Another Chance - Book Two
Chapter Fourteen: Chris Archer
By Zarek Dragon
Joe walked in the door and Heather immediately asked, "Where's Jim?" She sighed in relief as Jim walked in behind Joe.
"Mom, what's going on?" Joe was a little worried.
"Someone found the body of a sixteen-year-old boy in the dumpster at the school. They're not saying who it is at this time, but he has dark brown hair," Heather started to cry once she was relieved knowing her boys were safe.
"You don't suppose that they found out what he did and…" Joe started looking at Jim.
"Boys, what's going on?" Heather was starting to worry again.
"You need to tell her, Joe," Jim urged.
Joe sat on the couch beside Heather. "This boy in my algebra class was telling us that his parents forced him to be in a gay-bashing gang. The gang told him that if he didn't break my legs, he'd have a fat lip. He was willing to take the fat lip. He said that he didn't like me because I was gay, but he didn't hate me and wasn't about to commit a hate crime. The teacher tried to get him to give names, but he said that if he did, they'd do more than just a fat lip. He also said that the boys who rammed into the Challenger were part of it. I know the teacher informed Mr. Duncan and think maybe this was the boy's payment for saying anything." Joe started shaking and jumped when the doorbell rang.
Jim answered it and it was Deputy Archer. "Have a suspicion why you are here, but after watching the news, I'm glad you waited until my boys were home. You would have given me a 
heart attack if they weren't," Heather stated solemnly.
"I was worried what you would think after what just happened and them not releasing the boy's name, so I watched for them," Archer started. "The reason I am here is we think Joe and Jim may be in danger. The boy killed was the one who spoke up in Joe's first period algebra class. With what he told the class, we suspect members of that gang did this. Those who rammed Jim's car are in custody for questioning and a search warrant has been issued to look for evidence that they were involved."
"Depty Archer, tank you for my teddy bear. I wuv him," Austin came in after hearing the voice he recognized as talking to Jim.
"You were asleep when I came in. Then when I came in the morning, the doctor was busy checking you out, so I didn't get to see you. Glad to see you up and playing but how did you know that I brought it?" Archer asked.
"I recognize your voice. You talked wif Jim while I was sweeping. When he asked me to tell him not his fought, you did and made him jump," Austin started giggling.
"Definitely glad that you are awake and happy," Archer smiled at Austin. "As I was saying, we want to put a deputy with the boys as much as possible. I volunteered for the job, but if you want someone else…"
"We want you," Austin stated. "You already proved to be a nice person." Again Archer smiled at Austin.
"You heard my nephew. Will you be sitting in your car or would you rather be more comfortable being inside interacting with the family?" Heather inquired.
"Entirely up to you, ma'am. My comfort is of little concern, whatever makes you more comfortable." Archer responded.
"You be part of da famly," Austin said. "We wike you."
"Out of the mouths of babes," Heather said smiling. "If you're going to be in here with us though, start calling me Heather."
"And you can call me Nick." Archer stated and then smiled back at Heather.
Jim thought he saw something between his mom and Archer, but he wasn't going to say anything lest he ruin what might be a good thing. "So, you are the deputy that handled my nephew's accident and worried so much about my son?" Brandt asked.
"Yes sir, I am that deputy. Hope I never have to do it again, but if it should happen, I'd gladly give my time."
"What's Deputy Wallace going to do if you're watching us? Aren't you his partner?" Jim queried.
"We were partners, but Wallace will be going solo and when this is done, we may or may not be partnered again. Depends on how he does solo."
"I heard that the sheriff is retiring after this term," Heather asked.
"Yes ma'am, er, I mean Heather. It will be on the ballot during the primaries to elect a new sheriff."
"Anyone in particular I should consider voting for?" Heather asked.
"So far no one has announced wanting to run. If no one does, I will be the interim sheriff and they will try again in November."
"I think you should run. Why be an interim if you can be the actual sheriff? I know I'd vote for you if I were old enough. And I'm sure Jackson would," Jim stated.
"I'd definitely vote for you," Heather said smiling.
"If I lived here, you'd get my vote," Brandt declared.
"The entire office, including the sheriff thinks I should run. I will consider it," Archer stated.
"What will your wife think about you staying in the house?" Brenda asked.
