Brian Coltrane

No. That would end your sufferin' too easy. It's better that you live, to wonder whatevah became of them all. Knowin' that you, and your fool antics, jepordized everythang and everybody you evah cared about. *heat of anger simmering in dark eyes* This is the price of your reign, oh "Lord of the Outlaws." From heah out, every livin', breathin' moment of yours will be cursed with the memory of this day.

I have your horse. I got your brother. I even got Daney, though ah doubt you care much on that one. *steps closer, hatred burning in dark eyes* And I have your life. The only reason yer still breathin', is so that you can suffer the consequences of opposin' me, for the rest of your life. Now then. *pauses, making sure Chet understands this next part clearly* You get to choose one to keep. Your horse. Your brother. Or Daney. Pick one....and know that the other two will nevah be seen by you again.

Ah haven't started givin' you trouble. *voice softening to a hiss* Ah'm heah to give you a choice, Chet Duke.

*rounds the last step, dark eyes taking in the evidence of damage around the cell area...scorched bedding, the mess of fire extinguisher foam...and also detecting the unpleasant, acrid odors of melted wiring, stale smoke, and sweat.* *paces over to inspect the damage, saying nothing....until finally turning to stare cold and hard at Chet through the bars. Waits another minute before speaking, jaw clenched...and once voice is found, the Atlantan drawl is low, rough, and pained.* Had to give her a hard time, didn't you?

*watches MaryAnne go, still staring at the doors after her exit. Looks down at the discarded badge and the cell keys, feeling anger, disbelief...and regret.* *picks up the silver badge and holds it between fingers. The badge is light, but the heart that carred it was obviously made heavy by the conflict. Deposits the badge inside of the inner jacket pocket, not feeling right about leaving it laying around, abandoned. Though in truth, feels abandoned along with it....* Is it so hard, cousin, for us to understand each other, even after all this while? *asks the silence of the booking room* *with no answer coming, and none expected, reaches down and picks up the jail cell key, that was also left behind. A few minutes ago, tricks and coercion might have been considered, to obtain this object...and now, it seems hollow, meaningless. An enemy's fate is now squarely in own hands...* *...but if any sense of triumph was to be had at this, it's now reduced by an overwhelming sense of loss.* *with nothing left but a resolve to truly end this...one way or another...takes the key and walks down the stairs towards the lower cells...the sound of own bootsteps announcing presence before own form is visible....*

*looks striken for a moment, but then answers with a wordless snarl, truly offended. Takes another second to find words that aren't complete expletives* If ah didn't, I wouldn't be lookin' for a bloodless finish to this thang....would I.

*still not sure what MaryAnne is up to, continues to balk* Depends. Are you doin' somethin' in accordance with your sworn duty, or in accordance with the fact you've blown a gasket?

*backs up a step as cousin storms ahead. Watches, unsure of what her ploy is, thinking that perhaps she'd gleefully toss me in with Chet at this point * I didn't say it was all yer fault. Don't gitcher badge in a bend.

*soft, low, reactive growl....cousin's disregard, when added on top of Benedict Alex's antics, and Garrett's distain, and Chet's usual attitude, causing a mounting anger* You started this thang, ya know. You wanna think less of me for havin' a bloodless finish to it? Fine. Then you can sit heah 24-7 and wonder what the hell will happen when Chet gits loose. 'Cause sooner or later, he will. And if he's out on his terms, insteada mine... ...you truly will have a new outlaw lord around heah, and I wish you all the luck then.

Aw, come on now. *moving a couple steps closer to cousin* I said it at the beginnin' of this whole thang. Finesse is what separates me from the riff-raff. Killin' Chet outright, or gettin' mahself killed, would lack finesse. It wouldn't be victory. I want to beat Chet and have him alive to remember that ah did it. I also want to be alive to gloat. *steps closer once more, until standing directly next to seated cousin*

Thank ya.... *giving a shallow sigh, rubbing the left wrist* Ya know, I hate it when yer mad at me. Right now, part of you wants to throw me back in jail. The other part of you, wants me to go ahead and git mahself killed if ah'm so determined to do it....

Hmm. Ah'm amazed. You musta put the hurt on 'em. *lifts up the left wrist* Listen, I know there's thangs un-ree-solved heah....but would you show me the kindness of removin' this heah metal bracelet?

