"Hello, my name is Joe Goldsmith and I'm with the vandalism investigation team," Jack flashes his plastic badge in front of Eret's eyes before tucking it back into his trenchcoat, "I am here to take a name, a phone number, an email and a statement."
Eret stands baffled for a moment before pulling their phone from their pocket.
"I don't remember calling an investigation team."
Jack laughs. "No, no, we're part of the police, not a separate organisation. We have all sorts of departments now "
He hopes his voice is convincing enough. After his two brothers turned up at the house covered in dirt and out of breath, it didn't take much for the pair to crack...well...Tommy to crack.
After the abrupt and rather scary confession, Jack had gotten a text from Dream (which in itself was ominous) and now here Jack is; fake ID and fake uniform, smiling up at a face he would rather punch.
"So how does this work?" Eret caves, leaving against their doorframe, hip cocked to the side.
"We take your details and your own account on what happened, and we take photos of the damage done. We then take all that back to our office, analyse it and compile it into usable evidence, if the evidence is found to be insufficient, then we'll let you know and any future case will immediately be dismissed." Since a young age, Jack has been good at lying through his teeth.
Eret shifts, smirk painted on their face. Looking at them, Jack can see why Techno and Tommy were seething with rage. It makes him uncomfortable.
"We take your details and your own account on what happened, and we take photos of the damage done. We then take all that back to our office, analyse it and compile it into usable evidence, if the evidence is found to be insufficient, then we'll let you know and any future case will immediately be dismissed." Since a young age, Jack has been good at lying through his teeth.
Eret shifts, smirk painted on their face. Looking at them, Jack can see why Techno and Tommy were seething with rage. It makes him uncomfortable.
"I think that we can do that, and I assure you, it will not be deemed insufficient." Jack listens to Eret as they give him their details. He tries to hide the victory he feels but this is just the beginning of the plan.
Eret walks him over to the graffiti which Jack did not miss when he first approached the door. It's not even that bad; a concoction of feathers, glitter and paint. It looks as though it could be cleaned with a power wash.
"I'll tell you one thing," Eret begins, gesturing to his wall, "you can give and give and give again, but you should never expect anything back."
To tell the truth, Jack doesn't have much of an idea of the whole Punz-Eret situation. He can make vague guesses, but other than that he is mostly left in the dark. The way Eret shakes their head at the mess on the wall, but looks over to Wilbur for approval makes him shudder.
Jack nods his agreement begrudgingly. "This is all we need I think, for now anyway. We'll be in contact."
"I hope to hear from you soon Mr Goldsmith."
Jaxk tries to look professional as walks down the driveway. He only glances back briefly to see Eret wave, and nods his goodbye back. When Eret is out of view, he sprints.
"Their email is saved on the stations database." Fundy says, red ears twitching in his hair. Jack, Techno and Tommy all loom over the ginger boy as he scrolls through his computer, scanning words and websites the other three don't understand.
"What does that mean?" Tommy breaks the silence.
"Your theory of Eret and the police being involved is true. Look here," he points to a string of email exchanges, "these are all cases that Eret has tampered with."
"What does...that mean?" There's a collective sigh and Tommy holds his hands up in surrender.
"It means, if Eret were to take this petty vandalism to court, Purpled and Dream could get sent to juvie or maybe even prison. They'd get split up either way and Puffy would lose custody of the three of them." Techno mutters.
"Eret clearly has friends in high places-"
"Shit." Fundy cuts off Jack.
"What is it?" The three gather even closer than before.
"Eret has a lot of emails...and accounts...and money. There's so much more than just petty bribery and promises, Eret's giving them money in the thousands."
"What the hell do we do?" Tommy stresses.
Jack blushes from where he is stood. "I sort of already told Eret that if the evidence they provide is not worthy of court, then it will automatically be dropped."
"That's genius!" Tommy praises. "We can just say it wasn't enough and it will all be forgotten!"
"It may work." Fundy agrees. "But to be safe we need this sent off somewhere so it doesn't come back to us. We need to get Eret before they get us."
"So who do we send it too?" Techno speaks for the first time in a while.
Being at the house without Purpled is strange. Puffy tries to be positive but her attempts fall flat when the two eldest shuffle away to their separate rooms. Dream doesn't hear Punz's door shut but he definitely shuts his own.
"Mama, what are we having for dinner?" Foolish asks.
"I'm not sure baby shark, something simple tonight I think."
Dream can hear them from upstairs, but only barely. He hasn't quite made it to the bed and instead decides to lay flat with his ear pressed to the floor. His bed is comfortable, don't get him wrong, but it's been a long day, and the hard floor is comforting.
He's anxious, waiting for a text from Jack. It makes his stomach twist and his wrists ache...or maybe that's the pain from the cuffs. His ribs ache too but maybe that is also the anxiety.
Being at the house without Purpled is horrible and Dream is scared. It's stupid. Punz is only a room away yet here Dream is, laying on the floor, on the brink of tears. Tears he didn't even realise were blurring his vision.
"What about chicken nuggets?" Dream hears Foolish ask. He's so innocent and the simple question is enough to start the waterworks.
Being at the house without Purpled is a familiar feeling and even though he'll be home soon, Dream feels sad.
And then his phone buzzes.
And then he glances at the screen and winces at the brightness.
And then suddenly, he feels a little less sad.
He's got to tell Punz.
YOU ARE READING
Reputation
Fanfiction"Dream legs it down the alleyway, bag gripped tightly in his hand. His cheeks are already red and angry from the bitter cold wind and his feet numb inside his shoes. He can hear rasped shouts from behind him, and forces his legs to move faster." Or:...
