well, if they give you any trouble then they'll have to deal with me.
"As a gentleman, I can't be hiding behind a woman."
"That's fine. Just take care if there are any flying fist. They won't hit me because I'm a girl."
"On second thought then."
The two laughed.
Chris sat watching his target for the better part of the morning. Captain Riley always accompanying him.
A few times Chris wondered if this was a good idea. Picking on bullies was completely different from going after police officers.
He watched as the cop car stopped outside of a bar and the two men got out.
Keeping a safe distance, he slipped into the alley without being seen by either.
Peeking around the corner, he watched as the two men walked towards the entrance of the bar.
Suddenly Anderson turned sharply on Riley and said something to him before going into a bar. Riley stood on the outside.
Chris frowned, something suspicious was going on inside.
Captain Riley felt a pair of eyes on him and he looked around. He caught a pair of eyes looking at him from the alley entrance and he walked over casually and leaned against the side of the building.
Keeping his eyes forward he spoke, "What are you doing here?"
"Keeping an eye on Anderson."
Riley knew it had to be the boy. Chris if he remembered correctly.
"You shouldn't be here. I got this under control."
"I'm not here just for you. As I said I have my own problems."
The captain frowned and was barely able to keep his head from turning to look at his hidden companion.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not allowed to say. That wouldn't be smart of me now would it. Since it was my idea I can't go and have you ruin it now can I? Otherwise I'd be in trouble."
Riley sighed, "I spoke with your Travis the other day. He said he would make some phone calls."
"Good."
"He also mentioned that I should arrest you the next time I saw you."
"I take it then that the man himself is coming."
"Is there something that you aren't telling me?"
"Nothing that concerns you."
"Why does he want to have arrested?"
"It doesn't matter since he said that if you see me then you need to arrest me, and you haven't seen me."
Riley frowned, "I don't want to play games about whether or not I see you because you're right behind me."
He turned as he finished the last part of his sentence and saw that he was talking to an empty alley. Confused, he looked around but didn't see the boy dressed in all black.
Chris continued to walk away from the captain who was looking around for him. He was now glad he had taken the red poncho that Maria gave to him on his birthday.
The weather had changed so much that he needed as many layers as possible.
As he walked passed the bar, he got a look inside. What he noticed first was that Anderson wasn't there or at least not visible to him.
It didn't matter because the plan was already about to start.
Taking up position near the police car, he slipped a crowbar in the door and popped it open.
People on the streets didn't seem to notice or just didn't care as he climbed into the driver's seat of the car.
Looking at the alleyway, he saw Riley was beginning to return to where he was standing near the front door to the bar. That would put him a few feet away from Chris, but right in the way of what was about to happen.
He prayed that the cars in England and America were wired at least a little bit similar of each other.
When he was in England, he had stolen his foster dad's car just to aggravate the man. He hoped that this would be just as effective.
The job of hot wiring the car took him five minutes. When the car roared to life he saw Riley make a run for the car.
"Sorry about this." Chris whispered to himself as he stepped on the gas pedal.
The car drove passed Riley as he tried to get a grip on the car.
Chris knew he wouldn't get too far with the afternoon traffic, but that wasn't the point of stealing the car.
He drove slow enough to keep the captain from stopping his chase, but far enough that the man couldn't reach him or see his face in the mirror.
While Chris harassed Anderson's partner, Sledge, Cletus and Jack set out for the man himself.
Once they saw that the cop's partner was far enough away, Sledge threw a rock at the window of the bar.
People around them ran out of the way as the glass shattered.
"Down with the police!" yelled Cletus as he threw another rock that hit some bottles on the wall behind the bar.
Anderson appeared from the back and looked ready to murder someone. He saw the boys who were the trouble makers and walked towards them.
Sledge threw one last rock towards Anderson before taking off with Cletus.
Anderson chased after them. At first when he stepped out of the building he was confused as to where the car and his partner was, but forgot all about the two when he heard cat calls from the boys.
He chased them all the way to an abandoned building that didn't look like it was well kept.
When the boys disappeared into the building he slowed his pace so as not to be caught off guard.
Stepping inside, he pulled out his gun. He didn't know what these boys were capable of and wasn't about to take any chances. He had seen enough of wars to know that these boys weren't just hiding.
Throughout the house he could hear the sounds of kids whispering.
"I know you're in here. Come out if you know what's good for you." he snarled.
He made it into the living room where a girl was sitting on the couch with a boy. The two were having a drink of tea he thought.
"I'm glad you're able to join us, Detective Inspector Anderson."
"What is this?" he growled.
The girl only raised her eyebrows before smiling, "We are here to show you something."
Anderson frowned and then he heard noises from behind him. Turning, he saw a dozen or so children behind him. They were all either hispanic or african american boys and girls.
Some looked scared while others wore their frustration open.
"Need I remind you children that I am an officer of the law-"
"We're all too familiar with your law." growled one of the boys.
