Free Fall

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"What's a 314?" Nolan quizzes.

"indecent exposure" Elle replies, nursing Dashia while Nolan is holding Sasha and quizzing the other three rooks.

"Nice. A 273g?" Nolan asks.

"Being intoxicated in the presence of a child." Lucy answers.

"Well done. Reminds me of a funny story..." Nolan starts.

"Mm, mm-hmm, uh-uh." Lucy raises an eyebrow and Elle shoots him a look from across the table.

"Which is for later. How about a 237?" Nolan asks.

"False imprisonment." Jackson answers.

"Nicely done, and a personal favorite of mine, a 597h." Nolan grins.

"Unlawfully attaching a propeller to an animal so that dogs may chase it." Lucy, Elle, and Jackson all say at the same time.

"Well done. That's 500 penal codes down, 1,000 to go. Curly fries?" Nolan offers.

"Yes." Jackson nods.

"Definitely." Lucy agrees.

"please" Elle pleads.

"211, armed robbery." Nolan whispers.

Elle looks over and sees what's going on, she sets Dashia in her stroller and draws her weapon, approaching with Lucy and Jackson.

"488, petty theft." Nolan says.

"You a cop?" The thief asks.

"Yes, I am. And so are they. Hands in the air. Drop your guns." Nolan orders.

"Turn around." Elle says. 

Elle takes Sasha from Nolan while Jackson and Lucy pat them down.

"Turn around. You guys, this looks to me like a criminal conspiracy." Nolan comments.

"a 182" Elle nods.

"Also a 12-0-20." Nolan agrees.

"Oh, illegal possession of a firearm." Lucy says.

"Actually, it's a 417. The guns are fake." The thief answers.

"Ha! He's right!" Nolan grins, checking the weapons.

"Yep, but this knife's real, and that's a violation of -" Lucy starts.

"21510(b)." All four rooks say, smiling.

"Turn around." Lucy orders.

[Twelve Hours Later]

"nervous? is that an American word?" Elle jokes, as she and Nolan get ready to leave.

"you'll do great, I got the kids squared away" Samantha promises.

"you only have to deal with them for another week, then you move to Sacramento to be with your family" Elle smiles.

"now that's something to be nervous about" Samantha grins.

"hey, you ready?" Nolan asks, walking over.

"ready as I'll ever be" Elle responds. 

"great, you wanna drive?" Nolan inquires.

"no, my hands are shaking" Elle frowns.

"but I wanted to go over my flashcards one more time" Nolan protests.

"I'll quiz you on the way there" Elle offers.

"that's the best compromise I've ever heard of" Nolan grins.

[Two Hours Later]

"80 might be the passing grade, Boots, but if you don't get at least a 90, you should turn in your badge on general principle." Angela says.

The Philocalist 〰 ♡ 〰 Volume OneWhere stories live. Discover now