Chapter 189: An American Police Station

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, even Cedric's minions would get their shot at forgiveness.

Kyoko held Yashiro's phone between her and Ren, flicking through the pictures he took during today's filming. Her shoulders shook with humor and a giggle finally escaped her lips at the fifty-sixth image they came across with them and baby Jase.

"I know which one you're looking at if Kyoko-chan can no longer contain her laughter," Yashiro commented from the seat behind them in the luxury SUV.

"One? Do you think there's only one, Yukihito? There's enough to fill an entire album here. Why didn't you just take a video? It would have saved your thumb from repeatedly pressing the camera button. I don't know who was more terrified, me or him," Ren grumbled.

Kyoko and Yashiro shared a laugh at his expense, making him scowl a little more.

"I thought it was cute," she commented and went back to swiping through Yashiro's gallery. This carefree atmosphere felt good and she wished the mood could last. They were on their way to the police station to give their statements with Clint and Nicole escorting them. Kyoko still had not sensed anyone else watching over them as her father had mentioned. Knowing Tadashi always followed through when it came to her, they were out there lurking and doing one hell of a job of being undetected.

She watched Ren's scowl recede and his gaze on the little screen in front of them.

"That's a good one," he murmured beside her. "How did you know how to calm him down?"

Tapping her finger on her chin, Kyoko sat thoughtfully trying to recall how she knew just what to do to calm Jase down during his meltdown. It had been purely instinctual when she scooped up the little tyke and went through the motions of soothing him. Her mood darkened somewhat as memories of her past floated through her mind. She remembered the way she had stared longingly at the families with loving mothers and doting fathers, wishing she had the same.

"Are you okay?" Ren's arm tightened around her. "I'm sorry if my question upset you."

The concern and love that shone through his eyes dispelled those lonely memories, reminding her that she was no longer alone. It may not have been apparent back then to her young mind, but Yayoi filled that void in her own way. Today, she had the love of two amazing women and several doting fathers. Kyoko shook her head and flashed him a radiant smile as she thought of how blessed and full her life had become. It was time to put the past behind her.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "I was just thinking about my time at the ryokan and the happy families that vacationed there. I only realized now that no matter what country they came from, almost every mother reacted the same way when their child became distressed. After seeing it so many times, I guess comforting a baby has been ingrained into me."

Kyoko flinched at the shrill that came from the back seat and was surprised the bodyguards up front didn't react at all. Clint and Nicole took the overzealous manager's enthusiasm all in stride. In a couple of hours working with him, they had become accustomed to his extreme reactions.

"You were a natural, Kyoko-chan. You'll make an excellent mother someday, right Ren," the manager exclaimed and prodded her boyfriend. Kyoko's face burned from embarrassment, but the idea of having a child one day didn't anger or terrify her like it once did, especially if it was with him.

Ren leaned closer and whispered seductively in the Emperor's voice, "we can start practicing tonight."

Kyoko gasped as the fire on her cheeks rose to volcanic levels. Ren chuckled and gave her a knowing smirk when she playfully pushed him away with a huff.

"What did you say?" Yashiro asked Ren curiously and glanced back and forth between his charges.

"Sorry, Yukihito, for Kyoko's ears only," Ren threw over his shoulder.

"Well, when you put it like that I don't even want to know," Yashiro teased and backed off, changing the subject. Kyoko handed him his phone and they began discussing what pictures to share on social media. Yashiro was sure that releasing images of their "little family" would bury the hallway scandal that would be dropping later today if it hasn't already. Kyoko sighed internally at the thought of going home. The anonymity they were enjoying would be over as soon as the media and fans catch wind of their return.

It wasn't long before Nicole announced that they were ten minutes from the police station. The atmosphere in the vehicle grew tense. Aside from what she saw in Japanese and Korean dramas, Kyoko had never been inside a police station before and had no clue what to expect of one in America.

Clint maneuvered the vehicle through a few side streets until Nicole gasped. "Holy shit, it's a fucking circus!"

"Nicole, language," Clint growled. "You cuss worse than a sailor."

Nicole chuckled, "You're not wrong. I was a marine."

"I know," her partner groaned.