"I'm widowed, I do have a fifteen-year-old son and my black lab. Wallace offered to look after them while I am assigned to you. Won't be the first time that he's taken care of Chris and Shinobi."
Jim's ears perked up a bit. "You have a black lab named Shinobi?" Then he realized that Kunoichi nor Colby has yet to greet him. He gave a worried look to his mom.
"I just remembered, the dogs went outside right before the news had their breaking story. I bet they are getting cold," Heather was a little frantic as she went to open the backdoor. The dogs were playing, but as soon as they heard the door open, they charged to it. Kunoichi ran to the living room and shook snow all over everyone close enough to feel it. Colby went to jump on Joe. Fortunately, Joe was still sitting on the couch as Colby began to lick his face.
"Male or females?" Archer asked.
"Colby is male and Kunoichi is…" Jim started.
"A female ninja or shinobi," Archer threw in and started to laugh. The more Jim learned about Archer, the more that he liked him.
"You should bring Chris and Shinobi here," Heather offered.
"Yeah, it is Christmas break, I'm sure Chris would have fun here. He could go with us to the ranch and get some riding in even though the ranch is closed to public riding," Jim added.
"I'll ask Chris if he'd like to, but I'm not sure about Shinobi. Kunoichi might get pregnant, that is unless she's been…" Archer warned.
"We're wanting to breed her with either Colby or another black lab," Heather stated.
Archer flipped a switch on his radio, "Wallace, are you there?"
A voice came back over it, "Yeah Nick. What's up?"
"Have you checked on Chris and Shinobi yet?" Archer asked.
"I'm here right now. Want to talk to Chris?"
Suddenly the voice changed, "When you coming home, Dad?" Archer thought his son sounded like he was crying. He figured that maybe he knew the boy who was killed and Wallace told him.
"Not sure on that, Chris, but the family thinks you and Shinobi should come here. What do you think?"
"That would be cool, would I ride over with you every day, or what?"
"No, we will be spending the entire time here. Not sure how long we will be, so pack a bag expecting to be here a week and we'll play it by ear."
"Does that mean we may be there for Christmas?" Chris asked, a little excitement possibly in his voice now.
"That is a possibility, so if you need anything, grab it and I'll try to get some time with just us," Archer offered.
"It don't have to be just us. You're usually working after we open presents. I hope we are there so I can get more time with you on Christmas," Chris stated.
"I'm sorry it's been so rough on you; you've never said anything. You've sacrificed so much because I was trying to find the best place for both of us. The good news is, I think I've found it."
"And the bad news?" Chris asked.
"I can't tell you that as at the moment I'm not sure of any."
The door opened quickly and Archer turned around ready to pull his gun if necessary. "Chris, I need to go. Grab what you need and ask Wallace if he would bring you and Shinobi here. I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad." Chris said as he handed the radio back to Wallace.
Archer looked at the boy who just came in the house as though he owned it. He recognized him as the boy who wanted Jackson to sign for an order or something. He really became at ease when the boy rushed over to Jim and wrapped his arms around him and kissed him.
"Jackson heard on the news about a boy fitting your description being killed. He told me to come here right away to see if you were safe. Then I saw the sheriff car outside and I was so worried," Zac said on the verge of tears.
"You could have called," Jim said.
"I was too worried and it would have scared me even more if you didn't answer," Zac explained. Then he lightened up and chuckled, "And a phone call doesn't kiss back."
"No, it doesn't. By the way, this is Deputy Archer. It seems that Joe and I may be in danger so he's going to be around for a few."
"Does that mean that you won't be able to spend nights at my house?' Then looking at Archer, "My dad is ex-military and head of security for the ranch."
"I don't think it's during the night that there will be any trouble, so I see no reason why not," Archer responded.
"And Nick's son will be staying with us so he can be with his dad. He's going to sleep on the couch." Jim stated.
"No, we have a spare bedroom. If Deputy Archer doesn't mind, he can spend the nights sleeping in a bed instead of on the couch. The bed is big enough that you could share it with him," Zac offered.
"Shouldn't you ask your parents, first?" Archer asked.
"I can, but I can already tell you what they will say," Zac replied.
"I know that I have an open invitation, if you want, Austin and I can spend the nights there and Chris can sleep in my bed," Joe offered.
