The Cowboy's Prize

Chapter 24

One Month Later

On the TV, the expression on the face of the blonde reporter changed slightly, in response to the story she was about to update the general population about. Her upper lip curled back imperceptibly as she scanned the words on the teleprompter, already knowing the gist of the story from in-house meetings.

Plastering a fake smile back on her face, she continued. "In other news... the disgraced millionaire Alastair Fairchild was bound over for trial today. The overwhelming evidence against the 'alleged' murderer and pedophile has resulted in charges of sexual assault on a minor, battery, grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and exploitation of children for the purposes of creating pornography being laid. Mr Fairchild was unavailable for comment when our reporters tried to contact him... however, speaking through his lawyer, Mr Fairchild was confident all charges would be dismissed."

Scott flicked the 'mute' button on the TV remote, his face mimicking the reporter's earlier expression of disgust. "I still can't believe they've managed to keep the dirty cops under wraps." He said with anger creeping into his voice, as the reporter moved on to other news.

"Don't be so sure Love." Mitch said as he passed Scott the paper from that morning, open to the third page.

The headline on the page just under the fold read, "Three officers implicated." With pictures of the police officers that Mitch had found files on in Alastair's computer. They'd been identified in the information that had been on Mitch's memory stick and also the one found when the lawyer Doug D'Antonio had returned with a bunch of cops from an adjoining Precinct and a valid search warrant. And while Mitch was glad that they had been discovered and would be brought before the Professional Standards Board, he was still uncertain how much punishment they'd actually receive.

"They haven't announced that those Cops were responsible for keeping quiet about what Alastair did to those kids. Or that they were complicit." Scott said angrily, waving the paper around as it was responsible for morally offending him.

"No..." Mitch said making a motion to calm Scott down. "But they're being brought up on corruption charges and hopefully they'll never serve again." He added, knowing that was the main issue Scott was concerned with.

"It's just frustrating that they aren't being publicly castigated." Scott said running his fingers through his mop of blonde hair. "Karma's going to get them, but they should be made to answer for so much more."

"Well pull those big words out of your arse." Mitch said with a smirk knowing he needed to diffuse Scott's anger.

Scott rolled his eyes as he smiled wryly and said, "I know you're obsessed with my butt, but can we please get back to the issue at hand." Scott said putting one hand on his hip as he gave Mitch's ass a significant look. It wasn't the first admiring look Mitch's butt had received in recent history.

"Oh, please do." Mitch said standing up and moving over to where Scott was sitting only to slide one hand down Scott's back to the top of the swell of his buttocks.

"Mitchy." Scott whined, before shivering at the light touch of Mitch's fingertips. "I can't concentrate when you do that."

"Then don't Luv." Mitch whispered before smiling broadly and moving his face toward Scott's.

Scott's eyes widened as Mitch moved in closer for the anticipated kiss, but he put his hand over Mitch's mouth and said, "Wait. You're not distracting me from this conversation."

Mitch's hurt expression changed to one of pride as Scott turned the paper over and another article caught his attention. Mitch's cheeks colored as he saw the picture of one of his baskets and the anticipated article extolling the wonders of his raw buffalo milk cheese.