"Please pardon my French folks," she called over her shoulder, making Kyoko giggle and look out at the scene in awe.

If she thought the hospital was bad, the street in front of the building Nicole pointed out to be the police station was covered with media vans, reporters, and people, lots and lots of people. As Clint's SUV slowed to a crawl because of traffic and people jaywalking, Kyoko gaped at what she was seeing. There were food trucks and vendors selling paraphernalia. She watched a group of teenage girls in matching t-shirts come out of a pop-up tent giggling. When they stopped to pose for a group photo, Kyoko noticed the screen print on their shirts read Justice for Cedric. The crowd grew thicker as they got closer to their destination and more Police presence could be seen.

Kyoko was amazed by the different groups that had gathered together. Many were fans seeking retribution for Cedric, but some saw it as an opportunity for free publicity to push their agendas. About twenty people walked in a tight circle holding picket signs, shouting the department's incompetence of keeping their community safe and demanding the resignation of the police chief in a sing-song chant. Another group, no more than ten feet away from the other, shouted for stricter gun laws as if the police had the power to make that change. Kyoko had no idea how the police lining the barricade kept their composure with so many people shouting in their faces.

"Why didn't anyone warn us about this shit-show?" Nicole grumbled to Clint as she typed feverishly into her cellphone. "I thought they were keeping things under wraps to avoid this."

"For the right price, someone always talks," Clint sighed, keeping his eye on the road.

"Oh, for fucks sake. Kyoko don't look," Nicole warned from the front seat, but she was too late.

"Is that man..." Kyoko gawked at the man being confronted by two policemen, clearly wearing nothing but a cardboard sign covering his front with the words THE END IS NEAR! written sloppily in red spray paint.

"I apologize for our city," Nicole said, turning in her seat to face Kyoko.

"Oh no, it's no problem. I've had to deal with the occasional drunk in the past that suddenly decided his clothes are either too hot or too itchy."

"What?!" Every person in the car exclaimed and turned shocked faces on her, including Clint who peered at her in the rearview mirror.

"Oh, it was no big deal," she shrugged, ignoring the dark aura rolling off her boyfriend as her grudges came out to play. "They usually passed out before things got too far and there was always someone else to take care of them." Everyone but her boyfriend relaxed at her explanation. She snuggled closer into Ren's side to calm him down and ignored whatever else was going on out there.

"If you're ever in another bind, remember to self-defense their asses and kick them hard between the legs. You'll have them singing soprano in no time," Nicole offered, making Kyoko giggle and the men groan painfully. Kyoko smirked when Ren covered his crotch with his free hand.

Nicole's phone pinged with a message. After reading the text, she instructed Clint to take the next right and head around the back. This led them to a gated parking lot where several squad cars sat. The officer manning the gate waved them through after pointing them toward three men wearing suits waiting outside a heavy metal door. Disembarking from the vehicle, Kyoko gazed at the American police station. It was larger than she thought. The main section consisted of a red brick three-story building and a more modern section was six stories of mirrored glass.

Kyoko was relieved when Ren immediately tucked her into his side and held her close. She had no clue why she was so nervous. As they advanced on the small group, the younger of the trio broke away and headed in their direction. The man strolled gracefully toward them as if he was strutting on a catwalk for L.A. fashion week showing off the gray pinstripe suit that fit him to a tee. Kyoko assumed he was a model or an actor around Kuu's age, but couldn't put a name to his face.

"Hi, I'm Timothy Moore, your legal representative," he smiled warmly, flashing his pearly white teeth.

A lawyer? She was not expecting that profession at all. Kyoko exchanged a confused look with Ren then glanced back at the man.

"Hi, nice to meet you, Mr. Moore. I'm Yukihito Yashiro. Ren and Kyoko's agent. Mr. Hizuri told me to expect you," Yashiro said stepping forward and shaking his hand.

"Please, call me Tim," the handsome lawyer responded.

Yashiro nodded. Kyoko and Ren looked at the manager like he had grown two heads. Dad?

"Sorry, Tim. I forgot to tell them you would be here. I really appreciate your help. This is Ren Tsuruga." Yashiro paused while Tim carefully shook his hand, noticing the bruised knuckles instantly. There was a brief flash of something in the lawyer's eyes that caught her attention when he looked at Ren's hands.