"Your families are really close, aren't they? I'll wait to see what Chris thinks. Either way, I need to stay here just as a precaution," Archer stated.
After that was all settled, Zac got on his phone, "It wasn't him, I feel sorry for the boy's family, but am so relieved that I was able to kiss Jim," Zac told Jackson. Then Zac looked at Jim, "He wants to talk to you."
"I'm fine, Jackson. And I have Deputy Archer with me," Jim stated.
"Isn't he the one who arrested…?" Jim cut Jackson off.
"Yes he is, and he and his son will be staying with my family until this is resolved," Jim told him.
"Good to know. Let him know that they are invited to my Christmas party as well. Tell Zac that he doesn't need to come back to the ranch today, I'll see him tomorrow."
Jim relayed the message to Zac and then gave him another long passionate kiss. When they separated their lips, Zac looked at Jim, "You are welcome to do that any time."
"Are they always this passionate?" Archer asked.
"Only when they've gone more than five seconds without seeing each other. One goes to the bathroom and you'd think he went to the moon and back when he returns," Joe teased.
"We're not that bad," Jim and Zac said in unison.
"Passion is good. You remind me of when I first started dating Christine, Chris's mom. Some people thought that we were married too soon, but you couldn't convince us of that. Even through her pregnancy, we were very passionate. Then Chris was born and God took her from me. That's why Chris was given the masculine version of her name, Christopher Michael. He looks so much like her."
"Sounds like you loved her very much, and your son," Heather stated.
"Yes, well unfortunately, death is a part of our lives. Lost my dad when I was eight, lost Christine a little more than fifteen years ago, but life goes on."
"Tell me about it. Next month will be two years since I lost my dad. Then I had to put Shadow down June of that same year. Dad visits me in my dreams some nights. And Shadow, some days I feel like she's with me through Kunoichi."
"That reminds me, if your mom doesn't mind, you boys should come over to my place sometime. I have several martial art movies that I am sure you would like."
"You have the American Ninja series?" Jim asked.
"All four, the acting isn't all that great and kind of cheesy, but the action is awesome," Archer said. Jim then showed Archer his collection of movies, including the four American Ninja ones. "Wow, I think your collection is bigger than mine. Do you study any?"
"I have to agree with you about the acting, some of the action was cheesy but funny, too. Most martial art movies have cheesy acting and action, to be honest. But Michael Dudikoff and David Bradley are hot, or at least they were during the movies," Jim grinned.
"Not sure about them being hot, but they were good-looking as far as guys go."
"First time we watched American Ninja three, Jim commented about David Bradley being cute. We asked him what he meant and that's when he let us know that he was attracted to guys as well as girls. Jon looked at him and asked if he meant that he was bi. Jim said he didn't know what that was, just that he liked both," Heather started to say.
"He doesn't need to hear all that, Mom," Jim started whining.
"Well, I don't know if Chris is gay, bi, or straight, but I do know that I love him regardless of who he loves. I just want him to be happy and feel free to be himself."
"Do you tell him that," Jim asked.
"We have had a few discussions on it. I think he's not sure yet himself, though. And you never answered my question about whether you study any forms."
"When we lived in Montana. I started taking Aikido and Jeet Kune Do. I was almost ready to test for my blue belt in Jeet Kune Do when Dad was killed and I had to give it up. Since I've been able to pay for it myself, I've been practicing but never heard what style it is. I know it's not either of the ones I started in Montana."
"Wait, isn't this the house where Mr. Walker got his rear handed to him by a teenager?"
"That was Jim. Spermy was coming to kill me and Jim tromped his ass," Joe stated.
"Joseph Charles!!!" Heather shouted.
"Well he did," Joe argued.
"Yes, but watch the language, especially in front of guests," Heather reprimanded.
"Oh, sorry," Joe apologized.
"No need to apologize, I've heard worse and no doubt will hear more."
The doorbell rang and Jim opened the door. A boy with dark brown hair and hazel eyes was 
standing there. He was holding a leash attached to a black lab. "You must be Shinobi and Chris," Jim announced.
"Yes, but so you know who is who, I'm Chris," the boy said and then grinned.
