FrAcTuReD (Part One) (Completed continued in Part Two)

Chapter. 26

"Thanks for that thought..." he said with a deadpan tone.

With a mere wave, Claud left the station leaving Isaac alone with his thoughts, his partner was right, of course, the question was how could he go about asking his brother about Charla?

Claud got into his car and turned on the overhead light and took out his notebook, he wasn't able to write what he wanted after the incident with Duke, but seeing Charla like that again made his mind think that there was a greater connection then he originally thought.

Charla Liebert emotional change – physically (stance, attitude) different from first encounter – annoyed from Duke (can relate) but also shows signs of anger towards those who abuse others through power – possibly dealt with it before – must look into head trauma and the like when given the chance.

He stopped and looked at the notes that he made of Charla, along with the small interactions he had with her, he couldn't help but make the same thought repeatedly. He wrote in his notes one more time before driving off.

Charla Liebert – personality change – different person – must look into.

Joshua had just finished his night shift at his family's pub and was taking the garbage out when he saw a car parked with a familiar face leaning against it. He smiled. "Hey Claud, finished work now?" but his smile slowly vanished when he saw the grim expression on Claud's face. "What's wrong? Did something happen at work?"

With out a word Claud moved towards Joshua and before the man could ask anything else Claud wrapped his arms around the other man and held him tight. His hands, which were no longer wearing gloves, gripped Joshua's shirt tightly not wanting to let go.

"Sorry..." Claud said softly. "I just... need a moment, I'll let go soon, promise."

Joshua smiled and wrapped his arms around Claud's waist, fingers interlaced as he smiled faintly and tilted his head against Claud's. "Take as long as you need, I'm not going anywhere..."

Claud opened his eyes and looked at a reflection of himself seeing Joshua's back. No many people knew of this side to him, and in truth he'd prefer to keep it that way. The only one who really knew him was Josh, but then there were sides that Joshua only showed to Claud.

"So," Joshua asked as he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter from his back pocket. "What happened that made you need to see me?"

Claud was now leaning against the grate of a closed shop with arms folded across his chest. He glanced to Josh who offered him a cigarette. He took it but merely kept it in between his index and middle fingers. "I had to deal with an old pain of ours today, you've read that magazine article, haven't you?"

Joshua paused in lighting his cigarette and looked back to Claud. "No way..." he stood up to look at Claud properly. "You had to deal with Duke? Don't tell me you had to deal with him alone."

"No," he said softly. "I was at his family's bar talking with Tom and Will when he showed, so I wasn't alone thankfully. Though if I was I wouldn't be called a police officer anymore because of it."

Joshua grimaced. "I'm sorry, I wished you had called me, I could have helped."

Claud shook his head and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't be, it's not like when we were in high school. Things have changed, though Duke has far from changed, we're better then him. And one day, whether he admits to it or not. He will get his dues, in some form or another."