"And this is Kyoko Morimoto," Yashiro said, gesturing to her.

Kyoko regarded the man and shook his hand. Tim looked at her from head to toe, but not in a perverted way. It felt more clinical, like a doctor's inspection. After his perusal of her physical form, he turned his attention to the bodyguards.

"And you guys must be the muscle," Tim joked and introduced himself to Nicole and Clint.

"I'm just here to make sure everything is Kosher and they aren't taking advantage of you. I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but my job just got a hell of a lot easier now that I know you can speak English so well. There's a couple of important people that want to meet you both given the delicate situation," he stated and guided them to the two older gentlemen.

"I would like you all to meet, Chief of Police, Dominik Reid, and Commissioner William Decker." After greetings and introductions were made, the chief swiped his access badge against the security panel on the wall and opened the door when it clicked.

"I'm a close friend of Eltra Duris and watched Cedric grow into an outstanding young man," the chief began, making small talk as they walked down a sterile hallway.

Ren snorted and covered it with a cough. Kyoko couldn't fault his reaction. She mentally scoffed at the man's admission, realizing the importance of his friendship to Eltra and the role he might have played in shaping Cedric's life.

The Chief narrowed his eyes at Ren and continued talking. "I know he had his fair share of problems. Hell, he just admitted it to the world. I have to admire that kind of courage."

Kyoko tried to listen to the Chief's words but she was too busy observing the place once they stepped into the heart of the station. A mother dressed in scrubs and a teenage girl around Kyoko's age were arguing with the officer at the front desk while other officers answered phones or processed criminals. Kyoko noticed the man with the cardboard sign sitting on a bench in the corner sipping from a styrofoam cup with handcuffs around his wrists. At least now he was wearing some clothes.

"Come on, baby," Ren tugged on her as they crossed the busy room and into another hallway.

They were guided to a small conference room located halfway down the hall. Kyoko settled for water when they were offered refreshments by the Chief's assistant. The chief and commissioner took seats at the back corner, obviously there to get a first-hand account of what Kyoko and Ren had to say. Clint and Nicole opted to wait outside in the hall when two detectives entered the room.

Captain Lillian Espinoza was the chief detective on Cedric's case and Detective Rodney Gaylen was her partner. They watched quietly as Gaylen set up his laptop on the table ready to take down their official statements electronically.

"Does anyone have a problem with being recorded?" Espinoza asked as she got comfy in the cheap pleather chair next to her partner.

"It's okay to say no if you're uncomfortable, but my legal advice is to agree. It can be helpful at times to have on record."

They took the lawyer's advice and agreed.

"We reserve the right to a copy," Tim followed up officially.

"Of course," Espinoza replied and nodded to Gaylen to start recording using the small camera mounted to his laptop.

They spent over an hour recounting last night from Ren's point of view first then followed by hers. It took that long because Gaylen was trying to capture everything that was said and tended to fat-finger some of the keys. This method was still quicker than the old fashion writing that would have probably ended up illegible due to his chicken scratch penmanship that Kyoko spied on the notepad in front of her. Espinoza asked several clarifying questions along the way to make sure they had a record of exactly what went down behind that hotel. The chief detective was so thorough, she even wanted to know the time and relative location of each person during the altercation. They needed to build an airtight case against these criminals to put them away for a very long time.

Gaylen finished typing and made copies for them to review and sign. A set was provided for Yashiro and Tim to get a second pair of eyes on it to protect the young couple. After everyone agreed that the information on the sheets was correct, Kyoko and Ren signed their respective forms.

"There's one more thing," Chief Reid said, looking up from the cell phone. "Would you be willing to identify the suspects in a line-up?" He and the commissioner had been so quiet for the last hour that Kyoko forgot they were still in the room.

"Is the glass transparent?" Ren responded immediately. "I don't want any of those low-lives getting another glimpse of her," he stated, addressing Tim. He was looking at the lawyer to step in and deny the request.

"We have a room with a two-way glass we can use," Espinoza quickly replied before Tim had a chance to speak.