"I like you already Chris, come in," Jim offered. Chris waved to Deputy Wallace and entered the house. Shinobi saw Kunoichi and gave a quick jerk on his leash causing Chris to let go. Shinobi started licking Kunoichi's face.
"Yeah, don't be surprised if she ends up with pups," Archer said as his son dropped his bag and gave him a hug. "What took so long?"
"Wallace thought I should shower before coming over," Chris stated. Then looking at Heather, he added, "She's pretty, Dad."
"And I imagine the pups will be as well," Archer stated, thinking Chris was talking about the dogs.
"Yeah, her too, but I was talking about…" Archer put his hand over Chris's mouth before he could finish. Then he started to blush. Jim suspected who Chris was talking about and smiled.
"Chris, we were waiting for you to get here so you can decide. You have a choice, do you want to sleep on the couch, takes Joe's bed and he can sleep over at Zac's or would you like to use the spare bedroom at Zac's?" Jim asked.
"Who's Zac?" Chris inquired.
"That would be me. I live with my parents in the house abutted to this property but across the street. We have a spare bedroom and you're welcome to use it, or Joe said that he would if you want to use his room to stay here with your dad."
"Thank you for the offer, but I can't throw you out of your room. I'll take Zac's spare bedroom," Chris said looking at Joe without any hesitation of thought.
"Now that that's settled, why don't I start supper? Chris, what's your favorite meal, I'll see if we have it," Heather asked.
"Just fix what you would have if we weren't here. I eat about anything," Chris suggested, "But since you asked, I really like cheeseburgers and French fries."
"Good, I already cut up six potatoes to be fries, I just need to cut a couple more and how many burgers can you handle, two or three?"
"Just give him two. He's a growing boy and will eat you out of your house if you let him," Archer answered.
"So three then, Chris?" Heather asked.
"I really like her, Dad. You should ask her…" Archer's hand went over his son's mouth again. Heather smiled and went into the kitchen. Jim went in to offer his assistance.
"I'm afraid to ask, Mom, but what do you think about Deputy Archer?" Jim did ask.
"He's handsome and charming. Only really known him for a few hours, but I would like to get to know him better. He seems friendly to you boys. If he were to ask me out, I would consider it," she responded and noticed that Jim was smiling. "I take it that you would approve?"
"You know, no one could ever replace Dad, but he'd be a nice second dad," Jim responded.
"No, there is only one Jon Alexander Bolt, but I could see myself married to Deputy Archer someday, maybe," Heather said hugging Jim. "And I can tell that Chris likes me."
"I think Nick does, too. He keeps blushing when Chris makes comments about you."
"Well, I'll give him time, maybe he doesn't think it would be appropriate to date me while he's staying here on a case."
It didn't take long for Heather and Jim to prepare cheeseburgers and French fries for nine people. They were setting the table and Heather looked at what appeared to be a crowded table. "We can set up a second table for the teenagers," Jim suggested.
"That might be a good idea. You, Joe and Zac can sit at it."
"And Chris, he's a teenager, too."
"We'll let him decide if he wants to sit with you or his dad," Heather declared.
"Chris, with so many people eating, we're setting up a second table for the teenagers. Do you want to sit with us or the old fogies so you can sit by your dad?" Jim asked with a smirk. Heather smacked him on his head and he laughed.
"Old fogies, eh? For that I'll just protect Joe and you are on your own," Archer stated with a grin.
"I am a teenager, why would I want to eat with the old and decrepit?" Chris teased. Archer's foot tapped Chris playfully on the behind. "HEY!!!" Chris shouted and grinned more.
"Am I an old foggy?" Austin asked.
"I guess you are today," Brenda told him.
"You're not a teen yet, but we could make you an honorary one if you want to sit with us?" Jim offered.
"Yeah, I want to be an ornery teen," Austin started jumping up and down. Jim started to correct Austin but Heather insisted that he had it right.
"Four old fogies and five ornery teens, why don't we take the smaller table," Heather suggested.
"Just make sure you grab your burgers. If you place that plate in front of Chris, they'll disappear rather quickly," Archer chuckled.
"You make me sound fat," Chris looked down.
"No, you burn off everything you eat. You take after your mother in that aspect," Archer said. "When she was pregnant with Chris, I swear I paid out two hundred dollars a week for her to eat, and the only weight she gained was Chris. If I eat two burgers, I'll gain twenty pounds and need to work it off."
