The Cement Wall - Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty1

“Officer Charles! How are you?” Paul Newman shook hands with his former partner. In the back of his mind he called the man every horrible name he could think of, he had always hated the suck up known as Kyle Charles. 2

“I’m fine Officer Newman, but I called you here for questioning. Come with me” Officer Charles escorted him to the interrogating room, the same room he himself had been interrogating a criminal just the other day. Paul knew that this might cost him his job, but he told himself to play it cool. 3

Kyle instructed him to sit down, although they both knew that Paul knew the routine he still had to play it by the book. He put two photos in front of Paul. One was of fingerprint and the other was of his brother James Newman. Officer Charles knew he should have called Eddie Pendragon to tell him of the current situation but he had to deal with Paul Newman first.4

“I have been wondering about something Paul.” He pretended to ponder over something for little while, a bait to lure Paul in. 5

It worked, Paul replied “And what might that be?” Something flickered behind his eyes, but before Kyle could catch it, it was gone. It became a battle of cop against cop, skill against skill. 6

“Your brother James has quite the record.” Leaning back in the chair, his body seemed to relax as he stared at Paul.7

“Does he? I didn’t figure it was that bad.” That same emotion flickered behind Paul’s eyes the emotion was clearly fear. Fear of being caught, fear of what the penalty would be. 8

Kyle knew exactly were to take this, he knew about the files it was only a matter of time before Paul let the Police chief (who was behind the invisible wall) know too. 9

“Well see that’s the thing, Paul. He should have a long record. There are accounts of you going into the files room many times, and coming out with certain papers each time. I looked into it, Paul. Then I got a warrant to look through your home, you were not there but that did not matter. We found the files, we know about it.”10

Cold sweat formed on Paul’s brow and slipped down his face, he was caught on one crime but he was not going to get caught for what happened to Eddie. Seeing how close to snapping Paul was, Kyle continued.11

“The brakes of Edward Pendragon’s car were cut, we found James finger prints on the parts. When we went to get James he was gone, not at home, not at work, nowhere to be found. Things started to look bad, Paul.” He once more paused for effect before continuing, “One thing about James committing this crime did not make sense, he had no motive.”12

That was it, that was the breaking point in Paul it was clearly visible. But still Officer Charles pressed onward, “I sat for awhile, trying to connect the files and James committing this crime. And you know what I figured out, Paul?”13

Paul said nothing; his left eye began to twitch as sweat poured down his face. Onward Officer Charles pressed, “You told your brother to commit this crime.” He knew his old partners weakness, he could see it in his eyes, “Turns out family really is only a toy to be played with, right Paul?”14

Paul jumped up and screamed in to the face of his former partner “You bastard yes I fucking told him to commit the crime, and you want to know something it was fucking worth it. I did it out of love the courts will see that. Tara broke up with me after that slim ball Eddie walked in on us fucking each other; she said she couldn’t go on with the relationship. I did it for her you asshole. FUCK YOU!”15

Two officers ran into the room and put Paul Newman into cuffs and began reading him his rights. You could hear him screaming like a lunatic all the way to the jail cell. The Police chief came up behind Kyle and firmly gripped his shoulder, “Great job, we just need to find out where James Newman has run off to and then we will be all set”16

Meanwhile, Roxanne had fallen asleep next to Eddie as they watched movies during throughout the night. When the phone rang and Roxanne awoke she was first disorientated to find herself lying next to Eddie in a queen-sized bed in Eddie’s apartment. The phone rang a second time, rolling over she grabbed the phone and said “Hello” 17

Her voice was hoarse from sleep, and she realized how it must sound to the person on the other line. “Hello? I’m sorry I thought this was Mr. Pendragon’s number” A slight blush rose to her cheeks as she heard Officer Charles voice.18

“No you have the right number let me get him”, she would get him for this later. She nudged him a few times in till he awoke. He looked at her, then at his bed, “uh” 19

She nudged him again, “we just fell asleep next to each other, god your such a guy. The phone is obviously for you.” He took the phone from her, “Well sorry, I hate to break this to you. But I am quite one hundred percent male” 20

Not giving her a chance for a witty response he said “Hello” into the phone. 21

“I am sorry if I am disturbing” Officer Charles coughed back a laugh, he had heard their conversation “something important. But we have Paul Newman in custody. We have a search warrant for James Newman’s arrest. As soon as he turns up I will give you a call again Mr. Pendragon.” 22