"Then I think it will be fine. Is that okay, Kyoko," Ren asked, making sure she was on board with it. The nerves she always had before an important exam reared their ugly head. It felt like she was being tested and was worried she'd make a mistake. Kyoko gulped down her anxiety and nodded, reminding herself that she had an excellent memory. The fact that it was dark wouldn't matter.

With Kyoko's approval, Espinoza pulled out her phone and began typing furiously. After a minute of back and forth messages, she put the phone away. She opened the door revealing Clint and Nicole lounging on folding chairs and playing on their phones. They stood quickly collecting empty drink containers and snack bags like they were caught slacking on the job. Kyoko didn't mind and was glad they had a chance to relax. They were in a police station. It had to be safe.

"How about we take a five-minute bathroom break before we head to the next room?" Espinoza suggested, leading them to the restrooms. All that talking had made Kyoko finish two bottles of water so her bladder had been screaming for the last twenty minutes. She sighed in satisfaction as she relieved herself. Kyoko was still peeing when the main bathroom door opened.

"Oh, she's still going," she heard Nicole's voice pierce through the sound of her loud stream hitting the water. "I can wait for her."

Kyoko groaned in mortification as she heard the bodyguard talking to whoever was outside. Probably everyone. Every time she thought she was done more piss flowed out of her. She wished she could just flush herself down the toilet to avoid seeing those people again. There were a few more false finishes until she was finally done. Kyoko rushed to clean up and wash her hands not wanting to keep them waiting any longer.

To her relief, Nicole and Espinoza were the only two waiting for her to come out. On the walk to the next room, Nicole lectured her about the safety concerns of holding one's bladder and Espinoza apologized for not offering to take a break.

"Everything, okay?" Ren asked when she stepped up to his side and gently intertwined their fingers so she wouldn't put pressure on his hand.

"Mmmhmm, I just drank too much water," she answered.

Now that everyone was ready, Espinoza picked up the phone sitting on the table and pressed a button then barked an order to "send them in, now."

Kyoko watched as eight men walked in, some in their clothes and others in orange jumpsuits. She recognized the men that assaulted Cedric immediately. It gave her great satisfaction to see them so battered and bruised. Serves them right!

"Just call out the numbers of the men you believe to be involved."

Kyoko confidently went down the line, "number one." It was the man she had accidentally hit with the door. She had stressed in the report that she really didn't mean to hit him and overestimated the heaviness of the door. She passed on the next guy, even though he looked like he could be a part of the group with his bloodshot eyes and tattoos snaking up his arms.

"Number three," she announced, identifying the other man that had attacked Ren. "Number five," her voice trembled with emotion as she passed over the next guy. He was the ringleader, the one that shot Cedric, and the biggest danger of all. His face was emotionless as he stared coldly at the glass. Kyoko shivered. It was like he was staring straight at her.

"Don't worry, he can't see you," Ren gave her hand a tiny squeeze. Kyoko nodded and continued.

"Number six," she stated, watching the man fidget in his place and glance at the shooter beside him. This was the man that had secretly watched her during fashion week. She still couldn't understand why and didn't care to find out. Ren sensed her apprehension and whispered soothing words to calm her down.

Kyoko bypassed number seven and stopped at number eight. She stared at him for several seconds, confused.

"Why is he here?" She asked no one in particular and continued to peer at the man. Looking past the orange jumpsuit and his bandaged head, she remembered him. "I know him. He was the waiter with us last night. He got hurt trying to help."

"It's complicated," Reid spoke up, exchanging a look with Decker. "He's an ex-con and was friends with the other suspects."

"Oh," Kyoko stared back at the man. Glancing back through all the men, he was the only one that looked devastated and remorseful. A gut feeling told her he wasn't bad.

As if reading her mind, Espinoza explained. "Since you both showed up partway, we can only hope that Mr. Bennett can give us more answers. Until then, he's a suspect. For all we know, he lured Mr. Bennett straight into the lion's den."

"Ren." Kyoko turned frustrated eyes to the love of her life, her rock, her demon slayer in hope that he had a solution. She wasn't quite sure how to articulate what she wanted to ask him, but his brown eyes connected with hers and softened.