"He is a growing active teenager. And a cute one, too. I bet you have all the girls chasing you, don't you?" Heather asked Chris.
"There is one girl in my class that I like, but she only has eyes for a boy named Colt. And after what his mother put him through, he deserves someone like Kensi. Chelsie is hot too, but my hands get all sweaty and my stomach gets tied in knots any time I approach her."
"I know the feeling; I was like that before I finally got the nerve to ask Christine out the first time. She finally looked at me and said that she was not going to ask me out, but if I finally became a brave enough deputy to ask, she would say yes."
After dinner, Heather started clearing the tables and Archer offered to help. Austin looked at Chris, "You wanna pway cars?"
"Sure, you have any?" Chris asked.
"We pway wif Jim's. He keeps dem for me to pway wif." Austin said leading Chris up to Jim's room. Joe followed while Jim and Zac sat on the couch catching up.
Austin started pulling out the cars and Chris was in awe of the different cars Jim had. There were the ones that Jim, Joe and Austin had been playing with, a red Lamborghini Diablo, a blue Shelby Mustang and an Orange '69 Pontiac GTO known as "The Judge". "Can I play with The Judge?" Chris asked.
"Dares no judge here, just cars, silwy," Austin said with a serious look.
Chris picked up the GTO. "This car was called The Judge and you are the silly one," Chris informed Austin with a smile.
After a couple hours, Jim and Zac said that they were heading over to Zac's house if Chris wanted to join them. Brenda told Austin to start getting ready for bed as well.
Zac introduced Chris to his mom and dad and then led him up to the spare room. "This room doesn't have a private bathroom like my parents' or mine. I think it was meant to be like an office. There is the bathroom in the hall, but it's only a half bath. If you want to shower, you can use mine."
"So, your dad wasn't sure if you were gay, straight or bi. I'm guessing that you're straight since you like Kensi and Chelsie," Jim stated.
"I don't know. I really do like them and get nervous when around them, but I have my reasons why I think I might be bi. I can't tell you why and I surely can't talk to my dad about it," Chris stated nervously.
"Has someone done something with you?" Jim asked.
"I told you that I can't tell you, at least not right now," Chris yelled and ran to the room Zac said he could use.
"I may be wrong, but I think he's been raped," Jim stated and Zac agreed.
"I'll be back. I want to talk to Deputy Archer," Zac said.
"Wait, let's give Chris time. Maybe if he gains our trust, he'll talk with us. He may be embarrassed and grow to hate us if we go to Nick now." Jim suggested.
"I'd rather have him hate me than for whoever to keep abusing him," Zac said with determination on his face.
"No one will abuse him while he's here. Give him time and if he hasn't come around by the time they leave, we can talk to Nick then," Jim suggested. "I agree that his hating us would be better than him being abused, but we have time and wouldn't it be better if we can be friends?"
"You're right, he's safe here and maybe he'll feel better about talking after he's known us some," Zac said putting his arms around Jim.
Zac had just pressed his lips to Jim's and they heard a knock on the door. "Come in," Zac responded.
"Sorry if I'm disturbing you, but can I get a shower before I go to bed?" Chris asked.
"Sure, and sorry if we made you upset. If you don't want to talk about what happened, it's your right. We can chat about anything you want," Zac offered. He could tell that Chris had been crying.
"Thank you, but I think I'm going to just get a shower and go to bed. We can talk tomorrow," Chris offered.
Chris went into Zac's bathroom and Zac heard the lock click. "I never noticed a lock on that door," Jim commented.
"I've never used it. I think it just proves something did happen to him, or is happening," Zac hypothesized.
Jim thought that he heard crying from the bathroom. He knocked on the door, "Chris are you alright?"
"Not really, but I'm scared to talk about it," Chris responded.
"Will you let me in and maybe I can help. You don't need to talk about whatever, I just want to get to know you and be friends," Jim offered.
"I'm naked about to get in the shower," Chris declared.
"You take gym at school? I'm sure you've seen and have been seen by many naked guys. I know I've seen plenty. Tell you what, unlock the door and I'll count to ten to give you a chance to get in the shower," Jim offered.
It took a few minutes but eventually Jim heard the lock click and he started counting. After he hit ten, Jim took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. He walked in and could barely tell that it was Chris in the shower.
