<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">While things hadn't entirely added up for Jaxon, he hadn't thought of the possibility that perhaps the person hadn't done anything wrong at all. Jaxon was a fairly private person, and he didn't like his space being intruded upon. That's what it had felt like before coming into the station, and now he wasn't sure about any of it. The young man stared straight back at him and Jaxon stood there for a few long moments after he'd denied the accusations.<br/>
<br/>
This guy didn't sound that stupid.<br/>
<br/>
And somewhere, Jaxon was even inclined to believe him, if only because there seemed no real reason <i>why</i> he would do it. Too much risk and not enough reward. It didn't make sense. His neighbors were the nosy, gossiping sort. They'd blown other incidents out of proportion, so he realized he couldn't exactly take them at face value. Jaxon was too sensible a person to harbor resentment to anyone nationality in particular. He'd met a lot of bad people in his life, and they'd been of all different races. He had an idea of what was happening here.<br/>
<br/>
“So you say,” Jaxon went on, but there was enough to question that he wanted to look into it more. He walked back to the other officer, leaned in close to him a moment where they exchanged a quick conversation. Jaxon had requested to see the reports and be told of any supporting evidence, which of course there wasn't much to actually go on besides the testimony of his neighbors. Still, they were ready to go forward. Jaxon only had to say the word. To the officer's surprise, he didn't.<br/>
<br/>
“I'm not pressing charges,” Jaxon decided and was awarded a perplexed expression. “It doesn't make any sense. You guys have real criminals out there to worry about. We don't need any more people tying up the system. I highly doubt he did anything but what he claimed he was doing.” People here in Texas were suspicious and behind the times. They were quick to pass judgment and condemn a man without thinking clearly. Jaxon couldn't do that in good conscience, even if he'd never been confronted with such a moral dilemma such as this.<br/>
<br/>
“Well, that means we'll have to release him,” the officer put in.<br/>
<br/>
“Yeah? Why else would you keep him?” Jaxon wanted to know, thinking it was pretty cut and dry. The guy didn't do it. There was no reason to detain him any longer. The officer nodded, but there was nothing he could do.<br/>
<br/>
“Alright,” he conceited and went to his desk to get Jaxon's decision in writing. After that, he released the young man they'd taken in earlier that day.<br/>
<br/>
Jaxon had stayed, waiting in the lobby, but stood the second he saw the young man step through the doorway, free of restraint. He'd gotten a good look at him before but it was different seeing him on the other side of the holding cell.<br/>
<br/>
“I apologize for this. My neighbors are old and set in their ways. They grew up differently, but it's still no excuse for you havin' to waste your day here,” Jaxon started. Even if he'd done the proper thing it didn't make up for the situation as a whole. On top of being insulting, he had no doubt the whole experience had been dehumanizing as well.<br/>
<br/>
He reached a hand forward, eye contact still strong, with a firm grip as he sought to shake this strangers hand.<br/>
<br/>
“My name is Jaxon. At the very least might I give you a ride home?” he questioned, a deep southern politeness set in his intentions.</span></span>