"Mr. Moore," Ren called, without breaking eye contact with her. Kyoko stared at him curiously, wondering what he was thinking. She hadn't said it yet but she wanted to help the waiter somehow.

"Yes, Mr. Tsuruga," the American lawyer moved forward from his spot against the back wall.

"I'd like to retain your legal services to help that last man," Ren nodded toward the right of the glass where the waiter stood with his head hung low.

The whole room gasped at his announcement. Elated, Kyoko squealed and pulled her boyfriend down by the lapels of his jacket to kiss every inch of his face she could reach. Ren slipped his arms around her waist and lifted her so she had better access to his lips.

"I love you so much," she murmured against his lips.

"I love you too, Kyoko," he replied and captured her lips fully.

It took several throat clearings and a few coughs to finally break them apart. Kyoko buried her face in Ren's chest, knowing it probably resembled the color of a boiled octopus.

"How about we discuss this over lunch once we're done here? I have a private room reserved at a traditional Japanese restaurant not too far from here. The sea urchin dish is the best I've ever had in the city. I mean, nothing compares to the original, but it might be something you can all enjoy."

There wasn't much left to do after they correctly identified the suspects. They were on their way to the restaurant after Tim acquired the case file on his new client. Kyoko was so happy her boyfriend had quickly figured out a solution and hoped Tim could help the man get out of there soon.

"Hey, upchuck," the policeman rudely greeted him in front of his cell. Charles fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man's lack of originality. He opted to glare

instead. "You made bail. Get your ass up and change your clothes." The cop opened the cell door and tossed two shopping bags at him.

"What?...Who?"

"Who knows," the cop shrugged. "I'll be back in10. Be ready to go."

He scrambled to his feet and a wave of dizziness rushed over him causing Charles to sit back down until the spell passed. Kicking off the cheap flip-flops and removing the orange jumpsuit they made him wear from the hospital, Charles dug through the bags and pulled out a new pair of jeans, a pack of t-shirts, socks, and boxers, and a track jacket. The other bag held a pair of sneakers in his size. He got dressed as quickly as his head would allow, ripping plastic and tags off the new items. Finished, he sat on his bed waiting and wondering what could have changed. Charles' head hurt as he recalled how his shitty day started with waking up nauseous.

...

"Chuck, you awake?" he heard Martin's loud voice call from the cell next door. Charles rolled his eyes at the stupidity of his friend's, no, ex-friend's question and dry heaved into the nasty metal toilet.

"Are you okay, man? You don't sound too good."

"Fuck off!" He spat, unable to resist retorting, and ended up retching nothing into the toilet. If the concussion he sustained last night didn't make him throw up, the gnarly stench of urine surrounding his cell would.

Once he was patched up and released from the hospital, the cops wasted no time bringing him to jail.

He had spent hours chastising himself for being so stupid. The cops ignored him whenever he asked about Cedric's condition. Charles had held on to hope that Cedric was still alive. He would get better and believe that he had nothing to do with the assault.

"UpChuck, you got a visitor," the cop yelled as he opened the door. Charles bit his tongue to keep from complaining about the immature abuse of his name.

"I didn't know I could have visitors," Charles frowned, questioning the officer's instructions.

"Let's just say your mother is scary," the cop laughed. Knowing the drill, Charles held his hands in front of his body while the man roughly slapped some cuffs on him.

He was led to the visiting room where he saw his exhausted mother, still dressed in her scrubs, waiting on the other side of the glass with his sister. She probably had to take time off from her job at the nursing home to be here. Guilt sliced through him as he slid into the booth across from them and picked up the phone. His plan to take care of the bills so she could quit working nights at the cafe just went out the window with this recent fuck-up. He couldn't do shit to help them in prison if he gets convicted again. They both burst into tears as soon as they saw him. He was only given five minutes, and most of that time was spent with him apologizing and his mother crying while his sister tried to comfort her. Before he replaced the phone on its cradle, his mother promised to get him out of there. She believed him to be innocent despite what the officers and media were reporting. He told them to forget about him and blew a final kiss to the women in his life as he was taken back to his dreary cell.