Good. Last thang ah need, is that goon on the street. Ah'm in no shape to deal with 'em. *takes the short steps up to the booking desk, left arm snug against ribs, right hand on the short railing, leaning weight against it. Once up near the booking desk, doesn' get too close to cousin, choosing instead to lean against the bars of the holding cell. Right hand starts to fuss with the handcuff loop that's still secured around the left wrist, a souveiner from the escape from the clinic* Chet been givin' you any trouble?

No need to insult me. *mild snort* No, ah came heah for a couple reasons. One, to make sure you were awright, after baggin' Chet. Two, to make sure some fool wasn't heah tryin' to bail him out.

Only natural that you'd be curious. Well... I ain't gonna keep you in suspense for too long. Sit tight for a few minutes, eh? If all goes well, ah'll be back out soon. *with this, gets out of Diablo, taking the car keys along...not too worried about Garrett stealing the car, but not wanting to tempt him too strongly. Holds arm close against the left side of ribcage, walking to the courthouse as quickly as the injuries allow. The tight bandaging around the ribcage keeps things in place, but the pain is relentless, and deep breaths are difficult.* *and yet, there's no option but to go forward. Walks up the courthouse stairs and down the hall, and then strolls into the booking room, innocent as pie, as if the most natural place to be right now in the whole world, is right here.*

*listens to the triade, letting Garrett spend the wind* You know what I like about you? You got a knack for speechifyin'. You coulda been a clergyman, the way you give sermons. *chuckles softly at own joke, but sobers up just as quickly* Anyhow, you answered mah question, by not answerin' it. As far as answerin' your questions....let's just say there's good reason for handlin' thangs the way I am. You'll see.

*finishes up the CB conversation with Lukas, promsing to check in with him later. Hangs up the CB* There, see? Daney's safely out of harm's way. So long as you and her both behave, ya'll are gonna be fine. *drives Diablo towards town, cautiously guiding the big Chevy around the town square a few minutes later. Parks Diablo a little ways down from the courhouse, not wanting to be directly in front of it* Ya know, Ive asked you what you mean to Chet. I suppose ah should also ask, what Chet means to you.

*glances at Garrett, from corner of eye, then presses the talk button again* Sort of. It's halfassed and risky. Daniel went to the jail to try and bail Chet out, but I dunno if MaryAnne is gonna go for it. If Chet's loose, it means Plan B, and if he's not, it means Plan C. Howevah it falls, this thang wll be over with one way or the other, soon enuff.

*pausing, considering words over the air* ...Not so good. Alex kinda blew Plan "A." The two of us had a lil' disagreement. Now he's tied up over a few thangs. You could say he's outta the picture.

Good, yer on the air. I just need a status report. How's your "guest"? Everythang awright?

Hmm. Thanks. *puts Diablo in gear and slowly drives the big Chevy down the hill, clenching jaw at the bumpy ride, which riles the busted-up ribs and bruised innards. Once back on the highway, reaches for the CB* Tell ya what. Let's make sure Daney's safe and sound, eh? *presses the talk button on the handset* Blackbird to Black Sheep, come back. Ya'll in hearin' range?

*outside with Garrett, gestures to the passenger side of Diablo* Git in. Ah'll drive. *opening the car door and getting in carefully, moving stiff. Lets out a slow breath once situated behind the wheel. Starts Diablo's motor* Alex and me go way back, but it looks like we ain't goin' any farther ahead. S' just you n' me from heah on out, and I know you aint' exactly thrilled with the side yer on.

*growls, aiming a backhand at Alex, drawing back right arm....* *...but then drops it, the blow undelivered. Instead, says,* @#$%&*$#&*%!!!!! *and with these perhaps being the last words that will ever be said to Alex, storms out of the cabin, with Garrett in tow*

*mad as hell, now, not having been in the best condition anyhow* You were an important part of mah plan, until you forced me to change plans! You could at least have the good grace to apologize for undercuttin' mah scheme! Now if somethin' does happen, because I had to turn thangs inside out.... *lowers voice* ...you can thank yerself. Mr. I-Know-A-Better-Plan.

*short snarl of anger* And you considered yourself mah partner in crime. If you could only heah yourself, Mr. Arrogance. You nevah even had the details of mah scheme, but you overrode it for your own notions. I can't abide a traitor.