"I just want you to know, whatever you say is just between you and me. I won't even share with Zac. That is, unless someone is raping you, then I need to inform either your dad or someone in authority so that it stops," Jim spoke in a low voice sounding like he genuinely cares.
"Promise me that you won't tell my dad," Chris said opening the frosted glass door a little.
"You have my word, unless like I said. If someone is raping you, they are committing a crime and it needs to stop," Jim restated.
With everyone else gone to bed, Heather and Nick were sitting at the dining room table. "Chris seems like a good boy. You did well raising him," Heather complimented.
"Hasn't been easy being a single father. Fortunately, I've always had good co-workers to help me. Wallace has been a real Godsend. We're partners, but any time I've had to do an assignment solo, he's offered to check on Chris. And I think Chris likes him as well." Archer took a sip of his coffee. "You and your husband did a good job with Jim, and then you adopted Joe and look at him."
"Joe is a real sweetheart. I don't know how anyone could have treated him the way that his parents did. He and Jim seemed to click like they were the best of friends. It's kind of funny, but Joe is almost two months older than Jim, and Jim acts like the older protective brother."
"It may be inappropriate to ask this while I am assigned to protect your boys, but Chris really likes you. And I must admit, you are very beautiful, have a great personality, and my hands are starting to get sweaty," Archer was getting nervous.
"I already told Jim that if you ask me out on a date, I would consider it. He approved," Heather told Nick.
"I don't think it would be right for the time being, but we have a chance while I'm here to get to know each other a little. Maybe once this is over, if you're still interested, we could go to dinner and a movie?" Archer finally got the nerve to ask.
"I've seen how caring you were when Austin was in the hospital. I see how much you loved your wife and love Chris. You sir, have a heart of pure gold. I doubt that I will lose interest," Heather tapped his hand.
"Do you like having fun? And I don't mean like going out having a blast type of fun, but the ornery kind," Archer asked.
"Like the joking kind? We play jokes on each other around here all the time," Heather chuckled.
"What do you think if I were to kiss you in front of the boys and you act upset and throw things at me. It wouldn't surprise me if Jim and Chris are scheming to try and get us together," Archer suggested.
"Hmmmm, I have some old plates that I was going to give away. I'll bring them in and set them on the table. You kiss me out of the blue and I get upset about you being so forward and can throw them at you. They were cheap and should break easily without hurting you. But then after the boys are in shock, I want a real kiss," Heather suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Archer grinned. Nick Archer stood up and held his hand out to Heather. He helped her up and walked her to her bedroom door. Before she could open it, he pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. She didn't put up any fight but enjoyed the kiss that he gave her. When they parted, Archer looked at her, "Thought I should practice."
"Well, that better be the after kiss. There is no way the boys would believe my getting upset with that. Maybe a peck on the cheek to start our fight," Heather suggested.
In the morning, Zac headed to the ranch telling Jim that he and Joe should come out later and bring Chris. Jim and Chris walked into Jim's house as Heather was carrying a box of old plates. "Aren't those the plates that you planned to put in a garage sale?" Jim asked.
"They were, but Deputy Archer suggested that he take them to the homeless shelter," Heather stated.
"I told you, you can call me Nick," Archer said and placed a delicate kiss on her cheek.
"How dare you!" Heather screamed as she picked up one of the plates and broke it over his arm. "You come here under the pretense of protecting my boys and get fresh with me?" She tossed another plate at him, but Nick dodged it.
"It was no pretense, I am here to protect your family," Archer shot back as he avoided another plate.
"You call that protecting them?" Heather yelled throwing yet another plate.
"Mom, what's going on? You know you like Nick," Jim asked.
"That was before he got so fresh with me," Heather said angrily as she threw another plate.
"I couldn't help myself. You're more beautiful this morning than you were last night, so I figured that you made yourself up to attract me. And you did," Nick stated as he started moving closer yet avoiding the onslaught of plates coming at him.
"Dad, you've never acted like this before. What are you doing?" Chris was dismayed at seeing his dad like this. Archer made his way to Heather only getting hit a few times as he got closer. He put his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers as he lowered her halfway towards the floor. After almost thirty seconds of kissing, he brought her up.