“Will I have to go to trial with them?” Eddie hated police, but even more he hated courtrooms.23

“Not with Paul, at least I don't believe so. A lawyer would contact you if you were to be used as a witness or something like that. With James it would be the same I presume, I am just a cop. I don't work with all of that really, that’s for lawyers and the state.” Officer Charles was starting to feel a little dumb so he added, “But they both will get a good time in jail. James will get attempted murder, and for Paul I would presume they would charge him with accomplish to murder.” 24

“Well thank you Officer Charles, that is a relief to know at least one is caught.” Eddie was shocked inside to know Paul Newman would really do such a thing he had to know why. “Um, Officer. Could you tell me why Paul did this?” 25

“I’m not really suppose to say, but since your involved in this I will. He said it was because Tara dumped him, and he did it out of love.” Officer Charles knew about Eddie’s record he had to offer some peace to him. “Mr. Pendragon, I will see if they can make it so they can go around having you in the trial. I’m not making any promises, but maybe something can be worked out.”26

Eddie knew that Officer Charles understood at that point, “Give me a call if anything new arises, I must be going now. Goodbye Officer”27

“I understand, Goodbye” Officer Charles hung up and leaned back in his chair, his work was almost done.28

Roxanne looked puzzlingly at Eddie; he took the hint and told her what he had just heard. “Officer Charles caught one of them, Paul Newman. His motive was that Tara Reid dumped him after I saw them that day; he apparently acted out in the name of love. They have a warrant out for the arrest of James Newman but so far he has not turned up.”29

“Eddie…” She didn’t know exactly what to say, words escaped her. She reached out and let her hands cup his face; she could only image the betrayal he must feel, the pain. It was like a picture out a fairy tale; Roxanne leaned over, cupping Eddie’s face, Eddie sitting up hiding the pain inside. The sheets rumpled up and lazy from endless sleep. He looked down into her eyes; she met his gaze with her own stare. Picture perfect. 30

He leaned forward, not sure of his boundaries anymore. No longer the line was visible, no longer did he care. There breath mingled for a moment before there lips met. All the passion she had denied herself she welcomed in that instant, he deepened the kiss when he felt her give in to him. 31

The boundaries he had made in his mind evaporated, not that he paid attention to them at that moment. He pressed her back against the bed, deepening the kiss even more.32

Memories she had made herself forget came back to her; thoughts of passion came back to her. As he began to unbutton her shirt, she realized how painful those memories were, not even passion could prevent the pain. If she was to ever get over those memories she would have to face them, and she did not want to do that now. She stopped his hands and stopped the kiss; it took all her will to move away from him. “I’m sorry Eddie, I can’t just yet.”33

She may feel childish now, but it would be worth it in the end. She sat up and gripped on to the edge of the bed, willing the memories back into her the fortress she had made for them. Eddie could not speak; he was still coming down slowly from the energy the passion had created. He caught his breath and reached out to sooth her but she got up and walked out of the room, obviously feeling foolish. 34

When he went to get up to follow her she called over her shoulder to him, “I hope it’s alright that I take a shower.”  35

“Of course it is, let me go get you some towels.” He focused on the towels, the red fabric, instead of focusing on her in his shower. After retrieving the towels and showing her where to throw them when she was done with them he left her to shower in peace while he went for a morning walk. 36

The hot spray from the shower helped to calm her nerves, but she realized she did not bring her change of clothes with her into the bathroom. She saw Eddie’s robe hanging on the back of the door she slipped into it. The fabric smelled of Eddie, and felt warm and velvety soft against her skin. 37

He had changed his mind about the morning walk; he just wanted to stay inside, away from the commotion of the everyday world. Instead he began to collect his paint supplies; at least he could make a piece of art and sell it in his gallery when he got back. Unfortunately he had scattered his supplies throughout the small but workable apartment. At last he had collected them all except his black paint, which he kept in the closet of his bedroom.38

The door to his bedroom was closed, but not being use to having a woman with him in the apartment he just opened the door. She stood there with his robe half way draped on her and half way hanging off of her shoulders, he caught her right as she begun to undress. 39

To be polite he turned around and closed the door behind him, he had to close his eye and breath a few times to get her half naked body out of his mind, it was close to impossible. 40

She dressed quickly, hung his robe back up in the bathroom door, and put the towels in the hamper he had shown her. Now all she had to do was face him. She told herself over and over it was okay, and that she was a big girl now and could do it. But when she saw him sipping his coffee laying on the sofa she knew she had lied to herself.41