"The one that you enforce on us and put us in handcuffs for no reason. My brother is in jail because of you!"
Other kids nodded in agreement.
"So what? You plan to try something on me? If you do then I can ensure your brother ain't coming out of jail for another year."
The boy pulled a tomato out from his pocket and threw it at Anderson, hitting him in the chest.
"That's what you can do with your threats!"
The others began to join in and soon Anderson was covered in tomatoes and eggs.
At first he tried to block off the attacks, but soon the food was coming in from all directions.
Ella and Jack stood back in the adjacent room as Anderson pushed to get out of the building.
Jack smiled, "Even though we didn't lift a finger, this was quite satisfying to see a police officer get food thrown at him."
"And technically it can't be traced to us seeing as we didn't do anything to him."
Jack looked at his companion with a mischievous grin.
"I hope Chris is alright though." she said as they began walking out of the building themselves.
"You like him don't you?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm happy for you that you found someone who is just as stubborn as you. He is a bit young for you though."
"That doesn't bother me. When I see his eyes. The defiance and fire that burn in them make my skin tingly."
"Well you might have to get rid of whoever he is writing to. That seems to be your competitions of his affection."
"Please," she said as she flipped her hair, "he's here with me. That bitch he writes lives somewhere in Colorado. He can be with me without her even knowing."
"You have to win him over first."
"What do you think I was doing? Once he feels welcome into our little group then he'll be more comfortable telling me how he feels."
"I still think you should get rid of your competition to be safe."
"He never writes a return address. If anything he's trying to keep her from finding him. Must be a clingy bitch that doesn't understand when she's rejected."
Chris sped up the car and parked it at a stop light before running in the crowd to be lost in it as Riley came huffing.
He watched as the man looked around before getting into his car confused as to what happened. The car turned at the light and headed back to the bar where Anderson was probably long gone.
Captain Riley was tired and confused as to what happened with the car thief. He was sure it was a kid he got out of the car but didn't get a face. Swearing to himself, he drove back to the bar to wait for Anderson. He prayed that the man wasn't waiting for him.
The sight that met him when he arrived however was beyond what he could've thought of as he pulled up.
Other cops were present in front of the now destroyed front of the bar with a furious Anderson barking orders. The himself was covered with something red and yellow that looked sticky.
Riley got out of the car and went to his partner.
"What happened?"
"I should say that to you. Where have you been?"
"Our car was stolen by some kid and I chased him down to where he ditched the car and ran off."
"Did you catch him?"
Riley shook his head.
"It seems like there's a bunch of kids trying to make a statement, but they're going to regret they did."
"Is that what this all is?" asked Riley, scrunching his nose at the smell and pointed to Anderson's disgusting clothes.
"If they think that they can make an attack on mem without any repercussions then they're are greatly mistaken. I don't care how many there were."
"You were attacked by kids with tomatoes and eggs, I don't think that calls for you to go after them. They're just probably upset. Remember our job is to protect them."
"You're acting like they're children. They're all criminals!" he growled. "I'm going to start by prolonging the sentences of the ones already in jail to keep them off the streets, then I'll make the curfew earlier. If any kid is caught breaking it then they will spend a minimum of three days behind bars."
Riley was about to argue when someone spoke first.
"I don't think you'll be doing any such thing DI Anderson." said one of the two strangers who were dressed in suits overcoats. They were accompanied by officers who looked stoic.
"Who are you?" growled Anderson, not even bothering to hide his anger.
"My name is Walter Bryce, Prosecutor and you're under arrest. Officer, please read him his rights."
"What? Why? I demand to know why?"
"Charges were brought up against you for wrongfully arresting individuals and assault on women and children."
"I was just assaulted by a bunch of kids."
"And this shocks you?" said Bryce raising an eyebrow. "Take him away."
An officer placed Anderson in handcuffs and put him in the back of a police car.
"What's going to happen to him now?" asked Riley still looking at his partner.
"There will be an investigation. He will probably lose his job as detective inspector. Possible jail time."
Riley nodded and walked back to his car. He walked passed the bar where some people were being arrested. Another police officer came out with a suitcase full of drugs.
Shaking his head, he knew exactly why his partner was there earlier. When he reached the car he turned around and saw Chris standing in the crowd. He made eye contact with him and the boy nodded before disappearing into the crowd.
Riley moved his head to the side trying to see if he could spot Chris again, but the boy was gone.
Frowning, he got into his car.
Travis arrived with a van in front of the Wells ranch. The boys and Inez all packed with their stuff waiting on the porch for him to pull up.
Casey stood next to her aunt pouting. She had wanted to go too.
When the van pulled to a stop in front of the steps and Travis got out the boys all frowned as two more people stepped out.
A teenage boy and girl.
"Who are you?" frowned Vin.
"I'm Stephen and this is my girlfriend, Mary."