"What was all of that?" Jim asked, or rather demanded.
"Don't use that tone with your mother," Archer ordered.
"I'm not, I'm using it with you? Mom's smiling too much, I know the two of you planned this. I may not have invented the practical joke, but I like to believe that I am the master at them and I can tell you two weren't serious."
"Dad?" Chris looked scared.
"Jim's on to us, Nick and I think we traumatized your son," Heather chuckled.
"It's alright, Chris. Jim's right, we were just having fun. I figured that you boys were scheming so we staged this."
"Can I go to the ranch with Jim, he and I need to do some talking, and I think that might be a good place."
"Sure, you can go. I'll go too, but I'll stay with Jackson so you can have your privacy." Archer told his son.
At the police station, an investigator was talking to the boy who was driving the pickup. "Would you like to confess? We found the bloody knife in your drawer. You put his testicles and penis in your freezer."
"Yeah, so what? Maybe I did kill that weasel. He shouldn't have ratted us out or warned that faggot gimp. You got me, so now he's safe, right?" the boy said with a smirk. "And I had to freeze his cock so it would be nice and hard when we, er, I mean I shoved it up that faggot's ass."
"We have you, but you're too willing to take all the credit, and your slip there tells me that others are involved. What was your plan?"
"Nah, it was just me. And what difference does my plan make now?" the boy asked.
"Humor me, what did you have planned?" the investigator questioned.
"Fine, I was going to come up behind him and take a baseball bat to his bum leg. Once he was on the ground, I was going to shatter the bones in both legs so bad that he could never walk again. Then, knowing how faggot's love getting fucked, I was going to fuck him like a little bitch and leave him there with that cock up his ass. You happy, now?"
"And why him?" the investigator asked.
"To teach Cornhole a lesson. He got Alejandro arrested so we were going to take it out on his boyfriend."
"So who is we?"
"Me, I meant I was going to take out his boyfriend."
In another interview room, the boy who was the passenger was sitting, being interviewed. "Let's start off easy. When you were out with your friend driving, why did you ram that car?"
"We saw him spinning and stop crossing both lanes. I looked at Rory and jokingly told him that we should hit that faggot's car for fun. Rory smiled and pushed down on the gas."
"So, just a crime of opportunity. Are you aware that we found the knife used to kill the boy at school and bloody clothes? Why don't you tell me about that?"
"I don't know anything about that, I wasn't there," the boy said.
"That's funny, we found four sets of bloody clothes. One was Rory's, one had the victim's DNA, one had yours, and we have yet to discover the fourth. And guess whose prints were on the knife."
"Mine," the boy said sounding ashamed. He knew that he was caught.
"So what happened?"
"He warned that faggot about being targeted. He didn't know that we had a new recruit who shares that class and between classes, he called Rory and told him. When it was his lunch time, we watched him go to the restroom and we followed him in. I held one arm while the new recruit held the other. The dude was so scared that he shit and pissed himself."
"What happened next?"
"Rory looked at him and told him that he wasn't fit to wear the uniform so he took the knife and cut it off of him. He cut his soiled underwear off, too. I picked them up and stuffed them in his mouth, making him taste his own shit. He fought me on this, but the three of us forced his mouth open and I stuffed his shit in. He cried like a baby and Rory was going to leave him just like that."
"So what happened? How did he die?"
"I grabbed the knife from Rory and put the blade against his balls. I was planning to just tell him that he better not tell anyone anything again when he grabbed my hand, trying to get the knife, I think. It was a very sharp knife and when he pushed my hand down, I instinctively pulled my hand up and it sliced through his skin like hot butter. I think if his mouth wasn't stuffed, the whole school would have heard him scream. Rory suggested that we take him out the bathroom window and then we saw the dumpster. I was going to throw everything in but Rory wanted to save his cock for a special assignment for the new recruit. That's all I know. Really, I didn't mean to kill him. That was an accident. Rory is just an accessory."
"What is the name of this new recruit?"
"I was never told his name. All I knew him as was Recruit Smith. And I know we never get their real last name until they become a full member."
"Did you know that the school records their incoming phone calls?"
"No, but why are you telling me this?"
"Someone called the school and told them about the boy in the dumpster. Unfortunately, it was too late, but it makes me believe that you didn't really mean to hurt him," the investigator stated. Then he pushed the play button on a recorder.