He dozed on and off for a couple of hours until he was brought to another room with the rest of the guys and told to line up facing forward. When he saw the mirror, his heart skipped, knowing what it meant. Cedric or someone related to Cedric had to be behind that glass. The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became. The longer he stood there with the other criminals, the faster doubt seeped in and took root. Who am I kidding? He was no better than them. Charles dropped his head in shame. The bright idea he had to join Cedric on his path to redemption was now lost. Charles had to accept that this was his fate and there was no making up for past mistakes.

...

"Hey, what's going on?" Martin shouted from his cell, shaking Charles out of his thoughts.

"I'm getting out of here. I think my mom posted my bail. Fuck! I can't believe she went to a bail bondsman. We don't have the money for that. "

"What? I thought we weren't allowed bail," Martin hollered back.

"I don't know man. I have to talk to my mom. I hope we can give the money back. I can't let her sacrifice her life again for a deadbeat like me."

It was quiet for a few moments until Martin spoke again, "I'm sorry, Chuck. I fucked up."

"Oh boo hoo," a voice mocked from another cell. "Will you little bitches shut the fuck up already!"

"Fuck off!" They shouted together then laughed. For a moment, it felt like old times until their laughter died off into awkward silence.

"Good luck, Chuck. I hope you get out of this one. If I have the chance, I'll tell them you had nothing to do with this at all," Martin promised.

Before he could say thanks, a sinister laugh filled the area, making the hair on the back of his neck stand. "Don't worry, pussy. I'll tell them all about how you kindly brought Mr. Hollywood right to us."

"Shut the fuck up, Leo!" Martin roared from his cell. "That's a fucking lie!" Leo laughed hysterically at Martin's reaction.

"Hey settle down, ladies," the cop hollered as he came stomping down the hall and banging his baton against the bars. He stopped in front of Charles' cell and unlocked the door.

"Let's go," he motioned with his baton for him to step out.

"Cuffs?"

His jailer shook his head and held open the door. Unwilling to trust the guy, Charles grabbed the plastic bag containing the rest of his new clothes and made sure not to turn his back on the cop. The place went eerily quiet as he stepped into the hall, not even Leo had anything sarcastic to say for once. Martin gave him a sad smile and a small salute as he passed by his cell. Charles could only nod at his old friend as he left the horrid place behind. He prayed to God, he would never see the inside of another prison again.

Instead of taking him to the front to process out, Charles was led down another hall. The cop knocked on the door twice and opened it to let him then left. A man dressed in a tailored suit stood from the table and flashed him a warm smile.

"Charles, I'm Timothy Moore, call me Tim," he greeted, shaking his hand firmly. "I was hired to be your legal counsel."

"W-what? B-by who?" He stuttered. The man reeked of money, so it couldn't have been his mother.

"I'll explain everything, so please have a seat. I normally like to do this somewhere more comfortable, but I figured you'd want answers now."

"I got this for you." The lawyer shook a prescription bottle in his hand like they were tic tacs and placed it on the table with a bottle of water. "Should help with the concussion. Do you like sushi? I got you some takeout...figured you'd be hungry."

The man talked so fast Charles was having trouble keeping up. He watched in awe as Tim described the food and pulled out numerous containers from a large paper bag with a fat white cat holding its right paw up printed on it. If he recalled correctly, a cat like that usually symbolized luck. Maybe this was a sign.

"Thanks," Charles smiled for the first time today as tears clouded his vision. He didn't know the name of his savior, but he would find out, and make sure to pay them back for their kindness.

AN: Thanks for sticking with me, everyone! I really thought I was going to get to Cedric in this chapter, but things got out of control fast and for that, I apologize. I had to get Charles out of there so I hope you enjoyed it.

BTW, do you guys recall if I gave Charles a last name?..lol. *facepalm* I've been scouring chapters, but couldn't find one. This is why I suck for not keeping notes. Let me know if you guys remember. I'll keep searching.

Thanks for always reading and I appreciated your reviews.

I wanted to give a shout-out to the guest reviewer, TDAN, that left me a loud and wonderful review. This story is ongoing. I have never stopped updating, although I've been slacking the last couple of months thanks to poor time management and life getting in the way. The 2018 date you are referring to is when I started this story. I hope this eases your mind and you continue to enjoy it.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^