"There's a boy in the dumpster outside the boys' restroom. If you don't hurry, he'll probably die," was all the voice said before the phone clicked, indicating he had hung up.
"That sounds like your voice, doesn't it?"
"Yes, I made that call,"
"DA is willing to offer you a deal. You can go to trial and we have you for murder in the second degree. That's twenty years to life with no parole. You help us shut this group down and the DA is willing to drop the charge to manslaughter where the max sentence is twenty years. We'll give you an hour to think about it."
Looking at Rory, the investigator told him, "Your friend spilled his guts. We know that he killed the boy but didn't mean to. Who was the new recruit?"
Rory spit in the face of the investigator. "You better not put us back in the same cell together." Then he yelled, "IF YOU CAN HEAR ME YOU SON OF A BITCH, YOU ARE DEAD THE FIRST CHANCE THAT I GET!!! I WILL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF WITH MY BARE HANDS AND PISS DOWN YOUR THROAT!!!"
Rory stood as best as he could with having one wrist cuffed to the table. The investigator could see nothing but hatred in his eyes as he tried pulling his hand through the cuff. He was so mad that he ignored the pain and blood coming from his hand. Two police officers came in and tased him to get him settled.
After an hour, the investigator went in to see if the other boy was willing to cooperate. Instead, they found him with the pen they left shoved all the way in his left eye. On the pad they left for him to write on were these words,
"Shit, why wasn't someone watching him?" the investigator asked.
"No one suspected him to be suicidal, sir," one of the police officers responded.
"As remorseful as he sounded, you didn't think he would be upset enough to kill himself? You heard him on the tape and in here. There will be an IA investigation, I assure you. Every one of us, myself included, can be facing charges."
The investigator went back in with Rory. "Looks like today is your lucky day. I'm charging you with murder in the first degree. We have your confession, and we found the knife, the bloody clothes and the boy's missing part at your house. Do you know what the penalty is for murder one?"
"Let me guess, life with no parole," Rory looked smug. "But you already told me that Aerie confessed, so most you can charge me with is accessory."
"First, the penalty for first degree murder is the death penalty. And we don't have Aerie's confession, nor can we get it now. See, he shoved a pen through his eye and into his brain. So all we have is your confession."
"Aerie's dead?" Rory asked looking shocked.
"Yes, and unless you tell us who the new recruit is and what his orders are, you can expect a long needle to be shoved into your veins. As the chemicals travel through your veins, you will start losing control of your body functions. I promise, though, no one will take your soiled briefs and stuff them into your mouth."
"Hey, I didn't do that. Aerie did," Rory yelled.
"Doesn't matter to me now who did what. I have your confession and I'm done with you unless you talk," the investigator said. He left the room and told the officers to take the punk back to his cell.
Archer just got off his phone, "Seems the boys who rammed your car were two of the boys involved. Rory Scott was the boy driving. Aerie McGlaughlin is the one who did the actual killing. He claimed that it wasn't intentional, then shoved the pen into his brain via his left eye. He thought that was better than going to prison. There is still at least one boy out there, a new recruit. He's in your algebra class, Joe."
"So what happens now? Am I safe? Do our lives go back to normal?" Joe wasn't sure what to think. He never knew that his life would be so twisted just because he didn't love who society thought he should. When could he live his life how he wanted?
"I'm going to go home, change into regular clothes and pick up my car. I will be back. I think you'll be safe while I'm gone and our chance of catching him goes up if he's not seeing a sheriff car or deputy out in the open."
"Can we head over to the ranch, or should we wait for you?" Jim asked.
"Drive straight to the ranch, no stops along the way. Chris, come get a spare radio out of my car and if anything happens, call me. I'll go out to the ranch once I get changed."
Chris walked with his dad out to the car and grabbed a radio. Archer left and Chris walked back to the house. The boys got into Joe's SUV and headed for the ranch. About halfway there, Joe looked at Jim, "I think we're being followed. Car about three lengths back has been behind us ever since we left Quarter Horse Lane."
"Chris, ask your dad if he has anyone following us. They're in an old Chevy Nova, kinda sandy in color. No front license plate," Jim asked. Chris hit the talk button on the radio.
